Eureet Loir

Eure-et-Loir, a French department lying next to that of Eure, and having an area of 2,267 square miles. It is mostly a large plateau, which in the W. is diversified by valleys and streams. A ridge running from S.E. to N.W. makes the principal watershed, the northern basin of which has the Eure, which flows into the Seine, and the southern the Loir, which flows into the Sarthe 13 miles above its junction with the Loire. There are tributaries of each of these rivers, and there are also small lakes. The land produces good wheat, and there are numerous water-meadows. Many apples are grown for cider, and vines are abundant, but produce inferior wine. Game abounds, and poultry are reared for the Paris market. There is some iron, but it is little worked; and there are few manufactures, the department being chiefly agricultural. The capital is Chartres.