SETE

formerly (until 1827) Cette, town and a principal French Mediterranean commercial port, lying in Hrault dpartement, Languedoc-Roussillon rgion, southern France, southwest of Montpellier. It occupies the lower slopes and foot of the isolated Mont Saint-Clair, which lies on a tongue of land between the Mediterranean and the large marshy Thau Lagoon. A network of canals links the town with the lagoon, the docks, and the harbour basins. The port is connected (via the lagoon) by the Midi Canal with the Garonne River. It is also connected to the neighbouring oil and sulfur refineries at Frontignan by pipeline and by the Ste Canal, which also links it with the Rhne River. After being damaged in World War II, the port, construction of which was first begun in 1666, was rebuilt to receive large fuel and wine tankers. It also has facilities for handling mineral cargoes as well as fish and general merchandise. After the independence of Algeria, the wine traffic declined in favour of petroleum and a new trade in tropical woods. The town's industries include the manufacture of chemical products, phosphates, and spirits. Ste is also a popular tourist resort, having a sandy beach. It has a museum dedicated to the poet Paul Valry (18711945), who was born and buried in the town. Pop. (1990) 41,916.