Canton of Jura

The Republic and Canton of Jura is one of the 26 Swiss cantons, located in the northwest of Switzerland. It is the newest canton, created in 1979. The capital city is Delémont. Jura borders several Swiss cantons, including Basel-Landschaft, Bern, Neuchatel, and Solothurn. It also shares borders with French regions such as Bourgogne-Franche-Comté and Grand Est. This small part of Switzerland has its own special culture and history.

History

Main article: History of the Canton Jura

Further information: Prince-Bishopric of Basel, Rauracian Republic, and Jura separatism

Long ago, a king gave land that is now Jura to a bishop. For over 800 years, this area was its own state inside a big group of lands called the Holy Roman Empire. Later, it became closely linked with Switzerland. In 1815, the Jura region became part of another Swiss area called Bern. This made many people unhappy because Jura spoke French and had many Roman Catholic people, while Bern mostly spoke German and had many Protestant people.

After World War II, some people in Jura wanted to separate from Bern. After many years, the people of Switzerland voted to let Jura become its own canton in 1978. Jura officially joined Switzerland as a full member in 1979. However, the southern part of the region chose to stay with Bern. This area is now called Bernese Jura.

When Jura became a canton, it took the name Republic and Canton of Jura. Other Swiss cantons also use the title "Republic and Canton".

In recent years, there have been discussions about uniting the French-speaking southern part of Jura with the canton of Jura. In 2021, the town of Moutier officially joined Jura after a vote.

Geography

The Canton of Jura is in the northwest part of Switzerland. It has parts of the Jura mountains in the south and a hilly area called the Jura plateau in the north, made mostly of limestone. Two districts, Ajoje and Franches-Montagnes, are in this region. The word "Jurassic" comes from the Jura Alps.

To the north and west of Jura is France. To the east, it borders the canton of Solothurn and Basel-Landschaft, and to the south, it meets the canton of Bern. Rivers like the Doubs and the Birs flow through the area. The Doubs river joins the Saône and then the Rhône, while the Birs river flows into the Rhine.

Political subdivisions

Jura is divided into 4 districts: Delémont, Porrentruy, Franches-Montagnes, and Moutier District.

There are 51 municipalities in the canton of Jura.

Politics

Federal election results

^a RDP before 2010

^b "*" shows that the party was not on the ballot in this canton.

^c Part of the canton of Bern

Demographics

Most people in the Canton of Jura speak French. One town, Ederswiler, speaks German. Most people here believe in the Roman Catholic religion. There are also some Protestant people.

As of December 31, 2020, the canton had 73,709 people living there.

Historic population

The canton of Jura has a chart that shows how its population has changed over time.

Economy

Agriculture is important in the canton of Jura. People raise cattle and breed horses, including the Franches-Montagnes. This is the last place in Switzerland where horse races happen. The main industries are making watches, textiles, and tobacco. There are also many small and medium-sized businesses.

Many people work in different parts of the economy. The canton is a small part of Switzerland’s total income and population. People in Jura earn less on average than people across all of Switzerland. Taxes in Jura are higher than in most other parts of Switzerland.

Transport

The Canton of Jura does not have its own airport. The nearest airport is EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg. It is about 59 kilometers northeast of Delémont, the capital city.

Culture

The area of Ajoie is known for a special drink called eau de vie Damassine. This drink comes from the region and is a local product. You can learn more about the land and its information from Terroir Jura and Jura Infos.