Zwischbergen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Zwischbergen
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Gondo church
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 Zwischbergen
Location in Switzerland
Zwischbergen
Location in Canton of Valais
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| Country | Switzerland | |
| Canton | Valais | |
| District | Brig | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 86.03 km2 (33.22 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 1,359 m (4,459 ft) | |
| Population
(Dec 2020 )
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| • Total | 71 | |
| • Density | 0.825/km2 (2.138/sq mi) | |
| Postal code |
3901
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| Localities | Gondo | |
| Surrounded by | Antrona Schieranco (IT-VB), Bognanco (IT-VB), Ried-Brig, Saas Almagell, Simplon, Trasquera (IT-VB), Varzo (IT-VB) | |
Zwischbergen is a small town, also called a municipality, in Switzerland. It is located in the Valais area, near the Brig district. Zwischbergen is known for its beautiful mountain views and its history.
Contents
History of Zwischbergen
Gondo: A Village with a Past
The village of Gondo is part of Zwischbergen. It sits at the bottom of the Simplon Pass, right next to the border with Italy. Even though most people here speak German now, some families originally came from Italy.
Long ago, in 1291, a church leader named Boniface de Challant bought Gondo. Before that, it was part of a different area called Novara. The local church in Gondo became part of the Sion church area much later, in 1822. For many years, the village school was held in the church's house (called a rectory). A proper school building was finally built in 1958.
A new church was built in Gondo in 1495. People had disagreements about who should manage the new church. This led to the creation of a local government (a municipal corporation) and its own rules (municipal statutes).
Trade, Gold, and Disasters
Some families in Gondo and nearby Simplon became very rich. They earned money by transporting goods and even by smuggling things over the mountain pass. Because they were wealthy, they became important in the politics of Valais.
From 1550 to 1897, there were gold mines in the valley. People dug for gold here for many years. Starting in 1640, mail carriers traveling between Lyon (France) and Milan (Italy) would stop in Gondo.
The village faced tough times too. In the 1700s and 1800s, huge avalanches hit Gondo. On October 14, 2000, a big landslide destroyed a third of the village. It sadly took 13 lives and ruined eight buildings. Part of the old Stockalper tower, built in 1650, was also destroyed.
Geography of Zwischbergen
Zwischbergen covers an area of about 86 square kilometers (33 square miles). A small part of this land, about 13%, is used for farming. Forests cover about 24% of the area. Only a tiny part, less than 1%, has buildings or roads. Most of the land, about 62%, is unproductive, meaning it's rocky mountains or glaciers.
The main village in the municipality is Gondo, which is located on the Simplon Pass road.
Coat of Arms
The coat of arms for Zwischbergen has a special design. It shows two green mountains with a golden sun above them, and a silver path below. The name "Zwischbergen" means "between mountains" in German. So, the two mountains on the coat of arms are a clever way to show the town's name! This is called "canting arms."
People of Zwischbergen
Zwischbergen has a small population of about 127 people. In 2008, about 12.6% of the people living there were from other countries. Over the past 10 years, the number of people living in Zwischbergen has gone down.
Most people in Zwischbergen speak German as their main language. A smaller number of people speak Italian or Spanish.
In 2008, more men lived in Zwischbergen than women. About 59% of the population were men, and 41% were women. Most people living in Zwischbergen in 2000 were born there.
Families and Homes
In 2000, there were 31 private homes in Zwischbergen. On average, about 2.3 people lived in each home. Some homes had only one person, while a few had five or more people.
Most of the buildings in Zwischbergen are multi-family buildings, meaning they have several apartments. Some buildings are used for both homes and businesses. Many apartments are used only during certain seasons, like for holidays.
Important Places
The old Ruin of the Gold Mine at Gondo is a very important historical site in Switzerland. It is listed as a national heritage site.
Economy and Jobs
In 2010, Zwischbergen had no unemployment, which means everyone who wanted a job had one!
Jobs in Zwischbergen are divided into three main types:
- Primary sector: This includes jobs like farming. In 2008, a few people worked in agriculture.
- Secondary sector: This involves making things, like in factories. There was one business in this sector.
- Tertiary sector: This includes jobs that provide services, like hotels, shops, or transportation. Most people in Zwischbergen work in this sector.
In 2008, there were 60 full-time jobs in Zwischbergen. Many of these jobs were in hotels or restaurants, or in moving and storing goods.
Many people who work in Zwischbergen actually travel there from other places. About 25% of workers use public transportation to get to work, and about 40% use a private car.
Religion
Most people in Zwischbergen are Roman Catholic. A very small number belong to the Swiss Reformed Church.
Education
About 39.7% of the people in Zwischbergen have finished high school (called upper secondary education in Switzerland). A very small number, about 2.6%, have gone on to higher education at a university.
In 2000, only a few students from Zwischbergen went to schools outside the municipality.
See also
In Spanish: Zwischbergen para niños
