Cantons of Switzerland
Switzerland is a federal state composed of 26 cantons, each functioning as a semi-sovereign entity. These cantons possess their own constitutions, parliaments, governments, and courts. The cantonal system allows for a significant degree of autonomy, with each canton having the authority to implement its own policies on education, healthcare, and law enforcement, among other areas. The Swiss Confederation, established in 1848, grants cantons the power to levy taxes, which is a crucial aspect of their autonomy. Despite their independence, cantons collaborate on national matters through the federal government, ensuring a balance between local and national interests. The diversity among cantons is reflected in their cultural, linguistic, and geographical differences, contributing to Switzerland's rich heritage and identity.
List of Switzerland Cantons
Maps of Cantons of Switzerland
Switzerland Canton Map
Switzerland Cantons And Capitals Map
Switzerland Political Map
Cantons of Switzerland
Information and Facts:| The Largest Switzerland Canton by Area | Grisons / Graubünden - 2,743 sq mi (7,105 sq km) |
| The Smallest Switzerland Canton by Area | Basel-Stadt - 14 sq mi (37 sq km) |
| The Largest Switzerland Canton by Population | Zürich - 1,605,508 (2023) |
| The Smallest Switzerland Canton by Population | Appenzell Innerrhoden - 16,585 (2023) |
| Canton | Code | Capital | Population (December 2023)[1] | Area | Official languages | As a Swiss canton since |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zürich | ZH | Zurich | 1,605,508 | 668 sq mi (1,729 sq km) | German | 1351 |
| Bern | BE | Bern | 1,063,533 | 2,301 sq mi ( sq mi (5,960 sq km) | German, French | 1353 |
| Lucerne | LU | Lucerne | 432,744 | 577 sq mi (1,494 sq km) | German | 1332 |
| Uri | UR | Altdorf | 37,931 | 416 sq mi (1,077 sq km) | German | 1291 |
| Schwyz | SZ | Schwyz | 167,403 | 351 sq mi (908 sq km) | German | 1291 |
| Obwalden | OW | Sarnen | 39,272 | 189 sq mi (491 sq km) | German | 1291 |
| Nidwalden | NW | Stans | 45,016 | 107 sq mi (276 sq km) | German | 1291 |
| Glarus | GL | Glarus | 42,056 | 265 sq mi (685 sq km) | German | 1352 |
| Zug | ZG | Zug | 132,556 | 92 sq mi (239 sq km) | German | 1352 |
| Fribourg | FR | Fribourg | 341,537 | 645 sq mi (1,671 sq km) | French, German | 1481 |
| Solothurn | SO | Solothurn | 286,844 | 305 sq mi (790 sq km) | German | 1481 |
| Basel-Stadt | BS | Basel | 200,031 | 14 sq mi (37 sq km) | German | 1501 (as Basel until 1833/1999) |
| Basel-Landschaft | BL | Liestal | 298,837 | 200 sq mi (518 sq km) | German | 1501 (as Basel until 1833/1999) |
| Schaffhausen | SH | Schaffhausen | 87,111 | 115 sq mi (298 sq km) | German | 1501 |
| Appenzell Ausserrhoden | AR | Herisau | 56,495 | 94 sq mi (243 sq km) | German | 1513 (as Appenzell until 1597/1999) |
| Appenzell Innerrhoden | AI | Appenzell | 16,585 | 97 sq mi (172 sq km) | German | 1513 (as Appenzell until 1597/1999) |
| St. Gallen | SG | St. Gallen | 535,114 | 784 sq mi (2,031 sq km) | German | 1803 |
| Graubünden | GR | Chur | 204,888 | 2,743 sq mi (7,105 sq km) | German, Romansh, Italian | 1803 |
| Aargau | AG | Aarau | 726,894 | 542 sq mi (1,404 sq km) | German | 1803 |
| Thurgau | TG | Frauenfeld | 295,220 | 383 sq mi (992 sq km) | German | 1803 |
| Ticino | TI | Bellinzona | 357,720 | 1,086 sq mi (2,812 sq km) | Italian | 1803 |
| Vaud | VD | Lausanne | 845,870 | 1,240 sq mi (3,212 sq km) | French | 1803 |
| Valais | VS | Sion | 365,844 | 2,017 sq mi (5,224 sq km) | French, German | 1815 |
| Neuchâtel | NE | Neuchâtel | 178,291 | 310 sq mi (802 sq km) | French | 1815/1857 |
| Geneva | GE | Geneva | 524,410 | 109 sq mi (282 sq km) | French | 1815 |
| Jura | JU | Delémont | 74,548 | 324 sq mi (839 sq km) | French | 1979 |