Canton of Jura

The Republic and Canton of Jura is one of the 26 Swiss cantons, located in the northwestern part of Switzerland. It is the newest canton, having been founded in 1979. The capital of Jura is Delémont. Jura shares borders with several other Swiss cantons, including Basel-Landschaft, Bern, Neuchatel, and Solothurn, as well as with French regions such as Bourgogne-Franche-Comté and Grand Est. This small but important part of Switzerland has its own unique 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 much of the 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 and some difficult times, 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 located in the northwest part of Switzerland. It includes parts of the Jura mountains in the south and a hilly area called the Jura plateau in the north, which is mostly made of limestone. Two districts, Ajoje and Franches-Montagnes, are found 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 eventually 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 (As of 2026^[update]).

Politics

Federal election results

^a RDP before 2010

^b "*" indicates 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. Only one town, Ederswiler, speaks German. Most people here believe in the Roman Catholic religion, about 75% as of the year 2000. There are also some Protestant people, making up about 13%.

As of December 31, 2020, the canton had 73,709 people living there. In 2007, about 8,195 of these people, or 11.8%, were from other countries.

Historic population

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

Economy

Agriculture plays a big role in the canton of Jura. Raising cattle is important, and the area is also known for breeding horses, including the Franches-Montagnes, which is the last place in Switzerland where horse races happen. The main industries here are making watches, textiles, and tobacco. There are also many small and medium-sized businesses.

In 2001, many people worked in different parts of the economy: 3,578 in the first sector, 14,109 in the second, and 16,513 in the third. The canton makes up a small part of Switzerland’s total income and population. In 2005, people in Jura earned 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 closest airport is EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg, which is about 59 kilometers northeast of the capital city, Delémont.

Culture

The area of Ajoie is known for a special type of drink called eau de vie Damassine. This 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.