NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Canton of Bern

The Swiss canton of Bern (help· info) is bilingual (German: Kanton Bern; French Canton de Berne) and has a population of about 947,000. It is located in west-central Switzerland and the city of Bern is its capital. Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... In politics, a capital (also called capital city or political capital â€” although the latter phrase has an alternative meaning based on an alternative meaning of capital) is the principal city or town associated with its government. ... Location within Switzerland The city of Bern, English traditionally Berne (Bernese German BÃ¤rn , German Bern , French Berne , Italian Berna , Romansh Berna ), is the Bundesstadt (administrative capital) of Switzerland, and is the fourth most populous Swiss city (after ZÃ¼rich, Geneva and Basel). ... Area is a physical quantity expressing the size of a part of a surface. ... To help compare orders of magnitude of different geographical regions, we list here areas between 1,000 kmÂ² and 10,000 kmÂ². See also areas of other orders of magnitude. ... This is a lists of Cantons of Switzerland ranked by area. ... This is a list of Cantons of Switzerland by highest point. ... Finsteraarhorn is the highest mountain in the Bernese Oberland region of the Swiss Alps. ... Basic Definition In geography, the elevation of a geographic location is its height above mean sea level (or some other fixed point). ... metre or meter, see meter (disambiguation) The metre is the basic unit of length in the International System of Units. ... 2003 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar, and also: The International Year of Freshwater The European Disability Year Events January events January 1 Luíz Inácio Lula Da Silva becomes the 37th President of Brazil. ... Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. ... Since 1848, the Swiss Confederation has been a federal state of relatively autonomous cantons, some of which have a history of confederacy that goes back more than 700 years, arguably putting them among the worlds oldest surviving republics. ... Events The Decameron was finished by Giovanni Boccaccio. ... These are data codes for Switzerland. ... This is a List of office-holders in 2005 in Switzerland. ... This table lists the names of the executive and the legislative of the Cantons of Switzerland, as well as the current number of members. ... Municipalities are the smallest government division in Switzerland. ... There 398 municipalities in the canton of Berne, Switzerland (as of April 2004): Berne is the canton with the most municipalities. ... In contrast to centrally organised states, in the federally constituted Switzerland each Canton is completely free to decide its own internal organisation. ... In contrast to centrally organised states, in the federally constituted Switzerland each Canton is completely free to decide its own internal organisation. ... Download high resolution version (944x864, 290 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... The twenty-six cantons of Switzerland are the states of the federal state of Switzerland. ... Image File history File links De-Bern. ... Location within Switzerland The city of Bern, English traditionally Berne (Bernese German BÃ¤rn , German Bern , French Berne , Italian Berna , Romansh Berna ), is the Bundesstadt (administrative capital) of Switzerland, and is the fourth most populous Swiss city (after ZÃ¼rich, Geneva and Basel). ...

Geography

The canton of Bern is the second largest of all Swiss cantons. It borders the Canton of Jura and the Canton of Solothurn to the north. To the west lie the Canton of Neuchâtel, the Canton of Fribourg and Vaud, to the south lies the Valais. East of the canton of Bern lie the cantons of Uri, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Lucerne and Aargau. The Canton of Jura is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland in the northwestern part of Switzerland. ... Solothurn is a canton of Switzerland. ... NeuchÃ¢tel is a canton of Switzerland. ... The Canton of Fribourg is a canton of Switzerland. ... The Canton of Vaud is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland located in the southwestern part of the country. ... The Valais (also known in German as Wallis) is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland in the south-western part of the country, in the Pennine Alps around the valley of the Rhone River from its springs to Lake Geneva. ... Uri is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland. ... Nidwalden is a canton of Switzerland. ... Obwalden is a canton of Switzerland. ... Lucerne (German Luzern) is a canton of Switzerland. ... For other uses, see Aargau (disambiguation). ...

