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Uzwil
Uzwil panorama.jpg
Coat of arms of Uzwil
Coat of arms
Uzwil is located in Switzerland
Uzwil
Uzwil
Location in Switzerland
Uzwil is located in Canton of St. Gallen
Uzwil
Uzwil
Location in Canton of St. Gallen
Country Switzerland
Canton St. Gallen
District Wahlkreis Wil
Area
 • Total 14.49 km2 (5.59 sq mi)
Elevation
560 m (1,840 ft)
Population
 (Dec 2020 )
 • Total 13,284
 • Density 916.8/km2 (2,374.4/sq mi)
Postal code
9240
Surrounded by Jonschwil, Oberbüren, Oberuzwil, Wil, Zuzwil

Uzwil is a town in Switzerland, located in the canton of St. Gallen. It is part of the Wil area. This town is known for its beautiful scenery and its important role in the region's economy. Uzwil is home to several villages, making it a lively community.

History of Uzwil

Uzwil was first mentioned in old records way back in 819. At that time, it was called Uzzinwilare. Another village within Uzwil, called Henau, was mentioned even earlier in 754. This happened in a document from the Abbey of St. Gall, a famous monastery.

Geography of Uzwil

Uzwil covers an area of about 14.5 square kilometers (about 5.6 square miles). A large part of this land, over 50%, is used for farming. About 18% of the area is covered by forests. The rest of the land is used for buildings, roads, or natural features like rivers.

The municipality of Uzwil includes several villages. These are Niederuzwil, Uzwil, Henau, Algetshausen, Niederstetten, Oberstetten, and Stolzenberg. The town is located in the northern part of the Toggenburg region. It sits between the towns of Wil and Gossau.

ETH-BIB-Uzwil-LBS H1-011803
An aerial view of Uzwil in 1949.

Uzwil's Coat of Arms

The coat of arms for Uzwil has a special design. It shows a golden mill wheel at the bottom. Above the mill wheel, there are golden ears of wheat. All of this is set against a blue background. This design likely represents the town's history and its connection to farming and industry.

People and Population in Uzwil

Uzwil has a population of over 13,000 people. About one-quarter of the people living in Uzwil are from other countries. Many different languages are spoken here. Most people speak German, which is the main language in this part of Switzerland. Other languages like Serbo-Croatian and Albanian are also common.

The population of Uzwil includes many young people. About 13% of the population are children aged 0 to 9 years old. Another 14% are teenagers between 10 and 19 years old. The town has a good mix of age groups, from young families to seniors.

Many people in Uzwil live in families. Over half of the population lives in homes with couples and children. About one-fifth of people are couples without children. Some people also live alone or in single-parent homes.

When it comes to education, many adults in Uzwil have completed higher education. This means they have gone to university or a specialized college. About 36% of the population has finished their secondary education. This shows that education is important in Uzwil.

Important Heritage Sites

Uzwil is home to two important heritage sites. These are places that are protected because of their historical or cultural value. One is the Hauser & Wirth Collection Henau. The other is the Villa Waldbühl. These sites are considered very important for Switzerland.

Uzwil's Economy

Uzwil has a strong economy with many different types of jobs. The economy is divided into three main parts:

  • Primary sector: This includes jobs related to farming and natural resources.
  • Secondary sector: This involves manufacturing and industry.
  • Tertiary sector: This covers services, like shops, offices, and healthcare.

Many people in Uzwil work in the secondary sector, which means manufacturing. The largest company in Uzwil is Bühler AG. This company is well-known for making equipment for food processing and other industries. Many residents also travel to work in other towns, and many people come into Uzwil for work.

Transportation in Uzwil

Uzwil is well-connected by transport. The Uzwil railway station is on a main train line that connects St. Gallen and Winterthur. This makes it easy to travel to other cities. The town also has bus routes provided by PostBus Switzerland.

For those who travel by car, Uzwil is located on the A1 highway. This major highway connects Geneva to St. Margrethen, making travel across Switzerland convenient.

Religion in Uzwil

Uzwil is a place where people of many different faiths live together. According to a census from 2000, about 45% of the people are Roman Catholic. Around 29% belong to the Swiss Reformed Church. There are also people who belong to the Orthodox Church and other Christian churches. A significant number of people are Islamic. Some residents do not belong to any church or have other beliefs.

Notable People from Uzwil

Uzwil has been home to several notable people who have achieved success in different fields.

  • Marcelle Bühler (1913–2002) was a Swiss alpine skier. She competed in the Winter Olympics in 1936.
  • Heidi Wunderli-Allenspach (born 1947) is a Swiss biologist. She was the first woman to be the rector (head) of ETH Zurich, a famous university.
  • Marcel Niederer (born 1960) is a Swiss entrepreneur and former ice hockey player. He grew up in Uzwil.
  • Ralph Stöckli (born 1976) is a Swiss curler. He competed in the Winter Olympics in 2006.
  • Ivan Martić (born 1990) is a Swiss-Croatian professional footballer. He has played in over 200 club games.
  • Kevin Fiala (born 1996) is a Swiss hockey player. He plays in the National Hockey League in North America.
MN - Foto 7 (88650)
Marcel Niederer in 2013.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Uzwil para niños

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