EITRE, a department in the n.w. of France, immediately s. of the department of Seine Inferieure, contains an area of 2,290 sq. miles. Pop. in '76, 373,629. Its surface is unusually level, as the highest eminences in the department are not more than 300 ft. in height. The principal river is the Seine, which entering the department from the s.e., flows through it in a n.w. direction to Pont-de-l'Arche, below which the course of this river is in the department of Seine Inferieure. The Eure, from which this department derives its name, and the Rille, both affluents to the Seine, are the only other important rivers. The climate is mild, moist, and foggy. Great part of the level country is covered with a loamy alluvial soil upon a stratum of limestone; while the remainder is composed of chalk, flint, and tufa. Along the Seine, the soil is in some parts sandy, stony, and barren, but the greater part is very fertile. The chief natural products are corn, hemp, flax, vegetables, and fruit, particularly applgs and pears, from which large quantities of cider and perry are made. The breeding of cattle, horses, and sheep, is favored by extensive meadows and pasture-lands. Iron is found in con siderable quantities. There are extensive iron and copper works and pin manufactories. Cotton goods, cloth, linen, paper, glass, and stoneware are likewise manufactured. The
department of Eure is divided into five arrondissements—Evreux, Louviers, Les Andelys, Bernay, and Pont-Audemer. The capital is Evreux (q.v.).
a department of France, formed chiefly from the province of Orleannais, extends between lat. 47' 57' and 48° 55' n., and long. 0° 47' and 2° east. Area, 2,260 sq. miles. Pop. '76, 283.075. It is watered mainly by the Eure in the n., and the Loir in the s., the two rivers from which it takes its name. This department lies on the water-shed between the bay of Biscay and the English channel. It is in general level, the e. and s. being occupied by high and extensive fkits; while in the w. the scenery is finely varied by hill and valley. The soil is fertile, and, especially towards the e. and s., is admirably adapted for wheat. Hops grow spontaneously in some quar ters. In the forests, the oak and birch are the prevailing trees. The rivers, none of which are navigable in this department, furnish valuable water-power for the numerous mills of various kinds that are situated on their banks. Iron is the only mineral found and worked to any great extent; but the chief articles of trade are corn, flour, and wool. The department is divided into the four arrondissements of Chartres, Chateau Dun, Dreux, and Nogent-le-Rotrou, with the town of Chartres tor capital.