Cavan adjoins Monaghan on the south-west, with a long arm running north-west into the Sligo-Fermanagh highlands. A continuation of the north- eastern slate area covers the main part of the county. Limestone and Coal measures form the uplands in the north-west. Across the middle of the county the River Erne flows northward, forming a strange tangle of land and water. It spreads out in Lough Gowna in the south of Cavan (Hotels, Cavan, Ireland), and Lough Oughter in the 
centre. These lakes are a mere maze of points, bays, and islands. Elsewhere lakes of all sizes are abundant. The highest point of the mountainous N.W. portion is Cuilcagh (2188 ft.) on the Fermanagh border. Near here the River Shannon has its source. Cavan (Self Catering, Cavan, Ireland), the assize town, stands near the middle of the county. Cootehill in the north-east, and Belturbet among the lakes of the Erne valley, are busy towns, the latter has connection by water down the Erne and by the Ulster Canal to Lough Neagh, etc
