ARIEGE  , an inland

department of southern France, bounded S. by Spain, W. and N. by the department of Halite-Garonne, N.E. and E. by Aude, and S.E. by Pyrenees-Orientales. it embraces the old countship of Foix, and a portion of Languedoc and Gascony . Area, 1893 sq. m . Pop . (1906) 205,684 . Ariege is for the most part mountainous . Its southern border is occupied by the snow-clad peaks of the eastern Pyrenees, the highest of which within the department is the Pic de Montcalm (10,512 ft.) . Communication with Spain is afforded by a large number of ports or cols, which are, however, for the most part difficult paths, and only practicable for a few months in the year . Farther to the north two lesser ranges running parallel to the main chain traverse the centre of the department from south-east to north-west . The more southerly, the Montagne de Tabe, contains, at its south-eastern end, several heights between 7200 and 9200 ft., while the Montagnes de Plantaurel to the north of Foix are of lesser altitude . These latter divide the fertile alluvial plains of the north from the mountains of the centre and south . The department is intersected by torrents belonging to the Garonne basin—the Salat, the Arize, which, near Mas d'Azil, flows through a subterranean gallery, the Ariege and the Hers . The climate is mild in the south, but naturally very severe among the mountains .

Generally speaking, the arable

land, which is chiefly occupied by small holdings, is confined to the lowlands . Wheat, maize and potatoes are the chief crops . Good vineyards and market gardens are found in the neighbour-hood of Pamiers in the north . Flax and hemp are also cultivated . The mountains afford excellent pasture, and a considerable number of cattle, sheep and swine are reared . Poultry- and bee-farming flourish . Forests cover more than one-third of the department and harbour wild boars and even bears . Game, birds of prey and fish are plentiful . There is abundance of minerals, including lead, copper, manganese and especially iron . Grindstones, building-stone, talc, gypsum, marble and phosphates are also produced . Warm mineral springs of note are found at Ax, Aulus and Ussat . Pamiers and St Girons are the most important industrial towns .

Iron

founding and forging, which have their chief centre at Pamiers; are principal industries . Flour-milling, paper-making and cloth-weaving may also be mentioned . Ariege is served by the Southern railway . It forms the diocese of Pamiers and belongs to the ecclesiastical province of Toulouse . It is within the circumscriptions of the academie (educational division) and of the court of appeal of Toulouse and of the XVII. army corps . Its capital is Foix; it comprises the arrondissements of Foix, St Girons and Pamiers, with 20 cantons and 338 communes . Foix, Pamiers, St Girons and St Lizier-de-Couserans are the more noteworthy towns . Mention may also be made of Mirepoix, once the seat of a bishopric, and possessing a cathedral (15th and 16th centuries) with a remarkable Gothic spire .