MONTOUR

county, east-central Pennsylvania, U.S., consisting of a mountainous region in the Appalachian Ridge and Valley physiographic province. The principal waterways are Lake Chillisquaque and the Susquehanna River, as well as Chillisquaque, Mahoning, and Roaring creeks. The iron and coal industries were important to the development of the region from the mid-19th century. The county was created in 1850 and named for Madame Montour, an 18th-century Indian interpreter. Danville is the county seat. The main economic activities are health care services, tourism, and manufacturing. Montour county has the smallest area of any county in Pennsylvania. Area 131 square miles (339 square km). Pop. (1990) 17,735; (1996 est.) 18,044.