Gresso facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gresso
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 Gresso
Location in Switzerland
Gresso
Location in Canton of Ticino
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| Country | Switzerland | |
| Canton | Ticino | |
| District | Locarno | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 11.08 km2 (4.28 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 996 m (3,268 ft) | |
| Population
(December 2004)
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| • Total | 35 | |
| • Density | 3.16/km2 (8.18/sq mi) | |
| Postal code |
6611
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| Surrounded by | Maggia, Onsernone, Vergeletto | |
Gresso was once a small town, also called a municipality, located in the Locarno area of Ticino, a canton in Switzerland. It became its own municipality in 1882, separating from a nearby town called Vergeletto. However, on April 10, 2016, Gresso joined with Vergeletto, Mosogno, and Isorno to form a larger municipality named Onsernone.
Contents
History of Gresso
Ancient Times: Roman Connections
Even though Gresso is a small place, people lived there a very long time ago. Archeologists found a Roman tomb from the 1st or 2nd century AD. Inside, they discovered old pottery and coins. This shows that Gresso was connected to a Roman settlement called Vicus in Muralto.
Medieval Period: Part of Onsernone
The modern village of Gresso was first mentioned in records in 1316. Back then, it was known as Agrassio. For many centuries, until 1803, Gresso was part of a larger community called Onsernone. It was one of five smaller areas, or Squadre, that made up the medieval community.
Village Church and Roads
The main church in the village is called The Chapel of St. Orsola. It was first built in 1703 and then rebuilt in 1730. It was also updated in the late 1900s. The people of Gresso built their first road that cars could drive on in 1885. This was a big step for the village!
Geography of Gresso
Gresso is located in the Locarno district. It sits at an elevation of about 999 meters (3,278 feet) above sea level. The village is on a steep slope on the left side of the Vergeletto valley.
Land Use and Environment
Gresso covers an area of about 11.08 square kilometers (4.28 square miles). Most of this land is covered by forests, making up about 61.1% of the area. About 1.5% of the land is used for farming. A small part, about 0.8%, has buildings or roads. Rivers and lakes cover about 1.7% of the area. The remaining 16.0% is land that isn't used for farming or building, often because it's too rocky.
Coat of Arms
A coat of arms is a special symbol that represents a town or family. Gresso's coat of arms has a blue background. On it, there is a white dove with its wings spread out. At the very top, there is a white section with a red cross.
Population and People
Population Changes Over Time
In 2014, Gresso had a population of 41 people. Over the ten years from 1997 to 2007, the number of people living in Gresso decreased by about 38.6%.
The table below shows how the population of Gresso has changed throughout history:
| year | population |
|---|---|
| 1888 | 290 |
| 1900 | 278 |
| 1950 | 139 |
| 1970 | 68 |
| 1990 | 48 |
| 2000 | 35 |
Languages Spoken
Most people in Gresso speak Italian. In 2000, about 94.3% of the population spoke Italian. A small number of people also spoke German and French, each making up about 2.9% of the population.
Age Groups
In 2009, the population of Gresso had a few children and no teenagers. Most of the people were adults or seniors. For example, about 23.3% of the population was between 60 and 69 years old.
Sights to See
The entire village of Gresso is considered an important cultural site. It is part of the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites, which means it has special historical or cultural value.
Economy and Work
In 2007, Gresso had a small unemployment rate of 4.49%. In 2005, only a few people worked in the town. One person worked in the tertiary sector, which includes jobs like services (for example, shops or tourism).
In 2000, 12 people who lived in Gresso had jobs. More than half of these workers (58.3%) were female. Many people who worked in Gresso traveled to other towns for their jobs. About 16.7% used public transportation, and 50% used a private car to get to work.
Religion in Gresso
According to the 2000 census, most people in Gresso were Roman Catholic. About 91.4% of the population followed this religion. A small number of people belonged to other churches or did not state their religion.
Education
People in Switzerland are generally well educated. In Gresso, about 64.7% of adults (between 25 and 64 years old) had finished either high school or gone on to higher education, like a university. In 2000, two students from Gresso went to schools outside the municipality.
See also
In Spanish: Gresso para niños
