Obergoms

Obergoms
Country Switzerland Canton Valais District Goms 46°32′N 8°21′E / 46.533°N 8.35°E / 46.533; 8.35Coordinates: 46°32′N 8°21′E / 46.533°N 8.35°E / 46.533; 8.35
Population	728 (Dec 2009)[1]
- Density	5 /km2 (12 /sq mi)
Area	155.83 km2 (60.17 sq mi)[2]
Elevation	1,377 m (4,518 ft)
Postal code	3999
SFOS number	6076
Mayor	Christian Imsand
Localities	Oberwald, Ulrichen, Obergesteln, Gletsch
Website	Obergoms.ch SFSO statistics
Obergoms
Map of Obergoms

Obergoms is a municipality in the district of Goms in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. It was formed on 1 January 2009 when the three municipalities Ulrichen, Obergesteln and Oberwald merged.^[3]

History

Obergesteln is first mentioned in 1322 as castellione. In 1415 it was mentioned as obergestillen.^[4] Oberwald is first mentioned in 1386 as Superiore Valde. In 1419 it was mentioned as Oberwaldt.^[5] Ulrichen is first mentioned in 1235 as Vlrighingen. In 1240 it was mentioned as holriquinguen.^[6]

Geography

Gletch and the Rhone glacier in 1900

Obergoms has an area, as of 2011^[update], of 155.8 square kilometers (60.2 sq mi). Of this area, 26.0% is used for agricultural purposes, while 9.6% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 1.0% is settled (buildings or roads) and 63.3% is unproductive land.^[7]

Obergesteln is located on a terminal moraine of the Rhone glacier in the Rhone valley, at an elevation of 1,353 m (4,439 ft). Oberwald is at 1,370 m (4,490 ft) on the right side of the valley located to the north of the Rhone. It includes Unterwassern (since 1838), which stretches along the left bank of the Rhone. Further, the former municipality stretched across the entire Geren valley floor with the now abandoned hamlets of Untergeren, Obergeren and Bergdorf, as well as the hotel resorts Gletsch and Belvedere at the Furka and the Rhone glacier. The final former municipality, Ulrichen, is at the foot of the Nufenen and the Gries Passes.

Demographics

View of Oberwald in Obergoms

Obergoms has a population (as of December 2009^[update]) of 728.^[1] As of 2008^[update], 11.3% of the population are resident foreign nationals.^[8] Over the last 10 years (1999–2009 ) the population has changed at a rate of -5.7%. It has changed at a rate of -2.2% due to migration and at a rate of -2.2% due to births and deaths.^[7]

As of 2008^[update], the gender distribution of the population was 52.3% male and 47.7% female. The population was made up of 338 Swiss men (46.4% of the population) and 43 (5.9%) non-Swiss men. There were 308 Swiss women (42.3%) and 39 (5.4%) non-Swiss women.^[9]

The age distribution of the population (as of 2000^[update]) is children and teenagers (0–19 years old) make up 20.6% of the population, while adults (20–64 years old) make up 61.2% and seniors (over 64 years old) make up 18.2%.^[7]

As of 2000^[update] the average number of residents per living room was 0.59 which is about equal to the cantonal average of 0.63 per room.^[7] In this case, a room is defined as space of a housing unit of at least 4 m² (43 sq ft) as normal bedrooms, dining rooms, living rooms, kitchens and habitable cellars and attics.^[10] About 81.4% of the total households were owner occupied, or in other words did not pay rent (though they may have a mortgage or a rent-to-own agreement).^[11]

As of 2009^[update], the construction rate of new housing units was 30.2 new units per 1000 residents.^[7]

Obergesteln demographics

Obergesteln village

Most of the population, in Obergesteln as of 2000^[update], speaks German (183 or 93.8%) as their first language, Serbo-Croatian is the second most common (8 or 4.1%) and Tschechisch is the third (2 or 1.0%). There is 1 person who speaks French.^[12]

Of the population in the municipality 115 or about 59.0% were born in Obergesteln and lived there in 2000. There were 49 or 25.1% who were born in the same canton, while 11 or 5.6% were born somewhere else in Switzerland, and 18 or 9.2% were born outside of Switzerland.^[12]