The canton of Bern is mainly drained by the River Aare and its tributaries. The area of the canton is commonly divided into three areas. The Bernese Oberland (Berner Oberland) lies in the south of the canton and is part of the Alps. The highest elevation in the Bernese Oberland is the Finsteraarhorn with 4274 m. The famous resorts around Interlaken and the Jungfrau (4158 m) are located within this area. Other resorts in the Bernese Oberland are Thun, Meiringen and Aareschlucht, Grindelwald, Mürren and Kandersteg. The whole area is very mountainous and renowned for its scenic beauty. As a result of this tourism is one of the main sources of income in the Bernese Oberland. For other possible meanings, see AAR, a disambiguation page The Aar (in German Aare) is the greatest river which both rises and ends entirely within Switzerland. ... View of Thun and Lake Thun from the Niederhorn The Bernese Oberland (Bernese highlands) is the higher part of the canton of Bern, Switzerland, in the South of the canton: The area around Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, and the valleys of the Bernese Alps (thus, the inhabitable parts from... The West face of the Petit Dru above the Chamonix valley near the Mer de Glace. ... Finsteraarhorn is the highest mountain in the Bernese Oberland region of the Swiss Alps. ... Interlaken is a municipality in the Canton of Bern in Switzerland. ... The Jungfrau (German: virgin) is the highest peak of a mountain massif of the same name, located in the Bernese Oberland region of the Swiss Alps, overlooking Grindelwald. ... Location within Switzerland Thun (French Thoune) is a town in the canton of Bern in Switzerland with about 41,540 inhabitants (2003). ... Statue of Holmes outside the English Church Meiringen (46Â°44â€² N 8Â°11â€² E, 595 m; population 4,740 as of 2004) is a town in the Bernese Oberland of Switzerland, the administrative capital of the Oberhasli district of the canton of Bern. ... Grindelwald (46Â°37â€² N 8Â°02â€² E) is a village in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland. ... MÃ¼rren is a traditional Walser mountain village in Bernese Oberland, Switzerland. ... Kandersteg is a village in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland. ... Tourist redirects here; for the album by Athlete, see Tourist (album) For the Roxette album, see Tourism (album) Tourism is the act of travel for the purpose of recreation and business, and the provision of services for this act. ...

The Bernese Midlands (Berner Mittelland) is made up of the valley of the rivers Aare, the river Emme, some of the foothills of the Bernese Alps, as well as the plain around the capital Bern. In the north of the canton of Bern lies the third region: the Lake Region (Seenland) concentrated around Lake Biel. The Breithorn is a mountain in the Alps, considered the easiest 4,000 m peak to climb in the Alps. ... The features of the north face of the Eiger. ... The MÃ¶nch (German: monk) is a mountain in the Swiss Alps. ... The Jungfrau (German: virgin) is the highest peak of a mountain massif of the same name, located in the Bernese Oberland region of the Swiss Alps, overlooking Grindelwald. ... The Wetterhorn is a mountain in the Swiss Alps close to the village of Grindelwald. ... The Emme is a river in Switzerland. ... Lake Biel Lake Biel (German: Bielersee, French: Lac de Bienne) is a lake in the west of Switzerland. ...

The area of the canton is 5959 km². To help compare orders of magnitude of different geographical regions, we list here areas between 1,000 kmÂ² and 10,000 kmÂ². See also areas of other orders of magnitude. ...

History

The area of the canton of Bern consists of lands acquired by its capital, mostly between the 14th and the 16th century, both by conquest and purchase. Acquired districts include (with dates of acquisition): From her inauspicious beginnings as a Celtic settlement in pre-Roman Central Europe, the city of Berne grew to become an aristocratic city republic and a major power in the Old Swiss Confederacy. ... The coat of arms of Berne. ... This 14th-century statue from south India depicts the gods Shiva (on the left) and Uma (on the right). ... (15th century - 16th century - 17th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 16th century was that century which lasted from 1501 to 1600. ...

