Canton of Schwyz
Encyclopedia
Schwyz is a canton in central Switzerland
between the Alps
in the south, Lake Lucerne
in the east and Lake Zurich
in the north, centered around and named after the town of Schwyz
.
It is one of the founding cantons of Switzerland
; Switzerland's Standard German name, Schweiz, is derived from the name of the canton, and the flag of Switzerland
from its coat of arms. For the history of the name, see Schwyz
. The Swiss Federal Charter is on display in Schwyz
. Northeast of the town of Schwyz is the Einsiedeln Abbey
.
In June 2008, Schwyz was the only one of Switzerland's 26 cantons to vote in favor of a failed measure that would have subjected Swiss citizenship applications to a popular vote.
on Lake Zürich. Many of the findings date back 5000 years. Stone and bronze tools were recovered from these sites.
About 1400 years ago, the Allemanni settled in the area of the canton. This influenced agriculture and the way of living of the locals. Christianity only arrived in the area by the late 7th century. There are churches in Tuggen
and Schwyz
that date back to this time.
In the 10th century the abbey of Einsiedeln became more and more powerful. It soon controlled many of the surrounding lands, many of which are outside the area today covered by the canton of Schwyz. The economy benefited from the transit across the Gotthard, but these profits attracted other powers, such as the Habsburgs.
On 1 August 1291 the canton of Schwyz founded the Swiss Confederation together with Uri
and Unterwalden
(Rütlischwur
, Pact of the Rütli). It is one of the Four Forest Cantons (Vier Waldstätten): Schwyz, and the cantons of Uri
, Obwalden and Nidwalden — the latter two being traditional subdivisions of the canton of Unterwalden
— all located on the shores of the Vierwaldstättersee (Lake Lucerne). The canton of Schwyz took the leadership in the confederation early on. As early as 1320 the name of the canton was applied to the whole of the confederation. It was only in 1803, howerver, that the name Schweiz as derived from the canton of Schwyz became the official name of Switzerland. The flag of Switzerland
is derived from the banner of Schwyz.
The rulers of Schwyz
, little by little, expanded their area of influence. This included a number of small battles, such as the Alt Zürcherkrieg. In 1386 the canton of Schwyz won the Battle of Sempach
and, as a result, greatly expanded its area. The Protestant reformation was resisted in the canton. At the Battle of Kappel in 1531 troops of Schwyz beat those of the reformation leader Huldrych Zwingli
. Zwingli himself was the most prominent to die at this battle which killed hundreds of soldiers.
Between 1798 and 1803 the canton of Schwyz was part of the Helvetic Republic
.
Joseph Thomas Fassbind
compiled a history of the canton during this period, published in the 1830s.
After 1803 Schwyz regained its independence and most of the changes introduced by Napoleon were reverted. This led to frictions within the canton, leading to the separation of part of the canton. A canton of Schwyz Outer Countries was created in 1830, only to be re-unified with the other half in 1833. In 1845 the canton joined the separatist Roman Catholic league (Sonderbund
). The venture of this league failed and the canton re-joined the confederation as an ordinary member.
The constitution of 1848 ended the openair assemblies (Landsgemeinde
). The constitution was revised in 1876 and 1898.
The canton of Schwyz is located in central Switzerland. The river Sihl
and the smaller Muota traverse the canton. About three quarters of the total area is considered productive land. Most of the land is hilly rather than mountainous, making it suitable for agriculture. Of the productive land, about 240 km² are forests. Lakes take up 65 km². This area is made up of parts of Lake Zürich
and Lake Lucerne. Only a small part of Lake Zug is within the canton of Schwyz. The smaller lakes Lauerz (Lauerzersee) and Sihl (Sihlsee
), however, are completely within the canton of Schwyz.
The highest elevation is the Bös Fulen
at 2,802 m. Although not as high, the summits of the Rigi
massif (Kulm, 1,798 m, and Scheidegg, 1,665 m) are probably the most famous mountains within the borders of the canton. The area of the canton is 908 km².
