kids encyclopedia robot

Collonge-Bellerive facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Collonge-Bellerive
Collonge-Mairie.jpg
Coat of arms of Collonge-Bellerive
Coat of arms
Collonge-Bellerive is located in Switzerland
Collonge-Bellerive
Collonge-Bellerive
Location in Switzerland
Collonge-Bellerive is located in Canton of Geneva
Collonge-Bellerive
Collonge-Bellerive
Location in Canton of Geneva
Country Switzerland
Canton Geneva
District n.a.
Area
 • Total 6.12 km2 (2.36 sq mi)
Elevation
426 m (1,398 ft)
Population
 (Dec 2020 )
 • Total 8,445
 • Density 1,379.9/km2 (3,573.9/sq mi)
Postal code
1222
Surrounded by Bellevue, Choulex, Cologny, Corsier, Meinier, Vandœuvres, Versoix

Collonge-Bellerive is a town in the Canton of Geneva, Switzerland. It's a lovely place located right by Lake Geneva.

History of Collonge-Bellerive

Collonge-Bellerive was first mentioned way back in 1153. Back then, it was just called Collonges. Other parts of the town, like Saint-Maurice and Vésenaz, were mentioned later. For a long time, until 1799, it was known as Collonge sur Bellerive. In 1816, it officially became part of the Canton of Geneva.

Geography and Nature

Tree in rape field Collonge-Bellerive
Tree and fields near Collonge-Bellerive
ETH-BIB-Genève, Collonge-Bellerive au Lac v. N. aus 100 m-Inlandflüge-LBS MH01-007930
An old aerial view of Collonge-Bellerive from 1934

Collonge-Bellerive covers an area of about 6.12 square kilometers (about 2.36 square miles). A big part of this land, about 37%, is used for farming. About 4% of the area is covered by forests.

Most of the town, about 58%, has buildings and roads. A very small part, less than 1%, is made up of rivers or lakes. The town is located on the left side of Lake Geneva. It is surrounded by other towns like Cologny and Corsier.

Collonge-Bellerive includes several villages. The main ones are Collonge, Vésenaz, and Saint-Maurice. There are also smaller areas called hamlets, like Cherre and Bellerive.

People and Population

Collonge-Ecole-2
A primary school in Collonge

Collonge-Bellerive has a population of over 8,000 people. Many people from other countries live here too. Over the last ten years, the population has grown quite a bit. This is because more people have moved here and more babies have been born.

Most people in Collonge-Bellerive speak French. English is the second most common language, followed by German.

In 2000, about 16% of the people living here were born in Collonge-Bellerive. Many others were born in the same canton or elsewhere in Switzerland. About 35% of the residents were born outside of Switzerland.

The town has a good mix of ages. About 27% of the population are children and teenagers (under 19). Adults (20-64 years old) make up about 59%. Seniors (over 64) are about 15% of the population.

Most households in Collonge-Bellerive have about 2.7 people. There are many single-person households and also many families with children. The town has a mix of single-family homes and apartment buildings. Many homes were built between 1971 and 1980, and also more recently between 1990 and 2000.

The population of Collonge-Bellerive has grown steadily over the years:

Important Historical Sites

Collonge-Bellerive is home to some very old and important sites. One of these is a prehistoric pile-dwelling settlement. These are ancient villages built on stilts over water. This site is so important that it's part of the Prehistoric Pile dwellings around the Alps UNESCO World Heritage Site. This means it's recognized globally for its special historical value.

Other important places include the Bellerive Castle and the Villa-chalet du Prince Essling. These are listed as Swiss heritage sites of national significance. This means they are protected because of their cultural importance to Switzerland.

Economy and Jobs

In Collonge-Bellerive, many people have jobs. The town has a low unemployment rate, which is good. Jobs are divided into three main types:

  • Primary sector: This includes jobs like farming and fishing.
  • Secondary sector: This involves manufacturing (making things) and construction (building things).
  • Tertiary sector: This is the largest sector and includes jobs in sales, transportation, hotels, restaurants, information technology, finance, education, and healthcare.

Many people who live in Collonge-Bellerive also work in other towns. Similarly, many people come from other towns to work here. Most people use private cars to get to work, but some also use public transportation.

Religion

Collonge-Eglise
The Church in Collonge

According to a census in 2000, about 39% of the people in Collonge-Bellerive were Roman Catholic. About 23% belonged to the Swiss Reformed Church. There are also smaller groups of people who follow other Christian faiths, Judaism, and Islam. Some people do not belong to any church.

Education

Collonge-Ecole
An upper school in Collonge

Education is important in Collonge-Bellerive. Many adults have completed higher education, either at a university or a specialized college.

The school system in Geneva allows young children to attend two years of non-required Kindergarten. After that, students go to six years of primary school. Then, they attend three years of required secondary school, followed by optional advanced schooling.

In the 2009-2010 school year, there were over 1,800 students in the Collonge-Bellerive school system. This included children in kindergarten, primary school, and secondary school. Some students also attended private schools. Many students from Collonge-Bellerive go to schools in other towns, and students from other towns come to school here.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Collonge-Bellerive para niños

kids search engine
Collonge-Bellerive Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.