POITOU-CHARENTES

rgion, western France, encompassing the dpartements of Vienne, Charente, Charente-Maritime, and Deux-Svres. The capital is Poitiers. The region has an area of 9,965 square miles (25,809 square km) and is bounded by the dpartements of Vende to the northwest, Maine-et-Loire and Indre-et-Loire to the north, Indre, Haute-Vienne, and Dordogne to the east, and Gironde to the south. The Bay of Biscay lies to the west. The Massif Armoricain extends into northwestern Deux-Svres; the Massif Central rises to the southeast. The centre of the region is low-lying and punctuated by the shallow valleys of Vienne, Clain, Charente, and Svre Niortaise. An oceanic climate prevails. The region's population declined by more than 9 percent between 1901 and 1946, in common with most of rural France during that period, and Poitou-Charentes has subsequently remained sparsely populated. Vienne has benefited from its proximity to Paris. Wheat, barley, and corn (maize) are widely cultivated. Cognac is produced in Charente and Charente-Maritime. Beef cattle are raised in the Massif Central and the Massif Armoricain, and milk cows are raised in southern Deux-Svres and around Poitiers. Montmorillon in Vienne produces goat cheese. The mouth of the Seudre River in Charente-Maritime is a centre for oyster culture. The region's industries must import raw materials and energy and are underdeveloped. Manufacturing is concentrated in Poitiers, Chtellerault, La Rochelle, Angoulme, and Niort, which produce electrical machinery, automobiles, and aeronautical equipment. Pop. (1990) 1,595,081.