Muralto facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Muralto
Coat of arms
Muralto Location in Switzerland Show map of Switzerland Muralto Location in Canton of Ticino Show map of Canton of Ticino
Country	Switzerland
Canton	Ticino
District	Locarno
Area
• Total	0.59 km2 (0.23 sq mi)
Elevation	207 m (679 ft)
Population  (Dec 2020 )
• Total	2,604
• Density	4,410/km2 (11,430/sq mi)
Postal code	6600
Surrounded by	Locarno, Minusio, Orselina, Piazzogna, San Nazzaro

Muralto is a town in Switzerland. It is located in the Ticino canton, which is a region in the southern part of the country. Muralto is part of the Locarno district and sits right next to the beautiful Lake Maggiore. The town was officially formed in 1881 when it separated from the nearby area of Orselina.

Geography of Muralto

A view of Lake Maggiore, showing Muralto and other towns.

An aerial view of Muralto from 1919.

Muralto is a small town, covering about 0.6 square kilometers (0.23 square miles). A large part of its land, about 71.7%, is used for farming. A small portion, 3.3%, is covered by forests. Most of the town's area, about 93.3%, is built up with buildings and roads.

Muralto is located right on the shore of Lake Maggiore. It is also bordered by two small streams called Ramogna and Rabissale.

People and Population

Muralto has a population of about 2,861 people (as of December 2017). Over the past ten years, the population has changed slightly, decreasing by about 1.1%.

Languages Spoken

Most people in Muralto speak Italian, which is the main language for about 68.4% of the population. German is the second most common language, spoken by about 19.9% of the residents. A smaller group, 2.8%, speaks Macedonian. Other languages are also spoken by some residents.

Population Changes

In 2008, about 26.9% of the people living in Muralto were foreign nationals. The town's population changes due to births, deaths, and people moving in or out. In 2008, there were 12 births to Swiss citizens and 8 births to non-Swiss citizens. During the same year, there were 36 deaths of Swiss citizens and 10 deaths of non-Swiss citizens.

Age Groups

The age groups in Muralto show a mix of people. As of 2009:

• Children (0-9 years old) make up about 6.3% of the population.
• Teenagers (10-19 years old) are about 6.6%.
• Young adults (20-29 years old) are about 10.3%.
• Adults (30-59 years old) make up a larger portion, around 39.4%.
• Senior citizens (60 years and older) account for about 37.3% of the population.

Homes and Buildings

In 2000, Muralto had 1,448 private homes, with an average of 1.8 people living in each. Out of all the buildings, about 22.9% were single-family homes, and 41.5% were buildings with multiple apartments. Some buildings (23.4%) were used for both homes and businesses.

Historical Population Growth

The population of Muralto has changed over time:

Important Heritage Sites

The Collegiata Di S. Vittore, an important historical building.

Muralto is home to some important historical places. The Collegiata Di S. Vittore (a church), the Grand Hotel, and an ancient Roman settlement (Vicus) near Via della Collegiata/Via del Municipio are all recognized as important heritage sites in Switzerland.

Transportation

A train arriving at the Muralto-Locarno railway station.

The Locarno railway station is located right in Muralto. This makes it easy for people to travel by train to and from the town.

Economy and Jobs

Muralto has a diverse economy. As of 2005, there were a few people working in farming (primary sector). More people, 53, worked in manufacturing or construction (secondary sector). The largest number of jobs, 1,199, were in the service industry (tertiary sector), which includes things like hotels, shops, and offices.

In 2007, the unemployment rate in Muralto was 6.52%. Many people travel into Muralto for work, more than those who leave the town for work. About 12.5% of workers use public transportation, while 42.2% use a private car to get to their jobs.

Muralto is also a place for tourists. In 2009, there were 18 hotels in the town, offering a total of 463 rooms and 824 beds for visitors.

Religion

Based on the 2000 census, most people in Muralto are Roman Catholic, making up about 64% of the population. About 13.6% belong to the Swiss Reformed Church. A smaller group, about 17.34%, belong to other churches.

Education

Muralto has a good education system. About 61.1% of adults (aged 25-64) have completed high school or gone on to higher education, like university.

Schools in Muralto

In 2009, there were 314 students in Muralto.

• Kindergarten: There were 39 children in kindergarten, which is not mandatory but helps young children prepare for school.
• Primary School: This program lasts for five years. In Muralto, 104 students attended regular primary schools, and 5 students attended a special school.
• Lower Secondary School: After primary school, students can choose different paths. Some attend a two-year middle school, while others go into a four-year program to prepare for university. There were 79 students in middle school and 40 in the advanced program.
• Upper Secondary School: This level prepares students for a job or for university. Students can do vocational training (learning a trade) or continue academic studies. In Muralto, 15 students were full-time vocational students, and 25 were part-time.
• Professional Programs: These programs last three years and prepare students for jobs in fields like engineering, nursing, or tourism. There were 5 students in these programs.

Many students from Muralto attend schools outside the town, and some students from other towns come to study in Muralto.

See also

In Spanish: Muralto para niños