Switzerland Switzerland, officially the Swiss Confederation, is a landlocked country located in west-central Europe. It is bordered by Italy to the south, France to the west, Germany to the north, and Austria and Liechtenstein to the east. Switzerland ...

municipality A municipality is usually a single administrative division having municipal corporation, corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by national and regional laws to which it is subordinate. The term ''municipality' ...

district A district is a type of administrative division that in some countries is managed by the local government. Across the world, areas known as "districts" vary greatly in size, spanning regions or county, counties, several municipality, municip ...

Lucerne Lucerne ( ) or Luzern ()Other languages: ; ; ; . is a city in central Switzerland, in the Languages of Switzerland, German-speaking portion of the country. Lucerne is the capital of the canton of Lucerne and part of the Lucerne (district), di ...

Bern Bern (), or Berne (), ; ; ; . is the ''de facto'' Capital city, capital of Switzerland, referred to as the "federal city".; ; ; . According to the Swiss constitution, the Swiss Confederation intentionally has no "capital", but Bern has gov ...

Ticino Ticino ( ), sometimes Tessin (), officially the Republic and Canton of Ticino or less formally the Canton of Ticino, is one of the Canton of Switzerland, 26 cantons forming the Switzerland, Swiss Confederation. It is composed of eight districts ...

Schwyz Schwyz (; ; ) is a town and the capital of the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland. The Federal Charter of 1291 or ''Bundesbrief'', the charter that eventually led to the foundation of Switzerland, can be seen at the ''Bundesbriefmuseum''. The of ...

Glarus Glarus (; ; ; ; ) is the capital of the canton of Glarus in Switzerland. Since 1 January 2011, the municipality of Glarus incorporates the former municipalities of Ennenda, Netstal and Riedern.Zug, Basel-City and

Geneva Geneva ( , ; ) ; ; . is the List of cities in Switzerland, second-most populous city in Switzerland and the most populous in French-speaking Romandy. Situated in the southwest of the country, where the Rhône exits Lake Geneva, it is the ca ...

– have always existed without the district level of government. An eighth one, Appenzell Innerrhoden, uses no intermediate level either, but calls its lowest-level subdivisions ''Bezirke,'' although they are functionally equivalent to municipalities elsewhere. A further number of cantons are considering (or have already decided) an abolition of the district level in the future. Appenzell Ausserrhoden,

Schaffhausen Schaffhausen (; ; ; ; ), historically known in English as Shaffhouse, is a list of towns in Switzerland, town with historic roots, a municipalities of Switzerland, municipality in northern Switzerland, and the capital of the canton of Schaffh ...

,

Lucerne Lucerne ( ) or Luzern ()Other languages: ; ; ; . is a city in central Switzerland, in the Languages of Switzerland, German-speaking portion of the country. Lucerne is the capital of the canton of Lucerne and part of the Lucerne (district), di ...

, St. Gallen and

Schwyz Schwyz (; ; ) is a town and the capital of the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland. The Federal Charter of 1291 or ''Bundesbrief'', the charter that eventually led to the foundation of Switzerland, can be seen at the ''Bundesbriefmuseum''. The of ...

voted in 2006 on its abolition; some voted in favour of keeping the division, some with modifications.

Bern Bern (), or Berne (), ; ; ; . is the ''de facto'' Capital city, capital of Switzerland, referred to as the "federal city".; ; ; . According to the Swiss constitution, the Swiss Confederation intentionally has no "capital", but Bern has gov ...

in 2006 decided a reduction of its 26 districts to 10 districts to be overseen by 5 regions, which took effect in 2010. St. Gallen, Solothurn and Lucerne removed the administrative role, but retained districts for elections. In 2008

Vaud Vaud ( ; , ), more formally Canton of Vaud, is one of the Cantons of Switzerland, 26 cantons forming the Switzerland, Swiss Confederation. It is composed of Subdivisions of the canton of Vaud, ten districts; its capital city is Lausanne. Its coat ...

decided on a reduction from 19 to 10 districts, followed by Thurgau which combined eight into five in 2012. In 2017

Grisons The Grisons (; ) or Graubünden (),Names include: * ; *Romansh language, Romansh: ** ** ** ** ** **; * ; * ; * . See also list of European regions with alternative names#G, other names. more formally the Canton of the Grisons or the Canton ...

replaced the 11 districts with 11 regions. In 2018

Neuchâtel Neuchâtel (, ; ; ) is a list of towns in Switzerland, town, a Municipalities of Switzerland, municipality, and the capital (political), capital of the cantons of Switzerland, Swiss canton of Neuchâtel (canton), Neuchâtel on Lake Neuchâtel ...

eliminated the district level.

