HAUTES-PYRNES

dpartement, Midi-Pyrnes region, southwestern France. Most of the dpartement lies in the central Pyrenees, north of the wall-like crest line that forms the Franco-Spanish frontier. It was administratively created mainly from the district of Bigorre, with sections of other districts, all dependencies of the historic province of Gascony. The dpartement's southern boundary runs along the highest peaks of the central Pyrenees, from Balletouse Peak, 10,315 feet (3,144 m) high, through Vignemale Peak, 10,820 feet (3,298 m) high, along the ridge of the majestic Cirque de Gavarnie, a glacial amphitheatre, to peaks more than 10,000 feet (3,000 m) high on the border of the Haute-Garonne dpartement. Narrow glacier-carved valleys cut deeply into the northern slopes of the Pyrenees, from which torrential streams rush northward. The mountain passes into Spain from Hautes-Pyrnes are high and difficult to use. Summers are warm and sunny in Hautes-Pyrnes. In the mountains the winters are severe, but to the north they are mild with abundant rainfall. Sheep are sent up in spring to pasture in the higher valleys. At lower elevations in the valleys and in the low-lying portions of the dpartement, corn (maize) is the chief cereal and haricot beans and deciduous fruits are other important crops. Haute-Pyrnes's traditional craft industries are dying out, but they are being replaced by hydroelectric installations, winter sports, and, most importantly, tourism, which has invigorated the popular spas of Bagnres-de-Bigorre and Cauterets. The old fortress town of Lourdes (q.v.) has become the world's most visited pilgrimage centre. Marshal Foch was born at Tarbes, the departmental capital. The dpartement has three arrondissementsBagnres-de-Bigorre, Argels-Gazost, and Tarbesand is in the educational division of Toulouse. Area 1,724 square miles (4,464 square km). Pop. (1985 est.) 228,000.