Some regions previously left the canton in 1798: Aargau (1415), Aigle and Grandson (1475), Vaud (1536), and the Pays d'En-Haut including Château-d'Œx (1555). From 1798 to 1802 the Oberland formed a separate canton of the Helvetic Republic called canton of Thun with Thun as its capital. Certain French-speaking portions of the canton of Bern broke away from the canton only in the late 20th century and since 1979 comprise the Canton of Jura. Events January 6 - Constantine XI is crowned Byzantine Emperor. ... Lauterbrunnen Valley in winter Lauterbrunnen is a municipality in the Interlaken (district) of the Bernese Oberland, Switzerland. ... Brienz is a municipality in the Interlaken (district) of the Canton of Berne in Switzerland. ... Saanen is a municipality of the Canton of Berne, Switzerland. ... Events July 30 - Baltimore, Maryland is founded. ... Bernese Jura (Jura bernois in French) is the name for the French-speaking area of the Swiss canton of Bern and it consists of the 3 French-speaking districts of the canton of Bern. ... Place du Ring in Biel/Bienne Biel/Bienne is a town in the Canton of Bern in Switzerland. ... Location within Switzerland Basel (British English traditionally: Basle and more recently Basel , German: Basel , French: BÃ¢le , Italian: Basilea ) is Switzerlands third most populous city (166,563 inhabitants (2004); 690,000 inhabitants in the conurbation stretching across the immediate cantonal and national boundaries made Basel Switzerlands second-largest... Events Friedrich I Hohenzollern (b. ... Aigle is a commune of the canton of Vaud in Switzerland, located in the district of Aigle, of which it is the chief town. ... Grandson is a municipality in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland, seat of the district of the same name. ... Events August 29 - Treaty of Picquigny ends a brief war between France and England. ... Events February 2 - Spaniard Pedro de Mendoza founds Buenos Aires, Argentina. ... ChÃ¢teau-dÅ’x is a commune in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland. ... Events Russia breaks 60 year old truce with Sweden by attacking Finland February 2 - Diet of Augsburg begins February 4 - John Rogers becomes first Protestant martyr in England February 9 - Bishop of Gloucester John Hooper is burned at the stake May 23 - Paul IV becomes Pope. ... 1798 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... --69. ... The Helvetic Republic was a state formation in the area of Switzerland. ... Location within Switzerland Thun (French Thoune) is a town in the canton of Bern in Switzerland with about 41,540 inhabitants (2003). ... This page refers to the year 1979. ...

Bern joined the Swiss Confederation in 1353 and was between 1803 and 1814 one of the six direcorial cantons of the Swiss Confederation. Events The Decameron was finished by Giovanni Boccaccio. ... 1803 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... 1814 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ...

Politics

Legislative Branch

Main article: Grand Council of Bern The Grand Council (German: Grosser Rat / French: Grand conseil) is the parliament of the Swiss canton of Bern. ...

The Grand Council (German: Grosser Rat / French: Grand conseil) is the parliament of the canton of Bern. It consists of 160 representatives elected by proportional representation for a four-year term of office. The French-speaking part of the canton, the Bernese Jura, has 12 seats guaranteed and 3 seats are guaranteed for the French-speaking minority of the bilingual district of Biel/Bienne. Insert non-formatted text hereInsert non-formatted text here:This article is about the legislative institution. ... Proportional representation, also known as full representation, is an electoral system in which the overall votes are reflected in the overall outcome of the body or bodies of representatives. ... Bernese Jura (Jura bernois in French) is the name for the French-speaking area of the Swiss canton of Bern and it consists of the 3 French-speaking districts of the canton of Bern. ...

Executive Branch

Main article: Executive Council of Bern The Executive Council (German: Regierungsrat / French: Conseil-Ã©xecutif) is the government of the Swiss canton of Bern. ...

The Executive Council (German: Regierungsrat / French: Conseil-éxecutif) is the government of the canton of Bern. This seven-member collegial body is elected by the people for a period of four years. The cantonal constitution reserves one seat in the Executive Council for a French-speaking citizen from the Bernese Jura.

Judicial Branch

The canton has a two-tiered court system, consisting of district courts and a cantonal Supreme Court (Obergericht/Cour suprême). There is also an administrative court (Verwaltungsgericht/Tribunal administratif) as well as other specialised courts and judicial boards. See [1] for details.

Economy

Tourism is the main source of income in the Bernese Oberland. Other important sectors are agriculture (especially cattle breeding), cheese making, and hydroelectric power generation. The Bernese cheese Emmental cheese is known around the world. Country of origin Switzerland Region, town Berne, Emme Source of milk Cows Pasteurized Traditionally, no Texture semi-hard Aging time 3-12 months depending on variety Certification No Emmentaler, Emmenthal, or Emmental cheese is a Swiss cheese. ...

In the Bernese Midlands the lands are more fertile. Agriculture is of great importance, but this part of the canton is also the most industrialized. Small and middle-sized businesses are important employers in this part of the canton of Bern. There is a nuclear power plant at Mühleberg.

The area around the Lake Biel is renowned for its wine production. Wine is an alcoholic beverage produced by the fermentation of grapes and grape juice. ...

The 3 French-speaking districts of the Bernese Jura and the bilingual district of Biel/Bienne are renowned for their worldwide well known watch industry and its mechanical industry (high precision machine tools, automation and machining). Place du Ring in Biel/Bienne Biel/Bienne is a town in the Canton of Bern in Switzerland. ...