Zurich

The canton of Zurich is divided into 12 districts (German: ''Bezirke''): * Affoltern with capital Affoltern am Albis * Andelfingen with capital Andelfingen * Bülach with capital Bülach * Dielsdorf with capital Dielsdorf * Dietikon with capital Dietikon * Hinwil with capital Hinwil * Horgen with capital Horgen * Meilen with capital Meilen * Pfäffikon with capital Pfäffikon * Uster with capital Uster *

Winterthur Winterthur (; ) is a city in the canton of Zurich in northern Switzerland. With over 120,000 residents, it is the country's List of cities in Switzerland, sixth-largest city by population, as well as its ninth-largest agglomeration with about 14 ...

with capital

Winterthur Winterthur (; ) is a city in the canton of Zurich in northern Switzerland. With over 120,000 residents, it is the country's List of cities in Switzerland, sixth-largest city by population, as well as its ninth-largest agglomeration with about 14 ...

*

Zurich Zurich (; ) is the list of cities in Switzerland, largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is in north-central Switzerland, at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich. , the municipality had 448,664 inhabitants. The ...

comprises the city of

Zurich Zurich (; ) is the list of cities in Switzerland, largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is in north-central Switzerland, at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich. , the municipality had 448,664 inhabitants. The ...

Bern

The

Canton of Bern The canton of Bern, or Berne (; ; ; ), is one of the Canton of Switzerland, 26 cantons forming the Switzerland, Swiss Confederation. Its capital city, Bern, is also the ''de facto'' capital of Switzerland. The bear is the heraldic symbol of the c ...

is divided in five ''regions'': Berner Jura, Seeland (with two precincts, Biel/Bienne and Seeland), Bern-Mittelland, Oberland (with precincts

Thun Thun () is a List of towns in Switzerland, town and a Municipalities of Switzerland, municipality in the administrative district of Thun (administrative district), Thun in the Cantons of Switzerland, canton of Canton of Bern, Bern in Switzerland. ...

, Obersimmental-Saanen, Frutigen-Niedersimmental, Interlaken-Oberhasli) and Emmental-Oberaargau (with two precincts, Emmental and Oberaargau) The current division has taken effect on 1 January 2010, based on a 2006 decision to abolish the former system of districts. On 1 January 2010, the 26 administrative districts (''Amtsbezirke'') lost their administrative role that was transferred to 10 new administrative districts (''Verwaltungskreise''): * Bern-Mittelland with capital Ostermundigen, made up of all or part of the former districts of

Bern Bern (), or Berne (), ; ; ; . is the ''de facto'' Capital city, capital of Switzerland, referred to as the "federal city".; ; ; . According to the Swiss constitution, the Swiss Confederation intentionally has no "capital", but Bern has gov ...

, Fraubrunnen, Konolfingen, Laupen, Schwarzenburg and Seftigen * Biel/Bienne with capital Biel/Bienne, made up of all of the former district of Biel and about half of the former district of Nidau * Emmental with capital Langnau im Emmental, made up of all or part of the former districts of Burgdorf, Signau and Trachselwald * Frutigen-Niedersimmental with capital Frutigen, made up of all or part of the former districts of Frutigen and Niedersimmental * Interlaken-Oberhasli with capital Interlaken, made up of all or part of the former districts of Interlaken and Oberhasli * Jura bernois with capital Courtelary, made up of all or part of the former districts of Courtelary, Moutier and La Neuveville * Oberaargau with capital Wangen an der Aare, made up of all or part of the former districts of Aarwangen and Wangen * Obersimmental-Saanen with capital Saanen, made up of all of the former districts of Obersimmental and Saanen * Seeland with capital

Aarberg Aarberg is a List of towns in Switzerland, historic town and a municipalities of Switzerland, municipality in the Seeland (administrative district), Seeland administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. Aarberg lies from Bern abov ...

