Calvados is a department and region on the coast in Normandy, in Basse-Normandie, in northern France. Mainly low lying with the Normandy hills in the south west. A reef extending along the coast, between the Orne and Vire rivers, was named Les Calvados after a Spanish vessel was wrecked there in 1588. There is extensive stock rearing and dairy farming. Produces cider and Calvados apple brandy. Chief towns are Caen, Bayeux, Falaise and Lisieux.
