Schwyz

Schwyz, a canton of Switzerland, touches in the north the Lake of Zurich, and in the west the Lakes of Zug and Lucerne. Area, 350 sq. m.; pop. (1888) 50,396, nearly all Roman Catholics. The surface is mountainous, rising to 7494 feet, and in Kinzigkulm on the border to 9052 feet. Cattle-breeding and the keeping of swine, goats, and sheep are the principal occupations, though cotton and silk are both spun and woven, and much fruit is grown, Schwyz kirschenwasser being in great demand. The celebrated monastery of Einsiedeln (q.v.) attracts large numbers of pilgrims, and the Rigi (q.v.) vast numbers of tourists in the summer. Schwyz, one of the three original cantons of the Swiss Confederation, and also one of the Four Forest Cantons, has supplied the name to the whole country of which it forms a part. The people govern themselves through a grand council, consisting of one representative for every 600 citizens, and an executive of seven members chosen by the council from its own body; all these rulers are elected for four years. Schwyz, the capital, is picturesque situated 26 miles by rail east of Lucerne. Here on 1st August 1891 was held the sixth centenary of the League of Brunnen and the seventh of the founding of Bern. Pop. 6624.