Gland, Switzerland

Infobox Swiss town
subject_name = Gland
municipality_name = Gland
municipality_type = municipality
imagepath_coa = |pixel_coa=


languages = French
canton = Vaud
iso-code-region = CH-VD
district = Nyon
lat_d=46|lat_m=25|lat_NS=N|long_d=06|long_m=16|long_EW=E
postal_code = 1196
municipality_code = 5721
area = 8.30
elevation = 432|elevation_description=
population = 10775|populationof=2005
website = www.gland.ch
mayor = Gérald Cretegny|mayor_asof=|mayor_party=
mayor_title = |list_of_mayors =
places =
demonym =
neighboring_municipalities= Begnins, Dully, Luins, Nernier (FR-74), Prangins, Vich, Yvoire (FR-74)
twintowns = |

Gland is a municipality in the district of Nyon in the canton of Vaud in Switzerland.

Even though French is the main language, there are over 80 nationalities living in this city with a population of 10,775 (2005). Since it is ideally located halfway between the cities of Geneva and Lausanne, many international companies and organizations settled there, among others Sun Microsystems, the World Conservation Union (UICN), the Ramsar Convention and World Wide Fund for Nature.

History

Gland is known to have been a prehistoric settlement. During the Roman period a farm called "Villa Glanis" was there. Until the 1960s, Gland was merely a small farming village (essentially vineyards and cattle). The opening of the highway linking Geneva with Lausanne brought many commuters to this quiet place. It is only since the mid-1980s that Gland has started to grow into a city with its own businesses and shopping centers.

Miscellaneous

In the 1930s, the Toblerone line, a defensive line, was built at the edge of Gland. Its purpose was to stop a tank invasion from the west.

It is also the home of Seven time Formula 1 World Champion, Michael Schumacher

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thumb|left|300px|Gland_and_Lake Geneva]

External links

* [http://www.gland.ch Town of Gland, official site]
* [http://www.toblerones.ch/ The Toblerone Trail]
*HDS|2513|Gland|author=Germain Hausmann

Formula One Legend Michael Schumacher currently resides in Gland