Ticino: Difference between revisions
Italian is the official language of Ticino, not just "written Italian". Bosco-Gurin is now mainly Italian-speaking and hardly relevant to the lead. |
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{{For|the river|Ticino River}} |
{{For|the river|Ticino River}} |
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{{Infobox Canton |
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|short_name = Ticino |
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|local_names = Repubblica e Cantone del Ticino |
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|coord = {{coord|46|19|N|8|49|E|region:CH-TI_type:adm1st|display=title}} |
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|coa_img_path = Tessin-coat of arms.svg |
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|flag_img_path = Flag of Canton of Tessin.svg |
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|locatormap_img_path = Swiss_Canton_Map_TI.png |
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|cantonalmap_img_path = Karte Kanton Tessin Cropped.png |
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|capital = [[Bellinzona]] |
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|area = 2812 |
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|area_rank = 5th |
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|area_scale = 9 |
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|population = 328,580 |
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|population_rank = 8th |
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|population_asof = 2007 |
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|population_density = 116 |
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|since = 1803 |
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|abbr = TI |
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|languages = [[Italian language|Italian]] |
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|executive = Consiglio di Stato |
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|executive_members = 5 |
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|legislative = [[Gran Consiglio]] |
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|parliament_members = 90 |
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|highest = Adula (Rheinwaldhorn) |
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|highest_m = 3402 |
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|lowest = [[Lake Maggiore]] |
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|lowest_m = 195 |
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|municipalities_number = 195 |
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|districts_designation = distretti |
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|districts_number = 8 |
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|}} |
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'''Canton Ticino''' or '''Ticino''' ({{IPA-it|tiˈtʃiːno}}; {{lang-fr|Tessin}} {{IPA-fr|tesɛ̃|}}; {{lang-de|Tessin}} {{IPA-de|teˈsiːn|}}; [[Lombard language|Lombard]]: ''Tisín'' {{IPA2|tizɨŋ|}}) is the southernmost [[cantons of Switzerland|canton]] of [[Switzerland]]. It is the only canton in which [[Italian language|Italian]] is the sole official language. It surrounds the [[Italy|Italian]] [[exclave]] of [[Campione d'Italia]]. Together with [[Italian Graubünden|areas of the canton of Graubünden]] it makes up the so-called ''Svizzera Italiana'' ([[Italian Switzerland]]). [[Lombard language|Lombard]] dialects ([[Ticinese]]) are still spoken, especially in the valleys, but they are not used for official purposes. It is named after the [[Ticino river]]. |
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==History== |
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{{Infobox Canton|short_name=Ticino| |
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In ancient times, the area of what is today Ticino was settled by the [[Lepontii]], a [[Celt]]ic tribe. Later, probably around the rule of [[Augustus]], it became part of the [[Roman Empire]]. After the fall of the Western Empire, was ruled by the [[Ostrogoths]], the [[Lombards]] and the [[Franks]]. Around 1100 CE it was the centre of struggle between the free communes of [[Milan]] and [[Como]]: in the 14th century it was definitively acquired by the [[house of Visconti|Visconti]], Dukes of [[Milan]]. In the fifteenth century the [[Switzerland|Swiss]] Confederates conquered the valleys south of the Alps in three separate conquests. |
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local_names=Repubblica e Cantone del Ticino|coord = {{coord|46|19|N|8|49|E|region:CH-TI_type:adm1st|display=title}}| |
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coa_img_path=Tessin-coat of arms.svg| |
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The [[Canton of Uri]] conquered the [[Valle Leventina|Leventina Valley]] in 1440<ref name=EB>{{cite encyclopedia | title = Switzerland |
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flag_img_path=Flag of Canton of Tessin.svg| |
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| encyclopedia = Encyclopædia Britannica | volume = 26 | pages = 933-4 | date = 1911 | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=UoxAwrVzc88C&pg=PA933 | accessdate = 2008-10-23}}</ref>. Between 1403 and 1422 some of these lands were already annexed by forces from Uri, but subsequently lost. In a second conquest Uri, [[Canton of Schwyz|Schwyz]] and [[Nidwalden]] gained the town of [[Bellinzona]] and the Riviera in 1500<ref name="EB"/>. Some of the land and the town Bellinzona itself were previously annexed by Uri in 1419 but lost again in 1422. The third conquest was fought by troops from the entire Confederation (at that time constituted by 12 cantons). In 1512 [[Locarno]], the [[Maggia Valley]], [[Lugano]] and [[Mendrisio]] were annexed. Subsequently, the upper valley of the [[Ticino River]], from the [[St. Gotthard]] to the town of Biasca ([[Valle Leventina|Leventina Valley]]) was part of Canton [[Canton of Uri|Uri]]. The remaining territory (''Baliaggi Ultramontani'', ''Ennetbergische Vogteien'', the Bailiwicks Beyond the Mountains) was administered by the Twelve Cantons. These districts were governed by bailiffs holding office for two years and purchasing it from the members of the League<ref name="EB"/>. |
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locatormap_img_path=Swiss_Canton_Map_TI.png| |
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cantonalmap_img_path=Map_of_Canton_Ticino.png| |
