Schaffhausen, the most northern canton of Switzerland, is bounded on all sides but the south by the duchy of Baden. Area, 114 sq. m.; pop. (1870) 37,721; (1888) 37,876, of whom about 34,000 are Protestants. The chief river is the Rhine, which forms the southern boundary, and within the basin of which the canton is wholly included. The surface is hilly, especially in the north and east; of the many rich valleys that slope southward to the Rhine that of the Klettgau is famous for its fertility and for its wines. Agriculture is the principal branch of industry; grain, potatoes, fruits, hemp, and wine being the chief products. The great council is the governing body; it embraces one representative for every 500 citizens, chosen for four years. The executive is in the hands of a ministry of five persons chosen by the people for four years. The actions of the government are controlled by the optional referendum. The canton is simply the territory belonging to the town, which joined the Swiss confederation in 1501.
SCHAFFHAUSEN, the capital of the above canton, is beautifully situated on the right bank of the Rhine, above the celebrated falls, 31 miles by rail WNW. of Constance. Overlooking the town stands the curious castle of Munoth (1564-90), and this edifice, the cathedral (12th century), the Inthurneum (a concert and lecture hall), a library, and a museum are the chief buildings. The town is remarkable for the antique architecture of its houses. There is a statue to the Swiss historian Johannes von Müller, a native of the place. Pop. 19,320. The falls of Schaffhausen, about 3 miles below the town, form the grandest waterfall in the whole course of the Rhine (q.v.). They are utilised for electric and other factories, which turn out iron and other metals, arms, oil, flour, beer, spirits, soap, candles, wool, cotton, and agricultural machines.