Knowra Cantons of Switzerland Cantons of Switzerland The 26 constituent states of Switzerland, each with its own constitution, government, and legislature. They share sovereignty with the federal state under the Swiss Constitution.
Swiss federalism : Switzerland’s system of government divides authority among the Confederation, cantons, and communes. It explains how cantonal autonomy fits within a unified Swiss state.
Old Swiss Confederacy : A loose alliance of Swiss territories that developed from the late thirteenth century until 1798. Its alliances and territorial expansion laid the foundations for the modern cantons.
Cantonal constitution : A canton’s foundational legal document defining its institutions, political rights, and governmental powers. Each canton’s constitution structures its own legislature, executive, and courts.
Canton of Zürich : A German-speaking canton in northeastern Switzerland, whose capital is Zürich. Its population and economic weight make it a prominent example of a large canton.
Swiss Confederation : The federal state officially known as the Swiss Confederation, composed of 26 cantons. The Confederation is the national government and state, not a synonym for any one canton.
Swiss Federal Constitution : Switzerland’s supreme legal framework defines federal institutions, rights, and the division of public powers. It assigns the Confederation’s powers and protects cantonal authority.
Swiss Confederation of 1291 : A traditional name for the alliance of three central Swiss communities recorded in a 1291 pact. The pact is treated as an early milestone in the Confederacy’s history.
Council of States : The upper chamber of Switzerland’s Federal Assembly, with two seats for most cantons and one for each former half-canton. Its representation gives cantons a distinct role in federal legislation.
Canton of Geneva : A French-speaking canton in western Switzerland, centered on the city of Geneva. Its position on the French border illustrates the canton’s role in a multilingual region.
Swiss half-canton : An informal term for six cantons that historically had one rather than two seats in the Council of States. The former half-cantons are now counted as six of Switzerland’s 26 cantons.
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