Meuse

Meuse
Missing image Blason_france_Meuse_petit.jpg Coat of Arms de la Meuse Details
Information
Number	55
Region	Lorraine
Prefecture	Bar-le-Duc
Subprefecture	Commercy Verdun
Population  - Total (1999)  - Density	Ranked 88th 192,198 31 /km²
Area	6,211 km²
Arrondissements	3
Cantons	31
Communes	498
President of the general council	Bertrand Pancher
Location

Meuse is a département in northeast France, named after the Meuse River.

History

Meuse is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790. It was created from the former province of Lorraine.

The department was one of the great battlefields of World War I. An important battle was fought in 1916 at Verdun.

Geography

Meuse is part of the current region of Lorraine and is surrounded by the French departments of Ardennes, Marne, Haute-Marne, Vosges, Meurthe-et-Moselle, and Belgium on the north.

The important rivers are the following:

• Meuse
• Aire
• Chier
• Orlain
• Saulx
• Orge
• Oignon
• Vaise

Demographics

The population has decreased sharply since the 19th century, with the rural exodus to the cities.

External links

• Prefecture website (http://www.meuse.pref.gouv.fr/) (in French)
• Conseil Général website (http://www.cg55.fr/) (in French)
• http://www.tourisme-meuse.com/ (in French)

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