District (Switzerland)

In the federalist structure of Switzerland , the state is completely free in its internal organization. There is also a variety of organizational structures and terms for a level between canton and municipality , which can also be missing. It is often called a district , in certain cantons also an administrative region, administrative district, constituency, amtei or office, in the French-speaking part of the country district , in the Italian part of the country distretto , in the Rhaeto-Romanic part of the country districts . The head of a district office is called a district administrator, district administrator, governor or governor.

As a rule, the district only serves to decentralize the cantonal administration and court organization. In the canton of Schwyz , on the other hand, for historical reasons, the districts are separate legal entities with tax sovereignty and, in some cases, their own commune . A similar role was played earlier in the canton of Grisons , the circles (Romanesque circul , Mz. Circuls or Italian circolo , Mz. Circoli ). In the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden , district is the name for the lowest administrative unit, i.e. the political municipality .

Overview

(Order of the cantons according to Art. 1 of the Federal Constitution of the Swiss Confederation )

As of January 1, 2018

Districts of Switzerland according to the FSO as of January 1, 2019

Districts and districts of Switzerland according to the FSO as of January 1, 2019

Canton	Administrative unit	number
Zurich	Districts	12
Bern	Administrative districts Administrative regions	10 5
Lucerne	- *)	- *)
Uri	-	-
Schwyz	Districts	6th
Obwalden	-	-
Nidwalden	-	-
Glarus	-	-
train	-	-
Freiburg	Districts	7th
Solothurn	Offices *)	5 *)
Basel city	-	-
Basel-Country	Districts	5
Schaffhausen	- *)	- *)
Appenzell Ausserrhoden	- *)	- *)
Appenzell Innerrhoden	-	-
St. Gallen	- *)	- *)
Grisons	Regions	11
Aargau	Districts	11
Thurgau	Districts	5
Ticino	Districts districts	8 37
Vaud	Districts	10
Valais	Districts	14th
Neuchâtel	-	-
Geneva	-	-
law	Districts	3

^*) The Federal Statistical Office (FSO) provides for additional units in these cantons, which as a rule continue formally earlier district structures; see the following canton chapters. However, these are not districts within the meaning of cantonal constitutional law.

Former districts of Switzerland

Former districts and districts of Switzerland

Elimination of districts in twelve cantons, reduction of the number of districts in other cantons

Twelve of the 26 cantons do without the district level (understood as an administrative unit between the canton and the communes):

• It has always been the eight cantons of Uri , Obwalden , Nidwalden , Glarus , Zug , Appenzell Innerrhoden , Basel-Stadt and Geneva , be it for historical reasons or for practical reasons, because the area is small enough.
• More recently have abolished the districts
  • the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden 1995,
  • the canton of Schaffhausen in mid-1999,
  • the canton of St. Gallen at the beginning of 2003,
  • the canton of Solothurn 2005; the previous offices, however, which each combine two districts, still exist,
  • the canton of Lucerne with the new cantonal constitution of 2007,
  • the canton of Neuchâtel on January 1, 2018.

The cantons of Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Schaffhausen, Solothurn and Lucerne, however, continue to run the former districts or the new constituencies as units for statistical purposes, as does the canton of Neuchâtel its four previously existing regions.

A reduction was made in the following cantons:

• In the canton of Graubünden , the former 14 districts were reduced to 11 on January 1, 2001 (these regions have been named since 2016 ). In addition, the previous districts were abolished at the beginning of 2016 (exceptionally at the beginning of 2018).
• In the canton of Vaud , the reduction from 19 to ten districts took place on January 1, 2008.
• In the canton of Bern , the 26 administrative districts were replaced on January 1, 2010 by five administrative regions, which in turn are divided into ten administrative districts.
• In the canton of Thurgau , the eight previous districts were replaced on January 1, 2011 by five newly defined districts.

The abolition or reduction failed in the following cantons:

• In May 2006, the abolition of the districts was discussed in Canton Schwyz . The so-called G reform failed, however, because the people ultimately decided in favor of the continued existence of the districts.
• In the canton of Friborg , a reduction in the number of districts in 2010 was declared a failure by the State Council as a result of regional resistance.
• In the canton of Valais , a new canton constitution is also considering reducing the number of districts.

List of districts in Switzerland by cantons

(Order of the cantons according to the federal constitution , areas according to the Federal Statistical Office)

Canton Zurich

The canton of Zurich is divided into twelve districts :

Districts of the Canton of Zurich

district	Population (December 31, 2018)	Area in km²	main place	Number of municipalities
Affoltern	54,619	113.03	Affoltern am Albis	14th
Andelfingen	31,372	166.54	Andelfingen	22nd
Bulach	151,486	184.88	Bulach	22nd
Dielsdorf	90,455	152.85	Dielsdorf	22nd
Dietikon	91,091	60.11	Dietikon	11
Hinwil	95,711	179.50	Hinwil	11
Horgen	124,801	104.24	Horgen	9
miles	104,412	84.62	miles	11
Pfaffikon	60'439	163.15	Pfaffikon	10
Uster	131,702	112.23	Uster	10
Winterthur	169,513	251.75	Winterthur	19th
Zurich	415,367	87.93	Zurich	1
Total (12) *	1,520,968	1728.94	Zurich	162

• The land area of ​​the Canton of Zurich is 1660.83 km², plus a lake area of ​​68.11 km², so the total area is 1728.94 km² (Greifensee 8.30 km², Zurich Lake 59.81 km²). The Pfäffikersee measures 3.30 km², seven other bodies of water together measure 1.22 km².

See also : Municipalities of the Canton of Zurich

• 

  Districts of the canton of Zurich until December 31, 1985

• 

  Districts of the Canton of Zurich until June 30, 1989

• Until December 31, 1985, the Zollikon community was assigned to the Zurich district.
• Until June 30, 1989, the eleven municipalities of today's Dietikon district were assigned to the Zurich district.
• Due to the exchange of land on January 1, 2013 of the hamlet “Obere Hueb” in the municipality of Buch am Irchel in Neftenbach , the area of ​​0.05 km² changes from the Andelfingen district to the Winterthur district.

