BASLE, or BALE, a canton in the N.W. of Swit- zerland, with an area of 139 geographical square miles. It is bounded on the N.W. by France, on the N. by the grand 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 Birs 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.

Bale, the capital of the above province, is situated on both sides of the Rhine, 48 miles north of Berne, in Lat. 47° 33', 86' N. Long. 7° 35', 35' E. Great Basel, or that portion of the city which lies on the south side of the river, is connected with Little Basel on the opposite side by a handsome stone bridge 600 feet long. Its ancient fortifications are still in a good state of preservation, and the town is generally well built; but the streets are narrow, and it has few public edifices worthy of notice. The cathedral is a fine old Gothic edifice, founded about the beginning of the eleventh century, and contains the tombs of Erasmus, Colampadius, and other eminent persons.

Besides the university, which was founded by Pope Pius II. in 1459, Basel possesses an extensive public library, containing a valuable collection of MSS., a picture gallery, a museum, gymnasium, botanical garden, an orphan asylum and institution for deaf mutes, a theological institute, &c. It is the seat of an active transit trade between France, Germany, and Switzerland; and it has important manufactures of silk, linen, cotton, leather, paper, &c. Basel was the seat of a great council from 1431 to 1448; and here, in 1795, France concluded a treaty with Prussia and with Spain. It is connected by railway with Strasburg, from which it is 60 miles distant. Pop. 24,000. Basel was the birthplace of Euler, Holbein, and Bernouilli.