Doubs

Département in the Franche-Comté region of France; area 5,228 sq km/2,019 sq mi; population (1999 est) 499,000. It falls naturally into three regions. The plains between the rivers Ognon and Doubs are very fertile, producing wheat, oats, and other cereals, as well as vegetables, hemp, fruits, and vines. The central plateau is mostly used as grazing land for cattle. The mountainous districts, crossed by four parallel spurs of the Jura, are thickly wooded. The main manufacturing industries are machinery, automobiles, textiles, clocks and watches, hardware, food, and wine. There are rock-salt deposits in the region, and building stone is quarried. The administrative centre is Besançon.

Doubs is formed from part of the former province of Franche-Comté. Other towns include Montbéliard and Pontarlier.