Vaud
Vaud
Vaud
Vaud (/voʊ/ VOH; French: (Canton de) Vaud, pronounced [kɑ̃ tɔ̃ də vo]),[4][5][6][7] more formally
the Canton of Vaud, is one of the 26 cantons forming the Swiss Confederation. It is composed Vaud
Vôd (Franco-Provençal)
of ten districts; its capital city is Lausanne. Its coat of arms bears the motto "Liberté et patrie" on
a white-green bicolour. Canton
Vaud is the third-largest Swiss canton by population and fourth by size. It is located in Canton of Vaud
Romandy, the French-speaking western part of the country, and borders the canton of Neuchâtel Canton de Vaud (French)
to the north, the cantons of Fribourg and Bern to the east, the canton of Valais to the south, the
canton of Geneva to the south-west, and France to the west. The geography of the canton
includes all three natural regions of Switzerland: the Jura Mountains, the Swiss Plateau, and the
(Swiss) Alps. It also includes some of the largest lakes of the country: Lake Geneva and Lake
Neuchâtel. It is a major tourist destination, renowned for its landscapes and gastronomy. Coat of arms
Flag
The largest city is Lausanne, followed by Yverdon-les-Bains and Montreux. As of 2020, the Motto(s): Liberté et patrie
canton had a population of 814,762.[2] It is one of the four cantons where French is the sole ("Freedom and fatherland")
official language, and it is the canton with the largest number of French speakers. Formerly a Anthem: Hymne vaudois
Bernese bailiwick, Vaud joined the Swiss Confederation as an independent canton in 1803. ("The Vaudese Anthem")
History
Humans lived alongside the Vaud lakes in prehistoric times. Later, the Celtic tribe of the Helvetii
inhabited the area. Caesar's troops defeated the Helvetii in 58 BC and as a consequence the
Romans settled in the area. The many towns established by the Romans include Vevey (Latin:
Viviscus) and Lausanne (Lausonium or Lausonna).
Wikimedia | © OpenStreetMap
While the exact date of the founding of Aventicum is not exact, it was likely established during or Location in Switzerland
shortly after Augustus' reign. There are still many Roman remains around the town today. Map of Vaud
Between the 2nd and the 4th centuries Alemannic tribes repeatedly invaded the area, and in the
5th century the Burgundians occupied the territory. The Merovingian Franks later replaced the
Burgundians. Their control did not last long either, and in 888 the area of the canton of Vaud
became part of the Carolingian Empire (the successor state to the Merovingians). In 1032 the
Zähringens of Germany defeated the Burgundians. The Zähringens themselves were succeeded
in 1218 by the counts of Savoy. It was only under the counts of Savoy that the area gained
political unity as the Barony of Vaud. A part stretching from Attalens to the river Sarine, in the
north, was absorbed by the canton of Fribourg.
As the power of the House of Savoy declined at the beginning of the 15th century, troops from
Bern occupied the land. By 1536 Bern had completely annexed the area. Vaud's Protestant
Reformation started with co-workers of John Calvin like Pierre Viret (a famous debate took
place at the cathedral of Lausanne), but it was only decisively implemented when Bern put its Coordinates: 46°37′N 6°33′E
full force behind it.
