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The Epic Interactive Encyclopedia 1997
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1992-09-02
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River of S Europe; length 810 km/500 mi. It
rises in Switzerland and flows through Lake
Geneva to Lyon in France, where at its
confluence with the Saone the upper limit of
navigation is reached. The river turns due S,
passes Vienne and Avignon, and takes in the
Isere and other tributaries. Near Arles it
divides into the Grand and Petit Rhone,
flowing respectively SE and SW into the
Mediterranean W of Marseille. Here it forms a
two-armed delta; the area between the
tributaries is the Camargue, a desolate
marsh. The Rhone is harnessed for
hydroelectric power, the chief dam being at
Genissiat in Ain departement, constructed
1938-48. Between Vienne and Avignon it flows
through a major wine-producing area.