Ried-Brig Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Ried-Brig

Houses in Ried-Brig village

Coat of arms

Ried-Brig

Location in Switzerland

Ried-Brig

Location in Canton of Valais

Switzerland

Area

• Total

47.57 km² (18.37 sq mi)

Elevation

918 m (3,012 ft)

Population

(Dec 2020 )

• Total

2,141

• Density

45.007/km² (116.57/sq mi)

Postal code

3911

Localities

Berisal

Surrounded by

Brig-Glis, Grengiols, Simplon, Termen, Varzo (IT-VB), Zwischbergen

Ried-Brig is a small town, also called a municipality, located in the Valais region of Switzerland. It's nestled in the Brig district, high up in the mountains. This charming place is known for its beautiful scenery and traditional Swiss feel.

A Look at Ried-Brig's Past
Where is Ried-Brig?
The Town's Symbol: Its Coat of Arms
Who Lives in Ried-Brig?
Working and Earning in Ried-Brig
Beliefs and Faiths
Learning and Schools
Images for kids
See also

A Look at Ried-Brig's Past

Ried-Brig has a long history! It was first mentioned way back in 1232, when it was simply called Riet. Later, in 1428, people started calling it ried de briga. For a long time, until 1993, its official name was Ried bei Brig.

Where is Ried-Brig?

Modern Ganter valley bridge, near Ried-Brig

Ried-Brig is found in the Brig district, sitting above the town of Brig. It's also located right on the road that leads to the famous Simplon Pass.

The area of Ried-Brig is about 47.5 square kilometers (that's about 18.3 square miles). A big part of this land, almost half, is made up of mountains and other areas that aren't used for farming or buildings. About 30% of the land is covered by forests, and nearly 20% is used for farming.

The Town's Symbol: Its Coat of Arms

Every town has a special symbol, and for Ried-Brig, it's their coat of arms. It shows three green pine trees growing out of a green hill. This design likely represents the forests and hills that surround the town.

Who Lives in Ried-Brig?

Traditional houses in Ried-Brig

Modern houses in Ried-Brig

Ried-Brig is home to about 1,860 people. Over the last ten years, the number of people living here has slowly grown. Most people in Ried-Brig, about 96%, speak German as their main language. A smaller number of people speak French or Italian.

In 2008, a little more than half of the people living in Ried-Brig were male, and a little less than half were female. Most of the residents were Swiss citizens. Many people who live in Ried-Brig were also born there, or in the same region of Switzerland.

The town has a good mix of ages. About 29% of the population are children and teenagers (under 19 years old). Adults, aged 20 to 64, make up the largest group at around 61%. Seniors, who are over 64, make up about 10% of the population.

Most households in Ried-Brig have about 2.7 people living in them. There are many families with children, as well as single people and older adults.

Working and Earning in Ried-Brig

Ried-Brig has a low unemployment rate, which means most people who want to work can find a job. The town has different types of jobs:

Farming and Forestry: Some people work in agriculture, like farming, or in forestry, which involves managing forests and cutting timber.
Making Things: Others work in manufacturing, where products are made, or in construction, building homes and other structures.
Services: Many jobs are in the service sector. This includes working in shops, restaurants, transportation, or even in healthcare and education.

Many people who live in Ried-Brig travel to other towns for work. About a quarter of the working population uses public transportation to get to their jobs, while most others use a private car.

Beliefs and Faiths

Interior of Church of St. Rita in Ried-Brig

Most people in Ried-Brig are Roman Catholic, making up about 88% of the population. A smaller group, about 5%, belongs to the Swiss Reformed Church. There are also a few people who follow other Christian faiths, Islam, or Buddhism. Some people do not belong to any church.

Learning and Schools

Education is important in Ried-Brig. Many adults have completed high school, and some have gone on to university or other higher education programs.

The school system in Valais, the region Ried-Brig is in, starts with an optional year of Kindergarten. After that, children attend six years of primary school. In Ried-Brig, there are kindergarten classes and primary school classes. For middle school (lower secondary school), students from Ried-Brig usually go to a school in a nearby town. The same is true for high school (upper secondary school).

In 2000, a small number of students came to Ried-Brig for school from other towns, but more students from Ried-Brig went to schools outside their own municipality.