Jura

Jura, an eastern French department, bounded on the E. by Switzerland. Area, 1928 sq. m.; pop. (1881) 285,263; (1891) 273,028. The slopes of the Jura Mountains are thickly wooded, but have also many pastures and meadows. At the foot of the Jura come rich vine-lands. The river-valleys are devoted to the cultivation of grain crops of various kinds. The chief rivers are the Doubs, Ain, and Ognon. The vines yield 6½ million gallons of wine annually. The principal industries are the working of iron, cheese-making, watch-making, and turnery. Iron, salt, marble, clay (for pottery), and turf are the most important minerals extracted. The department is divided into four arrondissements, Lons-le-Saunier, Poligny, Sainte-Claude, and Dôle. Capital, Lons-le-Saunier.