Basel-City (in German: Basel-Stadt) is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland.
The city of Basel and the municipalities of Bettingen and Riehen form
its territory.
The canton of Basel-Stadt was created when the canton of Basel was divided in 1833. The result of this division was two half cantons: Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft. The division itself was caused by the canton of Basel-Landschaft, and ironically the constitution of Basel-Stadt does not recognize the other half canton. A new constitution is currently (2003) worked at.
The canton of Basel joined the Swiss Confederation in 1501.
PoliticsBasel-Stadt is a half canton. This means that the canton only sends one representative to the Council of States. The capital of the canton Basel-Stadt is the city of Basel. The present constitution of the canton dates from 1889.
The parliament of the canton is called Grosser Rat and has 130 members who are elected for four years at a time. There are currently (2003) nine different political parties represented in the parliament. With 38 mandates members of parliament with no political affiliation make up a large part.
The executive of the canton (Regierungsrat) is made up of seven members. Currently (2003) there are five different political parties represented in the executive.
GeographyThe canton of Basel-Stadt is located in the north of Switzerland. It borders Germany and France to the north, the canton of Basel-Landschaft to the south. The river Rhine crosses the area of the canton of Basel-Stadt.
The area of the canton is 37 km². This makes Basel-Stadt the smallest canton in Switzerland.
CultureThe carnival of the city of Basel (Basler Fasnacht) is a major cultural event in the year. The carnival is one of the biggest in Switzerland and attracts large crowds every year, despite the fact that it starts as early as four in the morning (Morgestraich).
The canton of Basel is renowned for two of its biscuits. The Basler Läckerli is a hard biscuit made of honey, almonds, candied peel and Kirsch and is enjoyed as a speciality all year round. The Basler Brunsli is made of almonds and generally enjoyed at Christmas all around Switzerland.
A famous cultural ambassador is the Basel Boys Choir.
Related topics
Basel-Land Basel-Land History Basel-Land Politics Basel-Land Geography Basel-Land Demographics Basel Zoo Elite Dining Restaurants in Basel Fine Swiss Traditional Restaurants in Basel Dance Clubs in Basel Bars in Basel Sightseeing in Basel Art Museums in Basel Historic Sites in Basel
