Canton of Uri
Encyclopedia
Uri is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland
and a founding member of the Swiss Confederation
. It is located in Central Switzerland
. The canton's territory covers the valley of the Reuss River
between Lake Lucerne
and the St. Gotthard Pass
. German is the primary language spoken in Uri. Uri was the only canton where the children in school had to learn Italian as their first foreign language. But in the school year of 2005/2006 this was changed to English as in most other cantons. The population is about 35,000 of which 3,046 (or 8.7%) are foreigners. The legendary William Tell
is said to have hailed from Uri. The historical landmark Rütli lies within the canton of Uri.
Uri was first mentioned in 732 as belonging to the abbot of Reichenau. In 853 it was given to the nunnery at Zürich
by Louis the German
.
It is thought that the name Uri derives from the old German word Aurochs
meaning wild ox. The region's traditional coat of arms bears a bull's head.
In 1243 the region had a common seal. By 1274 the powerful Rudolf
of Habsburg
recognized these privileges. Uri was one of the three original Swiss cantons, having signed the Letter of Alliance (Bundesbrief) in 1291. In 1386 Uri participated in the victory over the Austrians at Sempach
. As a result Uri annexed the lands of Urseren in 1410.
The region resisted the Protestant Reformation
and remained Roman Catholic. During the Helvetic Republic
Uri was part of the canton of Waldstätten. After this, in 1803 as part of the Act of Mediation
, Uri regained its independence. All attempts towards religious or constitutional reform were resisted. In 1815 Uri joined the League of Sarnen for this reason. Later on Uri was one of the members of the Sonderbund. The Sonderbund was a separatist Catholic league, but was defeated by the Swiss Confederation which led to the Swiss Federal Constitution
.
The canton is located in the centre of the country on the north side of the Swiss Alps
. The lands of the canton are that of the Reuss valley and those of the main river's tributaries. The total area of the canton is 1077 km² (415.8 sq mi). About half of this is considered productive land. Forests cover a significant part of the territory, and glaciers make up 20% of the unproductive land.
The highest elevation in the canton, and in the Urner Alps
as a whole, is the Dammastock
, at 3630 m (11,909.4 ft), north of the Furka Pass
. The Glarus
and Lepontine Alps
ranges are also partially situated in the canton of Uri.
) was abolished. Uri today comprises 20 self-administered territories: the cantonal capital is Altdorf
.
, Andermatt
, Attinghausen
, Bauen
, Bürglen
, Erstfeld
, Flüelen
, Göschenen
, Gurtnellen
, Hospental
, Isenthal
, Realp
, Schattdorf
, Seedorf
, Seelisberg
, Silenen
, Sisikon
, Spiringen
, Unterschächen
, Wassen
-speaking and Roman Catholic. 86% of the population is Roman Catholic while only 6% are Protestant
.
. There are pastures on the lower mountain slopes. Since most of the terrain is extremely hilly, it is not suitable for cultivation. Hydroelectric power generation is of great importance. Forestry is one of the most important sectors of agriculture. At Altdorf
there are cable and rubber
factories.
Tourism is an important source of income in the canton of Uri. An excellent network of roads facilitates tourism in remote areas in the mountains.
Cantons of Switzerland
The 26 cantons of Switzerland are the member states of the federal state of Switzerland. Each canton was a fully sovereign state with its own borders, army and currency from the Treaty of Westphalia until the establishment of the Swiss federal state in 1848...
and a founding member of the Swiss Confederation
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. It is located in Central Switzerland
Central Switzerland
Central Switzerland is the region of the Alpine foothills geographically the heart and historically the origin of Switzerland, with the cantons of Uri, Schwyz, Obwalden, Nidwalden, Lucerne and Zug....
