Knowra Canton of Bern Canton of Bern The Canton of Bern is a western Swiss canton whose capital is Bern. It is Switzerland’s second-most populous canton and includes German- and French-speaking regions.
Cantons of Switzerland : The 26 constituent states of Switzerland, each with its own constitution, government, and substantial powers. Bern is one of Switzerland’s 26 cantons, with authority over areas such as education and policing.
Grand Council of Bern : The 160-member parliament of the Canton of Bern, elected by proportional representation. It makes cantonal laws and approves the budget for Bern’s government.
Old Swiss Confederacy : A loose alliance of Swiss communities and territories that developed from the late Middle Ages until 1798. Bern emerged as a powerful member of this confederacy and expanded its territory over centuries.
Tourism in Switzerland : A major economic sector built around Switzerland’s mountain landscapes, cities, resorts, and transport networks. Tourism is especially significant in the Bernese Oberland and its alpine resorts.
Canton of Zurich : A northeastern Swiss canton centered on Zurich, the country’s largest city and most populous canton. Zurich, unlike Bern, leads Switzerland in population and is its main financial center.
Federalism in Switzerland : Switzerland’s system divides governing authority among the Confederation, cantons, and communes. It explains how Bern governs locally while sharing sovereignty with the federal government.
Executive Council of Bern : The seven-member executive government of the Canton of Bern. It directs cantonal administration and implements laws passed by the Grand Council.
Republic of Bern : A powerful city-state that governed Bern and surrounding territories from the late Middle Ages until 1798. Its former lands became the basis of the modern Canton of Bern.
Jungfrau Railway : A mountain railway in the Bernese Alps that reaches the Jungfraujoch station at 3,454 meters. It carries visitors into one of the canton’s best-known high-alpine destinations.
Canton of Vaud : A French-speaking canton in western Switzerland whose capital is Lausanne. Vaud contrasts with Bern’s bilingual German- and French-speaking territory.
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