Canton of Zürich

Quick Facts: Who was Canton of Zürich?

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Canton of Zürich

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A major Swiss canton, renowned for its financial power and historical development.

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Origins & Early Life

The canton of Zurich is an administrative unit (canton) of Switzerland, situated in the northeastern part of the country. With a population of 1,553,423 (as of 31 December 2020), it is the most populous canton of Switzerland. Zurich is the de facto capital of the canton, but is not specifically mentioned in the constitution. The official language is German. The local Swiss German dialect, called Züritüütsch, is commonly spoken.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

The canton has the highest Human Development Index score (0.993) out of 1,790 subnational regions as of 2022. It is also a global financial center and has the fourth-highest GRP in Switzerland behind Basel-Stadt, Zug and Geneva by GDP per capita. The prehistoric pile dwellings around Lake Zurich, which are located around Lake Zurich in the cantons of Schwyz, St. Gallen and Zurich, make up a considerable portion of the 56 sites in Switzerland that are included in the UNESCO World Heritage Prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps. Nine of these UNESCO World Heritage sites are located on the shore of Lake Zurich: Freienbach–Hurden Rosshorn, Freienbach–Hurden Seefeld, Rapperswil-Jona/Hombrechtikon–Feldbach, Rapperswil-Jona–Technikum, Erlenbach–Winkel, Meilen–Rorenhaab, Wädenswil–Vorder Au, Zürich–Enge Alpenquai and Kleiner Hafner. Because the lake has grown in size over time, the original piles are now around 4 metres (13 ft) to 7 metres (23 ft) under the water level of 406 metres (1,332 ft).

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Within an area of about 40 square kilometres (15 sq mi) around Lake Zurich, there are also the settlements Greifensee–Storen/Wildsberg at the Greifensee and Wetzikon–Robenhausen at the Pfäffikersee. As well as being part of the 56 Swiss sites of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, each of these 11 prehistoric pile dwellings is also listed as a Class object in the Swiss inventory of cultural property of national and regional significance. Zurihgauuia (Zürichgau) was a subdivision of Turgowe (Thurgau) in the Duchy of Alamannia, consisting roughly of the territory between Reuss and Töss. From the 740s, substantial portions of Zürichgau were owned by the Abbey of St. Gall. In c. 760, an administrative re-organisation under counts Ruthard and Warin exempted the castle town of Zurich from comital rule.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 2020: 2020 Milestone — With a population of 1,553,423 (as of 31 December 2020), it is the most populous canton of Switzerland.
2. 2022: 2022 Milestone — 993) out of 1,790 subnational regions as of 2022.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Canton of Zürich

True or False: “The term 'Kanton' was the primary administrative designation used in Zurich until the 19th century.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While 'Zürichgau' was widely used into the 19th century, the formal use of 'Kanton' gradually entered circulation during the 16th century.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Canton of Zürich