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 Linth, into which descend the melted snows of the glaciers of Taed 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 Neuchatel, 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 burgemeister 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.

ZÜRICH, the capital of the above canton, at the foot of the Lake of Zürich, on both sides of the Limmat, which here issues from the lake, 60 miles N.E. of Berne. The river, which is crossed by four bridges, divides it into two parts, the Great and the Little town; the former of which, on the right bank, is built on the slope of a hill, while the latter occupies more level ground. The greater part of Zürich consists of narrow and crooked streets, lined with tall old houses, and has very much of the appearance of a mediæval town. Recently, however, especially in the Little town, many good new streets and buildings have been constructed. The town is fortified, and on the walls and bastions there are promenades commanding beautiful views. Among the public buildings are the cathedral, in the Byzantine style, built in the eleventh century, and interesting as the place where Zwingli first preached the doctrines of the Reformation; the church of St Peter, of which Lavater was minister for some time; several other churches; the large and massive town-hall, where formerly the Swiss diets met periodically; the town library; the arsenal, containing a collection of ancient arms, including the bow said to have been used by Tell in shooting the apple from his son's head; a theatre; and a post-office. The university, founded in 1834, occupies the buildings of an ancient convent, and had in 1858-9 twenty-seven professors and eighty-two students. In this university Dr Strauss was appointed professor of theology in 1839, but expelled by a popular rising. Attached to the university is a museum and a botanic garden, and the town has also schools of veterinary science, industry and design, a deaf-mute institution, a lunatic asylum, and other educational and charitable institutions. There are here important manufactures of silk and cotton, and an active trade is carried on. Zürich was the birthplace of the two Gessners, Lavater, and Pestalozzi. Pop. 17,040.

ZÜTPHEN, a strongly fortified town of Holland, province of Gelderland, on the right bank of the Yssel at its confluence with the Berkel, 17 miles N.E. of Arnhem. The ramparts are irregular, and, being planted with trees, they form fine promenades. The town is entered by five gates, and is for the most part well built, containing several large public squares. The principal Protestant church, that of St Walburga, is a fine old Gothic building, containing monuments of the counts of Zütphe; and there are also Lutheran, Baptist, and Roman Catholic churches. Besides these, Zütphe has a town-hall, prison, and the old palace of the counts—all stately buildings—besides several schools and charitable establishments. Paper and leather are made here. The town was formerly a member of the Hanse League, and had an extensive foreign trade; but this has entirely disappeared, although there is still a large domestic trade in corn, timber, and other rural produce. Zütphe has been more than once besieged, and on one of these occasions it was that Sir Philip Sidney received his mortal wound, September 22, 1586. Pop. (1851) 12,229.

ZVORNIK, SWORNIR, or ISVORNIK, a town of European Turkey, province of Bosnia, on the left bank of the Drina, 45 miles N.E. of Bozna-Serai. It is strongly fortified, being surrounded by walls, and further defended by a castle on a steep hill above the town. It has mosques, and Greek and Roman Catholic churches, and carries on a considerable trade with Belgrade, Semlin, &c., especially in timber and fuel. There are some lead-mines in the vicinity. Pop. about 14,000.

**ZWEIBRÜCKEN.** See Deux Ponts.

**ZWICKAU,** a town of Saxony, capital of the circle of the same name, on the left bank of the Mulde, here crossed by three bridges, 60 miles S.W. of Dresden. It is a picturesquely situated town, and contains many fine buildings. Among these are the beautiful church of St Mary, begun in 1454, and very judiciously restored in 1839, with some fine paintings; that of St Catharine, in which Münzer the anabaptist leader was at one time a preacher, three other churches, the fine old town-hall and exchange, and the handsome new government buildings. The town has also a gymnasium, an hospital, and a large old castle, now used as a house of correction. Weaving, dyeing, bleaching, tanning, iron-founding, machine-making, and other manufactures, are carried on here, and in the vicinity there are important coal-mines. Zwickau has markets for corn and wool, and an extensive trade. It is one of the most ancient commercial towns of Saxony. Pop. (1853) 14,293.