CANTAL, a department of central France, formed from Haute-Auvergne, the southern portion of the old province of Auvergne. It is bounded north by the department of Puy-de Dome, east by Haute-Loire, south-east by Lozere, south by Avey ron and Lozere, and west by Correze and Lot. Area, 2,231 sq.m. Pop. It extends eastwards into the heart of the Plateau Central and consists largely of crystalline schists, granites and recent volcanic rocks. The Monts du Cantal, a volcanic group, occupy its central region, and are continued towards the north and east by spurs of lower altitude. The Plomb du Cantal attains a height of 6,096 ft. ; and its neighbours, the Puy Mary and the Puy Chavaroche, attain a height of 5,863 and 5,722 ft. respectively. Immediately to the east of this central mass lies the fertile plateau of Planeze, which merges into the Monts de la Margeride on the eastern border. The valley of the Truyere skirts the Planeze on the south and divides it from the Monts d'Aubrac, at the foot of which lies Chaudesaigues, noted for its thermal springs. Northwards the Monts du Cantal are connected with the Monts Dore by the volcanic range of Cezallier and the plateaux of Artense. The central ridge notched by steep, narrow valleys, is the principal watershed. The chief rivers are the Alagnon, a tributary of the Allier; the Cele and Truyere, tribu taries of the Lot ; and the Cere and Rhue tributaries of the Dordogne.
The cold, damp climate of the plateaux restricts the cultivation of wheat, but rye and buckwheat are grown in considerable quan tities. Cattle are reared, especially around Salers and in the Monts d'Aubrac, and butter and Roquefort cheese are made. Large flocks of sheep pasture in the Monts d'Aubrac, and else where in the department goats also are kept. The principal articles of food are rye, buckwheat and chestnuts. This poor fare has seriously affected the physique of the people and many migrate to Paris and other parts of France. The internal resources of the department are considerable; but the difficulty of land-transport prevents their being sufficiently developed. Game and fish are plentiful. Cantal produces aromatic and medicinal plants; and its mineral products include coal, antimony and lime. The depart ment has no prominent manufactures. Live-stock, cheese, butter and coal are the principal exports; coal, wine, cereals, flour and earthenware are imported. The department is served by the Orleans and Southern railways.
It is divided into three arrondissements—Aurillac, Mauriac and St. Flour-23 cantons and 267 communes. It belongs to the region of the XIII. Army Corps and to the academie (educational division) of Clermont-Ferrand. Its bishopric is at St. Flour and depends on the archbishopric of Bourges. Its court of appeal is at Riom. The capital is Aurillac (q.v.).