Bernese Jura

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The geographical distribution of languages in Switzerland. The Bernese Jura is in the northwest part of the country.

Bernese Jura (French: Jura Bernois) is the name for the French-speaking area of the Swiss canton of Bern. Comprising the three French-speaking districts in the northern part of the canton, it as a population of 51,405 (2004 estimate). 8.2% of the population in the canton of Berne is French-speaking and 84% is German-speaking.

According to the canton's constitution, one of the seven members of the Executive Council of Bern has to be a French-speaking citizen of this area. Of the 160 seats in the Grand Council of Bern, 12 seats are reserved for the Bernese Jura and an additional three seats are guaranteed for the French-speaking population of the bilingual district of Biel/Bienne.

The 3 French-speaking districts in the canton of Bern are (2004 population estimates):

• District of Courtelary (22,224)
• District of La Neuveville (6,083)
• District of Moutier (23,098)

[edit] External links

• Bernese Jura in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland.
• Bernese Jura Tourism

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