Canton of Geneva
Encyclopedia
The Republic and Canton of Geneva is the French speaking westernmost canton
or state of Switzerland
, surrounded on almost all sides by France
. As is the case in several other Swiss cantons (e.g. Ticino
, Neuchâtel
, and Jura
), this canton is referred to as a republic
within the Swiss confederation.
The canton of Geneva is located in the southwestern corner of Switzerland; and is considered one of the most cosmopolitan areas of the country. As a center of the Calvinist
Reformation
, the city of Geneva
has had a great influence on the canton, which essentially consists of the city and its hinterlands.
from 1154, but from 1290, secular authority over the citizens was divided from the bishop's authority, at first only lower jurisdiction, the office of vidame
given to François de Candie
in 1314, but from 1387 the bishops granted the citizens of Geneva full communal self-government.
As from 1416, the Dukes of Savoy
attempted to annex the city, both by claiming secular authority and by installing members of the Savoy dynasty as bishops, the city sought assistance in allying itself with the Old Swiss Confederacy
.
The Republic of Geneva was proclaimed in 1541, under John Calvin
, and given a constitution (Édits civils) in 1543. The Republic of Geneva reinforced its alliance to the Protestant
cantons of the Swiss Confederacy, becoming an "everlasting ally" in 1584.
The French Revolution
reached Geneva in 1792, and in February 1794, the Republic gave itself a new, revolutionary constitution which proclaimed the equality of all citizens. After the death of Robbespierre in July of the same year, there was a counter-revolution, which gained the upper hand by 1796. This prompted the French invasion of 1798, and the annexation of Geneva as part of the French département du Léman.
Geneva finally joined the Swiss Confederation in 1815 as the 22nd canton, having been enlarged by French and Savoyard territories at the Vienna Congress.
The area of the canton of Geneva is 282 square kilometres (108.9 sq mi). The canton is surrounded on almost all sides by France and bordered by the Swiss canton
of Vaud
on northeast. The adjoining French are Ain
(to the north) and Haute-Savoie
(to the south and east). The current boundaries of the canton were established in 1815.
The legislature, the Grand Council
, has 100 seats, with deputies elected for four years at a time. In the most recent election, on 11 October 2009, the classical liberal
Liberal Party
was the largest party, with 20 seats, followed by the Green Party
and the populist
Geneva Citizens' Movement, with 17 seats each.
In a similar way to what happens at the Federal level, any change to the Constitution is subject to compulsory referendum. In addition, any law can be subject to a referendum if it is demanded by 7,000 persons entitled to vote, and 10,000 persons may also propose a new law.
.
Geneva does not have any administrative districts. There are 10 cities with a population of over 10,000 as of 2007: Genève , Vernier
; Lancy
; Meyrin
; Carouge
; Onex
; Thônex
; Versoix
; Grand-Saconnex
; Chêne-Bougeries
.
The population of the Canton, , contains 161,539 people originally from Geneva (35.3%), 116,504 Swiss from other cantons (25.5%) and 179,385 foreigners (39.20%), from 192 different countries. Among them about 73% come from Europe (many of Albanian origin), 9% from Africa, 9% from the Americas and 8% from Asia Including people holding multiple citizenship
, 54.4% of people living in Geneva hold a foreign passport.
As home of Calvin's Reformation, the canton of Geneva has traditionally been a Protestant Christian
stronghold. However, over the latter part of the 20th century the proportion of Catholics
(40% ) rose, in large part due to immigration from Southern Europe
, and now they outnumber Protestants (17% ) in the canton. However, the canton is still officially considered Protestant. The surrounding regions of France are mostly Roman Catholic.
s are located in Geneva, particularly in the area of private banking
.
The service industry is most significant in Geneva where there are headquarters of a number of international corporations and organizations, such as the United Nations
and the International Labor Organization. Agriculture is commonplace in the hinterlands of Geneva, particularly wheat
and wine
. Precision machinery and instruments are other branches where the economy of the canton of Geneva is strong. This is also reflected in the tradition of watchmaking in Geneva.
rather than any Swiss canton
. The canton is served by an international airport at Cointrin (Geneva International Airport) which has one terminal only. There are good rail links to cities in France and Switzerland. Since 1984 the French high-speed trains (TGV) come to Geneva. In 1964 the canton of Geneva was connected to the Swiss highway system, in 1970 to that of France.
, founded in 1559 by Calvin. It was originally called Schola Genevensis. The original buildings are not used by the University any longer, but by Collège Calvin
.
is a public holiday specific to Geneva, celebrated on the Thursday following the first Sunday of September.
Cantons of Switzerland
The 26 cantons of Switzerland are the member states of the federal state of Switzerland. Each canton was a fully sovereign state with its own borders, army and currency from the Treaty of Westphalia until the establishment of the Swiss federal state in 1848...
or state of 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....
