Gaud, a S. E. department of France, in Lan-guedoc, bounded S. by the Mediterranean and E. by the Rhone, and by the departments of Herault, Aveyron, Lozere, Ardeche, Vaucluse, and Bouches-du-Rhone; area, 2,256 sq. m.; pop. in 1872, 420,131. It derives its name from the small river Gard or Gardon, which rises in the Cevennes, runs through its centre, and falls into the Rhone a few miles N. of Beaucaire. The Cevennes mountains send ramifications to its centre, while in the southeast there is a considerable extent of level country, broken by pools and marshes. Iron, argentiferous lead, antimony, zinc, and manganese are mined; coal mines are also wrought, and there are valuable salt marshes on the coast. The arable lands, which comprise scarcely one fourth of the department, are generally poor, and agriculture is backward. The wines are highly esteemed, and olives are produced; but the culture of the mulberry is of paramount importance. Other fine fruits are also abundant. This department ranks among the most industrious in France, and is especially distinguished for its manufactures of silk, besides which it has cotton and woollen mills, tanneries, distilleries, and soap-making establishments.

It is divided into the arrondissements of Nimes, Alais, Uzes, and Le Vigan. Capital, Nimes.