Language and religion

The canton of Bern is bilingual: Both German (22 districts, 84%) and French (3 districts, 8,2%) are spoken. The German-speaking majority speaks Bernese German, a Swiss German dialect. The French speakers live in the northern part of the canton, in the Bernese Jura. Both German and French are spoken in the bilingual city of Biel/Bienne. In the government and administration, both languages are official languages of equal standing. The term bilingualism (from bi meaning two and lingua meaning language) can refer to rather different phenomena. ... Bernese German is the High Alemannic dialect spoken in the Swiss plateau (Mittelland) part of the canton of Bern and in some neighbouring regions. ... Swiss German (Schweizerdeutsch, SchwyzerdÃ¼tsch, SchwiizerdÃ¼tsch, SchwyzertÃ¼tsch, Schwizertitsch) is any of the Alemannic dialects spoken in Switzerland. ... Bernese Jura (Jura bernois in French) is the name for the French-speaking area of the Swiss canton of Bern and it consists of the 3 French-speaking districts of the canton of Bern. ... Place du Ring in Biel/Bienne Biel/Bienne is a town in the Canton of Bern in Switzerland. ...

Most Bernese are Protestant. There are substantial Roman Catholic and Christian Catholic minorities; these three churches are officially recognised as state churches (Landeskirchen). As everywhere in Switzerland, there are also significant Jewish and Muslim communities. Protestantism is a general grouping of denominations within Christianity. ... The Roman Catholic Church, most often spoken of simply as the Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with over one billion members. ... The Christian Catholic Church of Switzerland is the Swiss member church of the Union of Utrecht. ... See also civil religion. ... The word Jew ( Hebrew: יהודי) is used in a wide number of ways, but generally refers to a follower of the Jewish faith, a child of a Jewish mother, or someone of Jewish descent with a connection to Jewish culture or ethnicity and often a combination of these attributes. ... for Imam Muslim, see Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj A Muslim (Arabic: Ù…Ø³Ù„Ù…) is an adherent of Islam. ...

Natives

Districts and Municipalities

As of April 2004, there are 398 municipalities of the canton of Berne within the following 26 administrative districts: 2004 is a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... There 398 municipalities in the canton of Berne, Switzerland (as of April 2004): Berne is the canton with the most municipalities. ...

