PAS-DE-CALAIS, pa-de-kll'liV (Fr. for Strait of Dover). A department in the north of France, embracing most of the old Province of and part of Picardy, bounded on the north by the Department of Nord and the Strait, of Dover, and on the west by the Strait of Dover and the English Channel France, J ]). Area. 2606 square miles. Popula tion, in 1896, 906,219; in 1901, 933.391. The surface is level, with the exception of a ridge of hills running from the southeast to the north west, ending in Gris-nez Cape (q.v.). and form ing the watershed between the North Sea and the English Channel. The highest point (695 feet) is reached a little to the southwest of Desvres. The rivers, which are of no considerable length, are the Scarpe and Lys in the basin of the North Sea, and the Authie and Candle belonging to the basin of the English Channel. The rivers are navigable within the department, and are con nected by canals. The coast-line is 80 miles 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 variable.
• The soil is fertile—all the usual cereal and legu minous crops being produced in abundance. Fish ing is actively carried on along the coast, par ticularly in the neighborhood of Boulogne. Coal of an indifferent quality is obtained, excellent stone is quarried. and considerable quantities of turf are cut. The industrial establishments are numerous and important. including iron foun dries, glass works, potteries, tanneries, bleach works, and mills and factories of various kinds. Boulogne and Calais are the principal ports. Capital, Arras.