The Canton of Fribourg is a current canton of Switzerland. It is located in the country's west. The capital of the canton has the same namesake as it, being named Fribourg. The two major languages spoken in Fribourg, French and German, both have different names for the canton. In French, the name is Fribourg, while in German it is Freiburg.
Near the lakes of Neuchâtel and Morat, traces of prehistoric settlements have been discovered, suggesting that people have inhabited Fribourg for a long time.
By 532, all of modern-day Switzerland became a part of Francia until the 10th century, being given to the Holy Roman Empire until 1641, when the canton decided to join the Old Swiss Confederacy. As of today, the Canton of Fribourg still remains a canton of the current Switzerland.
Currently, agriculture is one of the most prominent economic activities of Fribourg, more common in the north due to more fertile land. The main agricultural activities are cattle breeding and dairy farming. The production of cheese is also prominent, particularly in La Gruyère, which is known for its production of Gruyère cheese. Chocolate making is also well established in the canton.
A small amount of industry can be found around the capital of the canton, Fribourg, as well as in Bulle, Villars-sur-Glâne, Düdingen, and Estavayer-le-Lac. Forests are important for business in the La Gruyère district.
The La Sarine District has several electric power plants built in its limits used for powering homes as well as for export. The mountain and lake areas are important for tourism in the canton.
A sixteen franken coin of the Helvetic Republic.
The Canton of Fribourg has used a number of currencies. Under the rule of Francia, the canton presumably used Byzantine coinage until Theudebert I began issuing the solidus and triens, which were issued from 534 to 679. Later, the denarius and penning were used in Fribourg. When the Holy Roman Empire annexed the area, it is presumed that Fribourg used the numerous currencies of the Holy Roman Empire. Even after the canton joined the Old Swiss Confederation, it is possible that the Holy Roman Empire issued their currencies here, though the land was de facto owned by the Confederation. The Treaty of Westphalia probably brought about the beginning of the Fribourg gulden, which was used until the Helvetic Republic had been established in 1798. During this time, the Swiss franc was introduced and used until 1803, when the republic fell. For a number of years after, the canton used the Fribourg frank as their currency before being annexed into modern-day Switzerland in 1850, using the Swiss franc once again.