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Gall (ST a canton in the E part)

ST., a canton in the E. part of Switzerland, occupying the 14th place in the Swiss Confederation. It has E. the Vorarlberg and Lichtenstein, from which it is separated by the Rhine, S.

E. and S. the Grisons; W. the cantons Glarus, Schwyz, and Zurich, with its lake; and N. Thurgau and the Lake of Constance. Length, N. to S., about 40 miles; breadth varying from 11 to nearly 35 miles. Area, 779 square miles. Surface, greatly diversified. In the N. there is an inconsiderable portion of plain country; but the central and S. parts are almost wholly covered with Alpine ranges, the summits of some of which rise above the snow limits. Mt. Scheibe, at the S. W. extremity, is estimated to be 10,188 feet above sea-level. There are, however, several extensive and fertile valleys, as that of Toggenburg (watered by the Thur, 36 miles in length), those of the Rhine, and others noted for their wild and picturesque character. to the Rhine, the chief rivers are the Next the principal lake. Extensive forests Thur, Sitter, Serz, etc.; Wallensee is principal lake.

Extensive forests cover the S. portion of the canton. Soil, moderately fertile. Products, corn, maize, hemp, and flax, fruit, etc. Cattle and hog feeding is extensively carried on.

Minerals, iron and coal. Mineral springs are numerous. St. Gall is one of the principal Swiss manufacturing cantons; its inhabitants are mostly employed in its manufactures of cotton fabrics, Chief thread, linens, glass, wax, etc. town St. Gall, the capital. Pop. 304,000.