HERAULT

dpartement, Languedoc-Roussillon region, southern France, created from the central part of the historic province of Languedoc (q.v.). Its 2,360 sq mi (6,113 sq km) are bounded on the south by the Mediterranean and extend north and northwest to the southeast border of the Massif Central. The mountainous north grades down to hills and plateaus and finally to the low-lying coastal plain. Near the Mediterranean the climate changes from humid to dry, with warm winters and hot summers. The Hrault River, which gives the dpartement its name, flows across it from north to south, reaching the Mediterranean Sea in a lowland of small coastal lagoons. The Midi Canal (q.v.), still open though inadequate for modern commercial navigation, passes through many of these lagoons before rejoining the Rhne. Other watercourses are the Vis and Orb rivers. Close to the sandy coast, many lagoons are linked with the Mediterranean. The agriculture is a monoculture based on wine. The recent construction of irrigation canals has not succeeded in diversifying agriculture except locally (vegetables and fruits). Sheep are raised in the north, and ewes' milk is sent to the cheese factories at Roquefort in neighbouring Aveyron dpartement. Bziers is the centre for the wine trade, also important at the university city of Montpellier (q.v.), Hrault's capital. The main harbour is Ste, one of several seaside resorts. Traditional industry is in viticultural implements, but there are also important refineries and chemical plants. The Mediterranean littoral is being developed for tourism by the creation of beach resort towns. The dpartement has three arrondissements-Montpellier, Bziers, and Lodve-and is in the educational division of Montpellier. Pop. (1982) 706,499.