Liestal

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Coordinates: 47°28′N, 7°44′E

Liestal
Country Switzerland
Canton Basel-Country
District Liestal
Coordinates 47°28′N, 7°44′E
Population 12,853  (2000s)
  - Density 706 /km² (1,828 /sq.mi.)
Area 18.21 km² (7 sq mi)
Elevation 327 m (1,073 ft)
Postal code 4410
SFOS number 2829
Mayor Regula Gysin
Surrounded by
(view map)		 Arisdorf, Bubendorf, Frenkendorf, Füllinsdorf, Hersberg, Lausen, Nuglar-St. Pantaleon (SO), Seltisberg
Twin towns Onex (Switzerland), Sacramento (USA), Waldkirch (Germany)
Website www.liestal.ch

Liestal (in former times Liesthal) is the capital of the canton of Basel-Country in Switzerland, 17 km south of Basel.

It is an industrial town with a cobble-street Old Town.

Contents

[edit] History

The name Lihstal was first mentioned in 1189, and the settlement dates at least from Roman times. The development of the town is due to its strategic location on the road between the first bridge over the Rhine at Basel and the St. Gotthard Pass.

Citizens of Liestal participated in the Burgundian Wars in 1476 and 1477 against Charles the Bold. In 1501, the mayor swore allegiance to the Swiss Confederation, and this caused repeated conflict with neighboring Rheinfelden, which belonged to the Hapsburgs.

In the 17th century, Liestal rebelled against Basel as part of the Farmers' Rebellion and was occupied by troops from that city. Three leaders of the rebellion were beheaded in Basel.

In 1789, the town enthusiastically hailed the French call for freedom and equality. It celebrated Napoleon, when he traveled through town in 1797. After his fall, the earlier subjection to Basel was re-established.

The French July Revolution of 1830 also caused upheaval in Liestal. A provisional government was established, and the town was chosen as the capital of a new canton on March 17, 1832.

[edit] Numbers and facts

Main sight "Törli", 2004
Main sight "Törli", 2004
  • Area: 18 km², of it 10 km² forest
  • Temperature: 10.1 °C (yearly temperature), 2.1 °C (January temperature), 20.8 °C (July temperature)
  • Rain: Precipitation per year 933 mm

[edit] Customs

Chienbäse
Chienbäse

On the Sunday night after Mardi Gras, Chienbäse is celebrated with a spectacular parade and bonfires, known as Chienbäse. The tradition goes back at least to the 16th century. Other towns in the neighborhood also celebrate in a similar manner.

Other local festivals are the following:

  • Santichlaus-Ylüüte
  • Banntag

[edit] Sister cities

Liestal has three sister cities, as designated by Sister Cities International, Inc. (SCI):

[edit] See also

  • Waldenburgerbahn

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
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Municipalities in the district of Liestal, Switzerland
Coat of Arms of the Canton Basel-Country
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Capitals of Swiss cantons
Aarau (Aargau) - Altdorf (Uri) - Appenzell (Appenzell Innerrhoden) - Basel (Basel-City) - Bellinzona (Ticino) - Berne (Berne) - Chur (Graubünden) - Delémont (Jura) - Frauenfeld (Thurgau) - Fribourg (Fribourg) - Geneva (Geneva) - Glarus (Glarus) - Herisau/Trogen (Appenzell Ausserrhoden) - Lausanne (Vaud) - Liestal (Basel-Land) - Lucerne (Lucerne) - Neuchâtel (Neuchâtel) - St. Gallen (St. Gallen) - Sarnen (Obwalden) - Schaffhausen (Schaffhausen) - Schwyz (Schwyz) - Sion (Valais) - Solothurn (Solothurn) - Stans (Nidwalden) - Zug (Zug) - Zurich (Zurich)
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