GENEVA, a canton of Switzerland, comprehending the territory of that name, and the territory around it to the extent of about ninety-eight square miles, with about 44,000 inhabitants, four fifths of whom reside within the city.
Geneva, the largest city of Switzerland, is situated on the Lake of Geneva, where the river Rhone issues from it, and is divided by that river into two parts of unequal size. The streets are narrow, the houses lofty, and the appearance, except on the boulevards, is gloomy. It contains five reformed, one Lutheran, and one Catholic church, and about 30,000 inhabitants. It is a place of great activity in many branches of manufacture. The chief of these in amount is watchmaking and jewellery, in which many workmen are employed. Tanning, calico-printing, twine-spinning, hat-making, whitesmiths' work, copper utensils, saddlery, silk and woollen shawls, besides copperplate and letterpress printing, are all occupations carried on, and the amount of which exported to other countries is very considerable. The fisheries in the Lake of Geneva and on the Rhone are also important branches of industry. Many individuals are said to have amassed very large fortunes, which they employ extensively in speculations in the funds of all nations, in banking, and in exchanges.
Much learning still exists in the city, and in former times it produced men of eminence in most branches of literature and science, among whom may be mentioned Calvin, Diodati, Tronchen, Casaubon, Rousseau, Neckar, Bonnet, and others. Long. 6. 4. 49. E. Lat. 46. 12. 15. N. See SWITZERLAND.