Canton Bern

The canton of Bern is organized since 1 January 2010 in five administrative regions and ten administrative districts. In Art. 39a of the Act on the Organization of the Government Council and Administration (Organization Act), these are referred to as the "ordinary decentralized administrative units of the canton". With the reform of the decentralized administration, which was approved in a referendum on September 24, 2006 with a majority of 58.3%, the administrative districts established around 200 years ago lost their practical function.

Administrative regions of the Canton of Bern since 2019

Administrative districts of the Canton of Bern since 2019

Administrative region	Administrative district	Population (December 31, 2018)	Area in km²	main place	Number of municipalities January 1, 2015
Bernese Jura	Bernese Jura	53,721	541.73	Courtelary	40
Bern-Mittelland	Bern-Mittelland	414,658	943.46	Ostermundigen	77
Emmental-Oberaargau	Emmental	97'218	690.41	Langnau in the Emmental	40
Emmental-Oberaargau	Oberaargau	81,759	690.41	Cheeks on the Aare	45
Oberland	Frutigen-Niedersimmental	40,375	773.63	Frutigen	13
Oberland	Interlaken-Oberhasli	47,387	1229.31	Interlaken	28
Oberland	Obersimmental-Saanen	16,588	574.88	Saanen	7th
Oberland	Tuna	107'491	321.97	Tuna	31
Zealand	Biel / Bienne	101,313	97.57	Biel / Bienne	19th
Zealand	Zealand	74,467	336.76	Aarberg	42
Total (5)	Total (10)	1,034,977	5,959.51	Bern	342

The land area of ​​the Canton of Bern is 5,840.54 km². In addition, there is a lake area of ​​118.98 km² (Thunersee 47.85 km², Brienzersee 29.77 km², proportion: Bielersee 39.17 km² and Neuchâtel lake 2.19 km²). The total area of ​​the canton of Bern is 5,959.52 km².

See also : Municipalities of the Canton of Bern

Until December 31, 2009, the 26 administrative districts (French: district ) formed the canton's decentralized administrative units. According to the Organization Act , they still exist today, but only the law on the special statute of the Bernese Jura and the French-speaking minority of the bilingual district of Biel (special statute law) assigns them a practical function , as the Bernese districts continue to have the electoral districts for the election of the Form the Bern Jurassic Council (BJR).

Official districts of the canton of Bern until 2009

district	Area in km²	main place	Number of municipalities
Aarberg	152.68	Aarberg	12
Aarwangen	154.02	Aarwangen	24
Bern	233.27	Bern	13
Biel	24.89	Biel / Bienne	2
Büren	87.66	Büren on the Aare	14th
Burgdorf	197.30	Burgdorf BE	24
Courtelary	266.08	Courtelary	18th
Erlach	84.37	Erlach	12
Fraubrunnen	123.72	Fraubrunnen	27
Frutigen	489.07	Frutigen	7th
Interlaken	677.92	Interlaken	23
Konolfingen	213.55	Schlosswil	30th
Laupen	87.70	Laupen	11
Moutier	216.47	Moutier	26th
La Neuveville	58.91	La Neuveville	5
Nidau	87.95	Nidau	25th
Lower Simmental	305.46	Wimmis	9
Oberhasli	551.37	Meiringen	6th
Obersimmental	333.92	Blankenburg	4th
Saanen	240.96	Saanen	3
Schwarzenburg	157.11	Schwarzenburg	4th
Juicy	190.27	Belp	25th
Signau	320.11	Langnau in the Emmental	9
Tuna	266.78	Tuna	26th
Trachselwald	191.04	Trachselwald	10
Cheeks	152.05	Cheeks on the Aare	23
Total (26)	5,840.54	Bern	392

• 

  Official districts of the canton of Bern until December 31, 1919

• 

  Official districts of the canton of Bern until December 31, 1975

• 

  Official districts of the canton of Bern until December 31, 1978

• 

  Official districts of the canton of Bern until December 31, 1993

• 

  Official districts of the canton of Bern until June 30, 2006

• 

  Official districts of the canton of Bern until December 31, 2009

• 

  Administrative districts of the canton of Bern until December 31, 2018

• January 1, 1920: Due to the merger of the two Nidau ​​municipalities Madretsch and Mett with the municipality of Biel BE , the area of ​​the two municipalities changes from the district of Nidau to the district of Biel .
• January 1, 1976: The two communities Lajoux and Les Genevez switch from District Moutier for District Franches-Montagnes .
• January 1, 1976: Rebévelier commune changes from Delémont county to Moutier county .
• January 1, 1976: The municipalities Châtillon , Corban , Courchapoix , Courrendlin , Mervelier and Rossemaison switch from District Moutier for District Delémont .
• January 1, 1979: The districts of Delsberg , Pruntrut and Freiberge move from the canton of Bern to the newly founded canton of Jura .
• January 1, 1994: The district of Laufen changes from the canton of Bern to the canton of Basel-Landschaft .
• July 1, 1996: The municipality of Vellerat changes from the canton of Bern to the canton of Jura .
• January 1, 2019: Due to the merger of the two communities Golaten and Kallnach , the area of ​​Golaten changes from the administrative district of Bern-Mittelland to the administrative district of Seeland .

Canton lucerne

Since January 1, 2013, the canton of Lucerne has been divided into six constituencies. Although these no longer serve to decentralize the cantonal administration, they are managed by the Federal Statistical Office in the sense of districts.

