Ausserbinn is a former municipality

Municipalities of Switzerland

Communes , also known as municipalities, are the smallest government division in Switzerland, numbering 2,596 . While many have a population of a few hundred citizens, the largest cities such as Zürich or Geneva also have the legal status of municipalities...

 of the canton of Valais

Valais

The Valais is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland in the southwestern part of the country, around the valley of the Rhône from its headwaters to Lake Geneva, separating the Pennine Alps from the Bernese Alps. The canton is one of the drier parts of Switzerland in its central Rhône valley...

, Switzerland

Switzerland

Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....

, and now part of the municipality of Ernen

Ernen

Ernen is a municipality in the district of Goms in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. In 2005 Ernen incorporated the formerly independent municipalities of Ausserbinn, Mühlebach, and Steinhaus....

. Prior to its incorporation within Ernen, it was one of Switzerland's smallest municipalities with a population of only 41.

The village covers a total area of 4.5 km² and ranges in elevation from 1100 m to 2500 m on the mountain of Eggerhorn. The centre lies at 1300 m above sea level. Ausserbinn is situated in the Binn Valley, well known for its abundant flora and minerals.

A Postbus

Postbus

A postbus is a public bus service that is operated as part of local mail delivery. As a means to provide public transport in rural areas with lower levels of patronage where a normal bus service is uneconomic Postbus services are run by the postal delivery company and combine the functions of...

 route conntects Ausserbinn to the railway station at Fiesch

Fiesch

Fiesch is a municipality in the district of Goms in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. Nearby Fiescheralp is administered by Fiesch and is accessible by the Eggishorn lift....

.

Merger

In a referendum held on 5 November 2002, 19 opposed and 14 voted in favour of a union with the neighbouring municipalities of Ernen

Ernen

Ernen is a municipality in the district of Goms in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. In 2005 Ernen incorporated the formerly independent municipalities of Ausserbinn, Mühlebach, and Steinhaus....

, Mühlebach, and Steinhaus. Despite the vote, the cantonal authorities pressed ahead with plans for the merger, declaring that the municipalities would be merged on 1 October 2004. A legal appeal by the inhabitants to the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland

Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland

The Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland is the supreme court of Switzerland. It is located in Lausanne.According to the Constitution of Switzerland, the court has jurisdiction over violations of:*federal law;*public international law;*intercantonal law;...

was unsuccessful and in spring 2005 Ausserbinn became part of Ernen.