Niedergesteln facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Niedergesteln
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Ruins of Gestelnburg above Niedergesteln village
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 Niedergesteln
Location in Switzerland
Niedergesteln
Location in Canton of Valais
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| Country | Switzerland | |
| Canton | Valais | |
| District | Raron | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 17.63 km2 (6.81 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 639 m (2,096 ft) | |
| Population
(Dec 2020 )
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| • Total | 744 | |
| • Density | 42.20/km2 (109.30/sq mi) | |
| Postal code |
3942
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| Surrounded by | Eischoll, Ferden, Gampel, Hohtenn, Kippel, Raron, Steg, Turtmann, Unterbäch, Wiler (Lötschen) | |
Niedergesteln is a small town, also called a municipality, located in the Raron district. It is part of the canton of Valais in Switzerland. It's a place with a long history and beautiful natural surroundings.
Contents
History of Niedergesteln
Niedergesteln was first mentioned in old records between the years 1179 and 1184. Back then, it was known as Chastellon. Later, in 1224, it was called Castellion. For a while, it also had a French name, Châtillon-le-Bas, but that name is not used anymore.
Geography and Landscape
Niedergesteln covers an area of about 17.5 square kilometers (or 6.7 square miles). A small part of this land, about 12.8%, is used for farming. Forests cover a larger portion, about 28.3% of the area. Buildings and roads take up about 3.0% of the land. The biggest part, 55.9%, is made up of land that isn't used for farming or building, like mountains or rocky areas.
The town is located in the Westlich Raron district, right on the northern edge of the Rhone valley.
What Does the Coat of Arms Mean?
The coat of arms for Niedergesteln has a special design. It is split down the middle. On the left side, against a blue background, you can see a white house rising from green hills. On the right side, against a red background, there are two silver cavalry swords crossed over each other. They have gold handles. Around the swords, there are three gold stars, with one at the top and two below.
Who Lives in Niedergesteln?
Niedergesteln has a population of about 619 people. Over the past ten years (from 2000 to 2010), the number of people living here has grown by about 13.5%. This growth happened because more people moved in (6.5%) and more babies were born than people passed away (6.8%).
Most people in Niedergesteln speak German as their main language, about 97% of the population. A smaller number speak French (1.4%) or Bulgarian (0.5%).
In 2008, the population was almost equally split between males and females. About 48.8% were male and 51.2% were female. Most residents were Swiss citizens.
Many people who live in Niedergesteln were also born there, about 57.6% in 2000. Others were born in the same canton (31.1%) or elsewhere in Switzerland (5.6%). A small number (2.8%) were born outside Switzerland.
Young people, aged 0 to 19, make up about 27.2% of the population. Adults, aged 20 to 64, are the largest group at 61.8%. Seniors, over 64, make up 11%.
In 2000, there were 209 homes in Niedergesteln, with about 2.7 people living in each home on average. Some homes had only one person, while others had five or more.
The chart below shows how the population of Niedergesteln has changed over many years:
Important Heritage Sites
Niedergesteln is home to some very important historical places. The Gestelnburg (a castle ruin) is listed as a Swiss heritage site of national significance. This means it's a very important cultural site for the whole country. Also, the entire village of Niedergesteln is part of the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites, which means the whole village has special historical value.
How People Make a Living: Economy
In 2010, the unemployment rate in Niedergesteln was very low, at only 0.9%. This means almost everyone who wanted a job had one.
People in Niedergesteln work in different types of jobs:
- Primary Sector: This includes jobs like farming. In 2008, about 35 people worked in this area, with 15 businesses.
- Secondary Sector: This involves making things, like in factories or construction. About 29 people worked here, with 4 businesses. Most of these jobs were in manufacturing (making goods) or construction (building things).
- Tertiary Sector: This covers service jobs, like working in shops, transport, hotels, or education. About 56 people worked in this sector, with 16 businesses.
Many people who live in Niedergesteln travel to other towns for work. In 2000, 257 people left the town to work elsewhere, while only 39 people came into Niedergesteln for work. This means more people leave Niedergesteln for work than come in. Most people (67.2%) use a private car to get to work, while some (20.5%) use public transportation.
Religion in Niedergesteln
Based on information from 2000, most people in Niedergesteln are Roman Catholic, about 93.4%. A smaller number, about 1.9%, belong to the Swiss Reformed Church. There are also a few people who are Orthodox Christian or Islamic. A small group of people do not belong to any church or did not share their religion.
Education for Kids
In Niedergesteln, many adults have completed a good level of education. About 38.6% have finished upper secondary education, and 6.5% have gone on to higher education at a university or a specialized college.
For younger students, the school system in Valais canton works like this:
- Kindergarten: Young children can attend two years of kindergarten, which is not required but is available. In the 2011-2012 school year, there was one kindergarten class with 13 students.
- Primary School: Students must attend six years of primary school. In Niedergesteln, there were 3 classes and 33 students in primary school.
- Secondary School: After primary school, students go to secondary school. This includes three required years, followed by more optional years for advanced studies or job training. All students from Niedergesteln attend their secondary school in the nearby town of Raron.
In 2000, 27 students from Niedergesteln went to schools outside the town.
See also
In Spanish: Niedergesteln para niños