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The lands of the canton of Ticino are the last lands to be conquered by the Swiss Confederation. The Confederation gave up any further conquests after their defeat at the [[battle of Marignano]] in 1515 by the king of [[France]] [[Francis I of France|Francis I]]. The Val Leventina revolted unsuccessfully against Uri in 1755<ref name="EB"/>. In February 1798 an attempt of annexation by the [[Cisalpine Republic]] was repelled by a volunteer militia in Lugano. Between 1798 and 1803, during the [[Helvetic Republic]], the districts of [[Canton of Bellinzona|Bellinzona]] and [[Canton of Lugano|Lugano]] were separate cantons, but in 1803 the two were unified to form the canton of Ticino that joined the Swiss Confederation as a full member in the same year<ref name="EB"/>. During the [[Napoleonic War]]s, many Ticinesi (as was the case for other [[Swiss]]) served in Swiss military units allied with the [[France|French]]. |
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capital=[[Bellinzona]]| |
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area=2812|area_rank=5th|area_scale=9| |
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Until 1878 the three largest cities, Bellinzona, Lugano and Locarno, alternated as capital of the canton. In 1878, however, Bellinzona became the only and permanent capital. |
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population=328,580|population_rank=8th|population_asof=2007| |
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population_density=116| |
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The current constitution dates from 1997. The previous constitution, heavily modified, dates from 1830, nearly 20 years before the constitution of actual [[Swiss Confederation]]. <ref>[http://www.ti.ch/CAN/argomenti/legislaz/rleggi/rl/dati_rl/f/f01_06.htm The Constitution of Ticino]</ref> |
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since=1803| |
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abbr=TI| |
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languages=[[Italian language|Italian]]| |
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executive=Consiglio di Stato|executive_members=5| |
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legislative=[[Gran Consiglio]]|parliament_members=90| |
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highest=Adula (Rheinwaldhorn)|highest_m=3402|lowest=[[Lake Maggiore]]|lowest_m=195| |
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municipalities_number=195| |
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districts_designation=distretti|districts_number=8| |
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}} |
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'''Canton Ticino''' or '''Ticino''' ({{IPA-it|tiˈtʃiːno}}; {{lang-fr|Tessin}} {{IPA-fr|tesɛ̃|}}; {{lang-de|Tessin}} {{IPA-de|teˈsiːn|}}; [[Lombard language|Lombard]]: ''Tisín'' {{IPA2|tizɨŋ|}}) is the southernmost [[cantons of Switzerland|canton]] of [[Switzerland]]. It is the only canton in which [[Italian language|Italian]] is the sole official language. It surrounds the [[Italy|Italian]] [[exclave]] of [[Campione d'Italia]]. Together with areas of the canton of [[Graubünden]] it makes up the so-called ''Svizzera Italiana'' ([[Italian Switzerland]]). [[Lombard language|Lombard]] dialects ([[Ticinese]]) are still spoken, especially in the valleys, but they are not used for official purposes. It is named after the [[Ticino river]]. |
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==Geography== |
==Geography== |
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[[Image:Lake Lugano.jpg|thumb |
[[Image:Lake Lugano.jpg|thumb|Lake Lugano and [[Monte San Giorgio]]]] |
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[[Image:Ascona.lago.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Lago Maggiore from Locarno.]] |
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The canton of Ticino is located in the south of Switzerland. It is almost entirely surrounded by [[Italy]] which lies to its east, west and south. To the north lie the cantons of [[Valais]] and [[Canton of Uri|Uri]], to the northeast the canton of [[Graubünden]]. |
The canton of Ticino is located in the south of Switzerland. It is almost entirely surrounded by [[Italy]] which lies to its east, west and south. To the north lie the cantons of [[Valais]] and [[Canton of Uri|Uri]], to the northeast the canton of [[Graubünden]]. |
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Its area is {{km2 to mi2|2812|precision=0}}, of which about three quarters are considered productive<ref name="BFS Tessin">{{cite web | last = Bundesamt fur Statistik (Federal Department of Statistics) | title = Regional Statistics for Ticino | date = 2008 | url = http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/regionen/regionalportraets/tessin/blank/kennzahlen.html | accessdate = 2008-11-23 }}</ref>. Forests cover about a third of the area, but also the lakes [[Lake Maggiore|Maggiore]] and [[Lake Lugano|Lugano]] make up a considerable part of the total area. These lakes are known with the above listed names, but are officially named Lake Verbano and Lake Ceresio. |
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Its area is {{km2 to mi2|2812|precision=0}}, of which about three quarters are considered productive<ref name="BFS Tessin">{{cite web |
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| last = Bundesamt fur Statistik (Federal Department of Statistics) |
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| title = Regional Statistics for Ticino |
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| date = 2008 |
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| url = http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/regionen/regionalportraets/tessin/blank/kennzahlen.html |
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| accessdate = 2008-11-23 }}</ref>. Forests cover about a third of the area, but also the lakes [[Lake Maggiore|Maggiore]] and [[Lake Lugano|Lugano]] make up a considerable part of the total area. These lakes are known with the above listed names, but are officially named Lake Verbano and Lake Ceresio. |
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The canton is split geographically in two parts by the [[Monte Ceneri Pass|Monte Ceneri pass]]. The northern, more mountainous part, called ''Sopraceneri'', is formed by the two major Swiss valleys around the lake Maggiore: |
The canton is split geographically in two parts by the [[Monte Ceneri Pass|Monte Ceneri pass]]. The northern, more mountainous part, called ''Sopraceneri'', is formed by the two major Swiss valleys around the lake Maggiore: Ticino valley and Maggia valley. The southern part, called ''Sottoceneri'', is the region around the Lake Lugano. |
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The [[River Ticino]] is the largest river in the canton. It drains most of the canton, flowing from the northwest through the [[Bedretto valley]] and the [[Valle Leventina|Leventina]] valley to enter Lake Maggiore near [[Locarno]]. Its main tributaries are the [[Brenno]] in the [[Blenio valley]] and the [[Moesa River|Moesa]] in the [[Mesolcina]] valley in [[Graubünden]]. The lands of the canton are shaped by the river, which in its mid portion forms a wide valley, commonly known as the ''Riviera''. |
