Loire

(lwaw,) the principal river of France, which rises in the mountains of Ardèche; flows 120 m. by Puy to Roanne, where it begins to be navigable; then pa es by Nevers, Orleans, Blois, Tours, Saumur, and Nantes, to Paimbœuf, where it enters the Bay of Biscay. Its course is 600 m. - A S.E. dep. of France, bet. those of the Rhône and Puy-de-Dôme; area, 1,838 sq. m. Its surface is partially impinged upon by the mountains of the Cevennes and Forez. It is rich in minerals, coal in particular. C. St. Etienne. Pop. 537,108. [s. 553]