BASEL, BASLE, or BALE, a canton in the N.W. of Switzerland, with an area of 139 geographical square miles. It is bounded on the N.W. by France, on the N. by the grand
Basel
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Bashaw.
duchy of Baden, E. by the canton of Aargau, and S. and S.W. by those of Solothurn and Berne. The country is generally mountainous, being traversed by the Jura chain; but it abounds in excellent pasturage, and numerous herds of cattle are reared there. The northern part of the canton is best suited for agriculture, being watered by the Rhine and numerous small mountain streams, besides the more considerable rivers of the Birse and the Ergolz, in whose valleys the vine and other fruits are cultivated. The mountains attain an elevation of from 3000 to 4000 feet; and the climate is mild and salubrious. The principal manufactures are ribbons, woollen, linen, and cotton goods, leather, paper, iron and steel wares. Basel was admitted into the Swiss confederation in 1501, and furnishes a contingent of 918 men. In consequence of a revolt of the country population against the aristocratic government of the city, this canton was divided in 1832 into two sub-cantons; viz., Basel-stadt, or Bale-ville, comprising the city and several of the neighbouring communes; and Basel-landschaft, or Bale-campagne, with the remaining communes of the canton. Pop. of Bale-ville in 1850, 29,555; of whom 24,083 were Protestants, and 5508 Roman Catholics; pop. of Bale-campagne, 47,830, of whom 38,818 were Protestants, and 9052 Roman Catholics; the former sending one, and the latter two members, to the national council. See SWITZERLAND.