Andiast

Andiast

Coat of arms
Andiast
Coordinates: 46°47′N 9°7′E / 46.783°N 9.117°ECoordinates: 46°47′N 9°7′E / 46.783°N 9.117°E
Country Switzerland
Canton Graubünden
District Surselva
Area[1]
 • Total 13.63 km2 (5.26 sq mi)
Elevation 1,178 m (3,865 ft)
Population (Dec 2013[2])
 • Total 209
 • Density 15/km2 (40/sq mi)
Postal code 7159
SFOS number 3611
Surrounded by Glarus Süd (GL), Pigniu, Rueun, Waltensburg/Vuorz
Website www.vuorz-andiast.ch
SFSO statistics

Andiast is a municipality in the district of Surselva in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. Until 1943, it was known as Andest.[3]

Lying close to the ski resorts of Waltensburg/Vuorz and Breil/Brigels, Andiast is known for its winter sports.

History

Village church of Andiast

The area around Andiast was already inhabited in the Stone Age, as was confirmed by an archaeological dig in 1962. The first mention of the area is documented in 765 in the will of a Bishop Tello when it was mentioned as Andeste.[4]

On September, 8 1526, Andiast was separated from the parish of Waltensburg/Vuorz and became an independent parish. It was influenced by the Reformation and in contrast to its parent parish Vuorz stayed catholic.

On October 8 and 9, 1799, the population was involved in the wars of the French Revolution. The French troops had driven Russian General Alexander Suvorov with his starving troops over the Alps in storm and snow. They staggered over the Panixer Pass and plundered the village.

Coat of arms

The description of the municipal coat of arms is Gules St. Julitta clad Or holding a downpointed sword Argent handled of the second leading a child.[5] The coat of arms represents the village church which is consecrated to St. Julietta and the old village seal.

Geography

Andiast has an area, as of 2006, of 13.6 km2 (5.3 sq mi). Of this area, 42.4% is used for agricultural purposes, while 26.8% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 1.7% is settled (buildings or roads) and the remainder (29.1%) is non-productive (rivers, glaciers or mountains).[6]

The municipality is located in the Ruis sub-district of the Surselva district. It consists of the linear village of Andiast at an elevation of 1,185 m (3,888 ft) on the southern face of the Tödi mountain chain.

Demographics

Andiast has a population (as of 31 December 2013) of 209.[2] As of 2007, 4.4% of the population was made up of foreign nationals.[7] Over the last 10 years the population has decreased at a rate of -13.1%. Most of the population (as of 2000) speaks Romansh (85.8%), with German being second most common (12.9%) and French being third ( 0.4%).[6]

As of 2000, the gender distribution of the population was 52.7% male and 47.3% female.[8] The age distribution, as of 2000, in Andiast is; 35 children or 15.1% of the population are between 0 and 9 years old and 30 teenagers or 12.9% are between 10 and 19. Of the adult population, 16 people or 6.9% of the population are between 20 and 29 years old. 30 people or 12.9% are between 30 and 39, 24 people or 10.3% are between 40 and 49, and 25 people or 10.8% are between 50 and 59. The senior population distribution is 25 people or 10.8% of the population are between 60 and 69 years old, 37 people or 15.9% are between 70 and 79, there are 10 people or 4.3% who are between 80 and 89.[7]

In the 2007 federal election the most popular party was the FDP which received 42.1% of the vote. The next three most popular parties were the CVP (33.1%), the SVP (20%) and the SP (3.7%).[6]

The entire Swiss population is generally well educated. In Andiast about 62.7% of the population (between age 25-64) have completed either non-mandatory upper secondary education or additional higher education (either university or a Fachhochschule).[6]

Andiast has an unemployment rate of 0.51%. As of 2005, there were 39 people employed in the primary economic sector and about 15 businesses involved in this sector. 11 people are employed in the secondary sector and there are 3 businesses in this sector. 21 people are employed in the tertiary sector, with 8 businesses in this sector.[6]

The historical population is given in the following table:[4]

year population
1850 242
1900 235
1950 309
2000 232

References

  1. ↑ Arealstatistik Standard - Gemeindedaten nach 4 Hauptbereichen
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Swiss Federal Statistics Office – STAT-TAB Ständige und Nichtständige Wohnbevölkerung nach Region, Geschlecht, Nationalität und Alter (German) accessed 18 August 2014
  3. ↑ Amtliches Gemeindeverzeichnis der Schweiz published by the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (German) accessed 23 September 2009
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Andiast in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland.
  5. ↑ Flags of the World.com accessed 02-Dec-2009
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Swiss Federal Statistical Office accessed 02-Dec-2009
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Graubunden Population Statistics (German) accessed 21 September 2009
  8. ↑ Graubunden in Numbers (German) accessed 21 September 2009
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