ALLIER

dpartement, Auvergne rgion, central France. It lies on the northern rim of the Massif Central and was formed from the old province of Bourbonnais. Allier is traversed from south to north by the Allier River. The dpartement is bounded on the northeast by the Loire River, and the Cher River flows parallel to the Allier across the dpartement's western portion. The reclamation of heathland, known as the Sologne Bourbonnais, has expanded the raising of livestock in the north-central part of the dpartement. The Limagne Bourbonnais, in the south-central part of the dpartement, is fertile and well cultivated. The heights of the Forez region in the southeast, reaching 3,822 feet (1,165 m), have severe winters. The castle at Bourbon-l'Archambault was the seat of the first Bourbon lords. There are other noteworthy medieval buildings at Moulins, Souvigny (Cluniac priory), Saint-Menoux, breuil, Gannat, Veauce and Ygrande (Romanesque churches), Huriel, and Saint-Pourain-sur-Sioule. East of the Cher River are scattered outcrops of coal, but the exploitation of the coal basin has declined. Industry is located in Montluon (rubber, chemicals, and machinery). Vichy in the south, on the Allier River, is the best-known spa in France. Allier's arrondissements centre on Moulins (the capital), Montluon, and Vichy. Area 2,834 square miles (7,340 square km). Pop. (1990) 357,793; (1994 est.) 352,970.