Betten facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Betten
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 Betten
Location in Switzerland
Betten
Location in Canton of Valais
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| Country | Switzerland | |
| Canton | Valais | |
| District | Raron | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 26.4 km2 (10.2 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 1,203 m (3,947 ft) | |
| Population
(Dec 2011)
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| • Total | 420 | |
| • Density | 15.91/km2 (41.2/sq mi) | |
| Postal code |
3991
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| Surrounded by | Fiesch, Fieschertal, Filet, Grengiols, Lax, Martisberg, Naters, Riederalp | |
Betten was once a small town, or "municipality," located in the Raron district of the Valais canton in Switzerland. On January 1, 2014, Betten joined with another town called Martisberg to form a new, larger municipality named Bettmeralp.
Contents
A Look Back at Betten's History
Betten has a long history! The first time anyone wrote about Betten was in the year 1243. Back then, it was called Bettan.
Where is Betten?
Before it merged, Betten covered an area of about 26.4 square kilometers (10.2 square miles). A small part of this land, about 15.9%, was used for farming. Forests covered 12.0% of the area.
Only a tiny part, 1.3%, had buildings or roads. The largest part, 70.8%, was unproductive land, like mountains or rocky areas.
The town was located on a sunny, south-facing hillside. It sat at an elevation of about 1,200 meters (3,900 feet) above sea level. Betten included the main village of Betten and a smaller village called Egga. It also had the Bettmeralp alpine settlement, which is even higher up, at about 1,900 meters (6,200 feet).
What Does Betten's Coat of Arms Look Like?
The official symbol, or coat of arms, of Betten is quite interesting. It shows a blue fish jumping over blue wavy lines, which might represent water. On the right side, there's a green tree with a brown trunk growing from a wavy base. On the left side, there's a white chapel with a black roof, door, and windows, also rising from a wavy base.
People and Life in Betten
In 2011, Betten had a population of 420 people. Over the ten years before that (2000–2010), the number of people living there went down by about 11.6%. This was mostly because people moved away.
Most people in Betten (about 96.4%) speak German as their main language. A few people also speak Serbo-Croatian or French.
In 2008, most residents (367 people) were Swiss citizens. About 7.6% of the population were people from other countries. Many people (about 60.6%) were born in Betten and still lived there in 2000. Others were born in the same canton (Valais) or other parts of Switzerland.
In 2000, children and teenagers (up to 19 years old) made up 18% of the population. Adults (20–64 years old) were the largest group at 66.1%. Seniors (over 64 years old) made up 15.8%.
Most homes in Betten had about 2.4 people living in them. In 2000, about 180 homes were private households. Many apartments in Betten were used only for holidays, not as permanent homes.
Special Places to See
The small village of Eggen, which is part of Betten, is a special place. It is recognized as an important Swiss Heritage Site. This means it has historical or cultural importance and is protected.
How People Made a Living
In 2010, Betten had a very low unemployment rate, only 0.3%. This means almost everyone who wanted a job had one.
Many people worked in the tourism industry, especially in hotels and restaurants. In 2008, about 312 people worked in the "tertiary sector," which includes services like hotels, shops, and transportation. There were 47 businesses in this sector.
Some people also worked in farming (primary sector) and construction (secondary sector). For example, 13 jobs were in construction.
Many people who lived in Betten also worked in other nearby towns. About 20.7% of the working population used public transportation to get to their jobs. About 9.4% used a private car.
Beliefs and Religions
In 2000, most people in Betten (about 84.2%) were Roman Catholic. About 5.3% belonged to the Swiss Reformed Church. A smaller number of people belonged to other Christian churches or were Muslim. Some people did not belong to any church.
Learning and Schools
In Betten, about 40.3% of the adults had finished high school. A smaller number (4.9%) had gone on to higher education, like a university.
During the 2010–2011 school year, there were 17 students in Betten's schools. Young children could attend a non-required Kindergarten year. The main school system required students to attend six years of primary school. Betten had 17 students in primary school.
Students in middle school and high school from Betten would go to schools in nearby towns. In 2000, 21 students from Betten went to schools outside the municipality.
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See also
In Spanish: Betten para niños
