Berken facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Berken
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 Berken
Location in Switzerland
Berken
Location in Canton of Bern
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| Country | Switzerland | |
| Canton | Bern | |
| District | Oberaargau | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 1.39 km2 (0.54 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 420 m (1,380 ft) | |
| Population
(Dec 2020 )
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| • Total | 44 | |
| • Density | 31.7/km2 (82.0/sq mi) | |
| Postal code |
3376
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| Surrounded by | Bannwil, Graben, Heimenhausen, Walliswil bei Niederbipp, Walliswil bei Wangen | |
Berken is a small municipality in Switzerland. It is located in the Oberaargau area of the Bern canton. It's a quiet place with a rich history and beautiful natural surroundings.
Contents
Exploring Berken's History
How Old is Berken?
Berken was first mentioned in official records way back in 1272. Its name then was Berinkon. Imagine how much has changed since then!
Early Life in Berken
People have lived in the Berken area for a very long time. Scientists have found old tools and items from the Stone Age, called the mesolithic and neolithic periods. These show that people settled here thousands of years ago, especially near the Aare river.
For many centuries, Berken was a small farming village. It was part of a larger area ruled by a local lord, and later a district called Aarwangen.
Changes Over Time
In 1798, France invaded Switzerland. This led to big changes, and Berken became part of a new government called the Helvetic Republic. After this republic ended, Berken joined the Wangen District in 1803.
Today, farming is still important in Berken. It provides more than one-third of the jobs. Other jobs include working with gravel, concrete, and at the local restaurant. Berken is also part of the school district of Graben.
Berken's Geography and Nature
Where is Berken Located?
Berken is a small municipality covering about 1.4 square kilometers (0.54 square miles). It sits on the left side of the Aare river. This river is a major feature of the area.
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What Does the Land Look Like?
A big part of Berken's land is used for farming, about 53%. Forests cover another 30%. This means there are lots of green spaces. About 11.5% of the land has buildings and roads. The rest is made up of rivers and a small amount of undeveloped land.
Most of the forested areas are dense forests. Some land is also used for orchards, where fruit trees grow. All the water in Berken is from flowing rivers and streams.
Parts of Berken
Berken includes smaller areas called hamlets. These are Ober- and Niederberken, and Christenhof. The municipality also belongs to the church area of Herzogenbuchsee.
In 2010, Berken joined a new administrative area called Verwaltungskreis Oberaargau. This happened after its old district, Amtsbezirk Wangen, was dissolved.
Berken's Coat of Arms
What Does the Symbol Mean?
The official symbol, or blazon, of Berken's coat of arms is a green shield with two silver plough blades crossed over each other. A plough is a tool used for farming. This symbol likely represents the importance of agriculture in Berken's history and economy.
Population and People of Berken
Who Lives in Berken?
Berken is a small community. As of 2012, it had a population of 42 people, all Swiss citizens. The population has changed a bit over the years. Between 2010 and 2012, it decreased by about 14.3%. This was due to more people moving away and fewer births.
Languages Spoken
Almost everyone in Berken speaks German. In 2000, all 51 residents spoke German.
Where People Come From
In 2000, about 58.8% of the people living in Berken were born there. Another 21.6% were born in the same canton (Bern). The remaining 19.6% were born elsewhere in Switzerland.
Age Groups in Berken
In 2012, the population of Berken was made up of:
- Children and teenagers (0–19 years old): 11.9%
- Adults (20–64 years old): 59.5%
- Seniors (over 64 years old): 28.6%
How Berken's Population Has Changed
The chart below shows how Berken's population has changed over many years:
Berken's Economy and Jobs
What Kind of Jobs are There?
In 2011, Berken had a very low unemployment rate, meaning almost everyone who wanted a job had one. There were 44 people working in the municipality.
Jobs are divided into three main types:
- Primary sector: This includes jobs directly related to natural resources, like farming. In Berken, 22 people worked in this sector, mostly in agriculture. There were about 7 businesses in this area.
- Secondary sector: These jobs involve making things, like in factories or construction. In Berken, 4 people worked in this sector. This included manufacturing and mining.
- Tertiary sector: These jobs provide services, like working in shops, restaurants, or offices. In Berken, 18 people worked in this sector, with one main business.
Where Do People Work?
In 2000, 17 people traveled into Berken for work, while 12 people traveled out of Berken to work elsewhere. This means more people come into Berken for jobs than leave it. About 14 workers (45.2%) both lived and worked in Berken.
How Do People Get to Work?
Most people in Berken use private cars to get to work (34.6%). A smaller number, 7.7%, use public transportation.
Religion in Berken
What Religions are Practiced?
According to a 2000 survey, most people in Berken belong to the Swiss Reformed Church, about 94.1%. A smaller number, 3.9%, are Roman Catholic.
Education in Berken
Learning and Schools
In Berken, about half of the population has finished non-mandatory upper secondary education. This means they completed schooling beyond what is required. About 15.4% of the people have gone on to higher education, either at a university or a specialized college (a Fachhochschule).
See also
In Spanish: Berken para niños
