Canton of Neuchâtel

Neuchâtel (German: ) is a canton of Switzerland. It is located in the west of Switzerland. The population is 167,990 (2003). The capital is Neuchâtel.

Geography

The canton of Neuchâtel is located in the west of Switzerland. To its northeast it border the canton of Bern, the northwest France. The Lake Neuchâtel lies southeast of the canton, while the canton of Vaud is southwest of the canton of Neuchâtel. The canton lies in the central area of the Jura Mountains. Lake Neuchâtel drains the lands in the south, whilst the River Doubs drains the northern areas.

The canton is commonly divided into three regions. The Vignoble region is located along the lake. Its name derives from the many vineyards found there. The region called Les Vallées lies further north. The two largest valleys of the canton of Neuchâtel lie in this region: the Ruz Valley and the Val de Travers. Both valley lie at about 700m. The highest region of the canton, however, is the Neuchâtelois Mountains at 900 to 1065m. This region is made up of a long valley home to La Chaux-de-Fonds, Le Locle and La Brévine.

History

The name of the canton goes back to the Roman designation of Novum Castellum (new castle). Rudolph III of Burgundy mentioned Neuchâtel in his will in 1032. The dynasty of Count Ulrich von Fenis took over the town and its territories in 1034. The dynasty prospered and by 1373 all the lands now part of the canton belonged to the count. In 1405 the cities of Bern and Neuchâtel entered a union. The lands of Neuchâtel passed to the lords of Freiburg about a century later, and then in 1504 to the French house of Orléans-Longueville.

The French preacher Guillaume Farel brought the teachings of the Protestant Reformation to the area in 1530. When the house of Orléans-Longueville became extinct in 1707, the lands of Neuchâtel (also known then by the German name Neuenburg) went to King Frederick I of Prussia. The Kingdom of Prussia governed the area until 1848, with the exception of the period between 1806 and 1814 when the lands went as a sovereign principality to Napoleon's chief of staff Louis Alexandre Berthier.

In 1815 the canton of Neuchâtel became part of the Swiss confederation as a full member. For the first time the Swiss admitted a canton that did not have a republican administration. This situation changed in 1848 when a peaceful revolution took place and established a Republic. King Frederick William IV of Prussia did not give in immediately and several attempts at counter-revolution took place. In 1857 Frederick William renounced his claims on the area.

Economy

The canton is well-known for its wines that are grown along the Lake Neuchâtel. There are dairy farming and cattle breeding in the valleys, but it is for the breeding of horses that Neuchâtel has a fine reputation. Watch making is well established in the canton, with fine mechanics and the microchip production being established more recently.

Demographics

The population is almost entirely French speaking. About two thirds are Protestant and about one third Roman Catholic.

Districts

Municipalities

The following is a list of municipalities (communes) by district.

Neuchâtel

Boudry

La Chaux-de-Fonds

Le Locle

Val-de-Ruz

Val-de-Travers

External links

Cantons of Switzerland | Canton of Neuchâtel

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