As of January 1, 2013

Constituencies of the Canton of Lucerne

Constituency	Population (December 31, 2018)	Area in km²	Number of municipalities
Entlebuch	23,460	424.59	9
Hochdorf	73,398	177.37	14th
Lucerne Country	101,972	187.58	17th
Lucerne city	81,691	29.11	1
Sursee	74,817	273.07	19th
Willisau	54'219	337.43	22nd
Total (6)	409,557	1493.52	82

See also : Municipalities of the Canton of Lucerne

The land area of ​​the Canton of Lucerne is 1,429.16 km². The lake area is 64.36 km² ( Sempachersee 14.39 km², Baldeggersee 5.22 km², shares: Vierwaldstättersee 40.80 km², Zugersee 2.43 km² and Hallwilersee 1.52 km²). The total area of ​​the canton is thus 1493.52 km².

The new Court Organization Act of 2010 also created four judicial districts that do not correspond to the old offices or the constituencies.

Offices (districts) of the Canton of Lucerne

Until December 31, 2011, the canton of Lucerne was divided into five offices. They were no longer mentioned in the 2007 cantonal constitution.

As of March 8, 2011

Office	Population (December 31, 2012)	Area in km²	main place	Number of municipalities
Entlebuch	18,749	424.59	Schüpfheim	9
Hochdorf	67,818	177.40	Hochdorf	14th
Lucerne	176,710	216.68	Lucerne	18th
Sursee	72,373	273.06	Sursee	22nd
Willisau	50,432	337.43	Willisau	24
Total (5)	386,082	1429.16	Lucerne	87

Canton of Uri

The canton of Uri has no (political) districts, it is divided directly into 20 municipalities. According to the Court Organization Act, however, he knows two judicial districts at the first instance level, the judicial district Uri and the judicial district Urseren.

The total land area of ​​the Canton of Uri is 1,057.32 km². In addition, there is the lake area of ​​19.22 km² on Lake Lucerne. Thus the total area of ​​the canton Uri is 1,076.54 km².

See: Municipalities of the Canton of Uri

Canton of Schwyz

The canton of Schwyz is divided into six districts, with the districts of Einsiedeln , Küssnacht and Gersau each consisting only of the municipality of the same name:

Districts of the Canton of Schwyz

district	Population (December 31, 2018)	Area in km²	main place	Number of municipalities
Einsiedeln	15,870	98.93	Einsiedeln	1
Gersau	2319	14.36	Gersau	1
Yards	28,909	37.60	Wollerau , Pfäffikon SZ	3
Küssnacht	13,087	29.39	Küssnacht SZ	1
March	43,598	176.74	Laugh	9
Schwyz	55,382	494.32	Schwyz	15th
Total (6)	159'165	907.88	Schwyz	30th

The land area in the canton of Schwyz is 851.31 km². The share of the lake area is 56.57 km² (Sihlsee 10.81 km², shares: Lake Zurich 17.30 km², Lake Lucerne 16.75 km² and Lake Zug 11.71 km²). The total area of ​​the canton Schwyz is 907.88 km².

See also : Municipalities of the Canton of Schwyz

Canton of Obwalden

The canton of Obwalden has no districts, it is divided directly into seven municipalities. Its land area is 480.62 km². The lake area is 9.96 km² (Sarnersee 7.39 km², Lake Lucerne area 2.57 km²). The total area of ​​the canton of Obwalden is 490.58 km².

See: Municipalities of the Canton of Obwalden

Canton of Nidwalden

The canton of Nidwalden has no districts, it is divided directly into eleven municipalities. The land area is 241.34 km². The proportion of the lake area on Lake Lucerne is 34.51 km². The total area of ​​the canton of Nidwalden is 275.85 km².

See: Municipalities of the Canton of Nidwalden

Canton of Glarus

The canton of Glarus has no districts, it is divided directly into three municipalities. The land area is 680.68 km². The share of the lake area at the Walensee is 4.63 km². The total area of ​​the Canton of Glarus is 685.31 km².

See: Municipalities of the Canton of Glarus

Canton of Zug

The canton of Zug has no districts, it is divided directly into eleven municipalities. The land area is 207.15 km². The lake area is 31.58 km² (Ägerisee 7.28 km², Zugersee 24.30 km²). The total area of ​​the canton of Zug is 238.73 km².

See: Municipalities of the Canton of Zug

Canton of Friborg

The canton of Friborg is divided into seven districts. Their reduction in numbers and their reorganization were declared failed by the State Council in 2010 due to regional resistance.

As of January 1, 2017

Districts of the canton of Friborg

district	Population (December 31, 2018)	Area in km²	Administrative headquarters	Number of municipalities	language
Broye	32,894	172.59	Estavayer	19th	French
Glane (French Glâne )	24,337	168.66	Romont	168.67	French
Gruyere (fr. Gruyère )	55,726	489.84	Cop	25th	French¹
Saane (French Sarine )	106,136	217.75	Freiburg	28	French German
Lake (French Lac )	36,800	144.83	Murten	17th	French German
Sense (fr. Singine )	43,990	265.26	Tafers	17th	German
Vivisbach (French: Veveyse )	18,831	134.30	Châtel-Saint-Denis	9	French
Total (7)	318,714	1671.42	Freiburg	133	French German

The share of the lake area in the canton of Friborg is 78.14 km² (Lac de la Gruyère / Lake Gruyère 8.56 km², shares: Lake Neuchâtel / Lac de Neuchâtel 55.19 km² and Lake Murten / Lac de Morat 14.39 km²). Thus, the total area of ​​the canton of Friborg is 1,671.42 km².

¹ (French-speaking with the only German-speaking municipality Jaun )

• 

  Districts of the canton of Friborg until 1999

• As a result of the merger of the municipalities of Corsalettes with Grolley on January 1, 2000, the area of ​​the former municipality of Corsalettes changes from the district of See to the district of Saane.

