Seine-Maritime

Département in the Haute-Normandie region of France, bordering on the English Channel; area 6,354 sq km/2,453 sq mi; population (1999 est) 1,239,100. It is largely rural, with large areas of agricultural land and the coastal maritime district. The 120 km/75 mi coast is made up of chalk cliffs rising to a height of 120 m/394 ft. Stock-rearing is important, and dairy, apples, cider, flax, and fish are major agricultural products. The automobile industry is the largest employer in the region, providing around 28,000 jobs. One-third of all French motor vehicles are produced here. Other chief industries include cotton manufacturing around Rouen (the administrative centre), and woollen manufacturing at Elbeuf. There are metallurgical, chemical, and food processing industries at Rouen and Le Havre, which are also important ports, and the lower Seine valley is a focus for oil refining. The département suffered serious damage during World War II, and underwent extensive rebuilding.

Seine-Maritime is formed from part of the former province of Normandy. The plateau of the Pays de Caux, between the English Channel and the River Seine, is well cultivated and the country to the east is wooded. Connections to the region were improved with the opening of the Normandy Bridge (1993) and a TGV high-speed train line.