Gard

Gard, a department of France on the Mediterranean, and lying W. of the Rhone, and containing 2,245 square miles, is watered by the Rhone and its tributaries, the Gard and the Ceze. In the N.W. is a branch of the Cevennes, and the remainder of the department slopes towards the Rhone and the Mediterranean, the coast being somewhat unhealthy by reason of its marshes and great summer heat. Many olives and chestnuts are grown, and silkworms are reared. Formerly it was noted for its wine, but of late the phylloxera has wrought great havoc among the vines. Coal, iron, lead, marble, salt, and antimony are among the minerals, and there are important iron and steel works. Nimes is the capital, ten miles to the N.E. of which is the Pont du Gard, an aqueduct, one of the most magnificent of Roman remains in France.