GIRONDE

estuary on the Bay of Biscay, in Gironde dpartement, Aquitaine rgion, southwestern France, formed by the confluence of the Garonne and Dordogne rivers (qq.v.). It trends from southeast to northwest for about 45 miles (72 km) and is navigable for oceangoing vessels, although it has sandbanks and strong tides. The domination of Bordeaux has hindered the development of an active outport (seaward terminal for deep-draft vessels), but there are petroleum refineries at Pauillac and Bec d'Ambsmay. Le Verdun-sur-Mer is the outport for passengers. dpartement, Aquitaine rgion, southwestern France, on the Atlantic coast. Created from a part of the historic province of Guyenne (q.v.), Gironde now is the largest dpartement in France. In the northwest a cape (Grave Point) lies between the sea and the Gironde estuary. The Garonne River flows northwest through Bordeaux (q.v.), Gironde's capital, before it is joined by the Dordogne River and becomes the Gironde. Most of the western half, between the Garonne-Gironde and the coast, is flat land covered with extensive pine forests. The straight, dune-fringed coastline encloses forests, marshland, and lagoons; it is broken in the south by the Basin of Arcachon, which is surrounded by seaside resorts, including the town of Arcachon, which is noted for its oyster beds. The Bordeaux region, which has become one of the major commercial and industrial centres in France (wine, metalworks, chemicals, textiles, building materials, leather, foodstuffs), produces several of the world's most famous wines (Mdoc, Sauternes, Saint-milion, Pomerol). The dpartement has a maritime climate, with mild autumns and winters and hot, dry summers. The most important agricultural activity in Gironde is viticulture, but cereals, fruit, and tobacco also are grown, and market gardening is considerable around Bordeaux. The territory was traversed over three different routes by pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela (Spain) during the Middle Ages. It contains numerous places of historic interest, including Bordeaux, Blaye, Bazas, Saint-milion, and the feudal castle of Labrde, home of the philosopher Montesquieu. Gironde has five arrondissementsBordeaux, Blaye, Langon, Lesparre-Mdoc, and Libourneand is in the educational division of Bordeaux. Area 3,861 square miles (10,000 square km). Pop. (1992 est.) 1,232,200.