Basel-Stadt

The Canton of Basel-Stadt, also called Basel-City, is one of the 26 cantons that make up the Swiss Confederation. It has three main towns, with Basel being the capital city. Basel-Stadt is very small in size but packed with people, sitting on both sides of the Rhine River.

Basel-Stadt shares a border only with its neighbor, Basel-Landschaft, to the south. To the north, it touches France and Germany, making it a special spot where three countries meet.

Once part of a larger canton called Canton of Basel, Basel-Stadt became separate from its rural half in 1833 after some disagreements. Today, it is a strong economic center for Switzerland, especially in chemicals and medicines, and it has the highest GDP per capita in the country.

History

The canton of Basel-Stadt was created in 1833 when the historic canton of Basel split apart. This happened after some disagreements and conflicts about the rights of people living in the countryside. On August 26, 1833, the area became two separate parts: the city of Basel and the nearby countryside area called Basel-Landschaft. Over time, there have been ideas to bring the two parts back together. But in votes in 1969 and again in 2014, the people in Basel-Landschaft chose to stay separate.

Geography

The canton of Basel-Stadt is in the north of Switzerland. The city of Basel sits at the point where the Rhine river changes its direction, meeting the small Birsig river. This area is the second flattest canton, with a height difference of only 277 metres.

Basel-Stadt is the smallest canton in Switzerland, covering an area of 37 km² (14 sq mi). It shares a border with just one other Swiss canton, Basel-Landschaft, and also touches Germany and France.

Municipalities

The canton of Basel-Stadt consists of three municipalities. The main city is Basel, which is the capital of this area. These three municipalities work together to make up the small but busy canton in Switzerland.

Politics

The canton of Basel-Stadt shares its political structure and administration with the municipality of Basel. It is a half-canton, which means it only sends one representative to the Council of States. The capital city is Basel. The current constitution was created in 1889. In 1966, Basel-Stadt became the first German-speaking area in Switzerland to let women vote, five years before this right was given to all Swiss women in 1971.

The canton's parliament is called the Grand Council, with 100 members chosen every four years. Eight political parties have members in this parliament, and the largest one is the Social Democratic Party, with 32 seats. The executive group, known as the Regierungsrat, has seven members. Basel-Stadt also has a special relationship as a sister state with Massachusetts.

Demographics

The canton of Basel-Stadt has a population of about 201,156 people as of July 31, 2021. Many people living there come from other countries, making up around 30% of the total population.

Most people in Basel-Stadt follow either the Roman Catholic or Protestant religions, each with around 25-27% of the population. About 10% follow other religions, and around 36% do not follow any organized religion.

Economy

Basel is one of the most important places for work in Switzerland, just after Zurich. Many big companies, especially in chemicals and medicines, have their offices here. People from nearby areas in Switzerland, France, and Germany come to work in Basel. Banking and many different services are also big parts of the city's work life.

Near Basel, three countries meet at a special spot called Dreiländereck, which is a fun place for school groups to visit. The city's big carnival draws many visitors from all around. In 2014, most workers in Basel-Stadt were in jobs like health care, education, and selling things in shops, with many others working for companies that help people find jobs or give advice on running businesses.

Transport

Basel has an international airport at Basel-Mulhouse, which is actually in France but can be reached easily from the city without going through customs. The area is well connected by trains and motorways to Switzerland and nearby parts of France and Germany.

Basel is an important train hub in Switzerland, with direct fast trains to cities like Paris and Berlin. The city also has a port on the Rhine River, which is very important for Switzerland because it is the country's only direct link to the sea. The port is well connected to roads and railways.

Culture

The Carnival of Basel is a big celebration that happens every year. It starts very early in the morning and has lots of fun activities for three whole days.

Basel is also famous for its special treats, like the Basler Läckerli biscuit made with honey and almonds, and the Basler Brunsli, a sweet almond treat enjoyed during Christmas. The city hosts important events like Art Basel, a show for modern art, and BaselWorld, a big fair for watches and jewelry. Famous groups from Basel include the Top Secret Drum Corps and the Basel Boys Choir.