, surrounded on almost all sides by France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. As is the case in several other Swiss cantons (e.g. Ticino
Ticino
Canton Ticino or Ticino is the southernmost canton of Switzerland. Named after the Ticino river, it is the only canton in which Italian is the sole official language...
, Neuchâtel
Canton of Neuchâtel
Neuchâtel is a canton of French speaking western Switzerland. In 2007, its population was 169,782 of which 39,654 were foreigners. The capital is Neuchâtel.-History:...
, and Jura
Canton of Jura
The Republic and Canton of the Jura , also known as the Canton of Jura or Canton Jura, is one of the cantons of Switzerland. It is the newest of the 26 Swiss cantons, located in the northwestern part of Switzerland. The capital is Delémont...
), this canton is referred to as a republic
Republic
A republic is a form of government in which the people, or some significant portion of them, have supreme control over the government and where offices of state are elected or chosen by elected people. In modern times, a common simplified definition of a republic is a government where the head of...
within the Swiss confederation.
The canton of Geneva is located in the southwestern corner of Switzerland; and is considered one of the most cosmopolitan areas of the country. As a center of the Calvinist
John Calvin
John Calvin was an influential French theologian and pastor during the Protestant Reformation. He was a principal figure in the development of the system of Christian theology later called Calvinism. Originally trained as a humanist lawyer, he broke from the Roman Catholic Church around 1530...
Reformation
Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to the doctrines, rituals and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led...
, the city of Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
has had a great influence on the canton, which essentially consists of the city and its hinterlands.
History
Geneva was a Prince-Bishopric of the Holy Roman EmpireHoly Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was a realm that existed from 962 to 1806 in Central Europe.It was ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor. Its character changed during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period, when the power of the emperor gradually weakened in favour of the princes...
from 1154, but from 1290, secular authority over the citizens was divided from the bishop's authority, at first only lower jurisdiction, the office of vidame
Vidame
Vidame, a French corruption of the official Latin term vicedominus , was a feudal title in France...
given to François de Candie
François de Candie
François de Candia, 1st Vidominus or Vidame de Geneva was lawyer, diplomat and a nobleman of the House of Candia; also known as François de Genève...
in 1314, but from 1387 the bishops granted the citizens of Geneva full communal self-government.
As from 1416, the Dukes of Savoy
Duchy of Savoy
From 1416 to 1847, the House of Savoy ruled the eponymous Duchy of Savoy . The Duchy was a state in the northern part of the Italian Peninsula, with some territories that are now in France. It was a continuation of the County of Savoy...
attempted to annex the city, both by claiming secular authority and by installing members of the Savoy dynasty as bishops, the city sought assistance in allying itself with the Old Swiss Confederacy
Old Swiss Confederacy
The Old Swiss Confederacy was the precursor of modern-day Switzerland....
.
The Republic of Geneva was proclaimed in 1541, under John Calvin
John Calvin
John Calvin was an influential French theologian and pastor during the Protestant Reformation. He was a principal figure in the development of the system of Christian theology later called Calvinism. Originally trained as a humanist lawyer, he broke from the Roman Catholic Church around 1530...
, and given a constitution (Édits civils) in 1543. The Republic of Geneva reinforced its alliance to the Protestant
Reformation in Switzerland
The Protestant Reformation in Switzerland was promoted initially by Huldrych Zwingli, who gained the support of the magistrate and population of Zürich in the 1520s. It led to significant changes in civil life and state matters in Zürich and spread to several other cantons of the Old Swiss...
cantons of the Swiss Confederacy, becoming an "everlasting ally" in 1584.
The French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
reached Geneva in 1792, and in February 1794, the Republic gave itself a new, revolutionary constitution which proclaimed the equality of all citizens. After the death of Robbespierre in July of the same year, there was a counter-revolution, which gained the upper hand by 1796. This prompted the French invasion of 1798, and the annexation of Geneva as part of the French département du Léman.
Geneva finally joined the Swiss Confederation in 1815 as the 22nd canton, having been enlarged by French and Savoyard territories at the Vienna Congress.
Geography
Cantons of Switzerland
The 26 cantons of Switzerland are the member states of the federal state of Switzerland. Each canton was a fully sovereign state with its own borders, army and currency from the Treaty of Westphalia until the establishment of the Swiss federal state in 1848...
of Vaud
Vaud
Vaud is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland and is located in Romandy, the French-speaking southwestern part of the country. The capital is Lausanne. The name of the Canton in Switzerland's other languages are Vaud in Italian , Waadt in German , and Vad in Romansh.-History:Along the lakes,...
on northeast. The adjoining French are Ain
Ain
Ain is a department named after the Ain River on the eastern edge of France. Being part of the region Rhône-Alpes and bordered by the rivers Saône and Rhône, the department of Ain enjoys a privileged geographic situation...
