AARGAU, iir'gou, or ARGOVIE, A canton of northern Switzerland, with an area of 540 square miles (Map: Switzerland. C 1). Tts surface is mostly mountainous. but there arc a number of fine valleys. The chief rivers are the Aar, a tributary of the Rhine. and its tributaries, the Reuss and the Turgi. There are a number of mineral springs. The soil is very fertile. The vine is cultivated extensively in the river-valleys and the output of dairy prod nets is considerable. The manufacturing indus tries are well developed and give occupation to about 18.000 people. The production of textiles is the chief industry. For purposes of admin istration the canton is divided into eleven dis tricts. The legislative power is vested in the assembly ((lrosse Mt1), elected at the rate of one member for every 1100 inhabitants. The executive power is in the hands of a council ( n !Ism ) of five members. ehosen by the assembly for a period of four years. The referendum is frequently resorted to, and for private initiative in legislation 5000 votes are required. In the National Connell Aargau is
represented by ten cambers. fhe population was 102 580 in 1890 and 200.460 in 1900. The inhabitants are mo.stly of German origin. and the language is spoken by almost the entire population. Capital. Aaran. Aargau. in its original extent intu• larg,er than the present canton, was a part of ancient Helvetia, and was subdued by the Franks in the fifth cen tury. It was held by the Hapsburgs from 1173 till 1415, when it was taken from them by the Swiss Confederates, who gave parts of it to Bern and Lucerne. In 1798 the district was divided into the cantons of Aargau and Baden, which became members of the Helvetic Confederation. Ruled mainly by the aristocratic party, Aargau gained a liberal constitution in 1831, and since then has been the champion of democracy against the reactionists and the clericals. Consult: Historisehe Gesellschaft des Kantons Aargau (Aarau, 1898), and J. Heierli, Die Archdologischc Kurte des Kantons Aargau (Aarau. 1S99).