SOLOTHURN. zo'144.7Orn (Fr. Soleure). A canton of Switzerland, bounded by Basel on the north, Basel and Aargau on the east, and Bern on the south and west (Map: Switzerland. B I), It is traversed lengthwise by the main ridge of the Jura. reaching a maximum height of 4754 feet. The northwestern part is covered by the minor Jura ridges and parallel mountain val leys. while along the southeastern boundary extends the valley of the Aar. The climate is somewhat severe. Almost, the entire area is utilized for grain and stock raising, and the output of cereals is above the domestic de mand. Fruit. dairy products, wood, marble, gypsum, and building stone are exported. The chief manufactured article is matches. The Con stitution of the canton dates from 1875, and. as amended in 1895, provides for a legislative as sembly elected for four years at the rate of one member for every 800 inhabitants. The 5 mem
bers of the executive council are also elected by the people for the same period. The canton re turns 5 members to the National Council. Capi tat, Solothurn. Population, in 1888, 85,621; in 1900, 100,762, of whom the Catholics form over three-fourths. German is the predominating language.
The history of the canton centres chiefly around its capital. Solothurn, which dates from pre-Roman times, and which in 1218 became a free imperial city. The burghers were associated with Bern in the struggles against the petty princes of the region. Solothurn was formally admitted into the Swiss Confederation in 1481, by which time it had extended its rule over the region now constituting the canton. The aristo cratic regime which had long existed in the can ton came to an end in 1830.