(to the north) and Haute-Savoie
Haute-Savoie
Haute-Savoie is a French department in the Rhône-Alpes region of eastern France. It borders both Switzerland and Italy. The capital is Annecy. To the north is Lake Geneva and Switzerland; to the south and southeast are the Mont Blanc and Aravis mountain ranges and the French entrance to the Mont...
(to the south and east). The current boundaries of the canton were established in 1815.
Government
The constitution of the canton was established in 1847; and has, since then, been amended several times. The cantonal government (Council of State) has seven members who are elected for four years.The legislature, the Grand Council
Grand Council of Geneva
The Grand Council of Geneva is the legislature of the canton of Geneva, in Switzerland. Geneva, styled as a 'Republic and Canton', has a unicameral legislature. The Grand Council has 100 seats, with members elected every four years...
, has 100 seats, with deputies elected for four years at a time. In the most recent election, on 11 October 2009, the classical liberal
Classical liberalism
Classical liberalism is the philosophy committed to the ideal of limited government, constitutionalism, rule of law, due process, and liberty of individuals including freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and free markets....
Liberal Party
Parti Libéral Genevois
The Liberal Party of Geneva , abbreviated PLG, was a classical liberal political party in the Canton of Geneva. It was the cantonal branch of the Liberal Party of Switzerland until 1 January 2009, when the federal party merged with the Free Democratic Party to form FDP.The Liberals...
was the largest party, with 20 seats, followed by the Green Party
Green Party of Switzerland
The Green Party of Switzerland is the fifth-largest party in the National Council of Switzerland, and the largest party that is not represented on the Federal Council.-History:...
and the populist
Populism
Populism can be defined as an ideology, political philosophy, or type of discourse. Generally, a common theme compares "the people" against "the elite", and urges social and political system changes. It can also be defined as a rhetorical style employed by members of various political or social...
Geneva Citizens' Movement, with 17 seats each.
In a similar way to what happens at the Federal level, any change to the Constitution is subject to compulsory referendum. In addition, any law can be subject to a referendum if it is demanded by 7,000 persons entitled to vote, and 10,000 persons may also propose a new law.
Municipalities
There are 45 municipalities in the cantonMunicipalities of the Canton of Geneva
The following are the 45 municipalities of the canton of Geneva, as of 2009....
.
Geneva does not have any administrative districts. There are 10 cities with a population of over 10,000 as of 2007: Genève , Vernier
Vernier, Switzerland
Vernier is a municipality in the Canton of Geneva, Switzerland. It is divided into different sections: Vernier Village, Le Lignon, Aïre, Les Avanchets, Cointrin and Châtelaine.-Tourist Information and History:...
; Lancy
Lancy
Lancy is a municipality of the Canton of Geneva, Switzerland.-Geography:Lancy has an area, , of . Of this area, or 5.2% is used for agricultural purposes, while or 6.5% is forested...
; Meyrin
Meyrin
Meyrin is a municipality of the Canton of Geneva, Switzerland. It is the city located nearest to the CERN particle physics laboratory.Meyrin was originally a small agricultural village until the 1950s, when construction of CERN began just to the north...
; Carouge
Carouge
Carouge is a municipality in the Canton of Geneva, Switzerland, with a population of 19,114 .-History:Carouge is first mentioned in the Early Middle Ages as Quadruvium and Quatruvio. In 1248 it was mentioned as Carrogium while in the 14th Century it was known as Quarrouiz or Quarroggi. In 1445...
; Onex
Onex, Switzerland
Onex is a municipality in the canton of Geneva in Switzerland.-History:Onex is first mentioned in 1292 as Onay. It became an independent municipality in 1851 when the municipality of Onex-Confignon split into the two municipalities of Onex and Confignon.-Geography:Onex has an area, , of...
; Thônex
Thônex
Thônex is a municipality of the Canton of Geneva, Switzerland. It is situated in the east of the canton and shares a border with the French town of Ambilly.-History:...
; Versoix
Versoix
Versoix is a municipality in the Canton of Geneva, Switzerland, which sits on the right bank of Lac Léman. It is the last town of the Canton of Geneva on the road northeast towards Lausanne, before the Canton of Vaud starts. It is a train stop on the SBB-CFF-FFS railway line running between...
; Grand-Saconnex
Grand-Saconnex
Grand-Saconnex is a municipality of the Canton of Geneva, Switzerland.Several international organizations and permanent missions to the United Nations are located in Grand Saconnex...
