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Oberriet
Oberriet.jpg
Coat of arms of Oberriet
Coat of arms
Oberriet is located in Switzerland
Oberriet
Oberriet
Location in Switzerland
Oberriet is located in Canton of St. Gallen
Oberriet
Oberriet
Location in Canton of St. Gallen
Country Switzerland
Canton St. Gallen
District Rheintal
Area
 • Total 34.6 km2 (13.4 sq mi)
Elevation
420 m (1,380 ft)
Population
 (Dec 2020 )
 • Total 8,996
 • Density 260.0/km2 (673.4/sq mi)
Postal code
9463
Surrounded by Altach (AT-8), Altstätten, Balgach, Diepoldsau, Eichberg, Koblach (AT-8), Mäder (AT-8), Marbach, Meiningen (AT-8), Rebstein, Rüte (AI), Rüthi

Oberriet is a town, also called a municipality, located in the Rheintal area of St. Gallen canton in Switzerland. It's a lovely place with a rich history and beautiful natural surroundings.

A Look at Oberriet's Past

Oberriet has a long and interesting history. The town was first mentioned way back in the year 891. Back then, it was known by a different name, Cobolo.

Later, around 1290, it was called Chobilwalt. It wasn't until 1417 that the name Oberriet was first used, which is what we call it today!

Exploring Oberriet's Geography

ETH-BIB-Oberriet (SG), Irrenanstalt aus 200 m-Inlandflüge-LBS MH01-002787B
An aerial view of Oberriet from 1922, showing the landscape.

Oberriet covers an area of about 34.5 square kilometers (about 13.3 square miles). A big part of this land, over half (57.2%), is used for farming. This means you'll see lots of fields and farms around.

About a quarter of the area (25.9%) is covered by forests, which are great for exploring. The rest of the land is used for buildings and roads (12.9%), or it's made up of rivers and lakes (4.1%).

Villages and Hamlets

Oberriet is more than just one town. It includes several villages and smaller settlements called hamlets. The main villages are Oberriet, Eichenwies, Montlingen, and Kriessern. These are all located in the Rhine valley, near the river.

There's also a village called Holzrhode, which is up in the Kamor hills. And you'll find the village of Kobelwald and the hamlets of Freienbach, Kobelwies, and Hard. A hamlet is a very small settlement, even smaller than a village.

Oberriet's Coat of Arms

Every town has a special symbol called a coat of arms. Oberriet's coat of arms has two main parts. The top part shows a black lion walking on a gold background. The lion has a red tongue and claws.

The bottom part of the coat of arms is black. It features a gold cross with wide ends, and two gold stars above it. This design represents the town's history and identity.

People and Culture in Oberriet

Eichenwies Rothus nordwest
A traditional half-timbered house in the village of Eichenwies.

Oberriet is home to many people. As of the latest count, the population is around 9,000 residents. About 11.5% of the people living in Oberriet are from other countries, making it a diverse place.

Most people in Oberriet speak German, which is the main language. Some other languages spoken include Albanian and Serbo-Croatian.

Age Groups in the Community

The community in Oberriet has people of all ages. About 14% of the population are children under 10 years old. Another 13.6% are teenagers between 10 and 19.

Adults make up the largest part of the population. There are many young adults, middle-aged people, and seniors living in Oberriet, creating a balanced community.

Education in Oberriet

Education is important in Oberriet. Many adults (around 66.9%) have completed higher education, like university or special colleges. This shows that people value learning and getting good qualifications.

The town has schools for primary and secondary education, helping young people get a good start.

Working and Economy

Oberriet has a strong economy with different types of jobs. Many people work in farming, which is called the primary economic sector. There are also many businesses involved in making things, like factories, which is the secondary sector.

A lot of people work in the tertiary sector, which includes jobs like shops, offices, and services. This means there are many different opportunities for people to work and contribute to the town's economy.

Many residents of Oberriet also travel to nearby towns for work, and people from other areas come to Oberriet to work. This shows that Oberriet is an important center for jobs in the region.

Religion in the Community

The majority of people in Oberriet are Roman Catholic, making up about 79.4% of the population. Another group, about 8.5%, belong to the Swiss Reformed Church.

There are also smaller numbers of people who follow other Christian faiths, Islam, or other religions. Some people do not belong to any church. This shows that Oberriet is a place where different beliefs are present.

Important Historical Sites

Blatten Wichenstein
A postcard showing the ruins of Wichenstein Castle and Blatten.

Oberriet is home to some very important historical sites. One of these is the ancient hill settlement on Montlingerberg. This was a place where people lived long, long ago, even before recorded history.

Another significant site is the ruins of Wichenstein Castle. These old castle remains are considered a heritage site of national importance in Switzerland. They offer a glimpse into the past and the history of the region.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Oberriet para niños

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