Canton of Lucerne

Infobox Canton|short_name=Lucerne
local_names=Luzern|coord = coord|47|5|N|8|7|E|region:CH-LU_type:adm1st|display=title
flag_img_path=Flag of Canton of Lucerne.svg
coa_img_path=Lucerne-coat of arms.svg
locatormap_img_path=Swiss_Canton_Map_LU.pngcantonalmap_img_path=Map_of_Canton_Luzern.pngcapital=Lucerne
area=1493|area_rank=9th|area_scale=9
population=359017|population_rank=7th|population_asof=2006
population_density=240
since=1332
abbr=LU
languages=German
executive=Regierungsrat|executive_members=5
legislative=Grosser Rat|parliament_members=120
highest=Brienzer Rothorn|highest_m=2350|lowest=Reuss plain at Honauer Schachen|lowest_m=406
municipalities_number=107
districts_designation=Ämter|districts_number=5|

Lucerne ( _de. Luzern) is a canton of Switzerland. It is located in the centre of Switzerland. The population is 359,016 (as of 2006). The cantonal capital is Lucerne.

Geography

The canton of Lucerne is located in the centre of Switzerland. It is drained by the Reuss river and the river Kleine Emme. The lands of the canton lie on the northern foothills of the Swiss Alps (Urner Alps). The highest elevation of the canton of Lucerne is at the "Brienzer Rothorn" at 2,350m. The area of the canton is 1,493 km².

History

:"See also: Swiss peasant war of 1653"The canton of Lucerne comprises territories acquired by its capital Lucerne, either by treaty, armed occupation or purchase, largely by 1415. Lucerne had already joined the Swiss Confederation in 1332. The canton briefly attempted to pursue a policy of separation from 1841-1847 and joined the "Sonderbund", which was dissolved by force by a federal army in 1847.

Economy

About nine tenths of the total area is productive land. Agriculture is the most significant source of income, but industry is also developed. The most important agricultural products are crops, fruit and cattle breeding. Industry concentrates on textiles, machinery, paper, wood, tobacco and metallurgical goods.

Tourism is of great importance. The canton of Lucerne is a gateway to holiday resorts in the nearby Alps, and much of the transit traffic between Germany and Italy crosses the region.

Demographics

The population is mainly German speaking and the vast majority is Roman Catholic.

Districts

Municipalities

There are 99 municipalities in the canton (as of January 2006).

The municipalities are part of districts ("Aemter"), named after their capital (bolded above), except for Entlebuch, whose capital is Schüpfheim.

"See also:" Municipalities of Switzerland

External links

* [http://www.lu.ch/ Official Site] de icon
* [http://www.staluzern.ch/info/home_e.html Public Records Office / State Archive] de icon
* [http://www.statistik.admin.ch/stat_ch/ber00/ekan_ne.htm Official Statistics]
* [http://www.rawi.lu.ch/geoinformation_vermessung/geoportal.htm Geoportal] de icon GIS
*HDS|7382