As of 2000^[update], there were 69 people who were single and never married in the municipality. There were 108 married individuals, 14 widows or widowers and 4 individuals who are divorced.^[12]

There were 34 households that consist of only one person and 3 households with five or more people. Out of a total of 92 households that answered this question, 37.0% were households made up of just one person. Of the rest of the households, there are 28 married couples without children, 24 married couples with children There was one single parent with a child or children. There were 2 households that were made up of unrelated people and 3 households that were made up of some sort of institution or another collective housing.^[12] {

{as of|2000|alt=In 2000}} there were 39 single family homes (or 32.0% of the total) out of a total of 122 inhabited buildings. There were 67 multi-family buildings (54.9%), along with 9 multi-purpose buildings that were mostly used for housing (7.4%) and 7 other use buildings (commercial or industrial) that also had some housing (5.7%).^[13]

In 2000^[update], a total of 88 apartments (35.1% of the total) were permanently occupied, while 148 apartments (59.0%) were seasonally occupied and 15 apartments (6.0%) were empty.^[13]

Oberwald demographics

Hotel Belvedere in Oberwald

House in Oberwald

Most of the population, in Oberwald as of 2000^[update], speaks German (249 or 95.8%) as their first language, Serbo-Croatian is the second most common (6 or 2.3%) and Italian is the third (2 or 0.8%). There is 1 person who speaks French.^[12]

Of the population in the municipality 155 or about 59.6% were born in Oberwald and lived there in 2000. There were 48 or 18.5% who were born in the same canton, while 30 or 11.5% were born somewhere else in Switzerland, and 19 or 7.3% were born outside of Switzerland.^[12]

As of 2000^[update], there were 97 people who were single and never married in the municipality. There were 142 married individuals, 11 widows or widowers and 10 individuals who are divorced.^[12]

There were 44 households that consist of only one person and 5 households with five or more people. Out of a total of 117 households that answered this question, 37.6% were households made up of just one person and there was 1 adult who lived with their parents. Of the rest of the households, there are 31 married couples without children, 32 married couples with children There were 2 single parents with a child or children. There were 2 households that were made up of unrelated people and 5 households that were made up of some sort of institution or another collective housing.^[12]

In 2000^[update] there were 37 single family homes (or 23.6% of the total) out of a total of 157 inhabited buildings. There were 83 multi-family buildings (52.9%), along with 16 multi-purpose buildings that were mostly used for housing (10.2%) and 21 other use buildings (commercial or industrial) that also had some housing (13.4%).^[13]

In 2000^[update], a total of 112 apartments (24.1% of the total) were permanently occupied, while 331 apartments (71.3%) were seasonally occupied and 21 apartments (4.5%) were empty.^[13]

Ulrichen demographics

Ulrichen village

Most of the population, in Ulrichen as of 2000^[update], speaks German (213 or 96.4%) as their first language, Italian is the second most common (3 or 1.4%) and Portuguese is the third (3 or 1.4%).^[12]

Of the population in the municipality 141 or about 63.8% were born in Ulrichen and lived there in 2000. There were 47 or 21.3% who were born in the same canton, while 16 or 7.2% were born somewhere else in Switzerland, and 17 or 7.7% were born outside of Switzerland.^[12] As of 2000^[update], there were 93 people who were single and never married in the municipality. There were 119 married individuals, 9 widows or widowers and individuals who are divorced.^[12]

There were 24 households that consist of only one person and 8 households with five or more people. Out of a total of 89 households that answered this question, 27.0% were households made up of just one person and there was 1 adult who lived with their parents. Of the rest of the households, there are 26 married couples without children, 33 married couples with children There were 3 households that were made up of unrelated people and 2 households that were made up of some sort of institution or another collective housing.^[12]

In 2000^[update] there were 41 single family homes (or 38.0% of the total) out of a total of 108 inhabited buildings. There were 47 multi-family buildings (43.5%), along with 11 multi-purpose buildings that were mostly used for housing (10.2%) and 9 other use buildings (commercial or industrial) that also had some housing (8.3%).^[13]