The Canton is divided into six districts and 30 municipalities, although the Einsiedeln, Küssnacht and Gersau districts comprise the municipality of the same name. The largest towns are Küssnacht
and Pfäffikon
.
dialect of central Switzerland. The majority of the population is Roman Catholic (72%) with a Protestant
minority (13%).
. Located in the same area are many producers of fine furniture. There are a few large hydroelectric power plants in the canton.
Tourism is of importance in a number of regions, most notably in the centre of pilgrimage Einsiedeln
. Einsiedeln is also a centre of winter sports. The mountain railways on the Rigi
are well known around the country. Freienbach
, in the north of the canton, is known for the lowest taxes in Switzerland. This has attracted a number of the rich.
The best known, worldwide product of the canton is the Swiss Army Knife
manufactured by Victorinox
in Ibach just downhill from the main town of Schwyz.
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....
between the Alps
Swiss Alps
The Swiss Alps are the portion of the Alps mountain range that lies within Switzerland. Because of their central position within the entire Alpine range, they are also known as the Central Alps....
in the south, Lake Lucerne
Lake Lucerne
Lake Lucerne is a lake in central Switzerland and the fourth largest in the country.The lake has a complicated shape, with bends and arms reaching from the city of Lucerne into the mountains. It has a total area of 114 km² , an elevation of 434 m , and a maximum depth of 214 m . Its volume is 11.8...
in the east and Lake Zurich
Lake Zurich
Lake Zurich is a lake in Switzerland, extending southeast of the city of Zurich. It is also known as Lake Zürich and Lake of Zürich. It lies approximately at co-ordinates ....
in the north, centered around and named after the town of Schwyz
Schwyz
The town of is 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.-History of the toponym:...
.
It is one of the founding cantons of Switzerland
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...
; Switzerland's Standard German name, Schweiz, is derived from the name of the canton, and the flag of Switzerland
Flag of Switzerland
The flag of Switzerland consists of a red flag with a white cross in the centre. It is one of only two square sovereign-state flags, the other being the flag of the Vatican City...
from its coat of arms. For the history of the name, see Schwyz
Schwyz
The town of is 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.-History of the toponym:...
. The Swiss Federal Charter is on display in Schwyz
Schwyz
The town of is 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.-History of the toponym:...
. Northeast of the town of Schwyz is the Einsiedeln Abbey
Einsiedeln Abbey
Einsiedeln Abbey is a Benedictine monastery in the town of Einsiedeln in the Canton of Schwyz, Switzerland. The abbey is dedicated to Our Lady of the Hermits, the title being derived from the circumstances of its foundation, from which the name Einsiedeln is also said to have originated...
.
In June 2008, Schwyz was the only one of Switzerland's 26 cantons to vote in favor of a failed measure that would have subjected Swiss citizenship applications to a popular vote.
History
There are findings that show that people were living in the area of the canton of Schwyz thousands of years ago. Many of these findings are concentrated in the north of the canton, in the area of Hurden and FreienbachFreienbach
Freienbach is a municipality in Höfe District in the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland.-Geography:Freienbach has an area, , of . Of this area, 40.7% is used for agricultural purposes, while 23.8% is forested...
on Lake Zürich. Many of the findings date back 5000 years. Stone and bronze tools were recovered from these sites.
About 1400 years ago, the Allemanni settled in the area of the canton. This influenced agriculture and the way of living of the locals. Christianity only arrived in the area by the late 7th century. There are churches in Tuggen
Tuggen
Tuggen is a municipality in March District in the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland.-Geography:Tuggen has an area, , of . Of this area, 62.7% is used for agricultural purposes, while 22.1% is forested...
and Schwyz
Schwyz
The town of is 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.-History of the toponym:...
that date back to this time.
In the 10th century the abbey of Einsiedeln became more and more powerful. It soon controlled many of the surrounding lands, many of which are outside the area today covered by the canton of Schwyz. The economy benefited from the transit across the Gotthard, but these profits attracted other powers, such as the Habsburgs.
