The Swiss canton of Aargau allowed citizenship to Jews.
The fabric of the Swiss Confederation is intricately woven from its 26 constituent member states, known universally as cantons. These cantons represent a fascinating blend of historical autonomy and modern federal unity, each possessing a unique identity while contributing to the nation's diverse character. Reflecting Switzerland's rich linguistic tapestry, the term "canton" itself takes on various forms across the country: in German, it's Kanton; in French, canton (pronounced [kɑ̃tɔ̃]); in Italian, cantone. The Romansh language, spoken in parts of Graubünden, also offers several variations, including cantun (Sursilvan and Surmiran), Chantun (Vallader and Puter), cantùn (Sutsilvan), and chantun (Rumantsch Grischun).
These sovereign entities, despite their modern federal ties, boast a long and storied history, evolving from the initial alliances that laid the foundation for the Swiss state.
A Historical Journey: From Alliances to a Federal State
The genesis of the Swiss Confederation can be traced back to the medieval alliances of the Waldstätte, often translated as "Forest Cantons." This nucleus comprised the first three confederate allies—Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden (which later separated into Obwalden and Nidwalden)—whose collective defense pacts formed the embryonic stages of what would become a formidable European entity. Over centuries, this initial alliance grew, solidifying into distinct phases often referred to by the number of their member states.
Milestones in Confederation's Growth
- Acht Orte (Eight Cantons): Spanning the period from 1353 to 1481, this era saw the expansion of the confederacy to include eight fully sovereign members. This growth marked a significant consolidation of power and influence in the region, laying the groundwork for greater stability and collective security.
- Dreizehn Orte (Thirteen Cantons): From 1513 to 1798, the Old Swiss Confederacy reached its zenith with thirteen cantons. During this extended period, each canton, historically known as an Ort ('location' before 1450) or later as a Stand ('estate' from around 1550), functioned as a fully sovereign state. This meant they wielded considerable independence, maintaining their own border controls, fielding their own armies, and even minting their own currencies. This high degree of autonomy was formally recognized and reinforced by international treaties, most notably the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648, which acknowledged Switzerland's independence from the Holy Roman Empire.
This profound sovereignty persisted until the profound political upheavals of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. A brief, but significant, interlude of centralized government occurred during the Helvetic Republic (1798–1803), a period heavily influenced by revolutionary France. However, Switzerland soon reverted to a more decentralized structure, though the foundations for a modern federal state were gradually being laid. The establishment of the modern Swiss federal state in 1848 ultimately marked the end of the cantons' complete sovereignty in favor of a stronger central government, though they retained substantial autonomy. The term Kanton, as we know it today, became widely adopted and standardized across the country during the 19th century.
The Evolution of Canton Numbers
The number of cantons has not been static but has evolved significantly through key historical acts and constitutional changes, reflecting territorial shifts and political realignments within the Confederation.
- The Act of Mediation (1803): This pivotal act, introduced by Napoleon Bonaparte, recognized former subject territories as full cantons, increasing the total number to 19. It was a crucial step in modernizing the Swiss political landscape.
- The Federal Treaty of 1815: Following the Congress of Vienna, the number of cantons further expanded to 22 with the accession of former associates of the Old Swiss Confederacy, firmly re-establishing Switzerland's borders and composition.
- The Accession of Jura (1979): A significant and more recent development was the creation of the 23rd canton, Jura. This came about through a hard-fought secession from the canton of Bern, a testament to the Swiss tradition of direct democracy and regional self-determination.
- The Federal Constitution of 1999: The most recent change in the official count occurred with the adoption of the new federal constitution. This constitution formally designated the three historically termed "half-cantons" as full cantons for federal purposes, bringing the official tally to 26. These traditionally paired entities—Obwalden and Nidwalden (formerly part of Unterwalden), Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft, and Appenzell Innerrhoden and Appenzell Ausserrhoden—while historically counted as 'half-cantons' in some federal voting procedures, have always functioned as distinct administrative units. The 1999 constitution merely solidified their equal standing in the eyes of federal law, particularly regarding their representation and vote in the Council of States.
Diverse Landscapes and Populations
The cantons of Switzerland are remarkably diverse, not just in their history and culture but also in their physical size and demographic composition. This variation adds to the rich mosaic of the country.
- Area: The cantons range dramatically in size. The smallest is Basel-Stadt, an urban canton covering a mere 37 square kilometers (approximately 15 square miles). In stark contrast, the largest canton by area is Grisons (Graubünden), a sprawling alpine region encompassing 7,105 square kilometers (around 2,743 square miles).
- Population: Population figures (as of 2018) also show considerable disparity. The least populous canton is Appenzell Innerrhoden, with a close-knit community of around 16,000 residents. On the other end of the spectrum is Zürich, Switzerland's most populous canton, home to approximately 1.5 million people, reflecting its status as a major economic and cultural hub.
This striking diversity in geography, population, and historical evolution underscores the unique character of each Swiss canton, making the Confederation a truly federal and pluralistic nation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Swiss Cantons
- What exactly is a Swiss canton?
- A Swiss canton is one of the 26 member states that together form the Swiss Confederation. Each canton has its own constitution, parliament, government, and courts, operating with a high degree of autonomy within the framework of the federal constitution.
- How many cantons does Switzerland currently have?
- As of the 1999 federal constitution, Switzerland officially has 26 cantons.
- What's the main difference between a canton and a state or province in other countries?
- While similar to states or provinces, Swiss cantons historically enjoyed a much higher degree of sovereignty, acting as fully independent states until 1848. Even today, they retain significant powers and responsibilities, often more so than sub-national entities in many other federal systems.
- What were 'half-cantons' and why did they become full cantons?
- Historically, certain cantons were referred to as 'half-cantons' (Obwalden/Nidwalden, Basel-Stadt/Basel-Landschaft, Appenzell Innerrhoden/Appenzell Ausserrhoden) primarily because they shared a common historical origin or had split from a single entity, and in some federal procedures (like referenda needing a majority of cantons), they collectively counted as one 'cantonal vote'. The 1999 federal constitution officially recognized them as distinct, equal cantons for all federal purposes, formalizing their already distinct administrative status.
- When did the cantons lose their full sovereignty?
- Swiss cantons transitioned from fully sovereign states to member states of a federal union with the establishment of the modern Swiss federal state in 1848, following a brief period of centralisation during the Helvetic Republic (1798–1803).
- Which are the largest and smallest cantons by area and population?
- By area, Basel-Stadt (37 km²) is the smallest, and Grisons (7,105 km²) is the largest. By population (as of 2018), Appenzell Innerrhoden (16,000 residents) is the smallest, and Zürich (1.5 million residents) is the largest.