Oeschenbach facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oeschenbach
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 Oeschenbach
Location in Switzerland
Oeschenbach
Location in Canton of Bern
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| Country | Switzerland | |
| Canton | Bern | |
| District | Oberaargau | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 3.92 km2 (1.51 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 650 m (2,130 ft) | |
| Population
(Dec 2020 )
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| • Total | 220 | |
| • Density | 56.1/km2 (145/sq mi) | |
| Postal code |
4943
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| Surrounded by | Ochlenberg, Ursenbach, Walterswil, Wynigen | |
Oeschenbach is a small municipality, like a town, in Switzerland. It is located in the Oberaargau administrative district within the canton of Bern. This peaceful area is known for its natural beauty and long history.
Contents
A Look at Oeschenbach's Past
Oeschenbach has a rich history that dates back a very long time. It was first mentioned in old documents between the years 841 and 872. Back then, it was called Eschibach.
How Oeschenbach Became a Municipality
In 1287, a place called St. Urban's Abbey owned most of the land in the village. Later, in 1408, the city of Bern took control of the area, including Oeschenbach.
For a while, Oeschenbach was actually split into different parts. Some farms belonged to one court, and the village itself belonged to another. But in 1803, these parts came together to form one community. Finally, in 1885, Oeschenbach became its own independent municipality.
Farming and Changes Over Time
For many years, farming was the main way people made a living in Oeschenbach. In the 1800s, many farms started focusing on raising cattle and making dairy products, like cheese. Several cheese factories opened in the late 1800s.
Over time, the number of people living in Oeschenbach slowly decreased. Many residents started traveling to other towns for work, especially since the 1960s. Even today, farming remains a very important part of Oeschenbach's economy.
Exploring Oeschenbach's Geography
Oeschenbach is nestled in a side valley of the Langeten valley. It includes the main village of Oeschenbach, along with smaller settlements called Bleuen and Zulligen. You'll also find many scattered farmhouses throughout the area.
What the Land is Used For
Most of Oeschenbach's land is used for farming. About 64.4% of the area is farmland. Forests cover a large part too, making up about 30% of the land. The remaining small portion is used for buildings, roads, and a few rivers or lakes.
The forests are mostly dense, with lots of trees. On the farms, people grow crops and use pastures for animals. There are also some areas for orchards, where fruit trees grow.
Understanding the Coat of Arms
Every municipality has a special symbol called a coat of arms. Oeschenbach's coat of arms shows a wavy silver line and an ash tree on a red background.
This design is a clever way to represent the town's name. In German, "Esche" means ash tree, and "Bach" means brook or stream. So, the ash tree and the wavy line (for the brook) together symbolize "Oeschenbach." This is known as "canting arms."
Who Lives in Oeschenbach?
Oeschenbach is a small community with a population of 220 people (as of December 2020[update]). Most people living here speak German as their main language.
Population Changes and Ages
Over the past ten years, the population of Oeschenbach has decreased a bit. This is mainly because some people have moved away.
The community has a mix of age groups. About 17.8% of the population are children and teenagers (under 19 years old). Adults (20-64 years old) make up the largest group at 63.5%, and seniors (over 64 years old) are 18.7% of the population.
Where People Were Born
Many people in Oeschenbach were born right there in the municipality. In 2000, about half of the residents were born in Oeschenbach. Others were born in the same canton (Bern), elsewhere in Switzerland, or outside of Switzerland.
The chart below shows how the population of Oeschenbach has changed over many years:
Oeschenbach's Economy and Jobs
In Oeschenbach, many people work in different types of jobs. The unemployment rate was low in 2011, at 1.91%.
Main Job Sectors
Jobs are often grouped into three main sectors:
- Primary sector: This includes jobs directly related to natural resources, like farming. In Oeschenbach, most jobs in this sector are in agriculture.
- Secondary sector: These jobs involve making things, like manufacturing or construction.
- Tertiary sector: This sector includes jobs that provide services, such as sales, restaurants, or education.
In 2008, a large number of jobs in Oeschenbach were in farming. There were also jobs in manufacturing, construction, and services like retail and education.
Commuting for Work
Many people who live in Oeschenbach travel to other places for their jobs. In 2000, about 83 workers left the municipality to work elsewhere, while only 18 workers came into Oeschenbach for their jobs. Most people use a private car to get to work.
Religion in Oeschenbach
Most people in Oeschenbach belong to the Swiss Reformed Church. A smaller number are Roman Catholic. A few people belong to other Christian churches or do not have a religious affiliation.
Education and Schools
In Oeschenbach, many adults have completed a good level of education. About 34.8% have finished upper secondary education, which is like high school. A smaller number, 5%, have gone on to higher education, such as university.
The Swiss School System
The school system in the Canton of Bern, where Oeschenbach is located, starts with one year of optional kindergarten. After that, students attend six years of primary school. Then, they go to three years of lower secondary school. After lower secondary, students can choose to continue their education or start an apprenticeship to learn a trade.
In the 2010-2011 school year, there were no students attending school directly in Oeschenbach. However, some students from Oeschenbach attended schools in other municipalities.
See also
In Spanish: Oeschenbach para niños