See also : Municipalities of the Canton of Friborg

Canton of Solothurn

Districts of the canton of Solothurn

The canton of Solothurn is divided into ten districts, which are grouped into five offices . Since 2005, only the offices have been relevant from an administrative point of view; the districts only have a statistical function. As of January 1, 2014

district	Population (December 31, 2018)	Area in km²	main place	Number of municipalities	Office
Bucheggberg	7921	62.68	Buchegg	8th	Bucheggberg water authority
Dorneck	20,521	74.70	Dornach	11	Dorneck-Thierstein
Gäu	21,403	62.05	Oensingen	8th	Thal-Gäu
Gösgen	24,441	68.67	Niedergösgen	11	Olten-Gösgen
Livers	45,870	117.17	Grenchen	15th	Solothurn livers
Olten	55,372	80.57	Olten	15th	Olten-Gösgen
Solothurn	16,777	6.28	Solothurn	1	Solothurn livers
Thal	14,712	139.39	Balsthal	9	Thal-Gäu
Thierstein	14,640	102.27	Breitenbach	12	Dorneck-Thierstein
Water authority	51,537	76.67	Kriegstetten	19th	Bucheggberg water authority
Total (10)	273,194	790.45	Solothurn	109	-

See also : Municipalities of the Canton of Solothurn

• 

  Districts of the canton of Solothurn until 1990

• 

  Offices of the Canton of Solothurn

• Renaming of the districts Balsthal-Gäu to Gäu , Balsthal-Thal to Thal and Kriegstetten to Wasseramt .

Canton of Basel-Stadt

The canton of Basel-Stadt is not divided into districts, but into three municipalities. The total area of ​​the canton of Basel-Stadt is 36.95 km².

Districts of the canton of Basel-Stadt until 1889

Until 1889, however, there were two districts in Basel-Stadt: the urban district with the municipality of Basel and the rural district with the municipalities of Kleinhüningen , Riehen and Bettingen .

See also : Municipalities of the Canton of Basel-Stadt

Canton of Basel-Country

The canton of Basel-Landschaft is divided into five districts:

Districts of the canton of Basel-Landschaft

district	Population (December 31, 2018)	Area in km²	main place	Number of municipalities
Arlesheim	155,854	96.22	Arlesheim	15th
To run	19,912	89.56	To run	13
Liestal	60,618	85.86	Liestal	14th
Sissach	35,783	141.04	Sissach	29
Waldenburg	15,965	104.99	Waldenburg	15th
Total (5)	288,132	517.67	Liestal	86

See also : Municipalities of the Canton of Basel-Landschaft

• 

  Districts of the canton of Basel-Landschaft until December 31, 1993

• Before the change of the Laufental to the canton of Basel-Landschaft on January 1, 1994, the district of Laufen belonged to the canton of Bern.
• The division of the Arlesheim district into a Birstal district and a Birsigtal district was discussed in the 1990s; it is by far the most populous district. However, in order not to give the lower part of the canton greater weight, the matter was no longer pursued.

Canton of Schaffhausen

The canton of Schaffhausen was divided into six districts.

Districts of the canton of Schaffhausen

In July 1999, the district administrations were abolished in the canton. The territories of the districts themselves remained as statistical units. The electoral districts of the Cantonal Council , which have been in force since 2003, are mostly not congruent with these : Schaffhausen, Klettgau, Neuhausen, Reiat, Stein and Buchberg-Rüdlingen.

As of January 1, 2013

district	Population (December 31, 2018)	Area in km²	Number of municipalities
Oberklettgau	4597	31.88	3
Reiat	9006	39.33	5
Schaffhausen	54,691	105.73	7th
Schleitheim	3043	43.63	3
stone	5668	30.97	4th
Unterlettgau	4986	46.61	4th
Total (6)	81,991	298.42	26th

The land area in the canton of Schaffhausen is 298.16 km², the lake area is 0.26 km² (= part of Lake Constance). The total area of ​​the canton of Schaffhausen is 298.42 km².

See also : Municipalities of the Canton of Schaffhausen

• 

  Districts of the canton of Schaffhausen until 2004

• 

  Districts of the canton of Schaffhausen until 2012

• As a result of the merger of the municipalities of Osterfingen with Wilchingen on January 1, 2005, the area of ​​the former municipality of Osterfingen changes from the Oberklettgau district to the Unterklettgau district.
• As a result of the merger of the communities of Guntmadingen with Beringen on January 1, 2013, the area of ​​the former community of Guntmadingen changes from the Oberklettgau district to the Schaffhausen district.

One also speaks of the upper part of the canton (Stein district) and the lower part of the canton (municipalities of Rüdlingen and Buchberg) in relation to their location on the Rhine and their geographical separation from most of the canton of Schaffhausen (see map).

Canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden

The canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden was divided into three districts.

Districts of the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden

In 1995, the district administrations were abolished in the canton. The districts themselves remained as statistical units.

district	Population (December 31, 2018)	Area in km²	Number of municipalities
Backland	24,393	136.16	7th
Mittelland	17'272	60.27	5
Foreland	13,569	46.41	8th
Total (3)	55'234	242.84	20th

See also : Municipalities of the Canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden

Canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden

In the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden , the districts are the lowest administrative unit. They correspond to the political communities of other cantons. Innerrhoden is divided into 6 districts:

Districts of the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden

district	Population (December 31, 2018)	Area in km²
Appenzell	5795	16.88
Gonten	1462	24.73
Oberegg	3648	40.82
Rute	1128	17.93
Schlatt-Haslen	2196	57.51
Schwende	1916	14.61
Total (6)	16'145	172.48

• 

  Districts of the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden until 1996

In addition to the districts, Appenzell Innerrhoden knows two parts of the country, the interior (includes the main part of the canton) and the exterior (identical to the Oberegg district ). These perform tasks that in other cantons are partly assigned to the communes and partly to the districts; they are, for example, the bearers of community citizenship.

See also : Districts of the Canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden

Canton of St. Gallen

→ Main article : Administrative structure of the Canton of St. Gallen

The canton of St. Gallen has been divided into eight constituencies since 2003. Although these do not serve to decentralize the cantonal administration, they are managed by the Federal Statistical Office in the sense of districts.