. The canton's territory covers the valley of the Reuss River
Reuss River
The Reuss is a river in Switzerland. With a length of and a drainage basin of , it is the fourth largest river in Switzerland...
between Lake Lucerne
Lake Lucerne
Lake Lucerne is a lake in central Switzerland and the fourth largest in the country.The lake has a complicated shape, with bends and arms reaching from the city of Lucerne into the mountains. It has a total area of 114 km² , an elevation of 434 m , and a maximum depth of 214 m . Its volume is 11.8...
and the St. Gotthard Pass
St. Gotthard Pass
The Gotthard Pass or St. Gotthard Pass is a high mountain pass in Switzerland between Airolo in the canton of Ticino, and Göschenen in the canton of Uri, connecting the northern German-speaking part of Switzerland with the Italian-speaking part, along the route onwards to Milan.Though the pass...
. German is the primary language spoken in Uri. Uri was the only canton where the children in school had to learn Italian as their first foreign language. But in the school year of 2005/2006 this was changed to English as in most other cantons. The population is about 35,000 of which 3,046 (or 8.7%) are foreigners. The legendary William Tell
William Tell
William Tell is a folk hero of Switzerland. His legend is recorded in a late 15th century Swiss chronicle....
is said to have hailed from Uri. The historical landmark Rütli lies within the canton of Uri.
History
Zürich
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is located in central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich...
by Louis the German
Louis the German
Louis the German , also known as Louis II or Louis the Bavarian, was a grandson of Charlemagne and the third son of the succeeding Frankish Emperor Louis the Pious and his first wife, Ermengarde of Hesbaye.He received the appellation 'Germanicus' shortly after his death in recognition of the fact...
.
It is thought that the name Uri derives from the old German word Aurochs
Aurochs
The aurochs , the ancestor of domestic cattle, were a type of large wild cattle which inhabited Europe, Asia and North Africa, but is now extinct; it survived in Europe until 1627....
meaning wild ox. The region's traditional coat of arms bears a bull's head.
In 1243 the region had a common seal. By 1274 the powerful Rudolf
Rudolph I of Germany
Rudolph I was King of the Romans from 1273 until his death. He played a vital role in raising the Habsburg dynasty to a leading position among the Imperial feudal dynasties...
of Habsburg
Habsburg
The House of Habsburg , also found as Hapsburg, and also known as House of Austria is one of the most important royal houses of Europe and is best known for being an origin of all of the formally elected Holy Roman Emperors between 1438 and 1740, as well as rulers of the Austrian Empire and...
recognized these privileges. Uri was one of the three original Swiss cantons, having signed the Letter of Alliance (Bundesbrief) in 1291. In 1386 Uri participated in the victory over the Austrians at Sempach
Sempach
Sempach is a municipality in the district of Sursee in the canton of Lucerne in Switzerland.-History:It has retained some traces of its medieval appearance, especially the main gateway, beneath a watch tower, and reached by a bridge over the old moat.About half an hour distant to the north-east, on...
. As a result Uri annexed the lands of Urseren in 1410.
The region resisted the Protestant Reformation
Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to the doctrines, rituals and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led...
and remained Roman Catholic. During the Helvetic Republic
Helvetic Republic
In Swiss history, the Helvetic Republic represented an early attempt to impose a central authority over Switzerland, which until then consisted mainly of self-governing cantons united by a loose military alliance, and conquered territories such as Vaud...
Uri was part of the canton of Waldstätten. After this, in 1803 as part of the Act of Mediation
Act of Mediation
The Act of Mediation was issued by Napoleon Bonaparte on 19 February 1803 establishing the Swiss Confederation. The act also abolished the previous Helvetic Republic, which had existed since the invasion of Switzerland by French troops in 1798. After the withdrawal of French troops in July 1802,...
, Uri regained its independence. All attempts towards religious or constitutional reform were resisted. In 1815 Uri joined the League of Sarnen for this reason. Later on Uri was one of the members of the Sonderbund. The Sonderbund was a separatist Catholic league, but was defeated by the Swiss Confederation which led to the Swiss Federal Constitution
Swiss Federal Constitution
The Federal Constitution of 18 April 1999 is the third and current federal constitution of Switzerland. It establishes the Swiss Confederation as a federal republic of 26 cantons , contains a catalogue of individual and popular rights , delineates the responsibilities of the...
.
Geography
Swiss Alps
The Swiss Alps are the portion of the Alps mountain range that lies within Switzerland. Because of their central position within the entire Alpine range, they are also known as the Central Alps....
