Mayenne

Département in the Pays de la Loire region of western France, on the River Mayenne; area 5,171 sq km/1,997 sq mi; population (1999 est) 285,300. The Mayenne River bisects the area from north to south. The administrative centre is Laval, and other principal towns are Mayenne and Château-Gontier. Chief industries include iron, slate, and paper. The chief agricultural activities are the breeding of cattle, horses, and pigs, and the making of cider. There are iron foundries, printing works, and food processing plants.

Mayenne is formed from parts of the old provinces of Maine and Anjou, and is included almost entirely within the basin of the Loire. It has a mild climate and many extensive, sandy heaths.

Mayenne

River in western France which gives its name to the département of Mayenne; length 200 km/125 mi. It rises in Orne, flows in a generally southerly direction through Mayenne and Maine-et-Loire, and joins the River Sarthe just above Angers to form the River Maine.