Biel-Benken facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Biel-Benken
|
||
|---|---|---|
 |
||
|
||
 Biel-Benken
Location in Switzerland
Biel-Benken
Location in Canton of Basel-Landschaft
|
||
| Country | Switzerland | |
| Canton | Basel-Landschaft | |
| District | Arlesheim | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 4.12 km2 (1.59 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 317 m (1,040 ft) | |
| Population
(Jun 2021 )
|
||
| • Total | 3,577 | |
| • Density | 868.2/km2 (2,248.6/sq mi) | |
| Postal code |
4105
|
|
| Surrounded by | Bättwil (SO), Leymen (FR-68), Neuwiller (FR-68), Oberwil, Therwil, Witterswil (SO) | |
Biel-Benken (Swiss German: Biel-Bängge) is a lovely municipality, which is like a town or village, in Switzerland. It is located in the Arlesheim district, within the canton of Basel-Country.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
The village of Benken was first mentioned in old records in 1259. It was sometimes called Benken maior. This helped tell it apart from Biel, which was known as Benken minor or Buelbenken. The two villages, Biel and Benken, officially joined together in 1972 to form the single municipality we know today.
Geography and Nature
Biel-Benken covers an area of about 4.12 square kilometers (1.59 square miles). A big part of this land, about 53.9%, is used for farming. Forests cover almost 20% of the area, providing green spaces and homes for wildlife.
About a quarter of the land is developed with buildings and roads. The municipality is nestled in the Leimen valley. The two original villages, Biel and Benken, are separated by the Birsig river.
Town Symbol: The Coat of Arms
The blazon (description) of Biel-Benken's municipal coat of arms is: Gules, a bend lozengy Argent. This means it has a red background. Across it, there's a diagonal band made of silver diamond shapes. This unique design represents the town's history and identity.
Who Lives Here? (Demographics)
Biel-Benken has a population of about 3,123 people. Most people in Biel-Benken speak German, which is about 92.8% of the population. Some people also speak French (2.1%) and English (1.3%).
In 2010, the age groups in Biel-Benken were:
- Children (0-6 years old): 7.4%
- Teenagers (7-19 years old): 14.8%
- Young adults (20-29 years old): 8.6%
- Adults (30-64 years old): 50.5%
- Seniors (65 years and older): 18.6%
Most people in Biel-Benken are Swiss citizens. About 12.1% of the residents are from other countries.
Working and Earning (Economy)
In 2007, the unemployment rate in Biel-Benken was quite low, at 1.37%. This means most people who wanted to work had jobs.
People in Biel-Benken work in different areas:
- Primary sector: About 110 people work in farming.
- Secondary sector: Around 343 people work in manufacturing and construction. This includes making things and building homes or other structures.
- Tertiary sector: About 425 people work in services. This includes jobs in shops, restaurants, healthcare, and education.
Many residents of Biel-Benken travel to other towns for work. About 19.7% use public transportation, and 53% use a private car to get to their jobs.
Beliefs and Faith (Religion)
Based on a 2000 survey, many residents of Biel-Benken belong to Christian churches. About 51.2% are part of the Swiss Reformed Church, and 24.5% are Roman Catholic. There are also smaller groups of other Christian faiths, as well as people who are Islamic or Jewish. Some residents follow other religions like Buddhism or Hinduism. About 17.1% of the population do not belong to any church.
Learning and Schools (Education)
Education is important in Biel-Benken. About 42.4% of the population has completed high school. Many people, about 22.2%, have gone on to get higher education from a university or a specialized college (a Fachhochschule). While some students from Biel-Benken attend schools in other towns, only a few students from other places come to study in Biel-Benken.
Famous People from Biel-Benken
- Alex Frei, a very well-known Swiss soccer player, was born and grew up right here in Biel-Benken!
See also
In Spanish: Biel-Benken para niños
