Pfäffikon, Schwyz
Pfäffikon is the principal town of the Municipality of Freienbach in the canton of Schwyz (SZ) in Switzerland. Together with Wollerau, Pfäffikon is considered the principal town of the district (Bezirk) of Höfe and the center of the region of Ausserschwyz. The former farm town is known today as cultural, economic and service center with its main focus on hedge funds. With 7,200 residents Pfäffikon is the third biggest town of the canton after Küssnacht and Einsiedeln.
Politics
Pfäffikon, together with Wilen bei Wollerau, Freienbach, Bäch and Hurden form the Municipality of Freienbach, but being the main traffic junction in the area it is the most important town in the municipality. In 1848 Pfäffikon lost its independent status and was subsequently merged into Freienbach. With important administrative and educational centers as well as one of the two fire departments of the canton in town, Pfäffikon became the second, northern center of the canton, especially since the canton's capital, Schwyz, across in the foothills of the Alps is relatively difficult to reach (via Biberbrugg-Rothenthurm). This resulted in Pfäffikon orienting itself more towards Zürich than Schwyz, causing political tensions. The closeness to Zürich as well as the low tax rates led to Pfäffikon's position as economic center of the canton.