Bouches-du-Rhône

Département in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in France, containing the delta of the River Rhône; area 5,112 sq km/1,974 sq mi; population (1999 est) 1,835,700. The western portion, known as the Camargue, is a low-lying plain, and in the north and east the Alpes Maritimes slope down to the Rhône basin. There are heavy industries, especially petrochemicals, in Marseille, the administrative centre. Other towns include Aix-en-Provence and Arles.

Between the mountains and the sea is an arid plain called La Crau. The sea coast is indented and has many lagoons. The amount of arable land is small, though some cereals are grown. Olives are grown extensively in the northeast, and there is livestock farming, particularly of horses and cattle. Lignite and bauxite are found, and salt is mined.