BERNE, a canton in the centre of Switzerland, is situated between Lat. 46. 19. and 47. 30. N. Long. 6. 50. and 8. 28. E. It is bounded by the cantons of Soleure, Argau, Lucerne, Unterwalden, and Uri on the east; the Valais on the south; the cantons of Vaud, Fribourg, and Neuchâtel on the west; and by the canton of Soleure and France on the north and north-west. Berne is the largest canton in Switzerland: its surface is estimated at 2562 square miles. The population in 1851 amounted to 457,921, of whom 403,769 were Protestants, and 54,044 Catholics. Nature has divided this canton into three regions, in which the climate varies with the elevation. In the southern part, called the Oberland, rise the Alps, and rich valleys lie stretched beneath them. Of the mountains, the highest are the Finsteraarhorn, the Schreckhorn, the Wetterhorn, the Eiger, and the Jungfrau. Of all Switzerland this region is the most interesting and attractive to travellers; below are fertile plains, a little above are green pastures, and higher still are gigantic glaciers, roaring waterfalls, and precipices with lofty peaks lost in the sky; below there is the temperate heat of southern climates, and above the coldness of the pole. Towards the north the ranges of the Jura are considerably lower. The central part is a fertile and carefully cultivated plain, abounding in corn and all sorts of fruits; the corn raised, however, is insufficient for the inhabitants, and large quantities require to be imported. The pastures in the Oberland and Emmethal are excellent, and produce the finest cattle: the latter valley is celebrated for its breed of horses, many of which are exported to France for draught and heavy-armed cavalry. It also produces cheese of excellent quality: the quantity made is estimated at 50,000 cwt. a-year, a great part of which is sent into Germany and Italy.
The principal river in the canton is the Aar, which receives numerous tributaries, the chief of which are the Emmat, the Birs, and the Doubs: the Emme forms the lakes of Bienne and Thun. The industrial productions are cotton, woollen, and flaxen stuffs, leather, watches, lace, and wood-work of all kinds. The rivers and roads which traverse the canton are favourable to commerce. The exports consist of hides, stuffs, kirschwasser cheeses, horses, and cattle. Iron, lead, and copper mines are wrought; there are also quarries of marble, lime, grit-stone, &c.; and the numerous forests furnish wood in abundance.
The canton of Berne is divided into 28 bailiwicks or prefectures. Its capital is Berne: the other chief towns are Bienne, Burgdorf, Thun, Porentruy, and Délemont. In the year 1798, 30,000 French invaded the canton, at which time Berne was deprived of nearly the half of its territory. A portion of it was restored in 1814; and there was likewise added to it the larger part of the bishopric of Bâle.
The canton of Berne occupies the second rank in the confederation, and returns twenty-three members to the national council. Its federal contingent is 104,080 Swiss francs, and 5824 men. For an account of the government and ju-
Berne
Berners.
dicial system, in which great changes were made on the adoption of the new federal constitution in 1848, see SWITZERLAND.