. The lands of the canton are that of the Reuss valley and those of the main river's tributaries. The total area of the canton is 1077 km² (415.8 sq mi). About half of this is considered productive land. Forests cover a significant part of the territory, and glaciers make up 20% of the unproductive land.
The highest elevation in the canton, and in the Urner Alps
Urner Alps
The Urner Alps are a mountain range in central Switzerland in the western part of the Alps. They extend into the cantons of Obwalden, Valais, Lucerne, Bern, Uri and Nidwalden and are bordered by the Bernese Alps to the west, the Lepontine Alps to the south and the Glarus Alps to the east.The Urner...
as a whole, is the Dammastock
Dammastock
The Dammastock is the highest mountain in the Urner Alps in Switzerland. Its summit ridge forms the border between the cantons of Uri and the Valais. It is the highest summit in the canton of Uri...
, at 3630 m (11,909.4 ft), north of the Furka Pass
Furka Pass
Furka Pass is a high mountain pass in the Swiss Alps connecting Gletsch, Valais with Realp, Uri. The Furka-Oberalp-Bahn line through the Furka Tunnel bypasses the pass...
. The Glarus
Glarus Alps
The Glarus Alps are a mountain range in central Switzerland. They extend from the Oberalp Pass to the Klausen Pass, and are bordered by the Urner Alps to the west, the Lepontine Alps to the south and the Appenzell Alps to the northeast...
and Lepontine Alps
Lepontine Alps
The Lepontine Alps are a mountain range in the central part of the Alps. They are located in Switzerland and Italy .On the north the upper Rhône valley separate them from the Bernese Alps and the Furka Pass and the upper Reuss valley separates them from the Urner Alps; on the west the Simplon Pass...
ranges are also partially situated in the canton of Uri.
Government
The current constitution dates back to 1888. It was revised in 1929 when the open assembly (LandsgemeindeLandsgemeinde
The Landsgemeinde or "cantonal assembly" is one of the oldest forms of direct democracy. The first historically documented assembly took place in 1294...
) was abolished. Uri today comprises 20 self-administered territories: the cantonal capital is Altdorf
Altdorf, Switzerland
Altdorf is the capital of the Swiss canton of Uri. The municipality covers an area of and is located at a height of above sea-level, to the right of the river Reuss.-Location:...
.
Municipalities
The municipalities of the canton of Uri are: AltdorfAltdorf, Switzerland
Altdorf is the capital of the Swiss canton of Uri. The municipality covers an area of and is located at a height of above sea-level, to the right of the river Reuss.-Location:...
, Andermatt
Andermatt
Andermatt is a municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland.With Realp and Hospental, it is located in the Urseren valley, south of Altdorf.-Geography:...
, Attinghausen
Attinghausen
Attinghausen is a municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland.-Geography:Attinghausen has an area, , of . Of this area, 35.3% is used for agricultural purposes, while 17.5% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 1.7% is settled and the remainder is non-productive...
, Bauen
Bauen
Bauen is a municipality on Lake Lucerne in the Swiss canton of Uri.-Geography:Bauen has an area, , of . Of this area, 13.5% is used for agricultural purposes, while 74.9% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 2.9% is settled and the remainder is non-productive...
, Bürglen
Bürglen, Uri
Bürglen is a municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland.-History:Bürglen is first mentioned in 857 as Burgilla. In 1240 it was mentioned as Burgelon.-Geography:...
, Erstfeld
Erstfeld
Erstfeld is a municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland.-History:Erstfeld is first mentioned in 1258 as Ourzcvelt. In 1638 it was listed under the Latin name in Protocampis. In 1831 it was known as Hirschfelden.-Geography:...
, Flüelen
Flüelen
Flüelen is a municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland.-Geography:Flüelen has an area, , of . Of this area, 22% is used for agricultural purposes, while 55.1% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 6.1% is settled and the remainder is non-productive...