The [[River Ticino]] is the largest river in the canton. It drains most of the canton, flowing from the northwest through the [[Bedretto valley]] and the [[Valle Leventina|Leventina]] valley to enter Lake Maggiore near [[Locarno]]. Its main tributaries are the [[Brenno]] in the [[Blenio valley]] and the [[Moesa River|Moesa]] in the [[Mesolcina]] valley in [[Graubünden]]. The lands of the canton are shaped by the river, which in its mid portion forms a wide valley, commonly known as the ''Riviera''. |
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The western lands of the canton, however, are drained by the [[Maggia River]]. The [[Verzasca valley]] is located between the Ticino river and the Maggia river. There is also a smaller area that drains directly into the [[Lake Lugano]]. Most of the land is considered within the [[Swiss Alps|Alps]] ([[Lepontine Alps]]), but a small area is part of the plain of the [[River Po]] which drains the north of [[Italy]]. |
The western lands of the canton, however, are drained by the [[Maggia River]]. The [[Verzasca valley]] is located between the Ticino river and the Maggia river. There is also a smaller area that drains directly into the [[Lake Lugano]]. Most of the land is considered within the [[Swiss Alps|Alps]] ([[Lepontine Alps]]), but a small area is part of the plain of the [[River Po]] which drains the north of [[Italy]]. |
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As a result of its more southerly position it is one of the warmest cantons in Switzerland. |
As a result of its more southerly position it is one of the warmest cantons in Switzerland. Additionally, Ticino is prone to fierce storms and has the highest level of lightning discharge in the whole of Europe. |
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== |
==Government== |
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{{expand-section}} |
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[[File:Leventina.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Leventina]] Valley]] |
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The cantonal [[parliament]] is the ''Grand Council'' (Italian: ''Gran Consiglio''), with 90 members and the government (''Consiglio di Stato'') has 5 members (''Consiglieri di Stato''). In the both councils the members are elected with the [[Proportional representation|proportional]] [[electoral system]]. The canton sends two deputies to the [[Swiss Council of States]] (upper house), and eight deputies to the [[Swiss National Council|National Council]] (lower house). Its regional capital is [[Bellinzona]]. |
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[[File:Castelli.JPG|thumb|right|250px|[[Three Castles of Bellinzona]]]] |
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In ancient times, the area of what is today Ticino was settled by the [[Lepontii]], a [[Celt]]ic tribe. Later, probably around the rule of [[Augustus]], it became part of the [[Roman Empire]]. After the fall of the Western Empire, was ruled by the [[Ostrogoths]], the [[Lombards]] and the [[Franks]]. Around 1100 CE it was the centre of struggle between the free communes of [[Milan]] and [[Como]]: in the 14th century it was definitively acquired by the [[house of Visconti|Visconti]], Dukes of [[Milan]]. In the fifteenth century the [[Switzerland|Swiss]] Confederates conquered the valleys south of the Alps in three separate conquests. |
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==Political subdivisions== |
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The [[Canton of Uri]] conquered the [[Valle Leventina|Leventina Valley]] in 1440<ref name=EB>{{cite encyclopedia |
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===Districts=== |
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| title = Switzerland |
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The Canton of Ticino is divided into 8 [[district]]s (''distretti'') and 38 [[Circle (subnational entity)|circles]] (''circoli''): |
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| encyclopedia = Encyclopædia Britannica |
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*[[Mendrisio (district)|Distretto di Mendrisio]] |
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| volume = 26 |
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*[[Lugano (district)|Distretto di Lugano]] |
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| pages = 933-4 |
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*[[locarno (district)|Distretto di Locarno]] |
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| date = 1911 |
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*[[Vallemaggia (district)|Distretto di Vallemaggia]] |
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| url = http://books.google.com/books?id=UoxAwrVzc88C&pg=PA933 |
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*[[Bellinzona (district)|Distretto di Bellinzona]] |
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| accessdate = 2008-10-23}}</ref>. Between 1403 and 1422 some of these lands were already annexed by forces from Uri, but subsequently lost. In a second conquest Uri, [[Canton of Schwyz|Schwyz]] and [[Nidwalden]] gained the town of [[Bellinzona]] and the Riviera in 1500<ref name="EB"/>. Some of the land and the town Bellinzona itself were previously annexed by Uri in 1419 but lost again in 1422. The third conquest was fought by troops from the entire Confederation (at that time constituted by 12 cantons). In 1512 [[Locarno]], the [[Maggia Valley]], [[Lugano]] and [[Mendrisio]] were annexed. Subsequently, the upper valley of the [[Ticino River]], from the [[St. Gotthard]] to the town of Biasca ([[Valle Leventina|Leventina Valley]]) was part of Canton [[Canton of Uri|Uri]]. The remaining territory (''Baliaggi Ultramontani'', ''Ennetbergische Vogteien'', the Bailiwicks Beyond the Mountains) was administered by the Twelve Cantons. These districts were governed by bailiffs holding office for two years and purchasing it from the members of the League<ref name="EB"/>. |
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*[[Riviera (district)|Distretto di Riviera]] |
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*[[Blenio (district)|Distretto di Blenio]] |
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*[[Leventina (district)|Distretto di Leventina]] |
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===Municipalities=== |
