Côte d'Or

Département in the Bourgogne region of France; area 8,765 sq km/3,384 sq mi; population (1999 est) 506,800. The River Seine rises in Châtillonnais, a densely wooded northwestern district. The plains and valleys are fertile, and there is rich pasture land. The main wealth of the region lies in its vineyards where Burgundy wines are produced. Other products are wheat, barley, potatoes, hops, and some tobacco. Sheep and cattle rearing takes place in the western districts. Iron is mined, and there are chemical, metallurgical, food, and service industries. The administrative centre is Dijon. Other towns include Beaune and Montbard.

Other rivers of the region are the Rhône and the Loire. A canal 150 km/93 mi long connects the Saône with the Yonne. A chain of hills known as the Plateau de Langres runs through the centre of the département; in the south is the Côte d'Or chain.

The département is formed from part of the former province of Burgundy.