Country Switzerland
The Bernese occupiers were not popular amongst the population. In 1723 Major Abraham Davel Capital and largest Lausanne
led a revolt against Bern, in protest at what he saw as the denial of political rights of the French- city
speaking Vaudois by the German-speaking Bernese; he was subsequently beheaded.[8] Later, Subdivisions 339 municipalities, 10
inspired by the French Revolution of 1789–1799, the Vaudois drove out the Bernese governor in districts
1798 and declared the Lemanic Republic. Vaud nationalists like Frédéric-César de La Harpe, Government
born in Rolle, had called for French intervention in liberating the area, and French • Executive Conseil d’État (7)
Revolutionary troops moved in, taking over the whole of Switzerland itself in the process and • Legislative Grand Council (150)
setting up the Helvetic Republic. Under Napoleon I (Emperor 1804–1815), Vaud became (1798– Area[1]
1803) the canton of Léman. Unrest about the abolition of feudal rights and taxes led to increased • Total 3,211.94 km2
discontent, which culminated in the revolt of the Bourla-papey in spring 1802, closely followed (1,240.14 sq mi)
by the Stecklikrieg (August to October 1802) that brought the end of the entire Helvetic Republic Population (December 2020)[2]
in 1803. In 1803 Vaud joined the re-installed Swiss Confederation. In spite of Bernese attempts • Total 814,762
to reclaim Vaud, it has remained a sovereign canton ever since. • Density 250/km2 (660/sq mi)
GDP[3]
In the 19th century, the canton of Vaud was an outspoken opponent of the Sonderbund Catholic • Total CHF 56.898 billion
separatist movement, which led to intervention by 99,000 Swiss Federal troops under General (2020)
Henri Dufour against 79,000 separatists, in the Sonderbund War (November 1847). Separation • Per capita CHF 70,250 (2020)
was prevented at the cost of very few lives. ISO 3166 code CH-VD
Highest point 3,210 m (10,531 ft):
Diablerets
The current cantonal constitution dates from 14 April 2003, replacing the constitution of Lowest point 372 m (1,220 ft): Lake
Leman
1885.[9]
Joined 1803
Languages French
Geography Website www.vd.ch (https://www.
VD.ch)
The canton stretches from Lake Neuchâtel in the north, where it
borders the canton of Neuchâtel, to Lake Geneva (French: Léman) in the south, where it borders
the canton of Geneva, the French department of Haute-Savoie (lake border) and the canton of
Valais (Chablais). In the Jura mountains in the west, the canton borders the French departments
of Ain, Jura, and Doubs. In the east, it borders the cantons of Fribourg and Bern. The total area is
3,212 square kilometres (1,240 sq mi).
Along with the canton of Berne, Vaud is one of the two cantons whose territory extends from the The logo of
Jura to the Alps, through the three distinct geographic regions of Switzerland. Vaud
The areas in the south east are mountainous, situated on the north side of the
Bernese Alps. This region is commonly named the Vaud Alps (French: Alpes
Roman column in Nyon Vaudoises). The Diablerets massif, peaking at 3,210 metres (10,531 ft), is the
highest mountain of the canton. Other summits such as the Grand Muveran and
the Tour d'Aï are visible from most of the canton. The area also hosts several
popular skiing destinations such as Villars, Les Diablerets and Leysin.
The central area of the canton, in contrast, consists of moraines and is hilly. There are plains along the lakes.
In the north, Avenches is in an exclave of the canton surrounded by the canton of Fribourg and Lake
Neuchâtel. On the other hand, there are three enclaves of the canton of Fribourg (Estavayer-le-lac, Vuissens,
Surpierre), as well as two enclaves of the canton of Geneva (Céligny), that are surrounded by the canton of
