INDRE

dpartement, Centre region, central France. It was created from the western part of the historic province of Berry (q.v.) and from small areas of Orlanais, Marche, and Touraine (qq.v.). Its terrain slopes northwestward from the Massif Central and is drained primarily by the Indre River, a tributary of the Loire River. The Indre flows from the southeast through Chteauroux (q.v.), Indre's capital, and past Buzanais to Chtillon in the northwest corner of the dpartement. The Creuse River, to the south, flows roughly parallel to the Indre. The western part of the dpartement, known as Brenne, is covered with small lakes and marshland. The centre and north are wooded, while the northeast is agricultural land. The hilly, wooded south, known as Boischaut, embraces the Creuse River valley, which has a dam and hydroelectric plant near guzon. The climate in the centre and north is mild, but in the south it is more severe. Most of the economic activity of Indre is agricultural. Industry (aircraft, textiles, metalworks, plastics, tobacco) is dispersed but is mainly in the Chteauroux area. The valley of the Creuse River is much frequented by tourists, who also visit the north near the chteaus of the Loire. Valenay has a magnificent Renaissance chteau that belonged to the statesman Talleyrand. At Neuvy-Saint-Spulchre is an 11th-century circular church, and other medieval churches are located in the west and centre. The chteau of the writer George Sand, which is now a museum, is situated in the village of Nohant. The dpartement has four arrondissementsChteauroux, Le Blanc, La Chtre, and Issoudunand is in the educational division of Orlans. Area 2,622 square miles (6,791 square km). Pop. (1982) 243,191; (1993 est.) 236,000.