Eure

Eure, a department and also a river of France. The river, which gives its name to two departments, rises in the department of the Orne, flows through the departments called after it, and falls into the Seine near Pont de l'Arche. For half its course of 124 miles it is navigable. The department is to the E. of Calvados, and has an area of 2,300 square miles. It consists, for the most part, of a succession of flat plains watered by many streams, which all eventually flow into the Seine estuary, which forms a portion of the N.W. boundary of the department. The climate is humid, variable, and temperate, and well fitted for the growth of plums, cherries, and pears. The vine is plentiful, but little wine is made. Hemp and flax are grown, and the district is noted for cattle- and horse-rearing. Game and fish also abound. The mineral productions are important, and the copper, iron, and zinc works employ 50,000 people. There are also quarries, and fuller's earth and potter's clay are produced. The manufactures are varied and extensive, one of the productions being a fine woollen cloth. The principal exports are cider, perry, cattle, horses, and the products of the different manufactures. The capital is Evreux (q.v.).