Sementina facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sementina
Former municipality of Switzerland
Coat of arms
Sementina Location in Switzerland Show map of Switzerland Sementina Location in Canton of Ticino Show map of Canton of Ticino
Country	Switzerland
Canton	Ticino
District	Bellinzona
Area
• Total	8.25 km2 (3.19 sq mi)
Elevation	224 m (735 ft)
Population  (December 2004)
• Total	2,827
• Density	342.67/km2 (887.5/sq mi)
Postal code	6514
Surrounded by	Cugnasco, Giubiasco, Gudo, Monte Carasso

Sementina was once a municipality (a type of local government area) in Switzerland. It was located in the Bellinzona district, which is part of the canton of Ticino.

On April 2, 2017, Sementina joined with several other municipalities. These included Camorino, Claro, Giubiasco, Gnosca, Gorduno, Gudo, Moleno, Monte Carasso, Pianezzo, Preonzo, and Sant'Antonio. All these areas became part of the larger Bellinzona municipality.

Geography of Sementina

An aerial view of Sementina from 1946.

Sementina covered an area of about 8.25 square kilometers (3.19 sq mi) in 1997. A large part of this land was covered by forests. About 67.4% of the area was forest.

Around 19.5% of the land was used for farming. This included fields for crops, orchards, and pastures for animals. About 10.2% of Sementina was built-up. This means it had buildings like homes and roads. A small part, 2.5%, was rivers or lakes. The remaining 3.2% was unproductive land, meaning it couldn't be used for farming or building.

Sementina's Coat of Arms

The coat of arms for Sementina has a special design. It shows a red top section with a silver wall and a tower. The bottom section is blue with a wavy silver line. This design represents the history and features of the area.

People and Population

Sementina had a population of 2,827 people in December 2004. By 2008, about 24.7% of the people living there were foreign nationals. Over ten years, from 1997 to 2007, the population grew by 15.4%.

Most people in Sementina speak Italian. In 2000, about 87.2% of the population spoke Italian. German was the second most common language, spoken by 5.1% of residents. A smaller group, 1.6%, spoke Serbo-Croatian.

In 2008, the population was almost evenly split between males and females. About 49.0% were male and 51.0% were female.

The age groups in Sementina in 2009 were:

• Children (0-9 years old): 10.8%
• Teenagers (10-19 years old): 9.6%
• Young adults (20-29 years old): 10.7%
• Adults (30-59 years old): 44.2%
• Seniors (60 years and older): 24.6%

In 2000, there were 1,072 homes in Sementina, with about 2.4 people living in each home. Most buildings were single-family homes.

The population of Sementina has changed over time:

Important Historical Sites

Sementina is home to some important historical places. Two of these are listed as Swiss heritage sites of national significance. These are:

• The Fortificazioni Ottocentesche: These are 19th-century fortifications, also known as the Fortini Della Fame. They are shared with the nearby towns of Camorino and Monte Carasso.
• The medieval settlement of S. Defendente: This is an old village from the Middle Ages.

Economy and Jobs

In 2007, Sementina had an unemployment rate of 3.98%. This means that about 4 out of every 100 people looking for a job could not find one.

The jobs in Sementina were divided into three main types in 2005:

• Primary sector: This includes jobs related to natural resources, like farming. About 61 people worked in this sector.
• Secondary sector: This involves manufacturing and construction. About 191 people worked here.
• Tertiary sector: This covers services, like shops, hotels, and offices. About 460 people worked in this sector.

Many people who lived in Sementina traveled to other towns for work. In 2000, about 980 residents worked outside the municipality, while 528 people came into Sementina for work. Most people (69.1%) used a private car to get to work, while 6.6% used public transportation.

Religion in Sementina

According to the 2000 census, most people in Sementina were Roman Catholic, making up 80.1% of the population. A smaller group, 5.9%, belonged to the Swiss Reformed Church. About 10.51% of the population belonged to other churches, and 3.51% did not state their religion.

Education System

Education is important in Sementina. About 65% of adults (aged 25–64) had completed either advanced high school or higher education, like university.

In 2009, there were 542 students in Sementina. The education system in Ticino canton has several levels:

• Kindergarten: This is for young children and is not mandatory. In Sementina, 99 children were in kindergarten.
• Primary School: This lasts for five years. There were 176 students in standard primary schools and 13 in special schools.
• Lower Secondary School: After primary school, students can choose different paths. Some attend a two-year middle school, followed by a two-year pre-apprenticeship. Others go into a four-year program to prepare for higher education.
• Upper Secondary School: This level prepares students for a trade job or for university. Students can attend vocational schools full-time or part-time while doing an internship.
• Professional Programs: These programs last three years and prepare students for specific jobs like engineering or nursing.

In 2000, 94 students came to Sementina for school from other towns. At the same time, 244 students from Sementina went to schools outside the municipality.

Images for kids

• 

  Sementina's coat of arms

See also

In Spanish: Sementina para niños