Ponthaux facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ponthaux
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 Ponthaux
Location in Switzerland
Ponthaux
Location in Canton of Fribourg
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| Country | Switzerland | |
| Canton | Fribourg | |
| District | Sarine | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 5.91 km2 (2.28 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 650 m (2,130 ft) | |
| Population
(Dec 2020 )
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| • Total | 779 | |
| • Density | 131.81/km2 (341.4/sq mi) | |
| Postal code |
1772
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| Surrounded by | Autafond, Chésopelloz, Grolley, Belmont-Broye, Montagny, Noréaz | |
Ponthaux is a small town, also called a municipality, in Switzerland. It is located in the Sarine district within the Canton of Fribourg. Ponthaux is known for its quiet, rural setting.
Contents
History of Ponthaux
Ponthaux has a long history. It was first mentioned in official records way back in 1142. At that time, it was known by the name Pontet.
Geography and Land Use
Ponthaux covers an area of about 5.9 square kilometers (2.3 square miles). A big part of this land, about 70.8%, is used for farming. Forests cover another 23.1% of the area. The remaining 6.6% is where buildings and roads are located.
Most of the forested land is covered with thick, natural forests. For farming, nearly half of the land is used for growing crops. About 19.6% is used for pastures where animals graze. A small part, 2.2%, is used for orchards or growing grapes.
The municipality of Ponthaux includes the main village of Ponthaux. Since 1981, it also includes the area that used to be the separate town of Nierlet-les-Bois.
Ponthaux's Coat of Arms
The official symbol of Ponthaux is its coat of arms. It features six silver and red stripes. At the top, there is a silver section with a red cross. On each side of the cross, there is a green oak leaf. This design represents the town's history and natural surroundings.
Population and Languages
Ponthaux has a population of about 611 people (as of 2023). Over the past ten years, the number of people living here has grown by about 26.4%. Most of this growth came from people moving into the town.
Most people in Ponthaux speak French as their main language, about 89.1%. The second most common language is German, spoken by about 8.8% of the population. A small number of people also speak Portuguese or Italian.
About 29.7% of the population are children and teenagers (under 20 years old). Adults (20-64 years old) make up 61.1%, and seniors (over 64 years old) are about 9.2%.
The number of people living in Ponthaux has changed over time, as you can see in the chart below:
Economy and Jobs
In Ponthaux, many people work in different areas. The economy is divided into three main sectors:
- Primary sector: This includes jobs like farming. About 39 people work in this area.
- Secondary sector: This involves manufacturing and construction. Around 14 people work here.
- Tertiary sector: This covers services like sales, restaurants, and education. About 45 people work in this sector.
Many residents of Ponthaux travel to other towns for work. About 6.9% of working people use public transportation. A larger number, 67.6%, use a private car to get to their jobs.
Religion in Ponthaux
Most people in Ponthaux are Roman Catholic, making up about 84.6% of the population. About 9.2% belong to the Swiss Reformed Church. A small number of people follow other Christian faiths or are Islamic. Some people do not belong to any church.
Education System
The Canton of Fribourg has a specific school system. It starts with one year of non-required Kindergarten. After that, students go to six years of Primary school. Then comes three years of required lower Secondary school. In this stage, students are grouped based on their abilities.
After lower Secondary, students can choose to attend an optional upper Secondary school for three or four years. This can be a gymnasium (which prepares students for university) or a vocational program (which teaches job skills). After upper Secondary, students can go to a higher education school or continue an apprenticeship to learn a trade.
In the 2010-2011 school year, Ponthaux had 53 students in 3 primary school classes. There were no kindergarten or secondary classes in the town itself. However, many students from Ponthaux attended schools in nearby towns for kindergarten, lower secondary, and upper secondary education.