Constituencies of the Canton of St. Gallen

Constituency	Population (December 31, 2018)	Area in km²	Number of municipalities
Rhine Valley	73,094	138.94	13
Rorschach	43,142	50.45	9
Sarganserland	40,714	517.74	8th
Sea gaster	67,089	245.86	10
St. Gallen	122,419	157.67	9
Toggenburg	46,452	488.59	12
Werdenberg	39,193	206.51	6th
Wil	75,594	145.24	10
Total (8)	507,697	2028.20	77

The land area of ​​the canton of St. Gallen is 1,951.09 km², the lake area is 79.67 km² (parts of Lake Constance 49.25 km², Walensee 19.48 km², Lake Zurich 10.94 km²). The total area of ​​the canton of St. Gallen is therefore 2,030.76 km².

See also : Municipalities of the Canton of St. Gallen

canton of Grisons

The canton of Graubünden has been divided into eleven regions since January 1, 2016. They essentially correspond to the natural landscape areas. By December 31, 2017 there will be 4 additional circles.
As of January 1, 2017

Regions of the Canton of Graubünden

region	Population (December 31, 2018)	Area in km²	Inhabitant per km²	Number of municipalities
Albula	8120	683.51	12	6th
Bernina	4629	237.31	20th	2
Engiadina Bassa / Val Müstair	9200	1196.53	8th	5
In the ground	20,970	203.80	103	7th
Landquart	25'157	174.67	144	8th
Maloja	18,259	973.57	19th	12
Moesa	8566	496.06	17th	12
Plessure	42,315	285.30	148	5
Prättigau / Davos	26,083	853.40	31	11
Surselva	21,483	1373.56	16	15th
Viamala	13,597	627.59	22nd	22nd
Total (11)	198,379	7105.30	28	105

The canton of Graubünden was divided into eleven districts until December 31, 2015. They essentially corresponded to the natural landscape areas. The districts were again divided into 39 districts.
As of January 1, 2014

Districts of the canton of Graubünden

Districts of the canton of Graubünden

district	Population (December 31, 2015)	Area in km²	Number of municipalities	Circles
Albula	8210	723.13	16	Alvaschein , Belfort , Bergün , Surses
Bernina	4619	237.31	2	Brusio , Poschiavo
Hinterrhein	13,179	617.67	24	Avers , Domleschg , Rheinwald , Schams , Thusis
In the ground	20,158	203.81	7th	Rhäzüns , Trins
Inn	9476	1,196.55	5	Sur Tasna , Ramosch , Suot Tasna , Val Müstair
Landquart	25,555	193.19	9	Five villages , Maienfeld
Maloja	18,698	973.65	12	Bergell , Upper Engadin
Moesa	8426	496.05	14th	District of Calanca , Misox , Roveredo
Plessure	40,707	266.73	5	Chur , Churwalden , Schanfigg
Prättigau-Davos	26'257	823.74	13	Davos , Jenaz , Klosters , Küblis , Luzein , Schiers , Seewis
Surselva	21,325	1,373.56	18th	Cadi / Disentis , Ilanz , Lumnezia / Lugnez , Ruis , Safien
Total (11)	196,610	7,105.39	125	(39)

• As a result of the merger of the municipalities of Davos and Wiesen on January 1, 2009, the area of ​​the former municipality of Wiesen (29.58 km²) changes from the Albula district to the Prättigau / Davos district.

• 

  Districts of the canton of Graubünden until 2008

See also : Municipalities of the Canton of Graubünden

By the end of 2000, the canton of Graubünden was divided into 14 districts.

On January 1, 2001, the Glenner and Vorderrhein districts and the Safien district of the Heinzenberg district merged to form the Surselva district. The remaining two districts of the Heinzenberg district were incorporated into the Hinterrhein district, and the Val Müstair district became part of the Inn district.

Districts of the canton of Graubünden until 2000

district	Area in km²	Number of municipalities	Circles
Albula	723.05	23	Alvaschein , Belfort , Bergün , Surses
Bernina	237.30	2	Brusio , Poschiavo
Glenner	696.14	37	Ilanz , Lumnezia / Lugnez , Ruis
Heinzenberg	263.07	24	Domleschg , Safien , Thusis
Hinterrhein	466.41	16	Obverse , Rheinwald , Schams
In the ground	203.81	7th	Rhäzüns , Trins
Inn	997.91	12	Ramosch , Sur Tasna , Suot Tasna
Maloja	973.65	16	Bergell , Upper Engadin
Moesa	496.05	17th	District of Calanca , Misox , Roveredo
Oberlandquart	669.25	11	Davos , Jenaz , Klosters , Küblis , Luzein
Plessure	266.75	16	Chur , Churwalden , Schanfigg
Unterlandquart	347.82	16	Five villages , Maienfeld , Schiers , Seewis
Val Müstair	198.65	6th	Munster Valley
Vorderrhein	565.53	7th	Cadi / Disentis
Total (14)	7,105.39	210	(39)

• 

  Districts of the Canton of Graubünden until 1991

• Renaming of the Münstertal district to Val Müstair .

Kanton Aargau

The Aargau is divided into eleven districts:
as of January 1, 2013

Districts of the Canton of Aargau

district	Population (December 31, 2019)	Area in km²	main place	Number of municipalities
Aarau	79,185	104.49	Aarau	12
to bathe	145,198	153.09	to bathe	26th
Bremgarten	78,080	117.47	Bremgarten AG	22nd
Brugg	51'416	145.11	Brugg	23
Kulm	42,145	97.27	Unterulm	17th
Laufenburg	32,854	156.74	Laufenburg	18th
Lenzburg	64,356	98.10	Lenzburg	20th
Muri	36,858	138.95	Muri AG	19th
Rheinfelden	47,983	111.86	Rheinfelden	14th
Zofingen	72,680	142.01	Zofingen	17th
Zurzach	34,669	130.01	Bad Zurzach	22nd
Total (11)	685,424	1403.80	Aarau	210

The land area of ​​the canton of Aargau is 1,395.11 km², the lake area is 8.69 km² ( Hallwilersee ). The total area of ​​the canton is 1,403.80 km².

