Emmental
Encyclopedia
For the cheese made in the region, see Emmental (cheese)
.
The Emmental is a region in west central Switzerland
, forming part of the canton of Bern. It is a hilly landscape comprising the basins of the Emme and Ilfis rivers. The region is mostly devoted to farming, particularly dairy farming. Its notable cities are Burgdorf and Langnau
.
Comprising the district
s of Burgdorf
, Trachselwald
and Signau
of the canton of Berne
, the Emmental became part of the administrative region Emmental-Oberaargau on 1 January 2010. The district of Fraubrunnen
is divided between Emmental and Bern-Mittelland.
The landscape is dominated by meadows and pastureland, with forest interspersed.
Tourism has had less impact on the region than on other parts of Switzerland.
The novelist Jeremias Gotthelf
(1797-1854) was a pastor in the Emmental and wrote about the region.
The Emmental also played a dominant role in the history of the Mennonites.
that almost reaches the ground.
Emmental (cheese)
Emmental or Emmentaler is a cheese from Switzerland. It is sometimes known as Swiss cheese in North America, Australia and New Zealand, although Swiss cheese does not always imply Emmentaler....
.
The Emmental is a region in west central 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....
, forming part of the canton of Bern. It is a hilly landscape comprising the basins of the Emme and Ilfis rivers. The region is mostly devoted to farming, particularly dairy farming. Its notable cities are Burgdorf and Langnau
Langnau im Emmental
-Sport:Langnau is the home of the SCL Tigers, who plays in the Swiss National League A. They play their home games at the Ilfis Stadium.- External links :* * *...
.
Comprising the district
Districts of Switzerland
In contrast to centrally organised states, in the federally constituted Switzerland each canton iscompletely free to decide its own internal organisation. Therefore there exists a variety of structures and terminology for the subnational entities between canton and municipality, loosely termed...
s of Burgdorf
Burgdorf (district)
Burgdorf District was a district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland with its seat at Burgdorf Castle in Burgdorf. It included 24 cities and towns in an area of :-External links :...
, Trachselwald
Trachselwald (district)
Trachselwald District was a district in the canton of Bern, Switzerland. Its governor's seat was in Trachselwald Castle in Trachselwald. It consisted of 10 municipalities within an area of 191 km².- External links :- References :...
and Signau
Signau (district)
Signau District was a district in Switzerland in the canton of Bern with its seat Signau. It included nine municipalities in an area of 320 km²:- External links :* -References:...
of the canton of Berne
Canton of Berne
The Canton of Bern is the second largest of the 26 Swiss cantons by both surface area and population. Located in west-central Switzerland, it borders the Canton of Jura and the Canton of Solothurn to the north. To the west lie the Canton of Neuchâtel, the Canton of Fribourg and Vaud. To the south...
, the Emmental became part of the administrative region Emmental-Oberaargau on 1 January 2010. The district of Fraubrunnen
Fraubrunnen (district)
Fraubrunnen District was one of the 26 administrative districts in the canton of Bern, Switzerland. Its capital was the municipality of Fraubrunnen. The district has an area of 124 km² and consists of 27 municipalities:...
is divided between Emmental and Bern-Mittelland.
Geography
The region comprises relatively low mountains on the right bank of the Aare River . It includes the basins of the Emme and the Ilfis between Burgdorf and the boundary with the canton of Solothurn.The landscape is dominated by meadows and pastureland, with forest interspersed.
Economy
The original Emmental cheese is produced there, and the dairy industry still dominates the local economy. Pottery from the region is also prized, and the ceramics of the region have endured practically unchanged since the 17th century.Tourism has had less impact on the region than on other parts of Switzerland.
Culture
Jeremias Gotthelf
Albert Bitzius , Swiss novelist, best known by his pen name of Jeremias Gotthelf, was born at Murten, where his father was pastor.In 1804 the home was moved to Utzenstorf, a village in the Bernese Emmental...
(1797-1854) was a pastor in the Emmental and wrote about the region.
The Emmental also played a dominant role in the history of the Mennonites.
Architecture
The typical Emmental farmhouse has a steep roof with a large overhangOverhang (architecture)
An overhang in architecture is a protruding structure which may provide protection for lower levels. Overhangs on two sides of Pennsylvania Dutch barns protect doors, windows, and other lower level structure. Overhangs on all four sides of barns is common in Swiss architecture...
that almost reaches the ground.