Jura Mountains

Cantons: Jura (JU), Neuchâtel (NE) and Vaud (VD).

The Jura is the range of folded mountains lying northwest of the Swiss Alps and extending from Geneva to Schaffhausen. This is the central area of the Swiss watchmaking industry but, lying as it does on the periphery of the country, has so far played a relatively minor part in the Swiss tourist trade. For this reason it is popular with nature lovers.

The new canton of Jura, the 23rd to become a member of the Confederation, was established on January 1, 1979, following a popular referendum in September 1977. It has an area of 837 sq. km/323 sq. mi and a population of 65,000, 87.6% of whom are Roman Catholics. The capital is Delémont, and the canton is divided into three districts of Delémont, Porrentruy and Franches-Montagnes, with a total of 32 communes.