Monteggio facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Monteggio
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 Monteggio
Location in Switzerland
Monteggio
Location in Canton of Ticino
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| Country | Switzerland | |
| Canton | Ticino | |
| District | Lugano | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 3.36 km2 (1.30 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 420 m (1,380 ft) | |
| Population
(December 2019)
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| • Total | 849 | |
| • Density | 252.7/km2 (654.4/sq mi) | |
| Postal code |
6998
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| Localities | Bosco, Bruciata, Busino, Cassinone, Castello, Crocivaglio, Fonderia, Fornasette, Genestraio, Isole, Lisora, Molinazzo, Persico, Pirla, Ponte Cremenaga, Ramello, Rancina, Ressiga, Roncaccio, Ronchetto, Rovedera, Selvacce, Suino, Termine, and Tiradelsa | |
| Surrounded by | Cadegliano-Viconago (Italy), Cremenaga (Italy), Croglio, Dumenza (Italy), Luino (Italy), Sessa | |
Monteggio was once a municipality in the Lugano district of Ticino, a canton in Switzerland. On April 18, 2021, Monteggio joined with the nearby towns of Croglio, Ponte Tresa, and Sessa. Together, they formed a new, larger municipality called Tresa.
Contents
History of Monteggio
Monteggio was first mentioned in official records in 1466. Back then, it was known as da Montegio. The main part of the village was called Albio until 1819.
Early Beginnings and Fortifications
The name Monteggio comes from a fortified place. This was where the important Sessa family lived. You can still find the ruins of their old castle. These ruins are located near the Chapel of S. Adalberto in a place called Castello. This chapel was first mentioned in 1428.
Special Privileges and Taxes
During the Middle Ages, Monteggio's story was closely linked to the Sessa family. The communities in the Tresa Valley, which included Monteggio, Ponte Tresa, and Croglio, had special rights. This was because they had important military duties. They helped defend the area. The Duke of Milan gave them tax breaks in the 14th century. The Swiss Confederation confirmed these tax breaks in 1513.
Religion and Local Life
When it comes to religion, Monteggio was part of the Sessa parish. This means people from Monteggio attended church in Sessa.
Past Industries and Modern Businesses
In the past, Monteggio was a busy place for many industries. There were brickworks, where bricks were made. Mills ground grain, and hammer mills shaped metal. People also fished, and there was a sawmill for wood. By the mid-1800s, people cut peat near the village for fuel. There was also a foundry, which is a place where metal is melted and cast. In recent years, many different businesses have opened in Monteggio.
Geography of Monteggio
Monteggio is located in the Lugano district. It sits in the lower Malcantone valley, right on the border with Italy.
Land Use and Natural Features
As of 1997, Monteggio covered an area of about 3.36 square kilometers (1.3 square miles). A large part of this land, about 40.5%, was used for farming. Forests covered almost half of the area, about 48.8%. Buildings and roads made up about 19.3% of the land. Rivers and lakes accounted for 2.7%, and 2.1% was unproductive land.
Most of the built-up area was for homes and buildings. A smaller part was used for roads and transportation. Power and water systems also took up some space. In the forested areas, most of the land was heavily wooded. Some parts had orchards or small groups of trees. For farming, people grew crops on about 22.9% of the land. Orchards and vineyards covered 4.2%, and 13.4% was used for pastures. All the water in Monteggio was flowing water, like rivers. The unproductive areas were mostly covered with plants that weren't useful for farming.
Village Sections and Settlements
The former municipality of Monteggio was divided into 26 smaller sections or settlements. Some of these included Brusata, Castello, Fornasette, Lisora, Molinazzo, and Ponte Cremenaga.
Monteggio's Coat of Arms
The coat of arms for Monteggio has a special design. It is divided into four sections by diagonal lines. Two sections are red, and two are black. At the top, on a gold background, there is a black eagle with its wings spread out.
Population and People
In 2019, Monteggio had a population of 849 people. In 2008, about 16.7% of the people living there were foreign nationals. Over ten years, from 1997 to 2007, the population grew by 11%.
Languages Spoken
Most people in Monteggio speak Italian. In 2000, about 79.6% of the population spoke Italian. German was the second most common language, spoken by 14.5% of people. A smaller number, 2.4%, spoke French.
Population Changes Over Time
The population of Monteggio has changed throughout history. Here is a look at how the number of residents has varied over the years:
Economy and Jobs
In 2007, Monteggio had an unemployment rate of 3.33%. This means a small percentage of people looking for work could not find a job.
Types of Work
In 2005, there were 17 people working in the primary economic sector. This includes jobs like farming or fishing. There were 5 businesses in this sector. The secondary sector employed 378 people. This sector includes manufacturing and construction. There were 13 businesses in this area. The tertiary sector had 83 employees. This sector covers services, like shops and offices. There were 25 businesses in this sector.
In total, 374 residents of Monteggio had jobs. About 40.4% of these workers were women.
Commuting to Work
In 2000, many people traveled into Monteggio for work. About 670 workers came into the municipality. At the same time, 257 workers left Monteggio to work elsewhere. This means Monteggio had more people coming in for jobs than leaving. About 47% of the workers coming into Monteggio were from outside Switzerland. Most people used a private car to get to work (63.4%). A smaller number (8%) used public transportation.
Religion in Monteggio
According to the 2000 census, most people in Monteggio were Roman Catholic. About 71.6% of the population belonged to this church. Another 9.2% were part of the Swiss Reformed Church. Some people belonged to other churches not listed on the census. A small group did not answer the question about their religion.
Education in Monteggio
Education is important in Monteggio. About 67.3% of adults (aged 25-64) had completed either advanced high school or higher education. This could be a university or a specialized college.
School System
In 2009, there were 122 students in Monteggio. The Ticino education system offers up to three years of optional kindergarten. In Monteggio, 25 children were in kindergarten. The primary school program lasts for five years. There were 37 students in primary schools.
For middle school, students have a few choices. They can attend a two-year middle school and then a two-year pre-apprenticeship program. Or, they can join a four-year program to get ready for higher education. In Monteggio, 24 students were in the two-year middle school. Another 18 students were in the four-year advanced program.
Vocational Training
After middle school, students can choose from several options for high school. These programs prepare students for a trade or for university. In Ticino, students learning a trade can go to school while doing an internship. This takes three or four years. Or, they can go to school first, then do an internship. This takes one year full-time or one and a half to two years part-time. In Monteggio, 10 students were full-time vocational students. Another 8 attended part-time.
In 2000, 54 students from Monteggio went to schools outside the municipality.