In 2000^[update], a total of 85 apartments (36.2% of the total) were permanently occupied, while 129 apartments (54.9%) were seasonally occupied and 21 apartments (8.9%) were empty.^[13]

Historic Population

The historical population is given in the following chart:^{[4][5][6][14]}

Sights

Furkabahn cog-wheel railway

The entire villages of Obergesteln and Ulrichen, the Gletsch region and the Furkabahn Cog-Wheel Railway are all designated as part of the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites.^[15]

Politics

In the 2007 federal election in Obergesteln, the most popular party was the CVP which received 71.92% of the vote. The next three most popular parties were the SVP (12.47%), the FDP (7.48%) and the SP (6.69%). In the federal election, a total of 112 votes were cast, and the voter turnout was 64.7%.^[16]

In Oberwald, the most popular party was the CVP which received 68.83% of the vote. The next three most popular parties were the SVP (21%), the SP (5.56%) and the FDP (2.98%). In the federal election, a total of 110 votes were cast, and the voter turnout was 61.1%.^[16]

In Ulrichen, the most popular party was the CVP which received 58.16% of the vote. The next three most popular parties were the SVP (18.89%), the SP (15.11%) and the FDP (6.48%). In the federal election, a total of 111 votes were cast, and the voter turnout was 63.1%.^[16]

Economy

As of 2010^[update], Obergoms had an unemployment rate of 2.3%. As of 2008^[update], there were 64 people employed in the primary economic sector and about 27 businesses involved in this sector. 86 people were employed in the secondary sector and there were 11 businesses in this sector. 239 people were employed in the tertiary sector, with 50 businesses in this sector.^[7]

Of the working population, 7.9% used public transportation to get to work, and 40.6% used a private car.^[7]

Obergesteln economy

There were 97 residents of Obergesteln who were employed in some capacity, of which females made up 39.2% of the workforce. In 2008^[update] the total number of full-time equivalent jobs was 94. The number of jobs in the primary sector was 11, all of which were in agriculture. The number of jobs in the secondary sector was 42 of which 3 or (7.1%) were in manufacturing and 39 (92.9%) were in construction. The number of jobs in the tertiary sector was 41. In the tertiary sector; 2 or 4.9% were in the sale or repair of motor vehicles, 30 or 73.2% were in a hotel or restaurant, 1 was the insurance or financial industry, 1 was in education.^[17]

In 2000^[update], there were 36 workers who commuted into the municipality and 32 workers who commuted away. The municipality is a net importer of workers, with about 1.1 workers entering the municipality for every one leaving.^[18] Of the working population, % used public transportation to get to work, and % used a private car.^[7]

Oberwald economy

Oberwald train station

There were 138 residents of Oberwald who were employed in some capacity, of which females made up 39.1% of the workforce. In 2008^[update] the total number of full-time equivalent jobs was 147. The number of jobs in the primary sector was 18, of which 11 were in agriculture and 6 were in forestry or lumber production. The number of jobs in the secondary sector was 22, all of which were in manufacturing. The number of jobs in the tertiary sector was 107. In the tertiary sector; 12 or 11.2% were in the sale or repair of motor vehicles, 23 or 21.5% were in the movement and storage of goods, 62 or 57.9% were in a hotel or restaurant, 1 was the insurance or financial industry, 2 or 1.9% were technical professionals or scientists, 1 was in education.^[17]

In 2000^[update], there were 48 workers who commuted into the municipality and 41 workers who commuted away. The municipality is a net importer of workers, with about 1.2 workers entering the municipality for every one leaving.^[18]

Ulrichen economy

There were 107 residents of Ulrichen who were employed in some capacity, of which females made up 40.2% of the workforce. In 2008^[update] the total number of full-time equivalent jobs was 85. The number of jobs in the primary sector was 11, all of which were in agriculture. The number of jobs in the secondary sector was 16, all of which were in manufacturing. The number of jobs in the tertiary sector was 58. In the tertiary sector; 10 or 17.2% were in the sale or repair of motor vehicles, 9 or 15.5% were in the movement and storage of goods, 33 or 56.9% were in a hotel or restaurant, 2 or 3.4% were in education.^[17]

