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Au, St. Gallen facts for kids

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Au
Au-Heerbrugg preghejo de Au 011.jpg
Coat of arms of Au
Coat of arms
Au is located in Switzerland
Au
Au
Location in Switzerland
Au is located in Canton of St. Gallen
Au
Au
Location in Canton of St. Gallen
Country Switzerland
Canton St. Gallen
District Rheintal
Area
 • Total 4.65 km2 (1.80 sq mi)
Elevation
405 m (1,329 ft)
Population
 (Dec 2020 )
 • Total 7,984
 • Density 1,717.0/km2 (4,447/sq mi)
Postal code
9434
Surrounded by Balgach, Berneck, Lustenau (AT-8), Sankt Margrethen, Walzenhausen (AR), Widnau

Au is a town, also called a municipality, located in the Rheintal area of St. Gallen canton in Switzerland. It's a cool place to explore in the eastern part of Switzerland!

History of Au

Au was first written about in the year 1316. Back then, it was called Diken Auwe. This shows that the town has a long history!

Au's Coat of Arms

A coat of arms is like a special symbol or logo for a town or family. Au's coat of arms has a blue background. On it, you can see a golden crescent moon that looks like it's rising from behind a silver cliff. It's a unique design that represents the town.

Geography of Au

ETH-BIB-Au-LBS H1-009594
Aerial view of Au in 1947
SchlossHeerbrugg2
Heerbrugg Castle

Au covers an area of about 4.7 square kilometers (which is about 1.8 square miles). A big part of this land, about 42%, is used for farming. About 4.2% is covered by forests. Most of the town, around 47.8%, has buildings and roads. The rest of the land includes rivers or lakes.

The town is located in a narrow area between a mountain called Heldsberg and the Rhein River. Au includes the main village of Au. It also has smaller villages, called hamlets, like Haslach, Hard, and Monstein. Part of the village of Heerbrugg is also within Au.

People and Population in Au

Au has a population of around 8,000 people. About one-third of the people living here are from other countries. Many people in Au speak German, which is the main language. Some also speak Italian or Albanian.

The town has a good mix of ages. There are many children and teenagers, making it a lively place. There are also many adults and older people who live in Au.

Most people in Au live in families. Many are part of couples with children. Some people live alone, and others live in single-parent homes.

The people in Au are generally well-educated. Many adults have finished high school or gone on to college. This shows that education is important in the town.

Here's how Au's population has grown over the years:

year population
1837 917
1850 875
1900 1,314
1910 2,437
1950 2,636
1970 4,944
1990 5,778

Economy of Au

Au has a strong economy with many jobs. There are three main types of jobs:

  • Primary sector: These are jobs related to farming and natural resources.
  • Secondary sector: These jobs involve making things in factories or building.
  • Tertiary sector: These jobs are about providing services, like working in shops, offices, or healthcare.

Many people who live in Au also work in the town. However, some people travel from Au to work in other places. Also, many people from outside Au come to work in the town.

Religion in Au

In Au, many people are Roman Catholic. A good number of people also belong to the Swiss Reformed Church. There are also people who follow other Christian faiths, Islam, or no religion at all.

Sights to See in Au

The shared village area of Balgach/Heerbrugg is a special place. It is recognized as an important Swiss heritage site. This means it has historical or cultural value.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Au (San Galo) para niños

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