, made up of all or part of the former districts of

Aarberg Aarberg is a List of towns in Switzerland, historic town and a municipalities of Switzerland, municipality in the Seeland (administrative district), Seeland administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. Aarberg lies from Bern abov ...

, Büren, Erlach and Nidau *

Thun Thun () is a List of towns in Switzerland, town and a Municipalities of Switzerland, municipality in the administrative district of Thun (administrative district), Thun in the Cantons of Switzerland, canton of Canton of Bern, Bern in Switzerland. ...

with capital

Thun Thun () is a List of towns in Switzerland, town and a Municipalities of Switzerland, municipality in the administrative district of Thun (administrative district), Thun in the Cantons of Switzerland, canton of Canton of Bern, Bern in Switzerland. ...

, made up of all of the former administrative district of

Thun Thun () is a List of towns in Switzerland, town and a Municipalities of Switzerland, municipality in the administrative district of Thun (administrative district), Thun in the Cantons of Switzerland, canton of Canton of Bern, Bern in Switzerland. ...

''Nota bene'' that the 26 Bernese districts do still formally exist and are maintained by Article 38 of the Law on the Organisation of the Executive Council and the Administration (Organization Law, LOCA/OrG) and by Article 3 al.2 of the cantonal Constitution.

Lucerne

The Canton of Lucerne used to be divided into 5 ''Ämter'': * Entlebuch with capital Schüpfheim * Hochdorf with capital Hochdorf * Luzern with capital Luzern * Sursee with capital Sursee * Willisau with capital Willisau These were abolished with the new cantonal constitution of 2007, although they will continue to be used as electoral districts.

Schwyz

The Canton of Schwyz is divided into 6 districts: *

Einsiedeln Einsiedeln () is a municipalities of Switzerland, municipality and Districts of Switzerland#Schwyz, district in the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland known for its monastery, the Benedictine Einsiedeln Abbey, established in the 10th century. Histor ...

including only the municipality of the same name * Gersau including only the municipality of the same name * Höfe with capital alternating between Wollerau and the village of Pfäffikon * Küssnacht including only the municipality of the same name *

March March is the third month of the year in both the Julian and Gregorian calendars. Its length is 31 days. In the Northern Hemisphere, the meteorological beginning of spring occurs on the first day of March. The March equinox on the 20 or 2 ...

with capital Lachen *

Schwyz Schwyz (; ; ) is a town and the capital of the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland. The Federal Charter of 1291 or ''Bundesbrief'', the charter that eventually led to the foundation of Switzerland, can be seen at the ''Bundesbriefmuseum''. The of ...

with capital

Schwyz Schwyz (; ; ) is a town and the capital of the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland. The Federal Charter of 1291 or ''Bundesbrief'', the charter that eventually led to the foundation of Switzerland, can be seen at the ''Bundesbriefmuseum''. The of ...

Fribourg

The Canton of Fribourg is divided into 7 districts: * Broye with capital Estavayer-le-Lac * Glâne with capital Romont * Gruyère with capital Bulle * Sarine with capital Fribourg * See/Lac with capital Murten/Morat *

Sense A sense is a biological system used by an organism for sensation, the process of gathering information about the surroundings through the detection of Stimulus (physiology), stimuli. Although, in some cultures, five human senses were traditio ...

with capital Tafers * Veveyse with capital Châtel-Saint-Denis

Solothurn

In 2005 Solothurn's ten districts merged pairwise into five electoral districts, termed Amtei. Since 2005, districts only have a statistical meaning. * Bucheggberg, Amtei Wasseramt-Bucheggberg * Dorneck, Amtei Dorneck-Thierstein (unofficially ''Schwarzbubenland'') * Gäu, Amtei Thal-Gäu * Gösgen, Amtei Olten-Gösgen (unofficially ''Niederamt'') * Lebern, Amtei Solothurn-Lebern * Olten, Amtei Olten-Gösgen * Solothurn, Amtei Solothurn-Lebern * Thal, Amtei Thal-Gäu * Thierstein, Amtei Dorneck-Thierstein * Wasseramt, Amtei Wasseramt-Bucheggberg

