LUCERNE, or LUZERN, a central canton of Switzerland, having the canton of Aargau on the N., those of Aargau, Zug, and Schwytz on the E., those of Bern and Unterwalden on the S., and that of Bern on the W. It is situated between N. Lat. 46. 47. and 47. 17., and between E. Long. 7. 50. and 8. 29. Its greatest length is 33 miles, its greatest breadth 27 miles, and it has an area of 586 square miles. Generally plain in the N. and irregular in the centre, it is very much broken by ranges of the Bernese Alps in the S., none of which rise, however, above the snow line. Of those ranges the highest is Mount Pilate, reaching in the Tomlishorn, its loftiest peak, an elevation of 7122 feet above sea-level. The only valley of an extensive kind is Entlebuch, 27 miles in length, and inclosed by mountains covered with deep forests, or green pasture land. The Reuss and Little Emmen drain the S. and E. of the canton, and the Wigger, Sur, and Vinon flow all in a northerly direction and join the Aar, an affluent of the Rhine. Bounded partly on the E. by the Lake of Lucerne, and bordering on the lakes of Zug and Schwytz, this canton comprises within itself the small lakes of Sempach, Baldegg, and Mauen. Limestone and sandstone abound in the mountains, and gold has been found in several of the streams. Coal exists to a limited extent in several places, but is not worked. The climate is generally mild, except in the high lands, where snow often lies till June. The soil, though occasionally sandy, is generally fertile, and agriculture is well understood. The cereals raised are in general sufficient for the consumption. The vine is cultivated in the more favoured spots, and chestnuts, figs, and almonds attain maturity on the banks of the Lake of Lucerne. The pastures are very extensive, and of excellent quality, particularly those of the hill-sides which flank the valley of Entlebuch. There is a considerable transit trade; but manufactures, of which the chief are linen weaving and spinning, have made but little progress. The population of the canton in 1850 was 132,843, almost entirely adherents of the Roman Catholic Church, which is the established religion of Lucerne. Of the entire population, 1563 were Calvinists. The government is in the hands of the Great Council, consisting of 100 members, 80 of whom are chosen by the people, and the remaining 20 by the council itself. The Little Council, consisting of 15 members, with its president, or avoyer, or schultheiss, are elected by the Great Council for three years, and exercise the executive. The canton is divided into 5 bailiwicks, and 74 communes. Lucerne is one of the three directing cantons, and occupies the third rank as a member of the Swiss confederation. It contributes annually L.1494, and furnishes a contingent of troops of 3717.