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The lands of the canton of Ticino are the last lands to be conquered by the Swiss Confederation. The Confederation gave up any further conquests after their defeat at the [[battle of Marignano]] in 1515 by the king of [[France]] [[Francis I of France|Francis I]]. The Val Leventina revolted unsuccessfully against Uri in 1755<ref name="EB"/>. In February 1798 an attempt of annexation by the [[Cisalpine Republic]] was repelled by a volunteer militia in [[Lugano]]. Between 1798 and 1803, during the [[Helvetic Republic]], the districts of [[Canton of Bellinzona|Bellinzona]] and [[Canton of Lugano|Lugano]] were separate cantons, but in 1803 the two were unified to form the canton of Ticino that joined the Swiss Confederation as a full member in the same year<ref name="EB"/>. During the [[Napoleonic War]]s, many Ticinesi (as was the case for other [[Swiss]]) served in Swiss military units allied with the [[France|French]]. |
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There are 195 [[Municipalities of the canton of Ticino|municipalities in the canton]] ({{As of|2006|alt=as of February 2006}}). These municipalities (''comuni'') are grouped in 38 ''circoli'' (circles or sub-districts) which are in turn grouped into districts (''distretti''). Since late 1990 there is an ongoing [[Municipalities of the canton of Ticino#Changes|project of aggregate some municipalities]]. |
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Until 1878 the three largest cities, Bellinzona, Lugano and Locarno, alternated as capital of the canton. In 1878, however, Bellinzona became the only and permanent capital. |
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The current constitution dates from 1997. The previous constitution, heavily modified, dates from 1830, nearly 20 years before the constitution of actual [[Swiss Confederation]]. <ref>[http://www.ti.ch/CAN/argomenti/legislaz/rleggi/rl/dati_rl/f/f01_06.htm The Constitution of Ticino]</ref> |
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==Government== |
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The cantonal [[parliament]] is the ''Grand Council'' (Italian: ''Gran Consiglio''), with 90 members and the government (''Consiglio di Stato'') has 5 members (''Consiglieri di Stato''). In the both councils the members are elected with the [[Proportional representation|proportional]] [[electoral system]]. The canton sends two deputies to the [[Swiss Council of States]] (upper house), and eight deputies to the [[Swiss National Council|National Council]] (lower house). Its regional capital is [[Bellinzona]]. |
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==Demographics== |
==Demographics== |
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{{expand-section}} |
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The population of the canton is 328,580 (2007) of which 82,794 (or 25.2%) are foreigners<ref>{{cite web |
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[[File:Lugano (Ticino) View on Lake Lugano and Monte San Salvatore.jpg|thumb|A view of [[Lugano]], the largest city in Ticino]] |
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| last = Bundesamt fur Statistik (Federal Department of Statistics) |
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| title = Ständige Wohnbevölkerung nach Staatsangehörigkeit, Geschlecht und Kantonen |
The population of the canton is 328,580 (2007) of which 82,794 (or 25.2%) are foreigners<ref>{{cite web | last = Bundesamt fur Statistik (Federal Department of Statistics) | title = Ständige Wohnbevölkerung nach Staatsangehörigkeit, Geschlecht und Kantonen |
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| date = 2008 | url = http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/01/02/blank/key/raeumliche_verteilung/kantone__gemeinden.html | format = Microsoft Excel | accessdate = 2008-11-05 }}</ref>. The population density (in 2005) is 114.6 persons per km<sup>2</sup><ref name="BFS Tessin"/>. As of 2000, 83.1% of the population spoke Italian, 8.3% spoke German and 1.7% spoke [[Serbo-Croatian language|Serbo-Croatian]]<ref name="BFS Tessin"/>. The population ({{as of|2000|lc=on}}) is mostly [[Roman Catholic]] (76%) with a Protestant (7%) minority<ref>{{cite web | last = Bundesamt fur Statistik (Federal Department of Statistics) | title = Wohnbevölkerung nach Religion | date = 2004 | url = http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/01/05/blank/key/religionen.html | format = Interactive Map | accessdate = 2009-01-15 }}</ref>. |
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| date = 2008 |
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| url = http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/01/02/blank/key/raeumliche_verteilung/kantone__gemeinden.html |
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| format = Microsoft Excel |
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| accessdate = 2008-11-05 }}</ref>. The population density (in 2005) is 114.6 persons per km<sup>2</sup><ref name="BFS Tessin"/>. As of 2000, 83.1% of the population spoke Italian, 8.3% spoke German and 1.7% spoke [[Serbo-Croatian language|Serbo-Croatian]]<ref name="BFS Tessin"/>. |
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===Language=== |
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The official language, and the one used for most written communication, is [[Italian language|Italian]]. Despite being very similar to standard Italian, Swiss Italian presents some differences to the Italian spoken in Italy due to the presence of French and German from which it assimilates words. A clear example would be the driving licence. In standard Italian it is called "patente di guida" while in [[Swiss Italian]] it becomes "Licenza di condurre", from the French "Permis de conduire". Another example is the interurban bus. In standard Italian it would be "autobus" or "corriera" while in [[Swiss Italian]] it is the "Autopostale" (because nearly all interurban lines are run by the [[Swiss Post]]). In oral communication, [[Ticinese]] [[variety (linguistics)|varieties]] of Western [[Lombard language|Lombard]] are still well preserved, although receding in favour of [[Italian language|Italian]] (especially in the cities of [[Lugano]], Ascona and [[Locarno]] and among the younger generations). These are further subdivided into local variations, with the northern valleys speaking a dialect more closely aligned with [[Romansh language|Romansh]], Switzerland's fourth official language. There is a certain amount of popular literature (poems, comedies, etc.) in [[Ticinese]], and the national radio and sometimes televisions transmit program in Ticinese (mainly comedies). |
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The official language, and the one used for most written communication, is [[Swiss Italian]]. Despite being very similar to standard Italian, Swiss Italian presents some differences to the Italian spoken in Italy due to the presence of French and German from which it assimilates words. |
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===Religion=== |
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The population ({{as of|2000|lc=on}}) is mostly [[Roman Catholic]] (76%) with a Protestant (7%) minority<ref>{{cite web |
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| last = Bundesamt fur Statistik (Federal Department of Statistics) |
