SCHWYTZ, one of the cantons of Switzerland, bounded on the N. by those of Zurich and St. Gallen, E. by that of Glarus, S. by those of Uri and Unterwalden, and W. by those of Luzern and Zug. Its northern boundary is formed by the Lake of Zurich and the River Linth; its southern boundary by the Lake of Luzern and a branch of the Alps called the Rosstock (between 6000 and 7000 feet high); and its western boundary by the Rigi (5676 feet), the lake of Zug, the Rossberg (5195 feet), and the ridge of Morgarten. On the east the canton has no natural limit. Area, 338 square miles. The whole of the surface is mountainous and rugged, being occupied by ridges of the Alps, and lofty valleys lying between them. The mountains that occupy the centre of the country consist of the western
branches of the lofty Alps of Glarus, which attain in that canton the height of 9528 feet, but gradually diminish towards the west, and nowhere within the limits of Schwytz reach so great an elevation. From the principal chain, stretching westwards near the south of the canton, several branches extend in a northerly direction to the lake of Zurich. In the valleys thus formed rise the upper waters of the Sihl, which flows north and joins the Lemmat below Zurich; and to the south of the main ridge lies the valley of the Muotta, which falls into the Lake of Luzern. The principal mountain-peaks, besides those already mentioned, are Mieseren, 6995 feet; Mythen, 5860 feet; and Rhone, 4026 feet. Schwytz enjoys a milder climate than many other parts of Switzerland, as its mountains are of less elevation, and nowhere rise above the snow line. But very little of the ground is fit for the plough; and this, like many of the other cantons, is almost entirely a pastoral country, raising on its wide mountain-pastures a large number of cattle and other live stock. The canton is estimated to contain 20,000 horned cattle, about 1000 horses, 6000 sheep, 7000 goats, and 6000 swine. There are some vineyards along the Lake of Zurich; and corn, potatoes, flax, and hemp, are raised in some places, but only to a small extent. The forests of the canton yield an abundant supply of valuable timber. Schwytz is very poor in minerals, and has only some stone-quarries. The manufactures of the country are very insignificant; weaving, cotton-spinning, and lace-making being almost the only branches carried on. The principal articles exported are cattle, horses, and other live stock, butter, cheese, and timber; while corn, wine, brandy, coffee, sugar, and manufactured articles are imported. The inhabitants are of German origin, and belong, with the exception of a very few Protestants, to the Roman Catholic Church. For the education of the people, there is a college at Schwytz, a clerical seminary at Einsiedeln, and numerous elementary schools throughout the country. The constitution is democratical; the legislative power is in the hands of a canton council of eighty-one members, elected by the people in thirteen districts; and the executive power is committed to a government council of seven members—a landamman or president, a vice-president, a treasurer, and four councillors, all appointed by the canton council. The legislative body exists for four years, but one-half of the members retire every two years. The general assembly (landes gemeinde) of all the citizens, that formerly met every two years, and had an important share in the legislature, was abolished in 1848, when the present constitution was adopted. The judicial establishment consists of a canton court of thirteen members, with as many supplementary ones, elected by the whole people in the assemblies of each of the six districts; and a criminal court of five judges, appointed by the canton council. Schwytz was one of the three original cantons that formed the confederation in 1308, against the Austrian power; and from its name the modern appellation of the entire country has been derived. See SWITZERLAND. Pop. (1850) 44,168.