Aargau

Aargau (French Argovie), the least mountainous canton of Switzerland, on the lower course of the Aar, with the Rhine for its north boundary. Its surface is diversified with hills and valleys, and is generally fertile. Agriculture, fruit-growing and cattle-breeding, manufactures of cotton, and straw-plaiting are carried on; there are valuable quarries; mineral baths are in use at Baden and elsewhere. The area is 548 sq. m., and the pop. in 1898 was 187,858, more than half being Protestants. German is the dominant tongue. The chief town is Aarau, on the Aar, with manufactures of cutlery, mathematical instruments, and cannon; pop. 6800.