Cerentino facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cerentino
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Cerentino village
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 Cerentino
Location in Switzerland
Cerentino
Location in Canton of Ticino
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| Country | Switzerland | |
| Canton | Ticino | |
| District | Vallemaggia | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 20.1 km2 (7.8 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 981 m (3,219 ft) | |
| Population
(Dec 2020 )
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| • Total | 40 | |
| • Density | 1.99/km2 (5.2/sq mi) | |
| Postal code |
6683
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| Surrounded by | Bosco/Gurin, Campo (Vallemaggia), Cevio, Linescio | |
Cerentino is a small town, also called a municipality, located in the Vallemaggia area of Ticino, a canton (like a state) in Switzerland. It's a quiet place with beautiful natural surroundings.
Contents
History of Cerentino
In the mid-1800s, many people left Cerentino. They moved to other countries or bigger cities in Switzerland. This caused the town's population to shrink a lot.
The main church in Cerentino, called Madonna delle Grazie, has been around since the 1400s. It was made bigger in the early 1500s. In 1513, it became its own separate church area, no longer part of the church in Cevio. Inside the church, you can see amazing frescoes (wall paintings) and stucco (decorative plasterwork) from the 1600s.
The land around Cerentino has a lot of limestone. This stone was used to build houses and make lime, which is a key ingredient in mortar (the "glue" that holds bricks or stones together). However, the villages in this area face challenges from landslides and ongoing erosion, which means the ground can sometimes shift or wear away.
Today, farming and raising animals are still the main ways people in Cerentino make a living. These activities used to help the villages be self-sufficient, meaning they could produce most of what they needed. In the summer, some tourists visit the municipality, enjoying the peaceful environment.
Geography of Cerentino
Cerentino covers an area of about 20 square kilometers (about 7.7 square miles). Most of this land, about 66%, is covered by forests. About 1.9% is used for farming. A small part, about 1.8%, has buildings and roads. Rivers and lakes make up about 1.2% of the area. The remaining 26.5% is unproductive land, like rocky areas or places with sparse plants.
The municipality is in the Vallemaggia district. It's located where the Rovana river meets the Valle di Bosco stream. Cerentino has nine villages where people live, plus two that are now abandoned. These villages are quite spread out and can feel a bit isolated from each other and the rest of the canton. The main village sits at an elevation of about 979 meters (3,212 feet) above sea level.
Coat of Arms
The blazon (description) of Cerentino's municipal coat of arms is: Azure on a base bent a deer trippant or. This means it shows a golden deer walking on a curved base, all on a blue background.
People of Cerentino
Cerentino has a small population of about 57 people (as of 2008). About 7.7% of the people living here are from other countries. Over the past 10 years (1997–2007), the population has changed quite a bit, growing by about 18.9%.
Most people in Cerentino speak Italian language (about 89.7%). The second most common language is German (about 8.6%), and a few people speak French (about 1.7%).
As of 2008, a little more than half the population (52.6%) was male, and 47.4% was female. Most people (about 55.2%) were born in Cerentino and still lived there in 2000. Others were born in the same canton (25.9%), elsewhere in Switzerland (6.9%), or outside Switzerland (10.3%).
The population of Cerentino changes slowly. In 2008, there was one birth to Swiss citizens. The total Swiss population increased by 2 people that year.
Looking at the age groups in 2009:
- Children (0-9 years old): 5.3%
- Teenagers (10-19 years old): 8.8%
- Young adults (20-29 years old): 8.8%
- Adults (30-59 years old): 40.3%
- Seniors (60 years and older): 36.8%
In 2000, about 55.2% of the people were single and had never been married. About 34.5% were married.
There were 28 private households in Cerentino in 2000, with an average of 1.9 people per household. About 43.3% of households had only one person living in them.
Most of the buildings in Cerentino are single-family homes (about 80.6%). Many of these homes were built between 1919 and 1945. In 2000, there were 128 apartments in the municipality. Only about 21.9% of these apartments were lived in all year round. The rest (78.1%) were used seasonally, perhaps as vacation homes.
The population of Cerentino has changed a lot over time. In 1591, there were 625 people. By 1990, the population had dropped to 47 people, but it increased slightly to 58 by 2000.
Interesting Sights
The small village of Corino, which is part of Cerentino, is recognized as an important Swiss Heritage Site. This means it has special historical or cultural value.
Economy of Cerentino
In 2007, the unemployment rate in Cerentino was 4.33%. This means a small percentage of people looking for work couldn't find a job.
The economy of Cerentino is divided into three main parts:
- Primary sector: This includes activities like farming and raising animals. In 2005, 14 people worked in this sector, and there were 5 related businesses.
- Secondary sector: This involves making things, like manufacturing. In 2005, 2 people worked in this sector, with 1 business.
- Tertiary sector: This includes services, like tourism or shops. In 2005, 4 people worked in this sector, with 2 businesses.
In 2008, there were 12 full-time jobs in Cerentino. Most of these (9 jobs) were in agriculture. Two jobs were in manufacturing, and one job was in services.
Most people who work in Cerentino also live there. However, more people leave Cerentino to work elsewhere than those who come into Cerentino for work. About 4.2% of working people use public transportation to get to their jobs, while 41.7% use a private car.
Religion in Cerentino
According to the 2000 census, most people in Cerentino are Roman Catholic (about 70.7%). About 10.3% belong to the Swiss Reformed Church. A small number (about 1.7%) are Islamic. About 12.07% of the population said they didn't belong to any church, or were agnostic or atheist.
Education in Cerentino
In Cerentino, about 29.3% of the population has finished non-mandatory upper secondary education (like high school). A smaller number, about 3.4%, have gone on to higher education at a university or a specialized college.
As of 2009, there were 8 students in Cerentino. The education system in Ticino offers up to three years of non-mandatory kindergarten. In Cerentino, 1 child was in kindergarten. Primary school lasts for five years, and 4 students attended primary schools in the municipality. For middle school, students either go to a two-year program followed by a two-year apprenticeship preparation, or a four-year program to get ready for higher education. In Cerentino, 3 students were in the two-year middle school program. No students were in the upper secondary program.
In 2000, 6 students from Cerentino went to schools outside the municipality.
See also
In Spanish: Cerentino para niños
