Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Havre

HAVRE, or LA HAVRE (ävr), formerly Havre de Grace, a fortified town, and the principal seaport on the W. coast of France. It is built on a low alluvial tract of land recovered from the sea, and is divided into unequal parts by its outward port and basins. The town has wide thoroughfares, and is clean and well-built, but presents few architectural features of interest. The port, which is the best and most accessible on the coast, consists of three basins separated from each other, and from the outer port, by locks. There are two roadsteads; the great, or outer, is about a league from the port, and the little, or inner roadstead, about half a league. Havre, being the seaport of Paris, most of the colonial and other products destined for its consumption are imported thither. The manufactures are chemicals, furniture, earthenware, oil, tobacco, rope, etc. Shipbuilding is also extensively engaged in. When the Germans invaded Belgium in 1914 Havre became the seat of the Belgian Government. Pop. about 136,000.