Savoie

Savoie (sävwä`), department (1990 pop. 351,400), SE France, bordering Italy. Chambéry is the capital.

---

Savoy

 French Savoie Italian Savoia

Historical region, southeastern France and northwestern Italy. From the 11th century the counts of Savoy ruled it as part of the kingdom of Arles under the suzerainty of what would become the Holy Roman Empire. It became virtually independent and expanded across the Alps to include the plain of Piedmont in Italy. In the 18th century Piedmont and Savoy were incorporated into the kingdom of Sardinia, and the dukes of Savoy became kings of Sardinia. Savoy and Piedmont were ceded to France in 1792, but Savoy was restored to its traditional rulers in 1815, with the addition of Genoa. In 1860 Sardinia, Genoa, and Piedmont joined other Italian states to form the Kingdom of Italy. The house of Savoy was the ruling house of Italy until 1946, when the Italian Republic was established.

---

Savoie

1. a department of E France, in Rhône-Alpes region. Capital: Chambéry. Pop.: 386 246 (2003 est.). Area: 6188 sq. km (2413 sq. miles)

2. the French name for Savoy

---

Savoie 

a department in southeastern France, in the Savoy Alps on the Italian border. Area, 6,000 sq km. Population, 307,000 (1974). The prefecture is Chambéry. Twenty-four percent of Savoie’s work force is employed in industry and 17 percent in agriculture (1969). There are large hydroelectric power plants on the Isère river and its tributaries. Industries are represented by electrochemical, electrometallurgical, woodworking, and pulp and paper enterprises. Cattle and sheep are raised; cheese is made from their milk. The valleys are planted with wheat, potatoes, and fodder crops, and there are many gardens and vineyards. Savoie Department is a tourist area.