Canton Glarus is one of 26 cantons (member states) in Switzerland. High mountains surround two valleys, forming Canton Glarus. The cantonal assembly (Landsgemeinde) is unique to Canton Glarus: once a year, voters meet open air to take political decisions together.
Canton Glarus has over 40,000 inhabitants, a quarter of which are citizens of other countries. The canton covers 685 km² and encompasses three communities (Gemeinden): Glarus Nord, Glarus, and Glarus Süd. The capital is Glarus. The official language is German.
Canton Glarus population
Canton Glarus was founded in the year 1352 during struggles for freedom. The sparse landscape characterised the canton. Since the alpine economy was unable to sustain the inhabitants, many young people from Glarus served as mercenaries abroad between 1500 and 1800. In the 16th century, commerce emerged (slate tables) and in the 18th century, the textile industry led to an economic boom in the canton. This also resulted in the introduction of social liberties, the likes of which Switzerland had never seen before. Today, Canton Glarus continues to be one of the most industrialised cantons in Switzerland.
A number of customs and traditions in Canton Glarus can look back on a long history. For instance, the fallen in the Battle of Näfels (1388) have been commemorated every year on the public holiday "Näfelser Fahrt" since around 1835. Annual processions into the Alps and down into the valleys celebrate the moving of cattle in the mountains for summer grazing. Young people mark the start of each festive period by ringing cow bells, a tradition known as "Schellnen."
Canton Glarus is sometimes affectionately called "Zigerschlitz." That is because, firstly, the narrow valley forms a "slit" (or "Schlitz") and, secondly, the world-famous Ziger cheese has been produced here since 1463.
