one of the eastern frontier departments of France, bounded on the E. by Switzerland, from which it is separated partly by the Jura chain of mountains, and partly by the river Doubs, and on the N., W., and S. by the departments of Upper Rhine, Upper Saône, and Jura. It is formed of part of the ancient province of Franche-Comté, and the ancient German principality of Montbéliard. Four parallel chains of the Jura mountains traverse it from N.E. to S.W. In the highest and most eastern of these, the principal summit, Mont Lachat, attains a height of 5283 feet; but in the most western the highest points do not exceed 1000 feet. These chains are all of calcareous formation, and present numerous rocky crags, grottoes, caverns, and other natural curiosities. The river Doubs, which gives name to the department, rises at the foot of Mount Riton, in the arrondissement of Pontarlier, and, after twice traversing this department through its entire length, passes through the department of Jura, enters that of Saône-et-Loire, and joins the Saône. It has an entire course of about 250 miles, 195 of which are in this department. Near Mortean it forms a magnificent cataract, having a perpendicular fall of 88 feet. From Besançon to near Montbéliard it forms part of the navigable canal between the Rhine and the Rhone. Doubs is abundantly watered by numerous smaller rivers and rivulets. The differences in its elevation give it a very variable climate, but the general character is cold, with long and severe winters. The prevailing winds are the north-east and south-west. The surface may be divided into three distinct regions. The highest region, on which the snow usually lies for six months in the year, is mostly covered with vast forests of fir trees, and affords good pasturage to numerous herds of cattle. The second or less elevated region is chiefly occupied by forests of oak, beech, sycamore, the walnut-tree, &c., and the intervening valleys are susceptible of cultivation. The plain region is the most fertile, producing wheat, rye, maize, hemp, pulse, fruits, and wines.

Of its entire area of 525,212 hectares (2020 square miles), 191,577 hectares are arable; 120,646 in wood; 101,688 in heath and pasture; 79,892 in meadow; and 8011 in vineyards. Agriculture is in a very backward state—cattle-rearing and dairy produce, particularly cheese, receiving a great share of attention. It has numerous iron foundries; manufactures of cotton and woollen cloths, hardware, cutlery, watches, paper, glass, leather; and a considerable trade in cattle, hides, timber, and dairy produce. There are also mines of iron, coal, and lignite; and quarries of gypsum, marble, building stone, &c. It is divided into four arrondissements, which, with their subdivisions and population, are as follows:

| Arrondissements | Cantons | Communes | Pop. 1851 | |-----------------|---------|----------|-----------| | Besançon | 8 | 203 | 110,826 | | Pontarlier | 5 | 89 | 52,195 | | Baume | 7 | 187 | 68,354 | | Montbéliard | 7 | 161 | 65,304 |

The capital is Besançon.