Biel, Valais facts for kids
Biel is a small village located in the Valais region of Switzerland. It's a quiet place nestled in the beautiful Swiss Alps.
Biel used to be its own independent area, called a municipality. Think of a municipality as a local government area, similar to a town or a small district, with its own local leaders and rules.
How Biel Became Part of Grafschaft
For many years, Biel managed its own affairs as a separate municipality. However, in 2001, something big happened. Biel joined forces with two other nearby villages, Ritzingen and Selkingen.
Why Did They Merge?
When municipalities merge, it means they combine to form a larger area. This often happens to make things like local services and administration more efficient. By working together, they can share resources and make decisions for a bigger community.
The New Municipality: Grafschaft
After the merger in 2001, Biel, Ritzingen, and Selkingen all became part of a new, larger municipality called Grafschaft. So, while Biel still keeps its name and identity as a village, it is now part of this bigger administrative area.
