Basel-Stadt

Kanton Basel-Stadt
Flag of Canton of Basel.svg Wappen Basel-Stadt matt.svg
Map of Switzerland, location of Basel-Stadt highlighted
Coordinates
Capital Basel
Population 187,898  (12/2009)[1]
 - Density 5,078 /km² (13,153 /sq mi)
Area  37 km² (14 sq mi)
Highest point 522.19 m (1,713 ft) - St. Chrischona
Lowest point 244.75 m (803 ft) - Rhine shore, national border at Kleinhüningen
Joined 1501
Abbreviation BS
Languages German
Executive Executive Council (7)
Legislative Grand Council (100)
Municipalities 3 municipalities
Website BS.ch
View map of Basel-Stadt

Basel-Stadt (Basel-Stadt; Basel-City; also Basle-Ville) is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland. The city of Basel and the municipalities of Bettingen and Riehen form its territory.

Contents

History

The canton of Basel-Stadt was created when the historic canton of Basel was divided in 1833. The result of this division was two half cantons: Basel-Stadt and Basel-Land. The division itself was caused by the canton of Basel-Land, and the constitution of Basel-Stadt does not recognize the other half canton. For more information about the city's History, look for Basel.

Geography

View from St. Chrischona

The canton of Basel-Stadt is located in the north of Switzerland. It borders Germany and France to the north, and Basel-Landschaft to the south. Basel is located at the so called 'knee' of the River Rhine, at the point where from the west the little Birsig River joins the Rhine from the left, and where the Rhine itself switches from flowing in a westerly direction to a northerly flow.

The area of the canton is 37 km², making Basel-Stadt the smallest canton in Switzerland.

Politics

Basel-Stadt is a half canton. This means that the canton only sends one representative to the Council of States. The capital of the canton Basel-Stadt is the city of Basel. The present constitution of the canton dates from 1889.

The parliament of the canton is the Grand Council, which has 100 members, who are elected for four years at a time. There are eight different political parties represented in the parliament; the largest party is the Social Democratic Party, with 32 seats.

The executive of the canton (Regierungsrat) is made up of seven members. Currently (2006) there are five different political parties represented in the executive.

Demographics

The population of the canton (as of 31 December 2009) is 187,898.[1] As of 2007, the population included 56,106 foreigners, or about 30.29% of the total population .[2] The population (as of 2000) is nearly evenly split between Roman Catholic (25%) and Protestant (27%). About 10% of the population is classed as "Other Religion" while 36% do not belong to any organized religion.[3]

Economy

Novartis headquarters in Basel

The chemical industry and the pharmaceutical industry are of greatest significance in the canton. There are a number of multinationals in the city of Basel, attracting workers from both cantons of Basel and the areas across the border in France and Germany. Banking and finance are important as is the service sector in general. Small and middle-sized businesses employ a significant number of people, both in the city as the two municipalities.

Economically the neighbouring lands in Germany and France are not separated from the area of the canton of Basel-Stadt. Good transport links across the border as well as supportive local governments facilitate this link.

The fact that three nation- states come together in one spot near Basel (Dreiländereck) attracts some tourists. The site is clearly identified and a popular destination for primary school classes. The carnival attracts large number of people from across Switzerland and the neighbouring countries.

Transport

Tram service for commuting within the Basel city area

There is an international airport at Basel-Mulhouse, actually located 4 km inside French territory but with customs-free access from the city. The canton is well connected by both trains and motorways to the rest of Switzerland and the neighbouring areas in France and Germany.

Basel is a major train station of Switzerland, connected to Paris, Brussels and Berlin with direct fast trains.

There is a port at Basel for ships on the river Rhine. This port is of great significance to landlocked Switzerland, as it offers the country's only direct connection to the sea. The port benefits from good connections to both rail and road.

Culture

Basler Fasnacht early-morning parade with Lanterns.

The carnival of the city of Basel (Basler Fasnacht) is a major cultural event in the year. The carnival is one of the biggest in Switzerland and attracts large crowds every year, despite the fact that it starts as early as four in the morning (Morgestraich).

The canton of Basel is renowned for two of its biscuits. The Basler Läckerli is a hard biscuit made of honey, almonds, candied peel and Kirsch and is enjoyed as a speciality all year round. The Basler Brunsli is made of almonds and generally enjoyed at Christmas all around Switzerland. A famous cultural ambassador is the Basel Boys Choir.

The Basel Messe convention center is host to several international events. The largest are Art Basel, an art show for Modern and contemporary works; and BaselWorld, a major watch and jewellery show.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Swiss Federal Statistical Office, MS Excel document – Bilanz der ständigen Wohnbevölkerung nach Kantonen, Bezirken und Gemeinden (German) accessed 25 August 2010
  2. ↑ Federal Department of Statistics (2008). "Ständige Wohnbevölkerung nach Staatsangehörigkeit, Geschlecht und Kantonen" (Microsoft Excel). http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/01/02/blank/key/raeumliche_verteilung/kantone__gemeinden.html. Retrieved November 5, 2008. 
  3. ↑ Federal Department of Statistics (2004). "Wohnbevölkerung nach Religion" (Interactive Map). http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/01/05/blank/key/religionen.html. Retrieved 2009-01-15. 

External links

Cantons of Switzerland