Bailiwicks of Bern in Vaud in the
Vaud.[10] 18th century
The north-western part of the canton is also mountainous but in a more modest way with mountains
generally not above 1,500 metres (4,900 ft); the Jura Mountains. The Vallée de Joux is one of the most popular
destinations in the region and also a centre of luxury mechanical Swiss watch manufacturing.[11]
Politics
PDC PVL
UDC members PS members PES members PLR members
members member(s)
Jacques Nicolet Brigitte Crottaz Leonore Porchet Isabelle Moret --- ---
Percentage of the total vote per party in the canton in the National Council Elections 1971–2019 [14] [15]
Party Ideology 1971 1975 1979 1983 1987 1991 1995 1999 2003 2007 2011 2015 2019
Classical
FDP.The Liberalsa liberalism
26.0 25.6 27.1 30.4 27.6 26.4 23.5 25.0 18.5 14.6 16.3 26.8 23.3
Christian
CVP/PDC/PPD/PCD 5.3 4.6 5.1 4.5 4.1 3.6 5.6 4.5 4.4 5.6 4.6 4.1 2.4
democracy
Social
SP/PS 25.0 27.6 24.9 21.9 22.5 22.9 22.7 22.4 21.7 22.0 25.2 22.2 20.4
democracy
Swiss
SVP/UDC 7.7 8.0 6.8 6.2 6.2 7.3 7.8 10.7 20.3 22.4 22.9 22.6 17.4
nationalism
LPS/PLS Swiss Liberal 12.4 13.6 16.7 16.9 17.4 17.6 14.7 12.6 11.1 8.1 5.7 c *
Ring of Social
Independents liberalism
4.1 1.6 0.8 *b * 0.9 * * * * * * *
Christian
EVP/PEV * * * * * * * * 0.7 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.3
democracy
Green
GLP/PVL * * * * * * * * * * 5.1 3.9 8.4
liberalism
PdA/PST-
Socialism 12.2 10.7 9.3 4.1 3.5 4.2 8.9 7.8 6.7 4.7 2.1 * 4.1
POP/PC/PSL
GPS/PES Green politics * 1.0 6.4 7.0 8.4 6.3 4.1 7.1 11.3 14.3 11.6 11.3 19.7
Anti-
Solidarity * * * * * * 2.6 2.1 2.6 2.1 1.8 2.9 *
capitalism
National
SD/DS 4.2 1.6 * 2.6 2.8 2.9 1.8 0.9 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.1 *
conservatism
Right-wing
Rep. 2.9 3.1 * * * * * * * * * * *
populism
Christian
EDU/UDF * 1.0 * * 1.1 * 2.7 2.7 1.8 1.3 1.1 0.7 0.3
right
Right-wing
FPS/PSL * * * * * 2.5 * * * * * 0.0 *
populism
Right-wing
MCR * * * * * * * * * * 0.5 * *
populism
Other * 1.6 2.9 2.6 2.8 1.9 3.1 4.2 0.5 3.7 1.1 2.6 2.3
Voter
45.9 43.5 37.3 40.2 37.4 37.4 32.9 31.5 42.7 44.3 41.6 42.9 41.4
participation %
Political subdivisions
Districts
The canton of Vaud is divided into 10 districts:
Municipalities
There are 300 municipalities in the canton (As of 2022).
Demographics
The population is French-speaking and historically was mostly Protestant (Calvinist), dating from the early
years of the Reformation. Recently, however, this has been changing due to immigration from Southern
Europe. In 2000, the population was nearly evenly split between Protestants (40%) and Roman Catholics
(34%).[16]
The population of the canton (as of 31 December 2020) was 814,762.[2] As of 2010, the population included
about 28% foreigners, including many Italians.[17] The major population centres of the canton are: Lausanne
(140,202 inhabitants in 31 December 2020), Montreux-Vevey (Montreux: 26090 Vevey:19752 inhabitants)
and Yverdon-les-Bains (29,955 inhabitants). The region around Nyon is often considered part of the
Lausanne, capital and largest city in
agglomeration of Geneva. All of these are on Lake Geneva (called Léman in French), except for Yverdon,
Vaud
which is on Lake Neuchâtel.
Languages
Main languages spoken at home in the canton (2020):[18]
French: 82.40%
English: 9.10%
Portuguese: 7.51%
German: 5.15%
Italian: 5.00%
Spanish: 3.88%
Albanian: 2.37%
South Slavic languages: 1.61%
Other languages: 6.75%
Note: Respondents were permitted to choose more than one language.
Economy
The capital, Lausanne, is the major city of the canton. There are light industries concentrated around it. In
1998, 71.7% of the workers worked in the tertiary sector and 20.8% in the secondary.
