a department in central France, in the Loire River basin. Area, 6,900 sq km. Population, 249,000 (1975). The capital of the department is Cháteauroux. Agriculture employs 28 percent of the economically active population, while industry employs 26 percent (1968). Grains and fruit are cultivated, and winegrowing is important. Cattle and sheep are raised. Enterprises of the machine-building, food-processing, chemical, and textile (mainly wool) industries are located in Châteauroux and Issoudun.