Geography
The largest cities/towns are Épinal (approx. 36,000), Saint-Dié-des-Vosges (approx. 22,500), Gérardmer (approx. 9,000) and Remiremont (approx. 9,000). A total population of 380,952 inhabitants was recorded in the 1999 census. The population is split with 70% in urban areas and 30% living in rural districts.
Roughly 47% of the department is covered by woodlands and forests (the third highest in France), while 38% of land is in agricultural use. The remaining 13% is commercial, industrial and residential.
While the west part of the Vosges is flat sedimentary land (well suited for mineral waters), the east is dominated by the Vosges Mountain range (including the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Reserve) of which the Grand Ballon at 1424m is the highest peak.
The River Saône rises (named after the Celtic goddess Sagon) at Vioménil, in the Vosges. The Anger river also passes through it.
Read more about this topic: Vosges
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