, Göschenen
Göschenen
Göschenen a village in the canton of Uri in Switzerland.-History:Göschenen is first mentioned in 1280 as Geschenden. In 1290 it was mentioned as Gescheldun, then in 1294 as Geschenen and in 1429 as ze Gestinen.-Geography:...
, Gurtnellen
Gurtnellen
Gurtnellen is a municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland.-History:Gurtnellen is first mentioned in 1257 as Chuno und die Gurteneller. In 1321 it was mentioned as Gruntellon, and in 1359 as Gurtenellen.-Geography:...
, Hospental
Hospental
Hospental is a municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland.-History:Hospental is first mentioned in 1285 as Hospenthal. In 1499 it was mentioned under its latin name as Hospicium, and in 1616 as Spithal.-Geography:...
, Isenthal
Isenthal
Isenthal is a municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland.-Geography:Isenthal has an area, , of . Of this area, 27.9% is used for agricultural purposes, while 26.2% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 0.6% is settled and the remainder is non-productive...
, Realp
Realp
Realp is a municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland.-Geography:Realp has an area, , of . Of this area, 41.6% is used for agricultural purposes, while 2.3% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 0.6% is settled and the remainder is non-productive...
, Schattdorf
Schattdorf
Schattdorf is a municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland.-Geography:Schattdorf has an area, , of . Of this area, 33.6% is used for agricultural purposes, while 37.7% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 11% is settled and the remainder is non-productive...
, Seedorf
Seedorf, Uri
Seedorf is a municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland.-Geography:Seedorf has an area, , of . Of this area, 19.2% is used for agricultural purposes, while 40.6% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 5.4% is settled and the remainder is non-productive...
, Seelisberg
Seelisberg
Seelisberg is a municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland.-History:The Rütli meadow, according to legend the site of the original oath foundational to the Old Swiss Confederacy, is situated in the territory of the municipality....
, Silenen
Silenen
Silenen is a municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland.-Geography:Silenen has an area, , of . Of this area, 12.8% is used for agricultural purposes, while 18.3% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 0.7% is settled and the remainder is non-productive...
, Sisikon
Sisikon
Sisikon is a municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland.-Geography:Sisikon has an area, , of . Of this area, 30.9% is used for agricultural purposes, while 44% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 1.2% is settled and the remainder is non-productive...
, Spiringen
Spiringen
Spiringen is a municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland.-Geography:Spiringen has an area, , of . Of this area, 37.5% is used for agricultural purposes, while 17.6% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 1.4% is settled and the remainder is non-productive...
, Unterschächen
Unterschächen
Unterschächen is a municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland, situated in the upper Schächental.-Geography:Unterschächen has an area, , of . Of this area, 35.6% is used for agricultural purposes, while 9.4% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 0.8% is settled and the remainder is...
, Wassen
Wassen
Wassen is a municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland.-Geography:Wassen has an area, , of . Of this area, 12.5% is used for agricultural purposes, while 18.2% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 1.1% is settled and the remainder is non-productive...
Demographics
The population is primarily GermanGerman language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
-speaking and Roman Catholic. 86% of the population is Roman Catholic while only 6% are Protestant
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
.
Economy
The cultivated fields of the canton are located in the valley of the Reuss RiverReuss River
The Reuss is a river in Switzerland. With a length of and a drainage basin of , it is the fourth largest river in Switzerland...
. There are pastures on the lower mountain slopes. Since most of the terrain is extremely hilly, it is not suitable for cultivation. Hydroelectric power generation is of great importance. Forestry is one of the most important sectors of agriculture. At Altdorf
Altdorf, Switzerland
Altdorf is the capital of the Swiss canton of Uri. The municipality covers an area of and is located at a height of above sea-level, to the right of the river Reuss.-Location:...
there are cable and rubber
Rubber
Natural rubber, also called India rubber or caoutchouc, is an elastomer that was originally derived from latex, a milky colloid produced by some plants. The plants would be ‘tapped’, that is, an incision made into the bark of the tree and the sticky, milk colored latex sap collected and refined...
factories.
Tourism is an important source of income in the canton of Uri. An excellent network of roads facilitates tourism in remote areas in the mountains.