PAS-DE-CALAIS (Fr. for strait of Dover), a department in the rt. of France, bounded on the n. by the department of Nord and the strait of Dover, and on the w. by the strait of Dover and the English channel. Area, 2,540 sq.m., of which 883,300 acres are culti vated, and 236,707 in meadows. Pop. '76, 793,140. The surface is level, with the exception of a ridge of hills running from the s.e. to the n.w., ending in Gris-nez cape (q.v.), and forming the water-shed between the North sea and the English channel. The rivers, which are of no considerable length, are the Scarpe and Lys in the basin of the North sea, and the Amide and Canche belonging to the basin of the English channel. The rivers are navigable within the department, and are connected by canals. The coast-line is 80 in. in length, and the shores are in certain parts low and sandy; while for several miles on either side of Gris-nez, cliffs similar to those of Dover front the sea.
The climate is mild, but exceedingly inconstant. The soil is very fertile—all the usual cereal and leguminous crops are produced in abundance—and the country is very pro ductive both as regards agriculture and manufactures. Fishing is actively carried on on the coast, particularly in the neighborhood of Boulogne. Coal of an indifferent quality is raised, the excellent quarries of the department are worked, and considerable quantities of turf are cut. The industrial establishments are numerous and important, as iron-foundries, glass-works,•potteries, tanneries, and numerous bleach-works, and mills and factories of various kinds. Boulogne and Calais are the principal harbors. There are six arrondissements—Arras, Bethune, St. Omer, St. Pol, Boulogne, and Montrcuil. The capital is Arras.