; Chêne-Bougeries
Chêne-Bougeries
Chêne-Bougeries is a municipality in the Canton of Geneva, Switzerland. It recently crossed the symbolic barrier of 10,000 inhabitants and thus became officially a city.-History:Chêne-Bougeries is first mentioned in 1270 as Quercus...
.
Demographics
The population of the canton (as of ) is . , the population included 163,951 foreigners, or about 37.4 % of the total population.The population of the Canton, , contains 161,539 people originally from Geneva (35.3%), 116,504 Swiss from other cantons (25.5%) and 179,385 foreigners (39.20%), from 192 different countries. Among them about 73% come from Europe (many of Albanian origin), 9% from Africa, 9% from the Americas and 8% from Asia Including people holding multiple citizenship
Multiple citizenship
Multiple citizenship is a status in which a person is concurrently regarded as a citizen under the laws of more than one state. Multiple citizenships exist because different countries use different, and not necessarily mutually exclusive, citizenship requirements...
, 54.4% of people living in Geneva hold a foreign passport.
As home of Calvin's Reformation, the canton of Geneva has traditionally been a Protestant Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
stronghold. However, over the latter part of the 20th century the proportion of Catholics
Catholicism
Catholicism is a broad term for the body of the Catholic faith, its theologies and doctrines, its liturgical, ethical, spiritual, and behavioral characteristics, as well as a religious people as a whole....
(40% ) rose, in large part due to immigration from Southern Europe
Southern Europe
The term Southern Europe, at its most general definition, is used to mean "all countries in the south of Europe". However, the concept, at different times, has had different meanings, providing additional political, linguistic and cultural context to the definition in addition to the typical...
, and now they outnumber Protestants (17% ) in the canton. However, the canton is still officially considered Protestant. The surrounding regions of France are mostly Roman Catholic.
Economy
The city of Geneva dominates the economy of the canton. It is a center of commerce, trade and finance. Geneva is of international significance also as a financial center. A great number of Swiss bankBank
A bank is a financial institution that serves as a financial intermediary. The term "bank" may refer to one of several related types of entities:...
s are located in Geneva, particularly in the area of private banking
Private banking
Private banking is banking, investment and other financial services provided by banks to private individuals investing sizable assets. The term "private" refers to the customer service being rendered on a more personal basis than in mass-market retail banking, usually via dedicated bank advisers...
.
The service industry is most significant in Geneva where there are headquarters of a number of international corporations and organizations, such as the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
and the International Labor Organization. Agriculture is commonplace in the hinterlands of Geneva, particularly wheat
Wheat
Wheat is a cereal grain, originally from the Levant region of the Near East, but now cultivated worldwide. In 2007 world production of wheat was 607 million tons, making it the third most-produced cereal after maize and rice...
and wine
Wine
Wine is an alcoholic beverage, made of fermented fruit juice, usually from grapes. The natural chemical balance of grapes lets them ferment without the addition of sugars, acids, enzymes, or other nutrients. Grape wine is produced by fermenting crushed grapes using various types of yeast. Yeast...
. Precision machinery and instruments are other branches where the economy of the canton of Geneva is strong. This is also reflected in the tradition of watchmaking in Geneva.
Transport
Most of the main roads in the canton of Geneva radiate from the capital city of Geneva. Of these main roads, a great number lead into FranceFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
rather than any Swiss canton
Cantons of Switzerland
The 26 cantons of Switzerland are the member states of the federal state of Switzerland. Each canton was a fully sovereign state with its own borders, army and currency from the Treaty of Westphalia until the establishment of the Swiss federal state in 1848...
. The canton is served by an international airport at Cointrin (Geneva International Airport) which has one terminal only. There are good rail links to cities in France and Switzerland. Since 1984 the French high-speed trains (TGV) come to Geneva. In 1964 the canton of Geneva was connected to the Swiss highway system, in 1970 to that of France.
Education
The main educational institution is the University of GenevaUniversity of Geneva
The University of Geneva is a public research university located in Geneva, Switzerland.It was founded in 1559 by John Calvin, as a theological seminary and law school. It remained focused on theology until the 17th century, when it became a center for Enlightenment scholarship. In 1873, it...
, founded in 1559 by Calvin. It was originally called Schola Genevensis. The original buildings are not used by the University any longer, but by Collège Calvin
Collège Calvin
The Collège Calvin, formerly the Collège de Genève, is the oldest public secondary school in Geneva. It was founded in 1559 by John Calvin.-History:...
.
Culture
Jeûne genevoisJeûne genevois
Jeûne genevois is a public holiday in the canton of Geneva, Switzerland which occurs on the Thursday following the first Sunday of September. It dates back to the 16th century.-Background:...
is a public holiday specific to Geneva, celebrated on the Thursday following the first Sunday of September.