COGNAC

town, Charente dpartement, Poitou-Charentes rgion, western France. It lies 20 miles (30 km) west-northwest of Angoulme. The town gives its name to the brandy distilled there and exported all over the world. The distilling of cognac is its main industry. Casks and bottles are manufactured locally. Cognac was the birthplace of King Francis I (reigned 151547). Its possession was contested during the Wars of Religion. An air force pilot's school is located there. Pop. (1982) 20,247.