Maschwanden

Maschwanden

Coat of arms
Maschwanden
Coordinates: 47°14′N 8°26′E / 47.233°N 8.433°E / 47.233; 8.433Coordinates: 47°14′N 8°26′E / 47.233°N 8.433°E / 47.233; 8.433
Country Switzerland
Canton Zurich
District Affoltern
Area[1]
  Total 4.69 km2 (1.81 sq mi)
Elevation 398 m (1,306 ft)
Population (Dec 2014[2])
  Total 664
  Density 140/km2 (370/sq mi)
Postal code 8933
SFOS number 0008
Surrounded by Cham (ZG), Hünenberg (ZG), Knonau, Mettmenstetten, Obfelden
Website www.maschwanden.ch
SFSO statistics

Maschwanden is a village in the district of Affoltern in the canton of Zürich in Switzerland.

History

Maschwanden is first mentioned in 1189 as Maswondon.[3] The Baron of Eschenbach owned a castle and the village, near the current municipality, at that time. However, in 1308 Walter von Eschenbach was present at the regicide of King Albert I of Germany near Windisch. In response to the murder, in 1309 the castle and village were both destroyed and never rebuilt. The ruins were located on a hill south-west of the modern village, which mostly consisted of gravel and was carried off during the 19th and 20th century.[4]

Geography

Maschwanden has an area of 4.7 km2 (1.8 sq mi). Of this area, 61.5% is used for agricultural purposes, while 24.1% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 8.3% is settled (buildings or roads) and the remainder (6%) is non-productive (rivers, glaciers or mountains).[5]

The municipality is located on the east banks of the Reuss River near the confluence of the Lorze River into the Reuss.

Demographics

Maschwanden has a population (as of 31 December 2014) of 664.[2] As of 2007, 4.5% of the population was made up of foreign nationals. Over the last 10 years the population has grown at a rate of 12.8%. Most of the population (as of 2000) speaks German (97.8%), with Portuguese being second most common ( 0.7%) and Italian being third ( 0.5%).

In the 2007 election the most popular party was the SVP which received 45% of the vote. The next three most popular parties were the SPS (21.4%), the CSP (14.6%) and the Green Party (7.2%).

The age distribution of the population (as of 2000) is children and teenagers (0–19 years old) make up 27.5% of the population, while adults (20–64 years old) make up 59.3% and seniors (over 64 years old) make up 13.2%. The entire Swiss population is generally well educated. In Maschwanden about 81.4% of the population (between age 25-64) have completed either non-mandatory upper secondary education or additional higher education (either university or a Fachhochschule).

Maschwanden has an unemployment rate of 0.36%. As of 2005, there were 61 people employed in the primary economic sector and about 24 businesses involved in this sector. 12 people are employed in the secondary sector and there are 4 businesses in this sector. 49 people are employed in the tertiary sector, with 19 businesses in this sector.[5] The historical population is given in the following table:[3]

year population
1470 c. 120
1634 339
1786 507
1850 578
1900 493
1920 424
1950 470
1970 400
2000 553

References

External links

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