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| title = Wohnbevölkerung nach Religion |
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| date = 2004 |
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| url = http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/01/05/blank/key/religionen.html |
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| format = Interactive Map |
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| accessdate = 2009-01-15 }}</ref>. |
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. |
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==Agriculture== |
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{{See also|Ticino (wine region)}} |
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The main agricultural production is [[wine]], mostly [[merlot]], a type of red wine. It is followed by [[horticulture]], [[milk]] and [[cheese]] production. |
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==Economy== |
==Economy== |
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[[File:Bellinzona Fernmeldedirektion.jpg|thumb|[[Swisscom]] Telecommunications headquarters in [[Bellinzona]], designed by [[Mario Botta]]]] |
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The most important industry sectors of Ticino’s economy are financial, tourism, trade and commerce, logistics, and production<ref name="DoC">{{cite web |
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The most important industry sectors of Ticino’s economy are financial, tourism, trade and commerce, logistics, and production<ref name="DoC">{{cite web | title = Ticino | publisher = U.S. Commerical Service-Dept of Commerce | date = 2007-03-14 | url = http://www.buyusa.gov/switzerland/en/ticino.html | accessdate = 2008-11-06}}</ref>. |
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| title = Ticino |
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| publisher = U.S. Commerical Service-Dept of Commerce |
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| date = 2007-03-14 |
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| url = http://www.buyusa.gov/switzerland/en/ticino.html |
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| accessdate = 2008-11-06}}</ref>. |
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Ticino is Switzerland's third largest financial center after Zurich and Geneva. |
Ticino is Switzerland's third largest financial center after Zurich and Geneva. The banking industry alone has 8,400 employees and generates 17% of the gross cantonal product<ref name="DoC"/>. Because of Ticino's shared language and culture, the canton's financial industry has very close ties to Italy. |
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The weather in the canton is often inverse to that north of the [[Alps]]. This, and a warmer climate in general, attracts many tourists from other Swiss cantons. The lakes together with the sunshine are considered attractive. Tourism is another important economic factor in the canton, employing nearly 14,000 people (9% of the canton's workforce)<ref name="DoC"/>. Because of the tourist trade there are a number of small railways in scenic areas in the mountains. Winter sports are important, despite being less developed. |
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[[File:Naret.jpg|thumb|right|[[Lago del Narèt]]]] |
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[[File:Luzzone2.jpg|thumb|right|[[Lago di Luzzone]]]] |
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The weather in the canton is often inverse to that north of the [[Alps]]. This, and a warmer climate in general, attracts many tourists from other Swiss cantons. The lakes together with the sunshine are considered attractive. Tourism is another important economic factor in the canton, employing nearly 14,000 people (9% of the canton's workforce)<ref name="DoC"/>. Because of the tourist trade there are a number of small railways in scenic areas in the mountains. Winter sports are important, despite being less developed. |
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The hilly slopes of the canton are used extensively for the production of [[hydroelectricity]]{{Fact|date=November 2008}}. The electricity produced is used at home and sold for export. There is cattle breeding in the northern areas. The production of wine is important in the canton and exported to mainly other areas in [[Switzerland]]{{Fact|date=November 2008}}. The vineyards are mostly concentrated in the southern half of the canton where the climate is warmer. Other agricultural produce includes corn (maize), potatoes, tobacco and vegetables. |
The hilly slopes of the canton are used extensively for the production of [[hydroelectricity]]{{Fact|date=November 2008}}. The electricity produced is used at home and sold for export. There is cattle breeding in the northern areas. The production of wine is important in the canton and exported to mainly other areas in [[Switzerland]]{{Fact|date=November 2008}}. The vineyards are mostly concentrated in the southern half of the canton where the climate is warmer. Other agricultural produce includes corn (maize), potatoes, tobacco and vegetables. |
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There is also light industry, mostly concentrated around the three largest towns of Lugano, Locarno and Bellinzona<ref name="DoC"/>. |
There is also light industry, mostly concentrated around the three largest towns of Lugano, Locarno and Bellinzona<ref name="DoC"/>. |
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The main agricultural production is [[wine]] (in the [[Ticino (wine region)|Ticino wine region]]), mostly [[merlot]], a type of red wine. It is followed by [[horticulture]], [[milk]] and [[cheese]] production. |
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==Transport== |
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{{expand-section}} |
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[[File:GBT MFS Faido TV-WS.jpg|thumb|The [[Gotthard Base Tunnel]], currently under construction, will be [[List of longest tunnels in the world|the longest tunnel in the world]], reducing travel time between [[Zürich]] and [[Lugano]] to 1 hour 40 minutes]] |
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The canton is well connected to the rest of Switzerland<ref name="DoC"/>. There are tunnels underneath the [[St. Gotthard Pass|Gotthard]] massif, both for rail and road. The canton of Grisons (Graubünden) is connected with a direct coach link, whereas the canton of Valais is connected by rail through a tunnel at the [[Simplon Pass]]. There are good rail links to [[Milan]] and [[Rome]] in [[Italy]] as well as [[Germany]] via [[Basel]] and [[Zürich]]. |