On 1 August 1291 the canton of Schwyz founded the Swiss Confederation together with Uri
Canton of Uri
Uri is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland and a founding member of the Swiss Confederation. It is located in Central Switzerland. The canton's territory covers the valley of the Reuss River between Lake Lucerne and the St. Gotthard Pass. German is the primary language spoken in Uri...
and Unterwalden
Unterwalden
Unterwalden is the old name of a forest-canton of the Old Swiss Confederacy in central Switzerland, south of Lake Lucerne, consisting of two valleys or Talschaften, now organized as two half-cantons, an upper part, Obwalden, and a lower part, Nidwalden.Unterwalden was one of the three participants...
(Rütlischwur
Rütlischwur
The Rütlischwur is a legendary oath of the Old Swiss Confederacy, taken on the Rütli, a meadow above Lake Lucerne near Seelisberg. The oath is notably featured in the Wilhelm Tell drama of 1804 by Friedrich Schiller.-Early accounts:...
, Pact of the Rütli). It is one of the Four Forest Cantons (Vier Waldstätten): Schwyz, and the cantons of Uri
Canton of Uri
Uri is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland and a founding member of the Swiss Confederation. It is located in Central Switzerland. The canton's territory covers the valley of the Reuss River between Lake Lucerne and the St. Gotthard Pass. German is the primary language spoken in Uri...
, Obwalden and Nidwalden — the latter two being traditional subdivisions of the canton of Unterwalden
Unterwalden
Unterwalden is the old name of a forest-canton of the Old Swiss Confederacy in central Switzerland, south of Lake Lucerne, consisting of two valleys or Talschaften, now organized as two half-cantons, an upper part, Obwalden, and a lower part, Nidwalden.Unterwalden was one of the three participants...
— all located on the shores of the Vierwaldstättersee (Lake Lucerne). The canton of Schwyz took the leadership in the confederation early on. As early as 1320 the name of the canton was applied to the whole of the confederation. It was only in 1803, howerver, that the name Schweiz as derived from the canton of Schwyz became the official name of Switzerland. The flag 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....
is derived from the banner of Schwyz.
Schwyz
The town of is 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.-History of the toponym:...
, little by little, expanded their area of influence. This included a number of small battles, such as the Alt Zürcherkrieg. In 1386 the canton of Schwyz won the Battle of Sempach
Battle of Sempach
An armistice was agreed upon on 12 October, followed by a peace agreement valid for one year, beginning on 14 January 1387.The battle was a severe blow to Austrian interests in the region, and allowed for the further growth of the Old Swiss Confederacy....
and, as a result, greatly expanded its area. The Protestant reformation was resisted in the canton. At the Battle of Kappel in 1531 troops of Schwyz beat those of the reformation leader Huldrych Zwingli
Huldrych Zwingli
Ulrich Zwingli was a leader of the Reformation in Switzerland. Born during a time of emerging Swiss patriotism and increasing criticism of the Swiss mercenary system, he attended the University of Vienna and the University of Basel, a scholarly centre of humanism...
. Zwingli himself was the most prominent to die at this battle which killed hundreds of soldiers.
Between 1798 and 1803 the canton of Schwyz was part of the Helvetic Republic
Helvetic Republic
In Swiss history, the Helvetic Republic represented an early attempt to impose a central authority over Switzerland, which until then consisted mainly of self-governing cantons united by a loose military alliance, and conquered territories such as Vaud...
.
Joseph Thomas Fassbind
Joseph Thomas Fassbind
Joseph Thomas Fassbind was a pastor and historiographer of Schwyz.He was educated at Einsiedeln, Bellinzona, Como and Besançon.In 1798 he was convicted of treason for his refusal to vow loyalty to the Helvetic Republic, and exiled to Engelberg monastery.He returned from exile in 1800 and became...
compiled a history of the canton during this period, published in the 1830s.
