Gironde

Département in the Aquitaine region of France; area 10,000 sq km/3,861 sq mi; population (1999 est) 1,287,300. It is fertile in the east but marshy and covered with pine woods in the west. The woods are separated from the sea by sand dunes, which extend for 120 km/75 mi along the coast. The great wine-producing district of Médoc lies along the west bank of the Gironde estuary. Cereals, fruit, tobacco, and vegetables are grown, and livestock is farmed. Turpentine, pitch, and charcoal are obtained from the pine forests. The administrative centre is Bordeaux. Other towns include Blaye, Langon, Lesparre, and Libourne.

Gironde is formed from part of the former province of Guienne.