The canton is well connected to the rest of Switzerland<ref name="DoC"/>. There are tunnels underneath the [[St. Gotthard Pass|Gotthard]] massif, both for rail and road. The canton of Grisons (Graubünden) is connected with a direct coach link, whereas the canton of Valais is connected by rail through a tunnel at the [[Simplon Pass]]. There are good rail links to [[Milan]] and [[Rome]] in [[Italy]] as well as [[Germany]] via [[Basel]] and [[Zürich]]. |
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==Education== |
==Education== |
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There are two major centres of education and research located in the canton of Ticino. [[Università della Svizzera italiana|University of the Italian Switzerland]] (USI, Università della Svizzera Italiana) is the only Swiss university teaching in [[Italian language|Italian]]. The [[w:it:SUPSI|University of Applied Sciences of Italian Switzerland]] (SUPSI, Scuola Universitaria Professionale della Svizzera Italiana), in [[Manno]] on the other hand is a professional training college focused on a practical method of teaching in the areas of applied art, economy, social work, technology and production science<ref name="DoC"/>. |
There are two major centres of education and research located in the canton of Ticino. [[Università della Svizzera italiana|University of the Italian Switzerland]] (USI, Università della Svizzera Italiana) is the only Swiss university teaching in [[Italian language|Italian]]. The [[w:it:SUPSI|University of Applied Sciences of Italian Switzerland]] (SUPSI, Scuola Universitaria Professionale della Svizzera Italiana), in [[Manno]] on the other hand is a professional training college focused on a practical method of teaching in the areas of applied art, economy, social work, technology and production science<ref name="DoC"/>. There is also a small American and Swiss accredited private college, [[Franklin College Switzerland]], located above Lugano, as well as [[The American School in Switzerland]], a K-13 international school, accepting day and boarding students. |
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==Media== |
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There are four daily [[Italian language|Italian]] newspapers published in Ticino: [[Corriere del Ticino]], [[laRegione Ticino]], [[Giornale del Popolo]] and [http://www.ilgrigioneitaliano.ch/index.php?id=3 Il Grigione Italiano]. These are at present the only Italian daily publications in Switzerland.<ref>[[w:de:Liste Schweizer Zeitungen]]</ref> |
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==Districts== |
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[[Image:Luganoimproved.jpg|thumb|right|200px|An old 1905-1910 photograph of Lugano by Prokudin-Gorskii]]The Canton of Ticino is divided into 8 [[district]]s (''distretti'') and 38 [[Circle (subnational entity)|circles]] (''circoli''): |
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*[[Mendrisio (district)|Distretto di Mendrisio]] |
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*[[Lugano (district)|Distretto di Lugano]] |
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*[[locarno (district)|Distretto di Locarno]] |
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*[[Vallemaggia (district)|Distretto di Vallemaggia]] |
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*[[Bellinzona (district)|Distretto di Bellinzona]] |
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*[[Riviera (district)|Distretto di Riviera]] |
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*[[Blenio (district)|Distretto di Blenio]] |
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*[[Leventina (district)|Distretto di Leventina]] |
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== |
==Culture== |
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There are four daily [[Italian language|Italian]] newspapers published in Ticino: [[Corriere del Ticino]], [[laRegione Ticino]], [[Giornale del Popolo]] and [http://www.ilgrigioneitaliano.ch/index.php?id=3 Il Grigione Italiano]. |
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[[Image:Morcote ticino.jpg|thumb|right|200px|View of [[Morcote]]]]There are 195 [[Municipalities of the canton of Ticino|municipalities in the canton]] ({{As of|2006|alt=as of February 2006}}). These municipalities (''comuni'') are grouped in 38 ''circoli'' (circles or sub-districts) which are in turn grouped into districts (''distretti''). Since late 1990 there is an ongoing project of aggregate some municipalities. |
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==References== |
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*''For the changes see the article:'' [[Municipalities of the canton of Ticino#Changes|Municipalities of the canton of Ticino]] |
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*''See also:'' [[Municipalities of Switzerland]] |
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==Notes== |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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{{USGovernment|sourceURL=[http://www.buyusa.gov/switzerland/en/ticino.html Ticino], "US Commercial Service, Dept. of Commerce"}} |
{{USGovernment|sourceURL=[http://www.buyusa.gov/switzerland/en/ticino.html Ticino], "US Commercial Service, Dept. of Commerce"}} |
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{{clear}} |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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* [http://www.ti.ch Cantone Ticino] {{it icon}} official site |
* [http://www.ti.ch Cantone Ticino] {{it icon}} official site |
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* [http://www.ticino-tourism.ch Ticino Tourism office], official website |
* [http://www.ticino-tourism.ch Ticino Tourism office], official website |
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* [http://crcsoft.com/lessico/ Differences between Italian and Swiss Italian] {{it icon}} |
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* [http://www.ti360.org Ticino 360°] Fullscreen panoramic images |
* [http://www.ti360.org Ticino 360°] Fullscreen panoramic images |
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* [http://www.jbmonaco.com/outings/140.html Photos of San Francisco photographer JB Monaco's 1908 pilgrimage to Ticino] |
* [http://www.jbmonaco.com/outings/140.html Photos of San Francisco photographer JB Monaco's 1908 pilgrimage to Ticino] |
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Revision as of 17:18, 8 July 2009
Template:Infobox Canton Canton Ticino or Ticino (Template:IPA-it; Template:Lang-fr Template:IPA-fr; Template:Lang-de Template:IPA-de; Lombard: Tisín [tizɨŋ]) is the southernmost canton of Switzerland. It is the only canton in which Italian is the sole official language. It surrounds the Italian exclave of Campione d'Italia. Together with areas of the canton of Graubünden it makes up the so-called Svizzera Italiana (Italian Switzerland). Lombard dialects (Ticinese) are still spoken, especially in the valleys, but they are not used for official purposes. It is named after the Ticino river.