• 

  Districts of the Canton of Aargau until 2009

• As a result of the merger of the municipalities of Hottwil, Etzgen, Mettau, Oberhofen (AG) and Wil (AG) on January 1, 2010, the area of ​​the former municipality of Hottwil (4.16 km²) changes from the Brugg district to the Laufenburg district.

See also : Municipalities of the Canton of Aargau

Canton of Thurgau

Since January 1, 2011, the canton of Thurgau has only been divided into five districts:

Districts of the Canton of Thurgau from 2011

district	Population (December 31, 2018)	Area in km²	main place	Number of municipalities
Arbon	56,638	89.07	Arbon	12
Frauenfeld	68,334	279.61	Frauenfeld	23
Kreuzlingen	48,345	129.17	Kreuzlingen	14th
Münchwilen	47,325	138.19	Münchwilen	13
Weinfelden	55,830	227.08	Weinfelden	18th
Total (5)	276,472	994.33	Frauenfeld	80

The land area of ​​the canton of Thurgau is 863.11 km², the proportion of lake area on Lake Constance is 128.66 km². The total area of ​​the canton of Thurgau is 991.77 km².

See also : Municipalities of the Canton of Thurgau

The canton of Thurgau was divided into eight districts until December 31, 2010:

Districts of the canton of Thurgau until 2010

district	Residents (December 31, 2010)	Area in km²	main place	Number of municipalities
Arbon	39,177	69.85	Arbon	11
Bischofszell	31,773	92.73	Bischofszell	8th
Diessenhofen	6,621	41.25	Diessenhofen	3
Frauenfeld	45,737	133.12	Frauenfeld	11
Kreuzlingen	39,947	106.75	Kreuzlingen	12
Münchwilen	37,599	157.11	Münchwilen	15th
Steckborn	18'215	138.15	Steckborn	12
Weinfelden	25,736	123.95	Weinfelden	8th
Total (8)	244,805	863.11	Frauenfeld	80

• 

  Districts of the canton of Thurgau until December 31, 1924

• 

  Districts of the canton of Thurgau until December 31, 1935

• 

  Districts of the canton of Thurgau until December 31, 1994

• 

  Districts of the canton of Thurgau until December 31, 1995

• December 31, 1924: Due to the merger of the municipality of Hemmerswil with Amriswil , the area of ​​Hemmerswil changes from the Arbon district to the Bischofszell district.
• December 31, 1935: The area of ​​Niederaach changes from the Arbon district to the Bischofszell district as a result of the land exchange of the village of Niederaach from the municipality of Hefenhofen to the municipality of Oberaach .
• December 31, 1994: Due to the merger of the municipality of Weiningen with the municipality of Warth , the area of ​​Weiningen changes from the Steckborn district to the Frauenfeld district.
• December 31, 1994: Due to the merger of the municipality of Wetzikon with the municipality of Thundorf , the area of ​​Wetzikon changes from the Münchwilen district to the Frauenfeld district.
• December 31, 1995: As a result of the merger of the localities of Heiterschen and Jakobstal from the municipality of Wittenwil to the municipality of Wängi , the area of ​​these two localities changes from the Frauenfeld district to the Münchwilen district.
• December 31, 1995: Due to the merger of the communities Dotnacht and Hugelshofen to the community Kemmental , the area of ​​these two communities changes from the district of Weinfelden to the district of Kreuzlingen.
• December 31, 1995: As a result of the merger of the communities Donzhausen and Hessenreuti to form the community Sulgen , the area of ​​these two communities changes from the Weinfelden district to the Bischofzell district.

Canton of Ticino

The canton of Ticino (Repubblica e Cantone Ticino) is divided into eight districts (distretti), these in turn into 38 districts (circoli; today only justice of the peace district):
As of April 10, 2016

Districts of the Canton of Ticino

Districts of the canton of Ticino

District / Distretto	Population (December 31, 2018)	Area in km²	main place	Number of municipalities	Circles
Bellinzona	55,711	226.33	Bellinzona	6th	Arbedo-Castione , Bellinzona , Sant'Antonino
Blenio	5682	360.58	Acquarossa	3	Acquarossa , Malvaglia , Olivone
Leventina	9113	479.55	Faido	10	Giornico , Faido , Quinto , Airolo
Locarno	64,075	550.57	Locarno	23	Gambarogno , Isole , Locarno , Melezza , Navegna district , Onsernone , Verzasca
Lugano	151,592	307.94	Lugano	52	Agno , Breno , Capriasca , Ceresio , Lugano North , Lugano East , Lugano West , Magliasina , Paradiso , Sessa , Taverne , Vezia
Mendrisio	50,865	100.75	Mendrisio	11	Balerna , Caneggio , Mendrisio , Riva San Vitale , Stabio
Riviera	10,335	145.60	Riviera	2	Riviera
Vallemaggia	5970	569.37	Cevio	8th	Lavizzara , Maggia , Rovana
Total (8)	353,343	2812.16	Bellinzona	115	(38)

The land area in the canton of Ticino is 2741.03 km², the lake area is 71.17 km² (Lago di Lugano / Luganersee 29.80 km², Lago Maggiore / Langensee 41.37 km²). The total area of ​​the canton of Ticino is thus 2,812.20 km².

