ARIEGE, a department in southern France, bounded on the south by Spain, west and north by Haute Garonne, north-east and east by Aude, south-east by Pyrenees Orientales. Area 1,893 sq.m. Pop. (1931) 161,265. The south includes the old folded rocks of the Pyrenean axis with snow peaks (P. de Montcalm, 1o,512ft.) and several high passes, and the crestline is the inter national boundary but not a true economic one, for there are many communications between the hill pastures on both sides when the passes are open. The pass or col de Puymorens was specially important and a pilgrim way to Monserrat, and control of it was a basis of the power of the countship of Foix, which remained distinct till the Revolution of 1789, and now, with parts of Languedoc and Gascony, forms the department in the basin of the Ariege river. The hills furnish summer pasture and trackways for animals and muleteers who avoid the forested ravines; many flocks are driven down to the plains for wintering. The M. de Tabe and M. de Plantaurel are parallel ranges north of the main one ; the steep slope down to the open lowland of tertiary rocks northwards has mainly calcareous rocks with gorges, caves and river tunnels. Tuc d'Audoubert and Trois Freres among caves and Mas d'Azil among tunnels are famed archaeologically. The average temperature (sea level) in summer is 7o°F.-72°F., in winter about 43°F., rainfall generally above 3oin., over 4o in nearly all the highland, and over 6o on many heights.
Stock-raising is intensive in parts of the Ariege valley and small holdings abound, wheat, maize and potatoes being grown, with vines near Pamiers, etc. Minerals include iron, lead, copper, manganese, gypsum, talc, phosphates, salt (region of the River Salat), grindstones and building stones. Warm springs occur at Ax, Aulus, and Ussat. Iron foundries and forges exist at Pamiers, which is also the seat of a bishopric in the province of the arch bishop of Toulouse. Mirepoix, an old bishop's seat, has a cathe dral (15-16th cent.) with a fine spire. Foix is the capital and St. Girons capital of arrondissement. The department is in the educational division and under the court of appeal of Toulouse, and in the territory of the XVII. Army Corps.