Canton of Bern

The Canton of Bern

The canton of Bern is one of the 26 cantons that make up Switzerland. Its capital city, Bern, is also the main city of Switzerland. The bear is the symbol of this canton, shown on a red and yellow background.

Bern is the second-largest canton in Switzerland. It is in the middle of the country and touches many other cantons. It has parts of the Jura Mountains, the Swiss Plateau, and the Alps. The land speaks two languages: German and French.

Bern is famous for its beautiful Alpine towns. Places like Interlaken and Gstaad are well-known for hiking and skiing. The canton also has many farms, especially in the area known for making Emmentaler cheese.

Long ago, Bern was part of a big empire and later joined Switzerland in 1353. Today, Bern is a busy place with many people living there. The city of Bern is where Switzerland’s government is located.

Government and Districts

The people of Bern choose leaders for the Grand Council of Bern, which is like a parliament. There is also an Executive Council of Bern that helps run the canton. Bern is divided into ten districts, including Bern-Mittelland and Interlaken-Oberhasli.

Language and People

Most people in Bern speak German, but some areas speak French. In Biel/Bienne, both languages are used equally. In 2020, about one million people lived in Bern.

Beautiful Places

The Bernese Oberland is very mountainous with tall peaks like the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. These mountains are popular for hiking and skiing. The area also has lovely small villages and many waterfalls.

Fun Facts

• The bear on Bern’s coat of arms is why the city is called Bern.
• Emmentaler cheese, known for its holes, comes from this area.
• The highest train station in Europe is at Jungfraujoch in the Bernese Oberland.