Gironde, a S. W. department of France, formerly a part of the province of Guienne, bordering on the bay of Biscay and the departments of Charente-Inferieure, Dordogne, Lot-et-Garonne, and Landes; area, 3,759 sq. m.; pop. in 1872, 705,149. The surface is almost entirely level, the W. portion being a vast sandy, arid fiat, collectively called the Landes. The chief rivers are the Garonne and Dordogne, which unite to form the Gironde, the Isle, Dronne, Dropt, and Leyre. The climate is temperate, and, except in the Landes, generally healthy. The principal productions are wheat, rye, millet, maize, hemp, fruits, wine, cork, charcoal, turpentine, pitch, and timber. Wine is the staple product, 55,000,000 gallons being made annually. The most renowned Bordeaux wines are produced in the Gironde. Building stone, salt, and chalk are the principal mineral products. The manufactures include calicoes, muslin, earthenware, paper, leather, glass, tobacco, brandy, beer, vinegar, salt, chemicals, and cordage. Ship building is extensively carried on in Bordeaux. Railways connect Bordeaux with Paris, Bayonne, etc.

The department is divided into the arrondisse-ments of Bordeaux, Blaye, Lesparre, Libourne, Bazas, and La Reole. Capital, Bordeaux.