Freiburg

Freiburg, or FRIBOURG, a canton of Switzerland, bounded on the N. and E. by Bern, and on the S. and W. by Vaud and the Lake of Neuchâtel, with three enclaves in Vaud. Area, 644 sq. m.; pop. (1888) 119,155, principally of French descent and Roman Catholics in religion. The official language is French, but all the laws and decrees binding on the whole canton are published in both French and German. The surface is hilly, the canton being invaded by offshoots of the Bernese Alps, which rise to upwards of 7000 feet in height. The river Saane or Sarine, a tributary of the Rhine, traverses almost the whole extent of the canton from its southern to its northern extremity. The country abounds in excellent meadows and pastures, upon which are reared fine breeds of horses and cattle. Dairy-farming, especially cheese-making (Gruyère), is pursued with great success. The other chief pursuits are agriculture, watch-making, and straw-plaiting. Timber, cheese, and cherry brandy are exported. Freiburg was received as a member of the Swiss confederation in 1481, and in 1848 a liberal constitution was established, but revised in a reactionary direction in 1857. It sends six members to the national council.—The capital is Freiburg, or Fribourg, on the Saane, 19 miles by rail SW. of Bern. The town is built in the valley and up the slopes of the hill to the edge of the precipice overhanging the river. The banks of the Saane (Sarine) are united by a suspension bridge, 870 feet long (see BRIDGE, vol. ii. p. 445). The church of St Nicholas, a fine Gothic structure, begun in 1283, has one of the finest-toned organs in Europe, and a lofty belfry. Pop. 12,244.