Vosges

Vosges, department, France

Vosges (vōzh), department (1990 pop. 38,2100), E France, largely in Lorraine. Épinal is the capital.

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Vosges, mountain range, France

Vosges (vōzh), mountain range, E France, between the Alsatian plain in the east and the plateau of S Lorraine in the west. It extends generally north and parallel to the Rhine River for c.120 mi (190 km) from the Belfort Gap. The Vosges, old crystalline mountains flanked by sandstone, have gently rounded or nearly flat summits. The highest point is the Ballon de Guebwiller (4,672 ft/1,424 m). The slopes (steep in Alsace, gentle in Lorraine) are forested (chiefly by pines) up to c.3500 ft (1,070 m). Vineyards, producing riesling and other wines, grow on the Alsatian slopes. Lumbering, dairying, tourism, and wine making are the chief industries. There are resorts, notably Plombières-les-Bains. The Moselle, Meurthe, Sarre, and Ill rivers rise in the Vosges.

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Vosges

1. a mountain range in E France, west of the Rhine valley. Highest peak: 1423 m (4672 ft.)

2. a department of NE France, in Lorraine region. Capital: ?pinal. Pop.: 381 277 (2003 est.). Area: 5903 sq. km (2302 sq. miles)

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Vosges 

mountains in northeastern France. Length, 160 km. Width, 40-50 km. Principal summit, Ballon de Guebwiller (1,423 m). The eastern slope of the Vosges descends sharply to the Upper Rhine Lowland, whereas the western slope is gently sloping. The Vosges form the western section of the Hercynian massif, raised in the form of an arch, the keystone of which foundered, forming the graben of the Upper Rhine Lowland. The eastern part of the arch forms the Black Forest Mountains. In the south the Vosges are com-posed of crystalline rocks and have gently sloping summits with traces of Anthropogenic glaciation; in the north are sandstone plateaus with cuesta-like bluffs. Up to an elevation of 1,200 m the mountains are covered with beech, fir, and spruce forests. Up to an elevation of 800 m there is agriculture (in the valleys), and higher up there is forestry.