Doubs, a department of France, on the eastern frontier, adjoining Switzerland and Alsace, has an area of 2010 sq. m. Pop. (1876) 306,094; (1886) 310,963; (1891) 303,081. It is traversed by the Doubs (270 miles long), a tributary of the Saône, and is separated, on the NW., from the department of
Haute Saône by the Ognon (120 miles), also a tributary of the Saône. The surface is hilly, especially in the SE., where the Jura Mountains reach a height of 4600 feet. The climate is moist and more rigorous than in most similar latitudes. The uplands are sparsely inhabited, but the population of the fertile river valleys is very thick. Agriculture has been notably advanced since 1870; swamps have been drained and waste lands reclaimed, and three-fourths of the entire area is now cultivated or under wood. Wheat and oats are the chief cereals, but the vine and fig-tree also thrive well; and the pasturage is excellent, and rears good breeds of horses and goats. In the valleys great quantities of butter and cheese are produced. Mines of iron are worked, and the manufactures include iron-wares, clocks, glass, paper, and pottery. Doubs is divided into the four arrondissements of Besançon, Baume-les-Dames, Montbéliard, and Pontarlier. The capital is Besançon.