Cantons of Switzerland

The 26 cantons of Switzerland (German: Kanton, French: canton, Italian: cantone, Romansh: chantun) are the member states of the Swiss Confederation. There were eight lieus (or cantons) during 1353–1481, and thirteen lieus during 1513–1798. Each lieu/canton was a fully sovereign state with its own border controls, army, and currency from the Treaty of Westphalia (1648) until the establishment of the Swiss federal state in 1848. From 1833, there were 25 cantons, which became 26 after the secession of the Canton of Jura from Bern in 1979.

Terminology

The term canton, now also used as English term for administrative subdivisions of other countries, originates after 1490 as specific to Switzerland. It is derived from the French word canton, from a term meaning "edge, corner", but used to refer to political territories.

Historically, the cantons were referred to in German as Statt (plural: Stätte), or later Ort (plural Orte; English: Lieu, meaning "settlement" or "location", pronouncing the then very dominant power and importance of settlements over the country-side and/or forested area), but the word canton(e) has also been in use since the 16th century, mainly in the Latin languages spoken regions. The cantons are traditionally also referred to as Stand (plural Stände, "estate"), état, stato or stadi ("state"). This is still reflected in the name of the upper chamber of the Swiss Parliament, the Council of States (Ständerat, Conseil des États).