ARDECHE

dpartement, Rhne-Alpes rgion, southern France. It was formed in 1790 from the Vivarais district of Languedoc. It occupies the Cvennes edge of the Massif Central and is a highland region that is deeply scored by torrents feeding the Ardche River flowing to the Rhne, which forms its eastern boundary. North of the Ardche River valley, the volcanic hills of the Coirons jut out southeastward toward the Rhne River valley, and in the west Mount Mzenc, part of the Velay volcanic plateau, rises to 5,751 feet (1,753 m). The upper Allier River forms part of the dpartement's western boundary. The sheltered valleys near the Rhne River are warm, but winter is severe on the higher ground. Fruit trees, vines, and even olives are grown in the lower valleys, and some meadows are irrigated to bring in more than one hay crop each summer. Cereals, potatoes, and fodder crops grow in the bottomlands, and chestnuts are harvested at elevations as high as 2,500 feet (750 m). There are still high summer pastures for sheep and cattle, but the heights are almost denuded of woodlands. The dpartement has large cement plants along the Rhne River valley. The main road from Le Puy-en-Velay to the Rhne valley traverses the region by the Ardche River valley. Privas, the capital, heads an arrondissement, as do Largentire and Tournon-sur-Rhne. The countryside, especially in the west, has become depopulated during the last century. Area 2,135 square miles (5,529 square km). Pop. (1982) 267,970; (1990) 277,724; (1994 est.) 282,432.