Appenzell Ausserrhoden (German; French: Appenzell Rhodes-Extérieures; in English sometimes Appenzell Outer Rhodes) is a canton of Switzerland. The seat of the government and parliament is Herisau, judicial authorities are in Trogen. Appenzell Ausserrhoden is located in the north east of Switzerland, bordering the cantons of St. Gallen and Appenzell Innerrhoden. The area is 243 km² and population as of 2001 53,200.

History

Settlement in Appenzell started in the 7th and the 8th century alongside the river Glatt. The monastery of St. Gallen is of great influence on the local population. In 907 Herisau is mentioned for the first time, the canton (Appenzell: abbatis cella) is named first in 1071.

The canton witnessed a number of battles, including the Battle of Vögelinsegg (1403) and the Battle at the Stoss (1405).

In 1513 Appenzell joins the Swiss confederation as the 13th canton. In 1597 the Catholic Appenzell Innerrhoden being the other half.

From the 16th century onwards linen production was established little by little. Larger textile businesses established themselves, later diversifying into weaving and embroidery. The textile industry collapsed between 1920 and 1939.

In 1834 for the first time a constitution was adapted, undergoing reforms in 1876 and 1908. The construction of numerous railway lines between 1875 and 1913 helped the local industry and the population grew to a maxium of 57,973 people in 1910 (compared with 53,200 in 2001).

In 1934 Johannes Baumann was the first citizen from Appenzell Ausserrhoden to become a federal councilor. Women's right to vote was introduced in 1972 on a local level, but only in 1989 on a canton-wide level. In 1994 for the first time two women were elected into government. The open assembly (Landsgemeinde) was abolished in 1997.

Former districts

Canton Appenzell does not recognise districts (German: Bezirke) any longer. Former districts were:

• Hinterland - 136 km², municipalities: Herisau (district capital), Hundwil, Schönengrund, Schwellbrunn, Stein AR, Urnäsch, Waldstatt
• Mittelland - 60 km², municipalities: Bühler, Gais, Speicher, Teufen AR (district capital), Trogen
• Vorderland - 46 km², municipalities: Grub AR, Heiden (district capital), Lutzenberg, Rehetobel, Reute AR, Wald, Walzenhausen, Wolfhalden

Municipalities

The 20 municipalities (Einwohnergemeinden) are:

External links

• Official Page (http://www.ar.ch) (German)
• Official Statistics (http://www.statistik.admin.ch/stat_ch/ber00/ekan_ar.htm)