History
In ancient times, the area of what is today Ticino was settled by the Lepontii, a Celtic tribe. Later, probably around the rule of Augustus, it became part of the Roman Empire. After the fall of the Western Empire, was ruled by the Ostrogoths, the Lombards and the Franks. Around 1100 CE it was the centre of struggle between the free communes of Milan and Como: in the 14th century it was definitively acquired by the Visconti, Dukes of Milan. In the fifteenth century the Swiss Confederates conquered the valleys south of the Alps in three separate conquests.
The Canton of Uri conquered the Leventina Valley in 1440[1]. Between 1403 and 1422 some of these lands were already annexed by forces from Uri, but subsequently lost. In a second conquest Uri, Schwyz and Nidwalden gained the town of Bellinzona and the Riviera in 1500[1]. Some of the land and the town Bellinzona itself were previously annexed by Uri in 1419 but lost again in 1422. The third conquest was fought by troops from the entire Confederation (at that time constituted by 12 cantons). In 1512 Locarno, the Maggia Valley, Lugano and Mendrisio were annexed. Subsequently, the upper valley of the Ticino River, from the St. Gotthard to the town of Biasca (Leventina Valley) was part of Canton Uri. The remaining territory (Baliaggi Ultramontani, Ennetbergische Vogteien, the Bailiwicks Beyond the Mountains) was administered by the Twelve Cantons. These districts were governed by bailiffs holding office for two years and purchasing it from the members of the League[1].
The lands of the canton of Ticino are the last lands to be conquered by the Swiss Confederation. The Confederation gave up any further conquests after their defeat at the battle of Marignano in 1515 by the king of France Francis I. The Val Leventina revolted unsuccessfully against Uri in 1755[1]. In February 1798 an attempt of annexation by the Cisalpine Republic was repelled by a volunteer militia in Lugano. Between 1798 and 1803, during the Helvetic Republic, the districts of Bellinzona and Lugano were separate cantons, but in 1803 the two were unified to form the canton of Ticino that joined the Swiss Confederation as a full member in the same year[1]. During the Napoleonic Wars, many Ticinesi (as was the case for other Swiss) served in Swiss military units allied with the French.
Until 1878 the three largest cities, Bellinzona, Lugano and Locarno, alternated as capital of the canton. In 1878, however, Bellinzona became the only and permanent capital.
The current constitution dates from 1997. The previous constitution, heavily modified, dates from 1830, nearly 20 years before the constitution of actual Swiss Confederation. [2]
Geography
The canton of Ticino is located in the south of Switzerland. It is almost entirely surrounded by Italy which lies to its east, west and south. To the north lie the cantons of Valais and Uri, to the northeast the canton of Graubünden.
Its area is Template:Km2 to mi2, of which about three quarters are considered productive[3]. Forests cover about a third of the area, but also the lakes Maggiore and Lugano make up a considerable part of the total area. These lakes are known with the above listed names, but are officially named Lake Verbano and Lake Ceresio.
The canton is split geographically in two parts by the Monte Ceneri pass. The northern, more mountainous part, called Sopraceneri, is formed by the two major Swiss valleys around the lake Maggiore: Ticino valley and Maggia valley. The southern part, called Sottoceneri, is the region around the Lake Lugano.
The River Ticino is the largest river in the canton. It drains most of the canton, flowing from the northwest through the Bedretto valley and the Leventina valley to enter Lake Maggiore near Locarno. Its main tributaries are the Brenno in the Blenio valley and the Moesa in the Mesolcina valley in Graubünden. The lands of the canton are shaped by the river, which in its mid portion forms a wide valley, commonly known as the Riviera.
The western lands of the canton, however, are drained by the Maggia River. The Verzasca valley is located between the Ticino river and the Maggia river. There is also a smaller area that drains directly into the Lake Lugano. Most of the land is considered within the Alps (Lepontine Alps), but a small area is part of the plain of the River Po which drains the north of Italy.
As a result of its more southerly position it is one of the warmest cantons in Switzerland. Additionally, Ticino is prone to fierce storms and has the highest level of lightning discharge in the whole of Europe.