Download high resolution version (944x868, 265 KB)Map of districts in Canton Bern drawn by Tschubby under GFDL Artist: http://de. ... Download high resolution version (944x868, 265 KB)Map of districts in Canton Bern drawn by Tschubby under GFDL Artist: http://de. ... The Aarberg district in the Canton of Bern with capital Aarberg contains 12 Municipalies covering 153 km²: CH-3270 Aarberg CH-3282 Bargen BE CH-3257 Grossaffoltern CH-3283 Kallnach CH-3273 Kappelen CH-3250 Lyss CH-3045 Meikirch CH-3283 Niederried bei Kallnach CH-3271 Radelfingen CH-3255 Rapperswil... Location within Switzerland Aarberg is a Swiss city in the canton of Berne, capital of the district with the same name. ... Aarwangen is a district in the Canton of Bern with its seat at Aarwangen. ... Aarwangen is a district in the Canton of Bern with its seat at Aarwangen. ... The District of Bern (French: Berne; Italian and Romansch: Berna): is an administrative district in the canton of Bern, Switzerland. ... Location within Switzerland The city of Bern, English traditionally Berne (Bernese German BÃ¤rn , German Bern , French Berne , Italian Berna , Romansh Berna ), is the Bundesstadt (administrative capital) of Switzerland, and is the fourth most populous Swiss city (after ZÃ¼rich, Geneva and Basel). ... The administrative district of Biel in the Swiss canton of Bern with its seat Biel is bi-lingual (40% French and 60% German) and includes two municipalities in an area of 25 km2: Administrative district Biel Municipalities in the district of Biel Reference This article is based on a translation... Place du Ring in Biel/Bienne Biel/Bienne is a town in the Canton of Bern in Switzerland. ... The administrative district of BÃ¼ren in the Swiss canton of Bern with its capital BÃ¼ren an der Aare contains 14 municipalities on 88 km2: Administrative district BÃ¼ren Municipalities of BÃ¼ren Weblinks Article BÃ¼ren (BE) in the Historical lexicon of Switzerland Categories: Districts of Switzerland ... Small Castle in BÃ¼ren BÃ¼ren an der Aare (Bueren on the Aare) is a municipality in Swiss Canton of Berne with 3,059 inhabitants (2002). ... The administrative district of Burgdorf in the Swiss canton of Bern with its seat at Burgdorf Castle in Burgdorf includes 24 Cities and towns in an area of 197 kmÂ²: The District of Burgdorf Cities and towns in the district of Burgdorf Reference This article is based on a translation... Burgdorf (fr. ... District of Courtelary Municipalities in the district of Courtelary The district of Courtelary is located in Switzerland and is one of the 3 French-speaking districts of the Bernese Jura. ... Courtelary is a commune of the Bernese Jura, in the canton of Bern. ... The District of Erlach is one of the 26 administrative districts in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland. ... The District of Fraubrunnen is one of the 26 administrative districts in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland. ... The administrative district of Frutigen in the Swiss canton of Bern with its seat Frutigen includes seven municipalities in an area of 490 km2: Frutigen (district) Towns in the district of Frutigen Reference This article is based on a translation of an article from the German Wikipedia. ... Frutigen is a municipality in the Bernese Oberland in the canton of Bern, Switzerland. ... The Interlaken district in the Canton of Bern with administrative capital Interlaken comprises 23 municipalities over 724 km²: CH-3803 Beatenberg CH-3806 Bönigen CH-3855 Brienz CH-3856 Brienzwiler CH-3707 Därligen CH-3818 Grindelwald CH-3814 Gsteigwiler CH-3815 Gündlischwand CH-3804 Habkern CH-3858... Interlaken is a municipality in the Canton of Bern in Switzerland. ... The district Konolfingen in Canton_of_Bern with the principal place Konolfingen consists of 31 municipalities on 214 km² CH-3672 Aeschlen bei Oberdiessbach CH-3112 Allmendingen bei Bern CH-3508 Arni bei Biglen CH-3507 Biglen CH-3674 Bleiken bei Oberdiessbach CH-3533 Bowil CH-3671 Brenzikofen CH-3510 Freimettigen CH... The District of Laupen is one of the 26 administrative districts in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland. ... The district de Moutier is one of the 3 French-speaking districts of the Bernese Jura in the canton of Bern with the seat being Moutier. ... Moutier is a town in the Canton of Bern in Switzerland. ... The district of La Neuveville is one of the 3 French-speaking districts of the Bernese Jura in the canton of Bern with the seat being La Neuveville. ... La Neuveville is a Swiss town and capital of the district of La Neuveville. ... The District of Nidau is one of the 26 administrative districts in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland. ... The District of Niedersimmental is one of the 26 administrative districts in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland. ... The Oberhasli district is eastermost of the 26 districts of the Canton of Bern, Switzerland. ... Statue of Holmes outside the English Church Meiringen (46Â°44â€² N 8Â°11â€² E, 595 m; population 4,740 as of 2004) is a town in the Bernese Oberland of Switzerland, the administrative capital of the Oberhasli district of the canton of Bern. ... The District of Obersimmental is one of the 26 administrative districts in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland. ... Zollikofen is a municipality in the canton of Berne, Switzerland, situated in the district of Obersimmental. ... The District of Saanen is one of the 26 administrative districts in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland. ... Saanen is a municipality of the Canton of Berne, Switzerland. ... The District of Schwarzenburg is one of the 26 administrative districts in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland. ... The District of Seftigen is one of the 26 administrative districts in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland. ... Belp is a commune in the district of Seftigen, Canton of Berne, Switzerland with 9,600 inhabitants (2004). ... The administrative district of Signau in the Swiss canton of Bern with its seat Signau includes nine municipalities in an area of 320 km2: Administrative district Signau Municipalities of Signau External links Regierungsstatthalteramt Signau This article is based on a translation of an article from the German Wikipedia. ... Langnau im Emmental is a city in the Swiss canton of Bern. ... The District of Thun is one of the 26 administrative districts in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland. ... Location within Switzerland Thun (French Thoune) is a town in the canton of Bern in Switzerland with about 41,540 inhabitants (2003). ... District of Trachselwald Municipalities in the district of Trachselwald Trachselwald is a district in the Swiss canton of Berne. ... The District of Wangen is one of the 26 administrative districts in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland. ... Wangen an der Aare is a municipality in the Bernese Upper Aargau, Switzerland famous for its historic town centre. ...

References

The Historical Dictionary of Switzerland is a project to develop an encyclopedia on the history of Switzerland started in 1988. ...

Encyclopedia > Canton of Bern

Contents