The canton is the second-largest producer of wine in Switzerland. Most of the wine produced in the canton is
white, and most vineyards are located on the steep shores of Lake Geneva such as the UNESCO World
Heritage Site the Lavaux Vineyard Terraces. There is agriculture in the areas away from Lake Geneva. Sugar
beet is important around Orbe, tobacco in La Broye Valley, and fruit at the foot of the Jura mountains. Cattle
breeding and pasture are common in the Alps and the Jura mountains. There is a salt mine at Bex. Tourism
is important in many towns along Lake Geneva. Major lakeside resorts include Lausanne, Montreux, and Lavaux vineyards above Lake
Geneva
Vevey.
The Union Cycliste Internationale is based in Aigle, and many of its defamation lawsuits against critics have
been heard in the Est Vaudois district court of Vevey.[19]
Education
Two Swiss public universities are located within the canton:
Gastronomy
The canton is often referred to as the "culinary capital of Switzerland" and is renowned for its many cheeses, wines and charcuterie.[20] It is also
home to a high number of gourmet restaurants, such as the Hôtel de ville in Crissier, founded by Frédy Girardet.
Papet Vaudois is a very popular dish of the canton. It consists of potatoes and leeks accompanied by regional sausages, notably Saucisse aux
choux. Taillé aux greubons are a salted bakery specialty of the region consisting of crackling encased in puff pastry. Another of the canton's
specialties is carac, a sweet tart consisting of a sweetcrust pastry case (pâte sucrée) filled with chocolate ganache, covered by a characteristic
green icing or fondant layer topped with a dot of chocolate.[21]
Notable people
Caroline Amiguet (born 1977), French actress and model
Brigitte Balleys (born 1959) a Swiss mezzo-soprano in opera and concert.
Raymond Burki (1949 in Épalinges – 2016) a Swiss cartoonist.
Henri Dès (born 1940 in Renens) a Swiss French-language children's singer and songwriter
Abraham-Louis-Rodolphe Ducros (1748 in Moudon – 1810) a Swiss painter, watercolourist and engraver
Pierre Gilliard (1879 in Fiez – 1962) a Swiss academic and author, French language tutor to the five children of Emperor Nicholas II of
Russia from 1905 to 1918.
Marcel Regamey (1905–1982), Swiss essayist and journalist
Flore Revalles (1889 in Rolle – 1966) a Swiss entertainer, singer and dancer
Anatoly Shteiger (1907 — 1944 in Leysin) a Russian poet
Gabriel Tschumi (1883 in Moudon – 1957) Master Chef to Queen Victoria, Kings Edward VII and George V.
Jean-Louis Wagnière (1739 in Rueyres – 1802) Voltaire's secretary from 1756 to 1778.
Charles-Emmanuel de Warnery (1720 at Morges - 1776) royal Prussian colonel, later a royal Polish general.
See also
Franco-Provençal language
Lausanne campus
List of mountains of Vaud
Bibliography
(in French) Laurent Flutsch and Séverine André (with the collaboration of Bernadette Gross), Y en a point comme nous. Un portrait des
Vaudois aujourd'hui [There are none like us. A portrait of the Vaudois of today], Éditions Infolio, 2015, 368 pages (ISBN 9782884747615).
External links
Coolidge, William Augustus Brevoort (1911). "Vaud" (https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/1911_Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica/Vaud).
Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 27 (11th ed.). pp. 953–954.
(in French) Cantonal government (https://www.vd.ch)
Vaud Tourist Office (https://www.region-du-leman.ch/)
Official Statistics Vaud (SCRIS) (http://www.scris.vd.ch/)
Official statistics (http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/en/index/regionen/kantone/vd/key.html)
Vaud Directory (http://www.annuaire-vaudois.ch) (in French)
The canton of Vaud in 2015 (http://www.vd.ch/fileadmin/user_upload/organisation/chancellerie/bic/fichiers_pdf/canton-de-vaud-2015_angl_w
eb.pdf)