Appenzell Innerrhoden

Appenzell Innerrhoden is one of the 26 cantons that make up the Swiss Confederation. It is the smallest canton in Switzerland by population and the second smallest by area. Located in the northeast part of the country, it sits in the Alpine foothills of the Alpstein massif, with its highest point at the Säntis.

The area was once part of a larger historical canton called Appenzell. In 1597, because of differences during the Swiss Reformation, it split into two parts: Appenzell Innerrhoden and Appenzell Ausserrhoden. Today, Appenzell Innerrhoden remains a special area, often called a "half-canton", with its own government and parliament based in the town of Appenzell.

History

Prehistory

The earliest signs of people living in Appenzell Innerrhoden date back to a very old time, called the Paleolithic period (45,000–30,000 years ago). People found old tools and bones of cave bears in caves called Wildkirchli. For a long time, the area was mostly wild and empty, until around the year 800 AD. During the time of the Romans, many people lived closer to big rivers and lakes, like the Alpine Rhine Valley and Lake Constance.

Foundation

The name Appenzell means “estate of the abbot” and connects to an important place called the Abbey of St. Gall. By around the year 1000, leaders from this abbey had strong control over the land. Over time, people in Appenzell started to want more freedom and fair treatment, especially about land use and taxes. They joined a group called the Swabian League for support. This led to many disagreements, especially with leaders from Austria, but people in Appenzell kept working to protect their rights.

Independence and joining the Swiss Confederation

As arguments grew between people in Appenzell and leaders from the Abbey of St. Gall, the people decided to stand up for themselves. They chased out unfair leaders and made treaties with nearby places for support. After winning some battles, Appenzell became closer to joining Switzerland. In 1411, they signed an agreement with the whole Swiss Confederation, and by 1513, Appenzell became a full member.

Division of Appenzell

In the 1500s, new ideas about religion started in Appenzell. Some people wanted to change the old ways, which caused debates and sometimes arguments. Over time, parts of Appenzell chose different religions. The area called Ausserrhoden chose new ideas, while Innerrhoden kept the old ways. Even with these differences, people worked together on important matters.

Modern history

Appenzell Innerrhoden has often voted against new rules for Switzerland since 1848, preferring to keep its traditions. For a long time, women were not allowed to vote in local matters, until two women took their case to a higher court in 1990. The rules were changed in 1991 to let women vote. In 2021, Appenzell Innerrhoden was one of the last places in Switzerland to agree to let everyone marry, no matter their gender.

Main article: Appenzell Wars

Geography

Most of the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden is peaceful countryside, even though it has many mountains. One of the big draws is the Säntis peak in the Appenzell Alps. The main river here is the Sitter. There are also three tiny mountain lakes in the Alpstein area: Seealpsee, Sämtisersee, and Fälensee.

Two small monasteries, Wonnenstein in Teufen and Grimmenstein in Walzenhausen, are special parts of the canton that sit in another area called Appenzell Ausserrhoden.

See also: List of mountains of Appenzell Innerrhoden

Politics

Appenzell is the capital of this canton. The constitution was established in 1872. Every year on the last Sunday of April, around 4000 citizens meet in a square in Appenzell for the Landsgemeinde (general assembly). Here, they elect the canton's government and judges, take oaths from elected members, and vote on various issues.

In 1991, Appenzell Innerrhoden became the last Swiss canton to allow women to vote on local matters. It also strongly supported a ban on minarets in 2009 and had the lowest support for same-sex marriage in 2021.

Political subdivisions

Appenzell Innerrhoden has five districts, which work like municipalities in other parts of Switzerland. These districts are:

• Appenzell
• Gonten
• Oberegg
• Schlatt-Haslen
• Schwende-Rüte

On 1 May 2022, Rüte and Schwende joined to form the new district of Schwende-Rüte.

Government

The State Commission (Standeskommission) is the executive government of Appenzell Inner-Rhodes. It has seven councillors, each leading a different department. The president changes every two years. The State Commission carries out laws, coordinates tasks, and implements decisions made by the canton's parliament and the Landsgemeinde. Members are elected yearly by the citizens.

Parliament

Landsgemeinde

Each year, citizens meet in Appenzell for the Landsgemeinde. Every Swiss citizen aged 18 or older can vote and speak up during discussions about electing government and judges, or voting on issues.

Grosser Rat

The Grosser Rat or Grand Council has 50 members elected from the canton's districts. They give advice on laws, create regulations, oversee authorities, review finances, and set budgets and taxes.

Federal elections

• National Council (Nationalrat): Thomas Rechsteiner, 2019
• Council of States (Ständerat): Daniel Fässler, 2019

Demographics

The canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden had a population of 16,293 as of December 31, 2020. In 2007, there were 1,510 foreigners living there, making up about 9.76% of the population. Because of its history, most people in Appenzell Innerrhoden are Roman Catholic, about 81%, while around 10% are Protestant.

Historical population

Economy

The main work in Appenzell Innerrhoden is raising cows and making dairy products. A special cheese called Appenzeller cheese is made here and sold all over Switzerland.

Cars rented in Switzerland often have license plates starting with "AI" because this area has lower taxes on cars.

Transport

Regional rail service in Appenzell Innerrhoden and nearby areas is run by the St. Gallen S-Bahn, with some trains also part of the Bodensee S-Bahn. These trains are operated by Appenzell Railways (Appenzeller Bahnen, AB) on their meter gauge lines. PostAuto buses connect towns and villages within the canton. All rail and bus services use the Ostwind tariff network.

Several cable cars make it easy to reach the mountains. The closest airports are St. Gallen–Altenrhein Airport and Zurich Airport.