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Municipalities are the smallest government division in Switzerland. Switzerland has approximately 2900 municipalities (communes/Gemeinden/comuni), with many having a population of a few hundred citizens. Each canton defines their responsibilities. These may include providing local government services such as education, medical and social services, public transportation, and tax collection. The degree of centralization varies from one canton to another.
Municipalities are generally governed by a council headed by a mayor. Most cantons leave the option to larger municipalities to opt for a city parliament, instead of a general assembly-type legislature.
Swiss citizenship is based on the citizenship of a municipality. Every Swiss is citizen of one or several municipalities (i.e. the place of origin, lieu d'origine, Heimatort).
Municipalities are financed through direct taxes (e.g. income tax), with rates varying more or less within a framework set by the canton.
Many municipalities are having difficulties maintaining the civil services they need to perform the duties they are required to do. In an effort to reduce expenses, many municipalities are combining together (through mergers or the creation of special-purpose districts). This restructuring is generally encouraged by the cantonal governments and the rate of these unions is increasing.
"Cities" (villes or Städte) are the municipalities with more than 10'000 inhabitants.
One or more postal codes can by assigned to a municipality or shared with other municipalities.
See also: List of cities in Switzerland
1 Lists of municipalities by canton
- Aargau
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- Basel-City
- Basel-CountryBasel-Country ( German: Basel-Landschaft French: Bale-Campagne is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland. The capital is Liestal. It shares borders with the cantons of Basel-Stadt, Solothurn, Aargau and the German state of Baden-Wurttemberg. History Basel-L
- BerneThere 398 municipalities in the canton of Berne Switzerland ( as of April 2004): Berne is the canton with the most municipalities. See also Municipalities of Switzerland # Aarberg # Aarwangen # Adelboden # Aefligen # Aegerten # Aeschi bei Spiez # Aeschlen
- FribourgThere are 182 municipalities in the canton of Fribourg Switzerland, ( as of 2004). See also Municipalities of Switzerland Agriswil Alterswil Arconciel Attalens Auboranges Autafond Autavaux Autigny Avry Barbereche Bas-Intyamon Bas-Vully Belfaux Billens-Hen
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- GrisonsThere are 209 municipalities in the canton of Graubunden Switzerland ( as of April 2004). See also Municipalities of Switzerland Almens Alvaneu Alvaschein Andeer Andiast Ardez Arosa Arvigo Ausserferrera Avers Bergun/Bravuogn Bever Bivio Bonaduz Bondo Brag
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- LucerneLucerne (German Luzern is a canton of Switzerland. It is located in the centre of Switzerland. The population is 350,600 (as of 2001). The cantonal capital is Lucerne. Geography The canton of Lucerne is located in the centre of Switzerland. It is drained
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See cantons of Switzerland for the number of municipalities per canton.
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