Birsfelden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Birsfelden
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 Birsfelden
Location in Switzerland
Birsfelden
Location in Canton of Basel-Landschaft
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| Country | Switzerland | |
| Canton | Basel-Landschaft | |
| District | Arlesheim | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 2.51 km2 (0.97 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 259 m (850 ft) | |
| Population
(Jun 2021 )
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| • Total | 10,447 | |
| • Density | 4,162/km2 (10,780/sq mi) | |
| Postal code |
4127
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| Surrounded by | Basel (BS), Grenzach-Wyhlen (DE-BW), Muttenz, Riehen (BS) | |
| Twin towns | Plan-les-Ouates (Switzerland) | |
Birsfelden (called Birsfälde in Swiss German) is a town in Switzerland. It's a municipality located in the Arlesheim district, within the canton of Basel-Country. Birsfelden is a suburb of the larger city of Basel.
Contents
Discover Birsfelden's Past
Birsfelden was first mentioned in old documents in 1274. Back then, it was known by a different name, minor Rinvelden. Around the year 1500, people started calling it Birsfeld, which is very close to its name today. Until 1874, Birsfelden was actually part of another municipality called Muttenz.
Exploring Birsfelden's Geography
Birsfelden covers an area of about 2.52 square kilometers (about 1 square mile). A small part of this area, about 1.6%, is covered by forests. Most of the land, around 81%, is developed with buildings and roads. The rest, about 18.3%, is made up of rivers and lakes.
The town is located just south of the famous Rhine River. It also sits on the right bank of the Birs River. Birsfelden is a linear village, meaning it stretches out along a line. It has a harbor and a power plant right on the Rhine River.
Understanding Birsfelden's Coat of Arms
The blazon (description) of Birsfelden's coat of arms is quite unique. It shows a red shield with three golden six-pointed stars at the top. Below these stars, there's a wavy silver line. This design helps represent the town's identity and history.
People and Population in Birsfelden
Birsfelden has a population of around 10,429 people (as of 2000). About 23.9% of the people living here are from other countries. Most residents speak German, which is about 82.4% of the population. Other languages spoken include Italian language (5.9%) and French (2.1%).
In 2008, about 48.7% of the population were male and 51.3% were female. Most people (74.6%) are Swiss citizens, while 25.4% are residents from other countries. Many people who live in Birsfelden were also born there, about 23%.
How Birsfelden's Population Has Changed
The number of people living in Birsfelden has changed over time. You can see this in the chart below. The population grew a lot between 1950 and 1970, reaching its highest point in 1970 with over 14,000 residents. Since then, the population has slowly decreased.
Important Heritage Sites in Birsfelden
Birsfelden is home to some important historical sites. The Birsfelden power plant, the Catholic Church of Bruder Klaus, and the Sternenfeld area are all listed as Swiss heritage sites of national significance. The Sternenfeld was once part of the Roman era fortifications along the Rhine.
Birsfelden's Economy and Jobs
In 2007, Birsfelden had a low unemployment rate of 2.87%. Many people work in the town.
- The primary sector (like farming) has a few jobs.
- The secondary sector (like manufacturing and construction) has many jobs, with over 1,300 full-time positions in 2008.
- The tertiary sector (like sales, transportation, healthcare, and education) has the most jobs, with over 2,000 full-time positions.
Many people travel into Birsfelden for work, and many residents also travel out to work in other places. About 39.1% of the working population uses public transportation to get to their jobs, while 25.6% use a private car.
A well-known company called Delica AG is located in Birsfelden. It's part of the Migros group and was started here in 1954. In 2009, it employed 273 people.
Religion in Birsfelden
According to the 2000 census, many different religions are practiced in Birsfelden.
- About 34.8% of the population are Roman Catholic.
- About 31.5% belong to the Swiss Reformed Church.
- Smaller groups include Orthodox Christians, Christian Catholics, and other Christian churches.
- There are also people who follow Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism.
- About 17.86% of the population do not belong to any church or are agnostic or atheist.
Education in Birsfelden
Education is important in Birsfelden. About 42% of the population has completed upper secondary education, which is like high school. Around 10.1% have gone on to higher education, either at a university or a Fachhochschule (a type of professional university). In 2000, 17 students from other towns came to school in Birsfelden, while 323 residents went to schools outside the municipality.
Famous People from Birsfelden
Birsfelden has been home to several notable individuals:
- Otto Frank (1889 – 1980 in Birsfelden) – A businessman and the father of Anne Frank.
- Walter Müller (1920 in Birsfelden – 2010 in Birsfelden) – A Swiss football goalkeeper.
- Karl Engel (1923 in Birsfelden - 2006) – A Swiss classical pianist.
- Patrick Streiff (born 1955 in Birsfelden) – A bishop of the United Methodist Church.
- Roland Dalhäuser (born 1958 in Birsfelden) – A retired high jumper who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics.
- Andreas Meyer (born 1961) – Chairman of Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) since 2007, who grew up in Birsfelden.
See also
In Spanish: Birsfelden para niños
