ALPES-DE-HAUTE-PROVENCE

formerly (until 1970) Basses-alpes, dpartement, Provence-Alpes-Cte-d'Azur rgion, southeastern France. It was created in 1790 out of the northern part of Provence and lies wholly within the Provence Alps. It is bounded on the north by Hautes-Alpes dpartement and on the east by Italy and Alpes-Maritimes dpartement. Alpes-de-Haute-Provence is high and mountainous and is one of the most thinly populated parts of France. Only in the Durance River valley is the elevation below 1,000 feet (300 m), and the mountains near the Italian frontier rise above 10,000 feet (3,000 m). Most of the dpartement farther west consists of rugged limestone Pre-Alps. Between mountain-encircled basins, where the Durance River and its tributaries (Ubaye, Bs, Blone, Asse, and Verdon) open out, are almost impassable gorges dividing the area into separate compartments. The Route Napolon and the road from Brianon to Nice, which is much frequented by summer tourists, were improved in the 20th century and have helped break down the region's isolation. In the valleys, cereals and vegetables are grown, and fruit orchards and vineyards are cultivated. Sheep are raised in irrigated meadows. In the extreme south of the dpartement, the upper Verdon River has been impounded by the Castillon and Chaudanne dams to provide water for irrigation and hydroelectric power, but the river's middle course is a beautiful gorge frequented by tourists. Alpes-de-Haute-Provence comprises four arrondissements, which centre on Digne-les-Bains (q.v.; the departmental capital), Barcelonnette, Castellane, and Forcalquier. The dpartement comes under the acadmie (academic district) and court of appeal of Aix. Area 2,674 square miles (6,925 square km). Pop. (1992 est.) 133,800.