Basel-Landschaft

Basel-Landschaft is divided into 5 districts: * Arlesheim with capital Arlesheim * Laufen with capital Laufen * Liestal with capital Liestal *

Sissach Sissach () is a Municipalities of Switzerland, municipality and the capital of the district of Sissach (district), Sissach in the Cantons of Switzerland, canton of Basel-Country, Switzerland. History Sissach is first mentioned around 1225-26 as ' ...

with capital

Sissach Sissach () is a Municipalities of Switzerland, municipality and the capital of the district of Sissach (district), Sissach in the Cantons of Switzerland, canton of Basel-Country, Switzerland. History Sissach is first mentioned around 1225-26 as ' ...

* Waldenburg with capital Waldenburg

St. Gallen

The canton abolished the district level in 2003, but it remains divided into eight

constituencies An electoral (congressional, legislative, etc.) district, sometimes called a constituency, riding, or ward, is a geographical portion of a political unit, such as a country, state or province, city, or administrative region, created to provi ...

(''Wahlkreise'') without administrative significance: * Rheintal with capital

Altstätten Altstätten is a small List of towns in Switzerland, historic rural town and a Municipalities of Switzerland, municipality in the district Rheintal (Wahlkreis), Rhine Valley, in the Cantons of Switzerland, canton of St. Gallen (canton), St. Gall i ...

* Rorschach with capital Rorschach * Sarganserland with capital Sargans * See-Gaster with capital Rapperswil-Jona * St. Gallen with capital St. Gallen * Toggenburg with capital Lichtensteig * Werdenberg with capital Buchs * Wil with capital Wil

Graubünden

Beginning in 2017 Graubünden is divided into 11 regions: * Albula * Bernina * Engiadina Bassa/Val Müstair * Imboden * Landquart * Maloja * Moesa * Plessur * Prättigau/Davos * Surselva * Viamala

Aargau

Aargau Aargau ( ; ), more formally the Canton of Aargau (; ; ; ), is one of the Canton of Switzerland, 26 cantons forming the Switzerland, Swiss Confederation. It is composed of eleven districts and its capital is Aarau. Aargau is one of the most nort ...

is divided into 11 districts: * Aarau with capital Aarau *

Baden Baden (; ) is a historical territory in southern Germany. In earlier times it was considered to be on both sides of the Upper Rhine, but since the Napoleonic Wars, it has been considered only East of the Rhine. History The margraves of Ba ...

with capital

Baden Baden (; ) is a historical territory in southern Germany. In earlier times it was considered to be on both sides of the Upper Rhine, but since the Napoleonic Wars, it has been considered only East of the Rhine. History The margraves of Ba ...

* Bremgarten with capital Bremgarten * Brugg with capital Brugg * Kulm with capital Unterkulm * Laufenburg with capital Laufenburg *

Lenzburg Lenzburg is a town in the central region of the Switzerland, Swiss canton of Aargau and is the capital of the Lenzburg District. The town, founded in the Middle Ages, lies in the Seetal, Seetal valley, about 3 kilometres south of the Aare river. L ...

with capital

Lenzburg Lenzburg is a town in the central region of the Switzerland, Swiss canton of Aargau and is the capital of the Lenzburg District. The town, founded in the Middle Ages, lies in the Seetal, Seetal valley, about 3 kilometres south of the Aare river. L ...

* Muri with capital Muri * Rheinfelden with capital Rheinfelden * Zofingen with capital Zofingen * Zurzach with capital Zurzach

Thurgau

Thurgau is divided into five districts (eight prior to 2011) and each is named after its capital: * Arbon with capital Arbon * Frauenfeld with capital Frauenfeld * Kreuzlingen with capital Kreuzlingen * Münchwilen with capital Münchwilen *

Weinfelden Weinfelden is a Municipalities of Switzerland, municipality in the Cantons of Switzerland, canton of Thurgau in Switzerland. It is the capital of the district of the same name. Weinfelden is an old town, which was known during Ancient Rome, Roma ...

with capital

Weinfelden Weinfelden is a Municipalities of Switzerland, municipality in the Cantons of Switzerland, canton of Thurgau in Switzerland. It is the capital of the district of the same name. Weinfelden is an old town, which was known during Ancient Rome, Roma ...

