Switzerland’s Cantons
Getting to Know Some of Switzerland’s Cantons
To the Swiss, a canton is a term that describes an administrative region. In the same way that the US divides its country into states, so does Switzerland, where 26 cantons are recognized. Here are some descriptions on selected cantons, plus key sights to visit, and more.
Canton of Berne
The largest canton, in terms of land area is the Canton of Berne, and its capital city also shares the same name. The city of Berne has a population of more than 128,000 people, making it the fifth most populous city in Switzerland. The languages that are spoken here are German and French. Here in Berne, you can also find the Einstein house, where the genius Albert Einstein lived from 1903 to 1905. Einstein was able to work on his Annus Mirabilis Papers during his stay in Berne.
It is in this city where you find the Swiss National Library, established in the late 1800’s, and is noted as a heritage site of national significance. In Berne, you can also visit the Natural History Museum, where a collection of invertebrates can be found, plus exhibits of animal skeletons and more. This place is said to be one of the biggest diorama displays in all of Europe.
Canton of Zurich
Moving on to another canton, the Canton of Zurich, which is the largest in terms of population, where more than 1.3 million citizens reside. German is the official dialect in this area. The capital city of the canton is Zurich, which is known for banking as well as a haven for culture in the nation. In fact, the city of Zurich is labeled as the cultural center for the Swiss, and it has a population of more than 370,000.
Here in Zurich, you can visit churches like Fraumunster and Grossmunster, which have been standing since the year 800 AD. The church of St. Peter in Zurich has a tower which has the largest church clock face in the world, and it measures more than 28 feet in diameter.
For nature lovers, you can visit many gardens in and around the city of Zurich. Examples of them are the Chinese Garden, Botanical Garden of the University of Zurich, The Zurich Zoological Garden, and the Masoala Rainforest Ecosystem, which is a massive glass structure that replicates the climate, flora, and fauna of the Masoala forest in Madagascar.
Canton of Basel-Stadt
Basel City is the capital of the Canton of Basel-Stadt, and is said to be among the most densely populated cities in Switzerland. Here you can find the University of Basel, the oldest one in the Swiss Federation, founded in 1460. Among the most known students of this institution was Swiss mathematician and physicist Daniel Bernoulli, whose principles are the foundation of aerodynamics today.
Aside from the university, Basel is also proud of attractions like its heritage sights. You may view churches like the Basel Munster, or well preserved buildings like the town-hall, also known as Rathaus. There are also numerous museums you can check out while in the historic city of Basel.
