Basel

Basel is a city in northwestern Switzerland, sitting on the river Rhine. It is Switzerland's third most populous city, with over 177,000 people living there. Known as the cultural capital of Switzerland, Basel is famous for its many museums. The Kunstmuseum, the first public art collection in the world, and the Fondation Beyeler are just two of the forty museums that make Basel a top cultural spot in Europe.

The University of Basel, founded in 1460, is Switzerland's oldest university. Over the years, many important thinkers have found safety and inspiration in Basel, including Erasmus of Rotterdam and Friedrich Nietzsche. The city has also been a key place for art, with Art Basel being the world's most famous art fair.

Basel has a strong history in science and industry. It is a major center for pharmaceutical companies like Novartis and Roche. In 1938, Albert Hofmann discovered LSD here. The city has also been home to many influential people, such as tennis star Roger Federer. Basel is also known for its local German dialect and was named one of the most livable cities in the world.

Name

The name of Basel was first recorded in the year 237 or 238 as Basilia, referring to a Roman castle. The name likely comes from an old estate named after someone called Basilius. Over time, the name changed and evolved. Today, the city is usually called Basel, matching its German spelling. In the past, it was also known as Basle in English and French, but that form is now less common.

History

Basel has a long and interesting history. Traces of early settlements from around the 5th century BC have been found near the Rhine river. Over time, the town grew and became an important place under Roman rule.

In the Middle Ages, Basel became a key city in Europe. It built its first city walls, bridges, and guilds. The city also became known for its universities and printing. Later, Basel joined the Swiss Confederation and became part of modern Switzerland. Today, Basel is famous for its museums, international meetings, and historic buildings.

Geography and climate

Basel is located in Northwestern Switzerland near where the borders of Switzerland, France, and Germany meet. The city has suburbs in both France and Germany. The area around Basel is part of a larger group of towns and cities called the Trinational Eurodistrict of Basel, which includes places in all three countries.

Basel sits in a flat valley with the Rhine River flowing through it. The river splits the city into two parts: Grossbasel on one side and Kleinbasel on the other. The city has a mix of buildings, roads, and some green spaces. The climate in Basel is mild, with cool winters and warm summers. Rain or snow falls about 118 days each year, and the city gets an average of 842 mm of precipitation annually. May is usually the wettest month, with around 98 mm of rain.

Politics

The city of Basel serves as the capital of the Swiss half-canton of Basel-Stadt.

The canton Basel-Stadt includes three areas: Riehen, Bettingen, and the city of Basel. The city and canton share the same government structure.

Basel's government has an Executive Council with seven members, chosen every four years by voters. The council meets in the historic Town Hall, built between 1504 and 1514. The current president is Beat Jans. The council includes members from different political parties, such as the Social Democratic Party, the Liberal-Democratische Partei, and others.

The city's parliament, called the Grand Council, has 100 members who are also elected every four years. They meet in the same Town Hall and represent various political groups. The most recent elections were held in October 2020.

Demographics

The canton of Basel has a population of 201,971 people, with 36.9% being foreign nationals as of 2021. Over the years from 1999 to 2009, the population changed slightly due to births, deaths, and people moving in or out.

Many people in Basel were born there—about 35.2% of the population in the year 2000. Others came from different parts of Switzerland or from outside the country. The city has many homes and apartments, with most being occupied by families or single people. The cost to rent an apartment can vary, with smaller apartments costing less than larger ones.

Language

Most people in Basel speak German, but some also speak Italian and French. A very small number of people speak Romansh.

Religion

People in Basel have many different beliefs. Some belong to the Roman Catholic or Swiss Reformed Church. Others follow Orthodox, Christian Catholic, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, or Hindu traditions. Many people do not follow any specific religion and consider themselves agnostic or atheist.

Infrastructure

Basel is divided into 19 different areas called quarters. Nearby, there are two small towns called Riehen and Bettingen that are part of the same region as Basel.

Basel has many ways to get around. It has Switzerland’s only place where goods are moved by boats along the Rhine River, connecting to big ships at the port of Rotterdam. There are three main train stations in Basel, linking the city to Switzerland, France, and Germany. The city also has many roads, bridges, and ferries to help people travel easily. Basel’s public transport includes trams and buses that connect the city and nearby areas.