After 1803 Schwyz regained its independence and most of the changes introduced by Napoleon were reverted. This led to frictions within the canton, leading to the separation of part of the canton. A canton of Schwyz Outer Countries was created in 1830, only to be re-unified with the other half in 1833. In 1845 the canton joined the separatist Roman Catholic league (Sonderbund
Sonderbund
The Sonderbund War of November 1847 was a civil war in Switzerland. It ensued after seven Catholic cantons formed the Sonderbund in 1845 in order to protect their interests against a centralization of power...
). The venture of this league failed and the canton re-joined the confederation as an ordinary member.
The constitution of 1848 ended the openair assemblies (Landsgemeinde
Landsgemeinde
The Landsgemeinde or "cantonal assembly" is one of the oldest forms of direct democracy. The first historically documented assembly took place in 1294...
). The constitution was revised in 1876 and 1898.
Geography
Sihl
The Sihl is a river of Switzerland. It rises at Drusberg in the Canton of Schwyz. It passes through the Sihlsee near Einsiedeln, and then enters the Canton of Zurich, flowing through the Sihl valley at the foot of the Albis, passing the Sihlwald, the largest remaining deciduous forest of the Swiss...
and the smaller Muota traverse the canton. About three quarters of the total area is considered productive land. Most of the land is hilly rather than mountainous, making it suitable for agriculture. Of the productive land, about 240 km² are forests. Lakes take up 65 km². This area is made up of parts of Lake Zürich
Lake Zurich
Lake Zurich is a lake in Switzerland, extending southeast of the city of Zurich. It is also known as Lake Zürich and Lake of Zürich. It lies approximately at co-ordinates ....
and Lake Lucerne. Only a small part of Lake Zug is within the canton of Schwyz. The smaller lakes Lauerz (Lauerzersee) and Sihl (Sihlsee
Sihlsee
The Sihlsee is an artificial lake near Einsiedeln in the Canton of Schwyz, Switzerland.- Geography :...
), however, are completely within the canton of Schwyz.
The highest elevation is the Bös Fulen
Bös Fulen
The Bös Fulen is a mountain in the Glarus Alps, located on the border between the cantons of Schwyz and Glarus. It overlooks the valleys of Muotathal and Linthal. It is the highest summit of the canton of Schwyz. Braunwald is the nearest locality....
at 2,802 m. Although not as high, the summits of the Rigi
Rigi
- Mt. Rigi in Art:Mt. Rigi has been featured in many works of art, including both paintings and literary publications. Perhaps the most famous paintings of the Rigi were by JMW Turner, including "The Blue Rigi, Lake of Lucerne, Sunrise"...
massif (Kulm, 1,798 m, and Scheidegg, 1,665 m) are probably the most famous mountains within the borders of the canton. The area of the canton is 908 km².
Political subdivisions
Küssnacht
Küssnacht am Rigi is a district and municipality in the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland, consisting of three villages: Küssnacht, Immensee and Merlischachen...
and Pfäffikon
Pfäffikon, Schwyz
Pfäffikon is the principal town of the Municipality of Freienbach in canton Schwyz in Switzerland. Together with Wollerau, Pfäffikon is considered the principal town of the borough Höfe and the center of the region of Ausserschwyz. The former farm town is known today as cultural, economic and...
.