• 

  Districts of the canton of Ticino until 11.2010

• 

  Districts of the canton of Ticino until 04.2013

• 

  Districts of the canton of Ticino until 04/2016

• 

  Districts of the canton of Ticino until 04.2017

• 

  Districts of the canton of Ticino until 04.2017

• As a result of the merger of the municipalities of Bironico, Camignolo, Medeglia, Rivera and Sigirino on November 21, 2010, the area of ​​the former municipality of Medeglia (6.27 km²) changes from the Bellinzona district to the Lugano district.
• Due to the merger of the municipality of Carona with Lugano on April 14, 2013, the municipality of Carona in Paradiso was renamed.
• With the merger of the municipalities of Bogno, Cadro, Certara, Cimadera, Sonvico and Valcolla with Lugano on April 14, 2013, the Sonvico district was dissolved.
• As a result of the merger of the municipalities of Camorino, Claro, Giubiasco, Gnosca, Gorduno, Gudo, Moleno, Monte Carasso, Pianezzo, Preonzo, Sant'Antonio and Sementina with Bellinzona on April 2, 2017, the area of ​​the former municipality of Claro (21.22 km² ) from the Riviera district to the Bellinzona district.
• As a result of the merger of the municipalities of Camorino, Claro, Giubiasco, Gnosca, Gorduno, Gudo, Moleno, Monte Carasso, Pianezzo, Preonzo, Sant'Antonio and Sementina with Bellinzona on April 2, 2017, the two districts of Giubiasco and Ticino were dissolved. The Arbedo-Castione and Sant'Antonino districts were newly formed.

Source: Decreto esecutivo concernente le Circoscrizioni dei Comuni, Circoli e Distretti del 25 giugno 1803

See also : Municipalities of the Canton of Ticino

Canton of Vaud

With effect from September 1, 2006, the "Loi sur le découpage territorial (LDecTer) du 30 may 2006" (law on spatial structure of May 30, 2006) came into force. It is valid for the first time in 2007 for the elections to the Grand Conseil. Since January 1, 2008, there are only 10 districts ( French districts ) in the canton of Vaud , the district level has been abolished without replacement.

Districts of the canton of Vaud from July 2016

Structure since 2008

As of January 1, 2017

district	Population (December 31, 2018)	Area in km²	main place	Number of municipalities
Aigle	45,589	434.99	Aigle	15th
Broye-Vully	43,145	258.01	Payerne	31
Gros-de-Vaud	45'258	232.20	Echallens	37
Jura north vaudois	91,971	700.99	Yverdon-les-Bains	73
Lausanne	166,367	65.14	Lausanne	6th
Lavaux-Oron	62,329	140.02	Bourg-en-Lavaux	17th
Morges	82,609	373.07	Morges	62
Nyon	100,685	307.36	Nyon	47
Ouest lausannois	76'212	26.34	Renens	8th
Riviera-Pays-d'Enhaut	84,980	282.92	Vevey	13
Total (10)	799,145	3212.02	Lausanne	309

The land area of ​​the canton is 2,821.08 km². The share of the lake area in the canton of Vaud is 390.93 km² ( Lac de Joux 8.79 km², shares: Lake Geneva / Lac Léman 297.83 km², Lake Neuchâtel / Lac de Neuchâtel 75.99 km² and Lake Murten / Lac de Morat 8.32 km²) . Thus the total area of ​​the canton of Vaud is 3212.01 km².

• 

  Districts of the canton of Vaud until 2012

• 

  Districts of the canton of Vaud until 2016

• As a result of the merger of the municipality of Chanéaz with other municipalities to form the municipality of Montanaire on December 31, 2012, the area of ​​the former municipality of Chanéaz changes from the Jura-Nord vaudois district to the Gros-de-Vaud district.
• As a result of the merger of the municipality of Carrouge with other municipalities to form the municipality of Jorat-Mézières on June 30, 2016, the area of ​​the former municipality of Carrouge changes from the district of Broye-Vully to the district of Lavaux-Oron.

Outline 1803-2007

From 1803 to 2007, the canton of Vaud was divided into 19 districts. The districts were further subdivided into a total of 61 districts ( French cercles ):

Districts of the canton of Vaud until 2007

district	Population (December 31, 2005)	Area in km²	main place	Number of municipalities	Circles
Aigle	36'217	434.99	Aigle	15th	Bex , Ollon , Les Ormonts , Aigle , Villeneuve
Aubonne	11,882	153.33	Aubonne	17th	Ballens , Aubonne , Gimel
Avenches	6601	59.91	Avenches	11	Avenches , Cudrefin
Cossonay	21,720	198.37	Cossonay	32	La Sarraz , Cossonay , L'Isle , Sullens
Echallens	21,763	136.67	Echallens	29	Vuarrens , Bottens , Echallens
Grandson	12,658	175.97	Grandson	20th	Grandson , Concise , Sainte-Croix
Lausanne	194,012	84.75	Lausanne	12	Lausanne , Pully , Romanel
La Vallée	6171	163.61	Le Sentier	3	Le Chenit , Le Pont
Lavaux	23,842	78.84	Cully	12	Cully , Lutry , Saint-Saphorin
Morges	70,823	108.15	Morges	34	Morges , Ecublens , Colombier , Villars-sous-Yens
Moudon	12,475	119.60	Moudon	32	Saint-Cierges , Moudon , Lucens
Nyon	64,612	232.05	Nyon	32	Begnins , Gingins , Coppet , Nyon
Orbe	19,979	209.88	Orbe	25th	Romainmôtier , Vallorbe , Orbe , Baulmes
Oron	10,767	76.01	Oron-la-Ville	22nd	Oron , Mezieres
Payerne	14'719	106.76	Payerne	18th	Granges , Payerne , Grandcour
Pays-d'Enhaut	4493	185.66	Château-d'Oex	3	Château-d'Œx , Rougemont
role	12,288	44.16	role	13	Gilly , role
Vevey	69,854	97.39	Vevey	10	Montreux , La Tour-de-Peilz , Vevey , Corsier
Yverdon	35,915	156.49	Yverdon-les-Bains	38	Molondin , Belmont , Yverdon , Champvent
Total (19)	650'791	2821.08	Lausanne	378	(61)

Status: end of 2006

• 

  Districts of the canton of Vaud until December 31, 1959

• January 1, 1960: The Bercher municipality moves from the Moudon district to the Echallens district .

