Editing Ariège (department) (section)

== Geography ==
[[File:Waterfalls france 09.jpg|thumb|left|A waterfall in the Pyrénées, Ariège]]
The department is part of the current region of Occitanie. 
It borders [[Haute-Garonne]] to the west and north, [[Aude]] to the east, [[Pyrénées-Orientales]] to the south-east. To the south it borders [[Andorra]] and the Spanish [[Province of Lleida]].
Covering an area of 4,890&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>, the department is divided into three arrondissements: [[Arrondissement of Foix|Foix]], [[Arrondissement of Pamiers|Pamiers]], and [[Arrondissement de Saint-Girons|Saint-Girons]].<ref>[http://www.ariege.pref.gouv.fr/Publications/Cartographie-SIG/Les-cartes-du-departement Departmental Maps of Ariège], préfecture website, consulted on 4 July 2013 {{in lang|fr}}</ref>
It comprises [[Cantons of the Ariège department|13 cantons]], 21 intercommunalities, and [[Communes of the Ariège department|325 communes]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Antoine |date=2024-09-10 |title=Pourquoi Senconac ne sera plus la plus petite commune d'Ariège... |trans-title=Why Senconac won't be the smaller commune in Ariège... |url=https://gazette-ariegeoise.fr/pourquoi-senconac-ne-sera-plus-la-plus-petite-commune-dariege/ |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=La Gazette Ariégeoise |language=fr-FR}}</ref> In 2009 the Regional Natural Park of the Ariège Pyrenees was created covering about 40% of the area of the department of Ariège.

===Natural regions===
There are three main areas:

;The Ariège plain
The north of the department consists of plains, hills and low valleys where agriculture is prevalent. Part of [[Lauragais]] covers the northeast of the department. Two major rivers, the [[Ariège (river)|Ariège]] and the [[Lèze]] traverse the plain from south to north. A landscape of grain fields dominates the scene with growing of [[maize|sweetcorn]] and [[sunflowers]] and with [[prairies]].

;The Pyrenean foothills
This area includes the [[Pre-Pyrenees|Plantaurel mountains]] and the Pre-Pyrenean hills below 1000&nbsp;m. Various geological structures are present in contrast: the Foix Valley with its granite mountain landscape and the [[Lavelanet]] region with [[marl]] and [[limestone]].

;Ariège high country
The geography is dominated by the [[Pyrenees]] mountains exceeding 1,000&nbsp;m above sea level which form the border between France and Spain. The ''[[Pica d'Estats]]'' (3143&nbsp;m), the ''[[Pic de Montcalm]]'' (3077&nbsp;m), and ''[[Pic de Sotllo]]'' (3072&nbsp;m) are the highest points of the department. These peaks are clearly visible from [[Toulouse]] in the [[Haute Garonne]].

The landscape is dominated by forests with [[coniferous]] species coexist with [[hardwoods]] such as [[chestnut]] trees, [[Robinia pseudoacacia|Black Locust]] trees, [[Sorbus aucuparia|ash]] trees, and [[beech]] trees.

There are hundreds of kilometres of well-marked paths which allow exploration of the magnificent Pyrenees mountains. The high mountains are easily accessible via good roads, cable cars or by foot. There are a number of lodges providing high level mountain accommodation that are comfortable, warm and with good meals. There are also a number of fresh water lakes which provide a variety of activities including, walking, swimming, fishing, canoeing, sailboarding and picnicking.

There are several downhill ski resorts, the three largest being Ax-Bonascre, Les Monts D'Olmes and [[Guzet-Neige]]. There are many cross country ski-ing resorts, one of the best being at Plateau de Beille, near [[Les Cabannes, Ariège|Les Cabannes]]. Ariège is one of the least populated and most unspoiled regions of France. The locals enjoy keeping traditions alive, especially old farming techniques. Consequently, as fewer insecticides, for example, have been used, the flora and fauna of the area continue to be rich in both diversity and numbers. Butterflies are common and birds are numerous; particularly noticeable are large birds of prey, including the magnificent Griffon vultures.

There are also many unspoiled villages and hamlets tucked away in the valleys close to the department's border with Spain – [[Seix]], Cominac, and [[Aulus-les-Bains]] are examples – together with picturesque mountain villages, most notably [[Aleu]] which comes alive in the holiday season.