Allier

Allier, a department in the centre of France, between Cher and Nievre on the N. and Puy de Dome on the S., having an area of 2,821 square miles. The country as a rule is undulating and fairly wooded, but is traversed by two granite spurs from the Cevennes and the Mountains of Auvergne respectively. Coal, iron, antimony, marble, limestone, etc., are found. The mineral waters of Vichy and Neris are well known. Moulins, the capital, is the seat of a bishopric. Allier (Lat. Elaver), the river from which the Department is named, rises in the Cevennes, Department Lozere, and after traversing Haute Loire, Puy de Dome, and Allier, joins the Loire just below Nevers. Its total length is 200 miles.