Somme

Somme, department, France

Somme (sôm), department (1990 pop. 548,300), N France, in Picardy, on the English Channel. Amiens is the capital.

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Somme, river, France

Somme, river, c.150 mi (240 km) long, rising near Saint-Quentin, N France, and flowing generally NW past Amiens into the English Channel; connected by canal with the Scheldt and Oise rivers. Once an obstacle to east-west movement, the now reclaimed marshlands in the valley are noted for truck farming. During World War I heavy fighting took place there.

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Somme

1. a department of N France, in Picardy region. Capital: Amiens. Pop.: 557 061 (2003 est.). Area: 6277 sq. km (2448 sq. miles)

2. a river in N France, rising in Aisne department and flowing west to Amiens, then northwest to the English Channel: scene of heavy fighting in World War I. Length: 245 km (152 miles)