SOLEURE, a canton of Switzerland, which holds the 11th rank in the Helvetic confederacy, into which it was admitted in the year 1481. It stretches partly through the plain, and partly along the chains of the Jura, and contains about 50,000 inhabitants. It is 35 miles in length from north to south, and 35 in breadth from east to west. The soil for the most part is exceedingly fertile in corn; and the districts within the Jura abound in excellent pastures. The trade both of the town and canton is of little value, although they are very commodiously situated for an extensive commerce. It is divided into 11 bailiwicks, the inhabitants of which are all Roman Catholics except those of the bailiwick of Bueckeburg, who profess the reformed religion. The sovereign power resides in the great council, which, comprising the senate or little council of 36, consists of 101 members, chosen by the senate in equal proportions from the 11 tribes or companies into which the ancient burghers are distributed; and, owing to the distinction between the ancient and the new burghers (the former consisting of only 85 families) the government is a complete aristocracy.