Doubs is a département in eastern France named after the Doubs River.
History
Doubs was one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790. It was created from part of the former province of Franche-Comté.
In 1793, the republic of Mandeure was added to the department, and in 1816 the principality of Montbéliard.
Doubs was important as a portal to Switzerland through the pass at Joux. Many famous people, including Mirabeau and Heinrich von Kleist, were imprisoned in the Château de Joux.
Geography
Doubs is part of the current region of Franche-Comté and is surrounded by the French departments of Jura, Haute-Saône, and Territoire de Belfort, and the Swiss cantons of Vaud, Neuchâtel, and Jura.
The department is dominated by the Jura mountains, which rise east of Besançon.
Demographics
The inhabitants of the department are called Doubiens.
Tourism
The castles at Joux and Besançon are important tourist destinations.
External links
Doubs is also a commune of the Doubs département.
Last updated: 10-24-2005 12:14:21
Last updated: 10-29-2005 02:13:46