In 2000^[update], there were 38 workers who commuted into the municipality and 44 workers who commuted away. The municipality is a net exporter of workers, with about 1.2 workers leaving the municipality for every one entering.^[18]

Education

During the 2010-2011 school year there were a total of 57 students in the Obergoms school system. The education system in the Canton of Valais allows young children to attend one year of non-obligatory Kindergarten.^[19] During that school year, there was one kindergarten class (KG1 or KG2) and 15 kindergarten students. The canton's school system requires students to attend six years of primary school. In Obergoms there were a total of 4 classes and 57 students in the primary school. The secondary school program consists of three lower, obligatory years of schooling (orientation classes), followed by three to five years of optional, advanced schools. All the lower and upper secondary students from Obergoms attend their school in a neighboring municipality.^[20]

In Obergesteln about 75 or (38.5%) of the population have completed non-mandatory upper secondary education, and 16 or (8.2%) have completed additional higher education (either university or a Fachhochschule). Of the 16 who completed tertiary schooling, 87.5% were Swiss men, 12.5% were Swiss women.^[12] As of 2000^[update], there were 12 students in Obergesteln who came from another municipality, while 17 residents attended schools outside the municipality.^[18]

In Oberwald about 93 or (35.8%) of the population have completed non-mandatory upper secondary education, and 12 or (4.6%) have completed additional higher education (either university or a Fachhochschule). Of the 12 who completed tertiary schooling, 83.3% were Swiss men, 8.3% were Swiss women.^[12] As of 2000^[update], there were 9 students in Oberwald who came from another municipality, while 19 residents attended schools outside the municipality.^[18]

In Ulrichen about 72 or (32.6%) of the population have completed non-mandatory upper secondary education, and 14 or (6.3%) have completed additional higher education (either university or a Fachhochschule). Of the 14 who completed tertiary schooling, 71.4% were Swiss men, 14.3% were Swiss women.^[12] As of 2000^[update], there were 16 students in Ulrichen who came from another municipality, while 18 residents attended schools outside the municipality.^[18]

Religion

Church in Oberwald

From the 2000 census^[update], in Obergesteln, 171 or 87.7% were Roman Catholic, while 3 or 1.5% belonged to the Swiss Reformed Church. Of the rest of the population, there were 10 members of an Orthodox church (or about 5.13% of the population). 7 (or about 3.59% of the population) belonged to no church, are agnostic or atheist, and 4 individuals (or about 2.05% of the population) did not answer the question.^[12]

In Oberwald, 218 or 83.8% were Roman Catholic, while 14 or 5.4% belonged to the Swiss Reformed Church. Of the rest of the population, there were 8 members of an Orthodox church (or about 3.08% of the population). There were 2 (or about 0.77% of the population) who were Islamic. 10 (or about 3.85% of the population) belonged to no church, are agnostic or atheist, and 8 individuals (or about 3.08% of the population) did not answer the question.^[12]

In Ulrichen, 210 or 95.0% were Roman Catholic, while 7 or 3.2% belonged to the Swiss Reformed Churc]. Of the rest of the population, there was 1 member of an Orthodox church. 1 (or about 0.45% of the population) belonged to no church, are agnostic or atheist, and 2 individuals (or about 0.90% of the population) did not answer the question.^[12]

