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The canton of Jura
The Jura (generic term broadly defining the Jura mountains) is fragmented into several linguistic areas, north-east to the French border, residents continue to speak French, whereas in the south bordering the large canton of Bern, the population speaks German.
In 1947, a group of citizens and elected officials claim the independence of French-speaking Jura. A peaceful and intelligent struggle, full of humor, led in 1978 to a popular vote : all Swiss citizens have to decide on a new canton, the 26th of the Swiss Confederation, the Jura. It would combine the joint French-speaking Jura now managed by the canton of Bern.
At the end a unique procedure, the "Jura" is finally divided into two, only the northern half gained independence and obtained the status of autonomous canton (Delémont, Porrentruy and Franches-Montagnes), while the South remains attached to the canton of Bern (Courtelary, Moutier and La Neuveville).
City of Delémont
In 1978, when the Jura gets the status of autonomous district, Delémont became its capital.
Delémont is in the heart of "Watch Valley". This course connecting 27 cities, takes tourists through the Jura mountains in the footsteps of the first watchmakers. In Geneva, visitors climb up the Joux Valley (canton of Vaud), cross the Val-de-Travers (canton of Neuchatel), continue to La Chaux-de-Fonds (canton of Neuchatel) before stopping in Delémont Museum of Art and History. This Watch journey ends in the city of Basel.
Canton of Jura / Practical information :
Area : 839 km2
Population : 69'000
Capital : Delémont
Language : French
Predominant religion : Catholic
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