Gampelen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gampelen
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 Gampelen
Location in Switzerland
Gampelen
Location in Canton of Bern
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| Country | Switzerland | |
| Canton | Bern | |
| District | Seeland | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 10.6 km2 (4.1 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 436 m (1,430 ft) | |
| Population
(Dec 2020 )
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| • Total | 950 | |
| • Density | 89.6/km2 (232.1/sq mi) | |
| Postal code |
3236
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| Surrounded by | Ins, Tschugg, Gals, Thielle-Wavre, Marin-Epagnier | |
Gampelen (called Champion in French) is a town in Switzerland. It is located in the Seeland area of the Bern canton. Gampelen is a small but interesting place with a long history. It's important not to confuse it with Gampel, another town in a different canton.
Contents
Exploring Gampelen's Past
Gampelen was first mentioned in old writings in 1179, known then as Champion. Later, in 1228, it was called Champlun.
Ancient Settlements and Roman Times
The land around Gampelen has been home to people for a very long time. Scientists have found signs of settlements from the mesolithic (Middle Stone Age), neolithic (New Stone Age), and Bronze Age. One of the biggest ancient villages was a Late Bronze Age settlement right by the lake on Witzwil Island. During the Roman era, bricks, coins, and a dam were found. These show that Roman settlements stretched from Zihlbrücke to Witzwil, passing through Gampelen.
Medieval and Early Modern Eras
In the Middle Ages, Gampelen was part of a territory called the Herrschaft of Erlach. By 1395, the area became part of the County of Savoy. Then, in 1474, the city of Bern took control, placing Gampelen in the bailiwick of Erlach.
The Village Church of St. Martin
The village church, named St. Martin, was first mentioned in 1228. It burned down once but was rebuilt in 1513. Its main part, the nave, was made bigger and updated in 1674–75. People believe the church might have been built on top of an old Roman inn or resting spot. When the Protestant Reformation happened, this church became the main church for the local area, which later included the nearby town of Gals.
Changes in Farming and Transport
For many centuries, Gampelen was famous for its large vineyards. Some people became very rich from these vineyards and built big, fancy houses in the village. Later, between 1874 and 1883, a big project called the Jura water correction drained the wet, marshy areas around the village. These former marshes became fertile fields, perfect for growing sugar beets and other vegetables.
In 1901, the Bern–Neuchâtel railway line was built through Gampelen. This railway made it easier for farmers to send their crops to markets far away. Today, the railway is mostly used by people traveling to work. About half of the people who work in Gampelen travel to jobs in other towns and cities.
Gampelen's Natural Surroundings
Gampelen covers an area of about 10.80 square kilometers (4.17 square miles). A large part of this land, about 56.7%, is used for farming. Forests cover about 25% of the area. Buildings and roads make up about 10.7% of the land. Rivers and lakes account for 2.1%, and 5.2% is land that isn't used for farming or building.
Gampelen is special because it's the only town in the canton of Bern that touches Lake Neuchâtel. This also makes it the only German-speaking town along the lake. The town itself is long and thin, with a railway station on the Bern-Neuenburg line. There's also another stop called Zihlbrücke within the town's area.
The Fanel nature preserve and bird sanctuary, located along the lake, is a very important place for birds in Europe. It's a protected area where many different bird species live.
Town Symbol: The Coat of Arms
The official symbol, or coat of arms, of Gampelen shows a red background with the head of a bittern bird in gold. A bittern is a type of wading bird often found in marshy areas.
Who Lives in Gampelen?
Gampelen has a population of around 900 people. As of 2010, about 14.4% of the people living here were from other countries. Over the past ten years (2000-2010), the population grew by about 8.9%.
Languages Spoken
Most people in Gampelen speak German as their first language (about 84.9%). French is the second most common language (about 11.5%), and a small number of people speak Portuguese or Italian.
Community Life
In 2008, about 52.2% of the population were men and 47.8% were women. Many residents were born in Gampelen or elsewhere in Switzerland. Children and teenagers (ages 0-19) make up about 21.2% of the population. Adults (20-64 years old) are the largest group at 62.7%, and seniors (over 64) make up 16.1%.
Most homes in Gampelen are permanently occupied. There are also some single-person households and a few larger families with five or more people.
Important Buildings
The Rectory building in Gampelen is very important. It is listed as a Swiss heritage site of national significance, meaning it's a special building that is protected for its historical or cultural value.
How People Work in Gampelen
In 2011, Gampelen had a low unemployment rate of 1.44%. In 2008, there were 453 people working in the town.
Main Job Areas
- Primary Sector: About 76 people work in this sector, which includes farming. There are about 18 businesses in this area.
- Secondary Sector: Around 49 people work in this sector, which includes manufacturing and construction. There are 11 businesses here.
- Tertiary Sector: This is the largest sector, with 328 people working in services like sales, transportation, hotels, education, and healthcare. There are 30 businesses in this sector.
Many people who live in Gampelen travel to other towns for work, and many people from other towns come to Gampelen for their jobs. About 10.2% of workers use public transportation, and 51.5% use a private car to get to work.
Beliefs and Faiths
Based on a 2000 survey, about 12.7% of the people in Gampelen were Roman Catholic, and 68.5% belonged to the Swiss Reformed Church. A smaller number of people belonged to other Christian churches, or to other faiths like Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, or Hinduism. About 9.85% of the population did not belong to any church or had no specific religious belief.
Learning and Schools
In Gampelen, about 38.2% of the population has finished non-mandatory upper secondary education. About 8.4% have gone on to higher education, like university or a specialized college.
The School System
The school system in the Canton of Bern starts with one year of non-obligatory Kindergarten. After that, students attend six years of Primary school. Then, they go to three years of obligatory lower Secondary school, where students are grouped by their abilities. After lower Secondary, students can choose to continue their education or start an apprenticeship (learning a trade on the job).
During the 2010–11 school year, 60 students attended classes in Gampelen. There was one kindergarten class with 13 students and three primary classes with 47 students. Some of these students were from other countries or had a different first language than the classroom language.
The Witzwil Facility
A large facility called the Witzwil penitentiary is located in Gampelen. It is a facility for men and can hold up to 200 people. This facility is also home to the largest farm in Switzerland, covering a huge area of 612 hectares (about 1,512 acres) of farmland.
Images for kids
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A view of Gampelen.
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The coat of arms of Gampelen.
See also
In Spanish: Gampelen para niños