Ticino

Ticino Ticino ( ), sometimes Tessin (), officially the Republic and Canton of Ticino or less formally the Canton of Ticino, is one of the Canton of Switzerland, 26 cantons forming the Switzerland, Swiss Confederation. It is composed of eight districts ...

is divided into 8 districts: * Bellinzona with capital Bellinzona *

Blenio Blenio is a Municipalities of Switzerland, municipality of the Blenio (district), district of Blenio, in the Cantons of Switzerland, canton of Ticino, Switzerland. Blenio was created on 22 October 2006 when it incorporated the formerly autonomous ...

with capital Acquarossa * Leventina with capital Faido *

Locarno Locarno (; ; Ticinese dialect, Ticinese: ; formerly in ) is a southern Switzerland, Swiss List of towns in Switzerland, town and Municipalities of Switzerland, municipality in the district Locarno (district), Locarno (of which it is the capita ...

with capital

Locarno Locarno (; ; Ticinese dialect, Ticinese: ; formerly in ) is a southern Switzerland, Swiss List of towns in Switzerland, town and Municipalities of Switzerland, municipality in the district Locarno (district), Locarno (of which it is the capita ...

*

Lugano Lugano ( , , ; ) is a city and municipality within the Lugano District in the canton of Ticino, Switzerland. It is the largest city in both Ticino and the Italian-speaking region of southern Switzerland. Lugano has a population () of , and an u ...

with capital

Lugano Lugano ( , , ; ) is a city and municipality within the Lugano District in the canton of Ticino, Switzerland. It is the largest city in both Ticino and the Italian-speaking region of southern Switzerland. Lugano has a population () of , and an u ...

*

Mendrisio Mendrisio (; ) is a Municipalities of Switzerland, municipality in the district of Mendrisio (district), Mendrisio in the Cantons of Switzerland, canton of Ticino in Switzerland. Mendrisio is the seat of the Accademia di Architettura di Mendris ...

with capital

Mendrisio Mendrisio (; ) is a Municipalities of Switzerland, municipality in the district of Mendrisio (district), Mendrisio in the Cantons of Switzerland, canton of Ticino in Switzerland. Mendrisio is the seat of the Accademia di Architettura di Mendris ...

* Riviera with capital Riviera * Vallemaggia with capital Cevio

Vaud

Vaud Vaud ( ; , ), more formally Canton of Vaud, is one of the Cantons of Switzerland, 26 cantons forming the Switzerland, Swiss Confederation. It is composed of Subdivisions of the canton of Vaud, ten districts; its capital city is Lausanne. Its coat ...

is divided into 10 districts: * Aigle with capital Aigle * Broye-Vully with capital Payerne * Gros-de-Vaud with capital Echallens * Jura-North Vaudois with capital Yverdon-les-Bains *

Lausanne Lausanne ( , ; ; ) is the capital and largest List of towns in Switzerland, city of the Swiss French-speaking Cantons of Switzerland, canton of Vaud, in Switzerland. It is a hilly city situated on the shores of Lake Geneva, about halfway bet ...

with capital

Lausanne Lausanne ( , ; ; ) is the capital and largest List of towns in Switzerland, city of the Swiss French-speaking Cantons of Switzerland, canton of Vaud, in Switzerland. It is a hilly city situated on the shores of Lake Geneva, about halfway bet ...

* Lavaux-Oron with capital Cully * Morges with capital Morges * Nyon with capital Nyon * Riviera-Pays-d'Enhaut with capital

Vevey Vevey (; ; ) is a town in Switzerland in the Vaud, canton of Vaud, on the north shore of Lake Leman, near Lausanne. The German name Vivis is no longer commonly used. It was the seat of the Vevey (district), district of the same name until 200 ...

