ZÜRICH, one of the cantons of Switzerland, bounded on the N. by Baden and the canton of Schaffhausen, E. by those of Thurgau and St Gall, S. by those of Schwyz and Zug, and W. by that of Aargau. Its length from N. to S. is 31 miles; its greatest breadth 25, and its area 684 square miles. The country is not properly mountainous, but consists of an undulating succession of hills and valleys. The principal ridges, which nowhere exceed 2700 feet in height, stretch parallel to each other from S.E. to N.W., and between them are the valleys of the principal rivers. In the S.E. of the canton, however, there are some more lofty summits, as the Hornli, 3490 feet, and the Schwenberg. The general slope of the country is to the N., and it belongs entirely to the basin of the Rhine, which forms the N. boundary of the canton. The principal rivers are,—the Thur, which enters the canton from that of Thurgau, crosses its northern portion, and falls into the Rhine; the Töss, rising in the S.E. of Zürich, and traversing the whole canton; the Glatt, issuing from the lake of Greifen; and the Limmat, an affluent of the Aar, issuing from that of Zürich. The Reiss, also an affluent of the Aar, skirts a small part of the S.W. frontier of the canton.
The most prominent feature in the face of the country is the lake of the same name as the canton. It forms a kind of crescent from E. to W. It is about 25 miles in length, and in breadth varies from 2 to 3 miles. It is chiefly supplied with water from the river Länth, into which descend the melted snows of the glaciers of Taede and Kistenberg. Though its depth in many parts is 600 feet, yet, owing to the shoals in other parts, it is only navigable by vessels of a light draught of water, or by steamers, with which, like the other lakes of Switzerland, it has now been abundantly furnished. The lake in the hottest months is raised from 10 to 15 feet by the more rapid melting of the ice on the glaciers. The lake of Zürich is in extent next to that of Neuchâtel, among those entirely included in Switzerland; and, though destitute of the grandeur of scenery of the Wallenstadt and Lucerne lakes, its banks exhibit the peculiar charm of rich and high cultivation. There are also many other lakes of smaller size, the chief of which are those of Greifen and Pfäffikon. The prevalent geological formation of the country is Jura limestone; but sandstone and marl also occur in some places. There are many mineral springs in the canton. The climate is mild, but variable, and in the lower regions moist. Game is scarce, but fish abound in the lakes and rivers. With the exception of the loftier peaks, the land is tolerably fertile and well cultivated; producing corn, wine, fruits, and an abundant supply of butter and cheese for the support of its own dense population. The towns and villages contain a most industrious people, chiefly employed in the manufacture of silk and cotton goods. The rapid streams afford a power by which some very extensive cotton and silk mills are turned. An active trade is carried on, chiefly with Italy; and in manufacturing industry, Zürich is one of the most advanced cantons in Switzerland.
The canton is purely of German origin, using only that language, but with a strong patois among the country people. The means of education are abundantly provided. Besides a university in the capital, and several private institutions, there are a gymnasium, industrial school, normal seminary, and a large number of elementary schools.
The government of Zürich is a representative democracy; the franchise being exercised by all the males above nineteen, who elect the great council of 212 for a period
of four years. The executive power is exercised by a burghermeister and an executive council; and the judicial establishment consists of a court of appeal and subordinate tribunals. The canton is represented by thirteen members in the national council of the confederacy, and by two in the council of states. The contingent to the federal army is 6726 men. Pop. (1850), 250,698, of whom 243,928 were Protestants.