Economy

Basel is a busy city with many jobs and important companies. In 2018, most people in Basel worked in services like shops, hotels, and banks. Many women were part of the workforce, making up almost half of all workers.

Some of the biggest companies in Basel are in medicine and chemicals. Famous names like Novartis and Hoffmann-La Roche have offices here. Basel is also where the Bank for International Settlements is located. This special bank helps other banks talk to each other and make rules to keep money safe.

The city has tall buildings, like the Roche Tower, which is the tallest in Switzerland. Basel is also a place where people share ideas, with many trade shows for art, watches, and building.

Education

Basel is a special place for learning, especially in mathematics and science. Famous thinkers like Leonhard Euler and the Bernoulli family have worked and taught here for many years. The city is home to the University of Basel, Switzerland's oldest university, founded in 1460. Many important people, including Erasmus and Carl Gustav Jung, have studied or worked there. Today, the university is known around the world for its quality.

Many students attend schools in Basel. In recent years, about half of all students spoke a language other than German at home. Basel also has several international schools, such as the International School Basel and the BLIS Baselland International School, to help children from different countries learn together. The city has many libraries, including the main university library, which hold millions of books and other materials for people to borrow and read.

Culture

The red sandstone Münster is a famous building in Basel, known for its mix of Romanesque and Gothic styles. It was damaged in an earthquake in 1356 and later rebuilt and restored over the centuries. Inside, you can find a memorial to Erasmus.

Basel is also home to many buildings designed by well-known architects. These include structures like the Beyeler Foundation and the Vitra complex, which features works by famous designers. The city has received awards for its architecture, such as the Wakker Prize in 1996.

Main sights

Basel has many important historical sites. These include churches like the Old Catholic Prediger Kirche and the Münster of Basel, as well as secular buildings such as the City Hall and the Bank for International Settlements. The city also has numerous archaeological sites and museums.

Theatre and music

Basel is a hub for music and theatre. The Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, founded in 1933, is a leading center for studying and performing medieval and baroque music. Theater Basel is known for its German-language performances and opera. The city is also home to several orchestras, including the Sinfonieorchester Basel and the Kamerorchester Basel.

Museums

Basel is famous for its museums, which cover many areas such as art, history, and science. The Kunstmuseum Basel, founded in 1661, is the oldest public art collection in the world. Other notable museums include the Fondation Beyeler, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Natural History Museum of Basel.

Events

Basel hosts many important events and fairs each year. Art Basel, one of the world's leading art fairs, takes place in June. The Basel Tattoo, a large military parade, attracts around 125,000 visitors annually. The city's carnival, known as Basler Fasnacht, is a major event that begins early in the morning on a winter Monday and lasts for three days.

Cuisine

Basel has its own special foods, like Basler Läckerli cookies and Mässmogge candies. Because Basel is near the borders of Switzerland, France, and Germany, its cuisine is rich and varied, with many different restaurants to choose from.

Zoo

Zoo Basel, established in 1874, is the oldest and one of the largest zoos in Switzerland. It is very popular, welcoming over 1.7 million visitors each year. The zoo is known for its successful breeding programs, including the first Indian rhinoceros birth in a zoo.

Sport

Basel has many sports teams and events. FC Basel is a successful football club, and the city hosted some matches during the 2008 European Championships. The city also has ice hockey, basketball, and tennis teams. Each October, the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament takes place, featuring top players. The annual Basel Rhine Swim lets people enjoy swimming or floating in the Rhine River.

Notable people

Basel has been home to many famous people throughout history. Some well-known individuals from Basel include botanist Gaspard Bauhin, mathematician Jacob Bernoulli, physicist Daniel Bernoulli, writer Johann Peter Hebel, artist Arnold Böcklin, and tennis champion Roger Federer. Many more influential figures in science, art, literature, and sports were born or grew up in this vibrant city.

Picture gallery

Here are some pictures showing important places in Basel. You can see the Rathaus, which is Basel's Town Hall, and the Protestant Cathedral. There is also the University of Basel, which was established in 1460. Other pictures include the Global seat of the Bank for International Settlements, Haus zum Kirschgarten, and people swimming in the Rhine. You can also see historic townhouses and urban mansions from the early 20th century.