DOUBS

dpartement, Franche-Comt region, eastern France, on the Swiss frontier, created from the Alsatian principality of Montbliard (q.v.) and part of the historic province of Franche-Comt (q.v.). It has three arrondissements, Besanon, Montbliard, and Pontarlier, and is in the educational division of Besanon. Doubs has an area of 2,019 sq mi (5,228 sq km). The Doubs River, which gives the dpartement its name, makes a loop round Besanon (q.v.), its capital, while the Ognon River forms the northwestern border, which also is crossed northeastsouthwest by four parallel chains of the Jura Mountains. The highest and most easterly chain contains Mont d'Or (4,790 ft ). The climate is cold and rainy, with generally severe winters. Snow usually lies from six to eight months on the upper regions, which are barren or covered with vast fir forests and have good pasturelands. All varieties of cereals, as well as vegetables, fruits, and vines, are grown on the plains. Cooperative factories produce large quantities of Gruyre cheese. The dpartement is largely rural. Most of the towns are in or near the Doubs Valley, in which the major industries (watches, hardware, motor vehicles, textiles, food) are situated. The northern part of the dpartement is almost entirely dominated by the automobile industry at Montbliard, which employs specialized manpower from as far as 50 mi (80 km) away. Pontarlier, another but more traditional industrial centre (distilleries, cheese, hosiery, sawmills) in the mountain region, lies in the upper Doubs Valley. Tourism is well developed. Pop. (1982) 477,163.