Weather

Climate data for Obergoms (Ulrichen before 2009)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Average high °C (°F)	−1.4 (29.5)	0.8 (33.4)	3.8 (38.8)	7.4 (45.3)	12.8 (55.0)	17 (63)	20.4 (68.7)	19.6 (67.3)	17.2 (63.0)	12.4 (54.3)	4.8 (40.6)	−0.9 (30.4)	9.5
Daily mean °C (°F)	−7.5 (18.5)	−5.6 (21.9)	−1.9 (28.6)	2.1 (35.8)	7 (45)	11 (52)	13.5 (56.3)	12.5 (54.5)	9.8 (49.6)	4.7 (40.5)	−1.4 (29.5)	−6.8 (19.8)	3.1
Average low °C (°F)	−13.1 (8.4)	−12.2 (10.0)	−7.7 (18.1)	−2.7 (27.1)	1.4 (34.5)	4.1 (39.4)	5.9 (42.6)	5.6 (42.1)	3.1 (37.6)	−0.9 (30.4)	−6.6 (20.1)	−11.8 (10.8)	−2.9
Precipitation mm (inches)	97 (3.82)	92 (3.62)	101 (3.98)	98 (3.86)	104 (4.09)	90 (3.54)	67 (2.64)	99 (3.9)	67 (2.64)	103 (4.06)	115 (4.53)	103 (4.06)	1,137 (44.76)
Avg. precipitation days	10.4	9.2	10.2	9.5	11.5	10	9.5	11.2	7.9	8.7	9.5	9.8	117.4
Source: MeteoSchweiz [21]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Swiss Federal Statistical Office, MS Excel document – Bilanz der ständigen Wohnbevölkerung nach Kantonen, Bezirken und Gemeinden (German) accessed 25 August 2010
2. ^ Arealstatistik Standard - Gemeindedaten nach 4 Hauptbereichen
3. ^ Amtliches Gemeindeverzeichnis der Schweiz published by the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (German) accessed 19 July 2011
4. ^ ^{a b} Obergesteln in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland.
5. ^ ^{a b} Oberwald in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland.
6. ^ ^{a b} Ulrichen in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland.
7. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h} Swiss Federal Statistical Office accessed 07-September-2011
8. ^ Swiss Federal Statistical Office - Superweb database - Gemeinde Statistics 1981-2008 (German) accessed 19 June 2010
9. ^ Ständige Wohnbevolkerung nach Geschlecht und Heimat am 31.12.2009.xls (German) (French) accessed 24 August 2011
10. ^ Eurostat. "Housing (SA1)" (pdf). Urban Audit Glossary. 2007. p. 18. http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/en/index/international/22/lexi.Document.116365.pdf. Retrieved 12 February 2010. 
11. ^ Urban Audit Glossary pg 17
12. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r} STAT-TAB Datenwürfel für Thema 40.3 - 2000 (German) accessed 2 February 2011
13. ^ ^{a b c d e f} Swiss Federal Statistical Office STAT-TAB - Datenwürfel für Thema 09.2 - Gebäude und Wohnungen (German) accessed 28 January 2011
14. ^ Federal Statistical Office STAT-TAB Bevölkerungsentwicklung nach Region, 1850-2000 (German) accessed 29 January 2011
15. ^ "Kantonsliste A-Objekte" (in German). KGS Inventar. Federal Office of Civil Protection. 2009. http://www.bevoelkerungsschutz.admin.ch/internet/bs/de/home/themen/kgs/kgs_inventar/a-objekte.html. Retrieved 25 April 2011. 
16. ^ ^{a b c} Swiss Federal Statistical Office, Nationalratswahlen 2007: Stärke der Parteien und Wahlbeteiligung, nach Gemeinden/Bezirk/Canton (German) accessed 28 May 2010
17. ^ ^{a b c} Swiss Federal Statistical Office STAT-TAB Betriebszählung: Arbeitsstätten nach Gemeinde und NOGA 2008 (Abschnitte), Sektoren 1-3 (German) accessed 28 January 2011
18. ^ ^{a b c d e f} Swiss Federal Statistical Office - Statweb (German) accessed 24 June 2010
19. ^ EDK/CDIP/IDES (2010). Kantonale Schulstrukturen in der Schweiz und im Fürstentum Liechtenstein / Structures Scolaires Cantonales en Suisse et Dans la Principauté du Liechtenstein (Report). http://edudoc.ch/record/35128/files/Schulsystem_alle.pdf. Retrieved 24 June 2010. 
20. ^ Obligatorische Schulzeit (German) accessed 24 August 2011
21. ^ "Temperature and Precipitation Average Values-Table, 1961-1990" (in German, French, Italian). Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology MeteoSwiss. http://www.meteoswiss.admin.ch/web/de/klima/klima_schweiz/tabellen.html. Retrieved 8 May 2009. 

External links

Media related to Obergoms at Wikimedia Commons

• Obergoms in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland.