(Fr. Thurgovie, Ital. Turgovia), a canton of Switzerland, bounded on the N. by the Lake of Constance and the Rhine, which separates it from Schaffhausen; E. and S. by St Gall; and W. by Zürich. Its form is an irregular triangle; its length from E. to W. 29 miles, its greatest breadth 20, and its area 268 square miles. It derives its name, signifying the valley of the Thur, from that river which enters it from the canton of St Gall, and flows through it from E. to W. A series of gradually rising hills on each side of the river separate it on the one side from the Lake of Constance, and on the other from the valley of the Toss in Zürich. Thus the surface of the canton, unlike that of the most part of Switzerland, is not mountainous, but rather belongs to an undulating table-land, and its loftiest summit does not rise more than 1000 feet above the Lake of Constance. The chief rivers are the Thur and its affluents, the Sitter and the Murg. The soil is on the whole fertile, and the climate, except in the extreme south, where the mountains approach the limits of the canton, mild and temperate. Sandstone is the prevailing geological formation, and it is for the most part soft and unfit for building, but in some places there are deposits of excellent limestone. Coal is found in various places, but in such small quantities as to be incapable of being worked with any profit. Agriculture is the prevailing occupation of the people, wheat, rye, barley, and oats being raised, but not in sufficient quantities to supply the home consumption. Vines grow in several parts of the canton, and a large amount of wine is made; but the chief production of the country is fruit, especially apples, pears, and cherries. The canton contained in 1854 86,600 acres of arable land, 55,000 of meadows and pasture land, 4700 of vineyards, and 40,000 of forests and orchards. The country abounds in game, especially waterfowl; and the rivers and Lake of Constance are well supplied with fish. Considerable numbers of cattle are reared on the meadow-lands, and many lean cattle are brought here to be fattened, and afterwards exported. In 1854 the canton contained 14,005 milch cows. The most important manufactures are those of linen, silk, cotton cloth, hosiery, lace, muslin, &c. These articles, as well as cattle, fruits, wine, and cider, are exported; while wheat, hardware, woollen goods, and colonial articles, are imported. The Lake of Constance and the Rhine afford considerable facilities for commerce. The inhabitants are of German descent, and about three-fourths of them are Protestants. The government of the canton is democratic, and the legislative power is in the hands of a great council of 100 members, elected for a term of two years by all citizens above twenty-five possessing property worth £10 and upwards. The executive consists of a council of 6; and there are 2 landammans annually appointed, who preside over each council for six months alternately. The judicial establishment consists of 8 subordinate courts and a supreme court of appeal. Thurgau is the 17th of the Swiss cantons; it is represented by 2 members in the council of states, and by 4 in the national council. It was originally governed by courts of its own; and, after various changes, passed in 1264 to the house of Hapsburg, from whom it was conquered by the Swiss cantons in 1460. It remained in a position of subjection till 1798, when it was admitted as a separate state into the confederation. The present constitution was adopted in 1831. The capital is Frauenfeld. Pop. (1850) 88,908.