| District | Municipalities |
|---|---|
| Schwyz District | Schwyz Schwyz The town of is 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.-History of the toponym:... , Arth Arth Arth is a municipality in Schwyz District in the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland.-Geography:Arth has an area, , of . Of this area, 40.8% is used for agricultural purposes, while 46.3% is forested... , Ingenbohl Ingenbohl Ingenbohl is a municipality in Schwyz District in the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland.-Geography:Ingenbohl has an area, , of . Of this area, 31% is used for agricultural purposes, while 49.1% is forested... , Muotathal Muotathal Muotathal is a municipality in Schwyz District in the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland. The eponymous valley is formed by the Muota river, which joins Lake Lucerne at Brunnen.-Geography:... , Steinen Steinen, Switzerland Steinen is a municipality in Schwyz District in the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland.-Geography:Steinen has an area, , of . Of this area, 52.7% is used for agricultural purposes, while 22.1% is forested... , Sattel Sattel, Switzerland Sattel is a municipality in Schwyz District in the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland. Its name is the German word for saddle.-History:thumb|left|Battle of Morgarten Chapel... , Rothenthurm Rothenthurm Rothenthurm is a municipality in Schwyz District in the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland.-History:The French invasion of Switzerland in 1798 brought about a swift end of the Ancien Régime. The French victories against the larger cities of the swiss plateau led to the creation of the French... , Oberiberg Oberiberg Oberiberg is a municipality in Schwyz District in the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland.-History:Oberiberg is first mentioned around 1217-22 as Yberge. Until the separation, in 1884, into Unteriberg and Oberiberg the independent municipality was known simply as Iberg.-Geography:Oberiberg has an... , Unteriberg Unteriberg Unteriberg is a municipality in Schwyz District in the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland.-History:Unteriberg is first mentioned around 1217-22 as Yberge. Until the separation, in 1884, into Unteriberg and Oberiberg the independent municipality was known simply as Iberg.-Geography:Unteriberg has an... , Lauerz Lauerz Lauerz is a municipality in Schwyz District in the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland.-Geography:Lauerz has an area, , of . Of this area, 44.7% is used for agricultural purposes, while 35.7% is forested... , Steinerberg Steinerberg Steinerberg is a municipality in Schwyz District in the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland.-Geography:Steinerberg has an area, , of . Of this area, 62.7% is used for agricultural purposes, while 31.8% is forested... , Morschach Morschach Morschach is a municipality in Schwyz District in the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland.-Geography:Morschach has an area, , of . Of this area, 52.3% is used for agricultural purposes, while 36.2% is forested... , Alpthal Alpthal Alpthal is a municipality in Schwyz District in the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland.-Geography:Alpthal has an area, , of . Of this area, 32.4% is used for agricultural purposes, while 62.8% is forested... , Illgau Illgau Illgau is a municipality in Schwyz District in the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland.-Geography:Illgau has an area, , of . Of this area, 62% is used for agricultural purposes, while 31.1% is forested... , Riemenstalden Riemenstalden Riemenstalden is a municipality in Schwyz District in the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland. The villages can be reached by road from Sisikon .-Geography:... |
| Einsiedeln District | Einsiedeln Einsiedeln, Switzerland Einsiedeln is a municipality and district in the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland known for its monastery, the Benedictine Einsiedeln Abbey. Einsiedeln is also the birthplace of Paracelsus, a Renaissance physician and alchemist who is credited with first naming zinc.-Prehistoric... |
| Gersau District | Gersau Gersau Gersau is a municipality and district in the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland, sitting on the shores of Lake Lucerne. Gersau was for many centuries an independent micro-state in permanent alliance with the Swiss Confederation.-History:... |
| Höfe District | Wollerau Wollerau Wollerau is a municipality in Höfe District in the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland.-Geography:Wollerau has an area, , of . Of this area, 56.9% is used for agricultural purposes, while 13.6% is forested... , Freienbach Freienbach Freienbach is a municipality in Höfe District in the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland.-Geography:Freienbach has an area, , of . Of this area, 40.7% is used for agricultural purposes, while 23.8% is forested... , Feusisberg Feusisberg Feusisberg is a municipality in Höfe District in the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland.-History:Feusisberg is first mentioned in the 13th Century as Berg and Uffenberg. In the 16th Century it was known as Fessisskilch and in 1590 it was mentioned as Föussisberg.-Geography:Feusisberg has an area, , of... |
