GERS, a department of south-western France, composed of the whole or parts of certain districts of Gascony, viz. Armagnac, Astarac, Fezensac, Pardiac, Pays de Gaure, Lomagne, Com minges, Condomois and of a small part of Agenais. It is bounded N. by the department of Lot-et-Garonne, N.E. by Tarn-et Garonne, E. and S.E. by Haute-Garonne, S. by Hautes-Pyrenees, S.W. by Basses-Pyrenees and W. by Landes. Pop. Area, 2,428 sq.m. The department consists of a plateau sloping from a height of i , i oo ft. at the base of the Pyrenees to the Garonne beyond the northern boundary. It is drained by the Save, Gimonne, Arrats, Gers and Baise diverging fanwise to the Garonne, and by the Arros, Midouze and Douze feeding the Adour in the west. The climate is temperate, but subject to an unwholesome south-east wind and destructive spring hail-storms. There is seldom any snow or frost. The annual rainfall varies between 28 and 32 in. Gers is primarily agricultural. The valleys are fertile especially in the south-west and the grain produced is more than enough for local needs. Wheat, maize and oats are the chief cereals. Two thirds of the wine produced is made into brandy, known by the name of Armagnac, second only to Cognac in reputation. The natural pastures are supplemented chiefly by crops of sainfoin and clover ; horses, cattle, sheep and swine are reared in large num bers; turkeys, geese and other poultry are abundant. There are mineral springs at Aurenson, Barbotan and several other places in the department. There are flour mills and tanneries; faience and cream of tartar are made, and feathers cleaned and prepared.
Gers is divided into the arrondissements of Auch, Lectoure, Mirande, Condom and Lombez, with 29 cantons and 466 com munes. The chief town is Auch, the seat of an archbishopric.