Neuchatel

Neuchatel, a Swiss canton, having Vaud on the south, Solothurn and Basel on the north, and the French frontier on the west. On the east is the lake of Neuchatel. In 1707 the principality of Neuchatel belonged to the house of Brandenburg, having previously belonged to Burgundy, the Counts of Chalons, and the Longuevilles. Napoleon bestowed it in 1807 upon Berthier, but in 1814 it passed again to the king of Prussia. In 1848 a republic was set up, and Prussia abandoned her claims to the sovereignty. The people are chiefly French-speaking Protestants. The canton is traversed by the Jura range, and is watered by affluents of the Rhone. The lake itself is nearly 1,500 feet above sea-level. It is 25 miles long, and six broad in the widest part, and is very deep. The chief industries of Neuchatel are watch-making, lace-making, and the brewing of wine. Asphalt and absinthe are exported. The capital of Neuchatel has the same name, and stands on the lake. Neuchatel cheeses are made not here, but at a small town in Normandy.