* Ouest Lausannois with capital Renens

Valais

Valais Valais ( , ; ), more formally, the Canton of Valais or Wallis, is one of the cantons of Switzerland, 26 cantons forming the Switzerland, Swiss Confederation. It is composed of thirteen districts and its capital and largest city is Sion, Switzer ...

is divided into 13 districts: *

Brig A brig is a type of sailing vessel defined by its rig: two masts which are both square rig, square-rigged. Brigs originated in the second half of the 18th century and were a common type of smaller merchant vessel or warship from then until the l ...

with capital Brig-Glis * Conthey with capital Conthey * Entremont with capital Sembrancher * Goms with capital Münster-Geschinen * Hérens with capital Evolène * Leuk with capital Leuk *

Martigny Martigny (; , ; ) is the capital city of the district of Martigny (district), Martigny, cantons of Switzerland, canton of Canton of Valais, Valais, Switzerland. It lies at an elevation of , and its population is approximately 20,000 inhabitants ( ...

with capital

Martigny Martigny (; , ; ) is the capital city of the district of Martigny (district), Martigny, cantons of Switzerland, canton of Canton of Valais, Valais, Switzerland. It lies at an elevation of , and its population is approximately 20,000 inhabitants ( ...

* Monthey with capital Monthey * Saint-Maurice with capital Saint-Maurice * Sierre with capital Sierre * Sion with capital Sion * Visp with capital Visp The district of Raron is divided into: * Östlich Raron with capital Mörel-Filet * Westlich Raron with capital Raron

Neuchâtel

The Canton of Neuchâtel was divided into 6 districts until 1 January 2018 when the district system was terminated.Amtliches Gemeindeverzeichnis der Schweiz
accessed 15 February 2018 * Boudry with capital Boudry * La Chaux-de-Fonds with capital La Chaux-de-Fonds * Le Locle with capital Le Locle *

Neuchâtel Neuchâtel (, ; ; ) is a list of towns in Switzerland, town, a Municipalities of Switzerland, municipality, and the capital (political), capital of the cantons of Switzerland, Swiss canton of Neuchâtel (canton), Neuchâtel on Lake Neuchâtel ...

with capital

Neuchâtel Neuchâtel (, ; ; ) is a list of towns in Switzerland, town, a Municipalities of Switzerland, municipality, and the capital (political), capital of the cantons of Switzerland, Swiss canton of Neuchâtel (canton), Neuchâtel on Lake Neuchâtel ...

* Val-de-Ruz with capital Cernier * Val-de-Travers with capital Val-de-Travers

Jura

The Canton of Jura is divided into 3 districts: * Delémont with capital Delémont * Porrentruy with capital Porrentruy * Franches-Montagnes with capital Saignelégier

Schaffhausen

The

Canton of Schaffhausen The canton of Schaffhausen, also canton of Schaffhouse (; ; ; ), is the northernmost Cantons of Switzerland, canton of Switzerland. The principal city and capital of the canton is Schaffhausen. The canton's territory is divided into three non-co ...

is divided into 6 districts: * Stein with capital Stein am Rhein *

Schaffhausen Schaffhausen (; ; ; ; ), historically known in English as Shaffhouse, is a list of towns in Switzerland, town with historic roots, a municipalities of Switzerland, municipality in northern Switzerland, and the capital of the canton of Schaffh ...

with capital

Schaffhausen Schaffhausen (; ; ; ; ), historically known in English as Shaffhouse, is a list of towns in Switzerland, town with historic roots, a municipalities of Switzerland, municipality in northern Switzerland, and the capital of the canton of Schaffh ...

* Schleitheim with capital Schleitheim * Oberklettgau with capital Neunkirch * Unterklettgau with capital Hallau * Reiat with capital Thayngen

Appenzell Ausserrhoden

The Canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden is divided into 3 districts: * Hinterland with capital Herisau * Mittelland with capital Trogen * Vorderland with capital Heiden

Appenzell Innerrhoden

In Appenzell Innerrhoden districts are the lowest administrative division as the canton has no municipalities (except for the Feuerschaugemeinde, a special-purpose municipality for the town of Appenzell). The districts are functionally equivalent to municipalities elsewhere in Switzerland, and are generally shown as municipalities on maps etc. The Canton is divided into five districts: * Appenzell with capital Appenzell * Gonten * Oberegg * Schlatt-Haslen * Schwende-Rüte with capital Appenzell

Notes and references

{{Authority control Subdivisions of Switzerland Districts Switzerland 2 Districts, Switzerland