Editing Ardèche (section)

===Natural regions===

[[File:Aven Orgnac salle sup.jpeg|thumb|The [[Aven d'Orgnac]], one of Ardèche's many protected caves]]
[[File:Gours des grottes de Saint Marcel d'Ardèche, France.jpg|thumb|[[Rimstone]] formation in a cave near [[Saint-Marcel-d'Ardèche]], France]]
The Ardèche encompasses five [[natural region]]s. Maps of different types of agricultural products translate clearly into these five regions. According to A. Siegfried, "The true character of the Ardèche is of a slope turning towards the Mediterranean, open to the influences coming from the Midi. These influences climb the length of the valleys to the summit of the high plateau, which resists their passage, not letting them penetrate. The high and the low are thus opposed, such is the character of the Ardèche personality."

====Western mountains====
 
The mountains that border the western frontier of the department have an average altitude of 1,100 metres. They are of largely [[granite|granitic]] composition, split by the Velay [[Basalt]]s of the Massif of [[Mont Mézenc|Mézenc]], and the [[Forez mountains]], centred upon [[volcanoes|volcanic]] cones of ash, [[lava]] plugs and numerous [[magma]] flows (Mézenc: 1,754 metres; [[Mont Gerbier de Jonc|Gerbier de Jonc]]: 1,551 m). Their inclination slopes gently westward, leading to a westerly flow of water to the [[Atlantic]]. Here the [[Loire]] has its source. Within a few kilometres is the volcanic lake of Issarlès (92 ha, 5&nbsp;km in circumference, 108 m in depth). The climate is extreme: snow for many months, very violent winds in autumn and winter (known locally as "la [[burle]]"), frequent fogs in the valleys, extreme temperature changes between the seasons, with heavy rains (1,500&nbsp;mm per year in average) concentrated in September and October.

====Plateaus of the Haut-Vivarais and the Cévennes====
[[File:Gorges du Chassezac.jpg|thumb|Gorges du Chassezac]]
[[File:Le cirque de la Madeleine 2011.jpg|thumb|Cirque de la Madeleine, formed by the Ardèche River]]

The transition zone descending from the mountains (1,200 m) to the valley of the Rhône (300 to 400 m), is the plateau region. The plateau's medium altitude is one of green forested crests separated by wild and uncrossable [[Canyon|gorges]]. [[Hydrology|Hydrographic]] resources are dominated by these torrential streams and rainfall is characterised by frequent summer showers, with the climate much less extreme than that of the mountains to the west.
 
====Bas-Vivarais====

The Ardèche river flows into the Rhône, following a generally southeasterly course. This [[Karst]] region is formed of calcareous [[limestone]]s, where the streams flow in steep-sided valleys separated by sharp crests. With a generally low altitude the Bas-Vivarais enjoys a warm, dry, almost Mediterranean climate. Skies are wide and bright, temperatures more elevated (3 or 4&nbsp;°C in January). The winds from the northeast are dominant, but those of the south (known as the "vent du midi") and west are full of humidity, bringing heavy precipitation for a few days at a time. The few rivers, the Lavezon, Escoutay, and Frayol, provide less of a hydrological resource than one sees in the crysaline granitic areas to the north. This is a country of wine, shrubland, cereals, and extensive fruit trees (this is the region of [[Aubenas]] and of [[Joyeuse, Ardèche|Joyeuse]]).

====Plateau of the Coirons====

This plateau, 800 metres above sea level, is completely surrounded to the north by the valleys of the Ouvèze and the Payre, to the south by the valley of the Escoutay, and to the west by the Col of the Escrinet and the valley of Vesseaux. It is built of basalt that extends in length 18&nbsp;km in the direction of the Rhône, and at its widest is a maximum 11&nbsp;km. The climate here is also fairly extreme: snow, without being thick, is frequent, variations of temperature accentuated by the strong, cold winds. The soil is rich and fertile. Farming is dominated by wheat, oats, and potatoes, with the raising of goats and cattle. On the slopes are vines and fruit trees.
 
====Valley of the Rhône====
 
The Rhône corridor is very straight on the right bank, which runs almost at the foot of the Vivarais plateaus, leaving tiny plains where the rivers from the Vivarais descend to the Rhône. Here the strong north wind (the [[Mistral (wind)|mistral]]) dominates, but temperatures are moderated by the influence of the "Midi" to the south. The narrow plains are very fertile and favourable to orchards (peaches and apricots). On the slopes the vines dominate.