Loire (department)

The Loire is an important river of France, with a length of just over 1000 km., draining an area of 117,000 sq. km., more than a fifth of France. Originating in the north-eastern part of the southern Cevennes highlands, it flows roughly northward through Roanne and Nevers to [[Orleans}} and thereafter westward through Tours to the Atlantic at Nantes. The river's irregularity has sometimes resulted in serious flooding, notably in 1856, 1866 and 1910.

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Loire is also the name of one of France's administrative départements, with an area of 4781 sq km, occupying the river's upper reaches. The industrial city of Saint-Etienne with its suburbs contains some 290,000 of the area's 725,000 inhabitants.