Government
![[icon]](/enwiki/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. |
The cantonal parliament is the Grand Council (Italian: Gran Consiglio), with 90 members and the government (Consiglio di Stato) has 5 members (Consiglieri di Stato). In the both councils the members are elected with the proportional electoral system. The canton sends two deputies to the Swiss Council of States (upper house), and eight deputies to the National Council (lower house). Its regional capital is Bellinzona.
Political subdivisions
Districts
The Canton of Ticino is divided into 8 districts (distretti) and 38 circles (circoli):
- Distretto di Mendrisio
- Distretto di Lugano
- Distretto di Locarno
- Distretto di Vallemaggia
- Distretto di Bellinzona
- Distretto di Riviera
- Distretto di Blenio
- Distretto di Leventina
Municipalities
There are 195 municipalities in the canton (as of February 2006[update]). These municipalities (comuni) are grouped in 38 circoli (circles or sub-districts) which are in turn grouped into districts (distretti). Since late 1990 there is an ongoing project of aggregate some municipalities.
Demographics
| This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. |
_View_on_Lake_Lugano_and_Monte_San_Salvatore.jpg)
The population of the canton is 328,580 (2007) of which 82,794 (or 25.2%) are foreigners[4]. The population density (in 2005) is 114.6 persons per km2[3]. As of 2000, 83.1% of the population spoke Italian, 8.3% spoke German and 1.7% spoke Serbo-Croatian[3]. The population (as of 2000[update]) is mostly Roman Catholic (76%) with a Protestant (7%) minority[5].
The official language, and the one used for most written communication, is Swiss Italian. Despite being very similar to standard Italian, Swiss Italian presents some differences to the Italian spoken in Italy due to the presence of French and German from which it assimilates words.
Economy
The most important industry sectors of Ticino’s economy are financial, tourism, trade and commerce, logistics, and production[6].
Ticino is Switzerland's third largest financial center after Zurich and Geneva. The banking industry alone has 8,400 employees and generates 17% of the gross cantonal product[6]. Because of Ticino's shared language and culture, the canton's financial industry has very close ties to Italy.
The weather in the canton is often inverse to that north of the Alps. This, and a warmer climate in general, attracts many tourists from other Swiss cantons. The lakes together with the sunshine are considered attractive. Tourism is another important economic factor in the canton, employing nearly 14,000 people (9% of the canton's workforce)[6]. Because of the tourist trade there are a number of small railways in scenic areas in the mountains. Winter sports are important, despite being less developed.
The hilly slopes of the canton are used extensively for the production of hydroelectricity[citation needed]. The electricity produced is used at home and sold for export. There is cattle breeding in the northern areas. The production of wine is important in the canton and exported to mainly other areas in Switzerland[citation needed]. The vineyards are mostly concentrated in the southern half of the canton where the climate is warmer. Other agricultural produce includes corn (maize), potatoes, tobacco and vegetables.
There is also light industry, mostly concentrated around the three largest towns of Lugano, Locarno and Bellinzona[6].
The main agricultural production is wine (in the Ticino wine region), mostly merlot, a type of red wine. It is followed by horticulture, milk and cheese production.
Transport
| This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. |
The canton is well connected to the rest of Switzerland[6]. There are tunnels underneath the Gotthard massif, both for rail and road. The canton of Grisons (Graubünden) is connected with a direct coach link, whereas the canton of Valais is connected by rail through a tunnel at the Simplon Pass. There are good rail links to Milan and Rome in Italy as well as Germany via Basel and Zürich.
Education
There are two major centres of education and research located in the canton of Ticino. University of the Italian Switzerland (USI, Università della Svizzera Italiana) is the only Swiss university teaching in Italian. The University of Applied Sciences of Italian Switzerland (SUPSI, Scuola Universitaria Professionale della Svizzera Italiana), in Manno on the other hand is a professional training college focused on a practical method of teaching in the areas of applied art, economy, social work, technology and production science[6]. There is also a small American and Swiss accredited private college, Franklin College Switzerland, located above Lugano, as well as The American School in Switzerland, a K-13 international school, accepting day and boarding students.
Culture
There are four daily Italian newspapers published in Ticino: Corriere del Ticino, laRegione Ticino, Giornale del Popolo and Il Grigione Italiano.
References
- ^ a b c d e "Switzerland". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 26. 1911. pp. 933–4. Retrieved 2008-10-23.
- ^ The Constitution of Ticino
- ^ a b c Bundesamt fur Statistik (Federal Department of Statistics) (2008). "Regional Statistics for Ticino". Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ Bundesamt fur Statistik (Federal Department of Statistics) (2008). "Ständige Wohnbevölkerung nach Staatsangehörigkeit, Geschlecht und Kantonen" (Microsoft Excel). Retrieved 2008-11-05.
- ^ Bundesamt fur Statistik (Federal Department of Statistics) (2004). "Wohnbevölkerung nach Religion" (Interactive Map). Retrieved 2009-01-15.
- ^ a b c d e f "Ticino". U.S. Commerical Service-Dept of Commerce. 2007-03-14. Retrieved 2008-11-06.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain: Ticino, "US Commercial Service, Dept. of Commerce"
See also
External links
- Cantone Ticino Template:It icon official site
- Ticino Tourism office, official website
- Ticino 360° Fullscreen panoramic images
- Photos of San Francisco photographer JB Monaco's 1908 pilgrimage to Ticino