Source: Loi du 14 juin 1803 sur la division du canton en districts

See also : Municipalities of the Canton of Vaud

Canton of Valais

The canton of Valais is divided into 13 districts, with the Raron district consisting of two semi- districts since 1987. Each district of Valais is headed by a prefect and a vice-prefect. As of January 1, 2017 .

Districts of the canton of Valais

district	translated	Population (December 31, 2018)	Area in km²	main place	Number of municipalities
Brig	French Brigue	26,911	434.19	Brig-Glis	7th
Conthey	German Gundis	28,906	234.20	Conthey	5
Entremont		15,261	632.97	Sembrancher	6th
Goms	French Conches	4440	589.20	Münster-Geschinen	8th
Hérens	German Ering	10,862	466.07	Vex	6th
Leuk	French Loèche	12,355	335.27	Leuk	12
Martigny	German Martinach	47,983	263.37	Martigny	11
Monthey		47,039	256.78	Monthey	9
West of Raron East of Raron	French Rarogne (two semi-districts)	10,940	398.16	Raron and Mörel fillet	11 6
Saint-Maurice		13,821	190.59	Saint-Maurice	9
Sierre	French Sierre	49'230	418.37	Sierre	12
Manners	French Sion	47,753	130.66	Manners	5
Visp	French Viège	28,454	864.20	Visp	19th
Total (13)		343,955	5224.63	Manners	126

The land area of ​​the canton of Valais covers 5,214.00 km², the lake area is 10.60 km² ( Lake Geneva / Lac Léman). Thus the total area is 5,224.60 km².

• 

  Districts of the canton of Valais until December 31, 2016

• January 1, 2017: As a result of the merger of the municipality of Les Agettes with Sion , the municipality of Les Agettes changes from the district of Hérens to the district of Sion .

See also : Municipalities of the Canton of Valais

Canton of Neuchâtel

The Canton of Neuchâtel was up on 31 December 2017 in six districts ( French Districts ) divided geographical to four regions included. From January 1, 2018, the latter will each form an electoral region, which are combined into a single constituency , and will also serve statistical purposes. They do not have any administrative tasks (as of January 1, 2018) .

Regions of the canton of Neuchâtel until 2017. Correspond to the regions for statistics and voter shares from 2018

Districts of the canton of Neuchâtel until 2017

District until December 31, 2017	Population (December 31, 2017)	Area in km²	main place	Number of municipalities	Region from January 1, 2018
Boudry	40,701	105.46	Boudry	7th	Littoral
La Chaux-de-Fonds	39,796	92.99	La Chaux-de-Fonds	3	Mondays
Le Locle	14'414	143.74	Le Locle	7th	Mondays
Neuchâtel (French  Neuchâtel )	53,744	80.02	Neuchâtel	9	Littoral
Val-de-Ruz	17,411	128.07	Cernier	2	Val-de-Ruz
Val-de-Travers	11,898	166.44	Môtiers	3	Val-de-Travers
Total (6)	177,964	716.72	Neuchâtel	31	(4)

The land area of ​​the canton of Neuchâtel covers 716.72 km², the lake area is 85.44 km² ( Lake Neuchâtel / Lac de Neuchâtel 84.91 km², Lake Biel 0.53 km²). Thus the total area is 802.16 km².

• 

  Districts of the canton of Neuchâtel until December 31, 1850

• December 31, 1850: When the commune of Les Eplatures is spun off from Le Locle , the area of ​​Les Eplatures changes from the Le Locle district to the La Chaux-de-Fonds district.

See also : Municipalities of the Canton of Neuchâtel

Canton of Geneva

The canton of Geneva is not divided into districts. The land area of ​​the canton of Geneva covers 245.82 km², the lake area is 36.67 km² (Lake Geneva / Lac Léman). Thus the total area is 282.49 km².

See: Municipalities of the Canton of Geneva

Canton of Jura

The canton of Jura is divided into three districts: As of January 1, 2013

Districts of the canton of Jura

Districts of the canton of Jura

district	Population (December 31, 2018)	Area in km²	main place	Number of municipalities
Delsberg (French: Delémont )	38,590	303.18	Delémont	19th
Freiberge (fr. Franches-Montagnes )	10,389	200.23	Saignelégier	13
Pruntrut (French Porrentruy )	24'440	335.10	Pruntrut	21st
Total (3)	73'419	838.51	Delémont	(53)

• 

  Districts of the canton of Jura until 2008

• Through the merger on January 1, 2009 of the municipalities of Epauvillers, Epiquerez, Montenol, Montmelon, Ocourt, Saint-Ursanne and Seleute to the municipality of Clos du Doubs , the area of ​​the former municipalities of Epauvillers and Epiquerez was assigned to the Pruntrut district.

See also : Municipalities of the Canton of Jura

See also

• district

Web links

• Anne-Marie Dubler : District. In: Historical Lexicon of Switzerland .
• Districts of the Canton of Zurich
• Constituencies of the Canton of Lucerne
• Districts of the Canton of Schwyz
• Districts of the canton of Friborg
• Districts of the canton of Solothurn
• Districts of the canton of Basel-Landschaft
• Districts of the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden
• Districts of the canton of St. Gallen
• Districts of the canton of Graubünden
• Districts of the canton of Thurgau
• Districts of the canton of Vaud
• Districts of the canton of Neuchâtel

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b c d e f} Federal Statistical Office Generalized Limits 2020.
2. ^ Law on the organization of the government council and administration (BSG 152.01; online ).
3. ↑ Law on the special statute of the Bernese Jura and on the French-speaking minority of the bilingual district of Biel (BSG 102.15), Art. 4 ( online ).
4. ↑ Prefects and Vice-Prefects of the Canton of Valais , accessed on December 4, 2017.