| Küssnacht District | Küssnacht am Rigi |
| March District | Lachen Lachen, Switzerland Lachen is a municipality in March District in the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland.-Geography:Lachen has an area, , of . Of this area, 26.7% is used for agricultural purposes, while 5.8% is forested... , Altendorf Altendorf, Schwyz Altendorf is a municipality in March District in the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland.-Geography:Altendorf has an area, , of . Of this area, 52.6% is used for agricultural purposes, while 37.5% is forested... , Galgenen Galgenen Galgenen is a municipality in March District in the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland.-Geography:Galgenen has an area, , of . Of this area, 50.8% is used for agricultural purposes, while 39.8% is forested... , Vorderthal Vorderthal Vorderthal is a municipality in March District in the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland.-Geography:Vorderthal has an area, , of . Of this area, 35.3% is used for agricultural purposes, while 59.8% is forested... , Innerthal Innerthal Innerthal is a municipality in March District in the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland.-History:Innerthal is first mentioned in 1259 as Wegental. Until 1888 it was known as Hinterwäggithal.-Geography:... , Schübelbach Schübelbach Schübelbach is a municipality in March District in the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland.-Geography:Schübelbach has an area, , of . Of this area, 48.2% is used for agricultural purposes, while 42.8% is forested... , Tuggen Tuggen Tuggen is a municipality in March District in the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland.-Geography:Tuggen has an area, , of . Of this area, 62.7% is used for agricultural purposes, while 22.1% is forested... , Wangen Wangen, Schwyz Wangen is a municipality in March District in the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland.-Geography:Wangen has an area, , of . Of this area, 64.9% is used for agricultural purposes, while 10.3% is forested... , Reichenburg Reichenburg Reichenburg is a municipality in March District in the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland.-History:It was founded in 1403 by the Dominican friar Gregory of Moorlock on the site of a spring used by pilgrims to wash their feet.-Geography:... |
Demographics
The population of the canton (as of ) is . , the population included 24,262 foreigners, or about 17.2% of the total population. The official language is German, although the people speak the Swiss GermanSwiss German
Swiss German is any of the Alemannic dialects spoken in Switzerland and in some Alpine communities in Northern Italy. Occasionally, the Alemannic dialects spoken in other countries are grouped together with Swiss German as well, especially the dialects of Liechtenstein and Austrian Vorarlberg...
dialect of central Switzerland. The majority of the population is Roman Catholic (72%) with a Protestant
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
minority (13%).
Economy
Most of the canton relies on agriculture. The local breed of brown cattle is renowned. The textile industry used to be of great importance in the canton but has now almost ceased to exist; remnants are concentrated around the capital SchwyzSchwyz
The town of is 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.-History of the toponym:...
. Located in the same area are many producers of fine furniture. There are a few large hydroelectric power plants in the canton.
Tourism is of importance in a number of regions, most notably in the centre of pilgrimage Einsiedeln
Einsiedeln, Switzerland
Einsiedeln is a municipality and district in the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland known for its monastery, the Benedictine Einsiedeln Abbey. Einsiedeln is also the birthplace of Paracelsus, a Renaissance physician and alchemist who is credited with first naming zinc.-Prehistoric...
. Einsiedeln is also a centre of winter sports. The mountain railways on the Rigi
Rigi
- Mt. Rigi in Art:Mt. Rigi has been featured in many works of art, including both paintings and literary publications. Perhaps the most famous paintings of the Rigi were by JMW Turner, including "The Blue Rigi, Lake of Lucerne, Sunrise"...
are well known around the country. Freienbach
Freienbach
Freienbach is a municipality in Höfe District in the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland.-Geography:Freienbach has an area, , of . Of this area, 40.7% is used for agricultural purposes, while 23.8% is forested...
, in the north of the canton, is known for the lowest taxes in Switzerland. This has attracted a number of the rich.
The best known, worldwide product of the canton is the Swiss Army Knife
Swiss Army knife
The Swiss Army knife is a brand of pocket knife or multi-tool manufactured by Victorinox AG and Wenger SA. The term "Swiss Army knife" was coined by US soldiers after World War II due to the difficulty they had in pronouncing the German name....
manufactured by Victorinox
Victorinox
Victorinox is a knife manufacturer based in the town of Ibach, in the Canton of Schwyz, Switzerland. Since its acquisition of rival Wenger in 2005, it has, once more, become the sole supplier of multi-purpose knives to the Swiss army.-History:...
in Ibach just downhill from the main town of Schwyz.