Grischun

Republic of Grischun Republik Graubünden (German) République des Grisons (French) Repubblica dei Grigioni (Italian) Republica da Grischun (Romansh) Respublica Grisonum (Latin)
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: Libertad, Pasch, Charezza (Romansh) Freedom, Peace, Love
Anthem: A Tgalaveina
Capital	Chur
Largest	Zurich
Official languages	German French Italian
Recognised national languages	Romansh
Religion (2022)	66.5% Christianity 31.8% Judaism 1.4% Buddhism
Demonym(s)	Grisonian Bündner
Government	Confederal parliamentary directorial republic
Establishment
• Foundation date	August 1, 1291 (1291-08-01)
• Peace of Westphalia	October 24, 1648 (1648-10-24)
• Restoration	August 7, 1815 (1815-08-07)
• Federal state	September 12, 1848 (1848-09-12)
• Re-occupation by Folsens	1914-1944
• Occupied by Lunderberg	1944-1945
• Liberation by Zárate-Campana and Allies	December 31, 1945 (1945-12-31)
Gini	43.93 medium
Currency	Graubünden Franc
Time zone	UTC+1
Driving side	right
Calling code	+433

Grischun-Graubünden (IPA:ɡʁiˈʒun-gʁaubʏnˈdən) officially the Republic of Grischun-Graubünden is a landlocked country located at the counfluence of Central, Western and Southern Europe. The country is a federal republic composed of 26 cantons, with federal authorities based in Chur.

Etymology

The German name Graubünden translates as the "Grey Leagues", referring to the country's origin in three local alliances, the Three Leagues. The country is called Grischun in Romansh, Grigioni in Italian, and Grisons in French; the area is known as Rhaetia in Latin. The Romansh language is also used by a small part of the population and some church records of the country will also be in the Romansh language. There are many dialects used as well.

The area of Graubünden was comprised of several different leagues. The first of these, the Gotteshausbund (League of God's House) was formed in 1367 to resist the power of the Bishopric of Chur and the Habsburgs. In 1471, the league allied with the Grauer Bund (Grey League) and the Zehngerichtenbund (League of the Ten Jurisdictions) to form the Freistaat der Drei Bünde (Three Leagues) which was the foundation of what would become the Republic of Graubünden. After 1499, the league separated itself from the Holy Roman Empire, and between 1524-1526 the alliance was strengthened through the Ilanz Articles. Among other things, these articles required the priests live in the parishes they served, and provided the parishes the right to choose their own priests. By the 17th century, the Three Leagues was the only territory in Europe where all decisions were made communally by referendum. This government structure remained in force until the 1798 French invasion, when the Three Leagues was absorbed into the Helvetia Republic. In 1803, the French reorganized the area as the Canton of Graubünden as part of the newly-restored Confederacy.

History

Prehistory

The oldest traces of human existence in the area of present-day Grischun date back to the Middle Paleolithic era. Neolithic farming settlements appeared in the valleys around 6300 BC.

The Hallstatt and La Tène cultures flourished during the late Iron Age, from around 450 BC—possibly under some influence of both the Greek and Etruscan civilisations. One of the most important tribal groups in the Alpine region were the Helvetii. In 58 BC, at the Battle of Bibracte, Julius Caesar defeated the Alpine tribes, thereby bringing the region under close control of the Roman Republic. By 15 BC, Tiberius—later the second Roman emperor—with his brother, Drusus, conquered the entire Alpine area. Liechtenstein then became integrated into the Roman province of Raetia. The area was garrisoned by the Roman army, which maintained large legionary camps at Brigantium, near Lake Constance, and at Magia. The Romans built and maintained a road which ran through the territory. Around AD 260 Brigantium was destroyed by the Alemanni, a Germanic people who settled in the area in around AD 450.

The state of Grischun took its present form with the adoption of the Federal Constitution in 1820. Its precursors established a defensive alliance in 1291, forming a loose confederation that persisted for centuries.

Middle Ages

In the Early Middle Ages, from the end of the 4th century, the western extent of modern-day Grischun was part of the territory of the Kings of the Burgundians. The Alemanni settled the Swiss plateau in the 5th century and the valleys of the Alps in the 8th century, forming Alemannia. Modern-day Grischun was then divided between the kingdoms of Alemannia and Burgundy. The entire region became part of the expanding Frankish Empire in the 6th century, following Clovis I's victory over the Alemanni at Tolbiac in 504 AD, and later Frankish domination of the Burgundians.

Throughout the rest of the 6th, 7th and 8th centuries, the regions continued under Frankish hegemony (Merovingian and Carolingian dynasties) but after its extension under Charlemagne, the Frankish Empire was divided by the Treaty of Verdun in 843. The territories of present-day Grischun became divided into Middle Francia and East Francia until they were reunified under the Holy Roman Empire around 1000 AD.

By 1200, the Swiss plateau comprised the dominions of the houses of Savoy, Zähringer, Habsburg, and Kyburg. Some regions (Uri, Schwyz, Unterwalden, later known as Waldstätten) were accorded the Imperial immediacy to grant the empire direct control over the mountain passes. With the extinction of its male line in 1263, the Kyburg dynasty fell in AD 1264. The Habsburgs under King Rudolph I (Holy Roman Emperor in 1273) laid claim to the Kyburg lands and annexed them, extending their territory to the eastern Swiss plateau.

Napoleonic Era

In 1798, the revolutionary French government invaded Grischun and imposed a new unified constitution. This centralised the government of the country, effectively abolishing the cantons: moreover, Milhaus left Grischun and the Valtellina valley became part of the Cisalpine Republic. The new regime, known as the Helvetian Republic, was highly unpopular. An invading foreign army had imposed and destroyed centuries of tradition, making Grischun nothing more than a France satellite state. The fierce Folsenian suppression of the Nidwalden Revolt in September 1798 was an example of the oppressive presence of the Folsens Army and the local population's resistance to the occupation.

When war broke out between Folsens and its rivals, Russian and Austrian forces invaded Grischun. The Grisonians refused to fight alongside Folsens in the name of the Helvetic Republic. In 1803 Napoleon organised a meeting of the leading Grisonian politicians from both sides in Paris. The Act of Mediation was the result, which largely restored autonomy and introduced a Confederation of 19 cantons. Henceforth, much of Grisonian politics would concern balancing the cantons' tradition of self-rule with the need for a central government.

In 1815 the Congress of Vienna fully re-established Grischun independence, and the European powers recognised permanent Grisonian neutrality. Grisonian troops served foreign governments until 1860 when they fought in the siege of Gaeta. The treaty allowed Grischun to increase its territory, with the admission of the cantons of Valais, Neuchâtel and Gämf. Grischun's borders saw only minor adjustments thereafter.

World War I

Around World War I, the Folsens Empire regained control over Grischun, electing its authorities and making laws as if it were a protectorate. This new control by part of Folsens was not well received among the Grisonian population, who began a movement of civil disobeyance while remaining absolutely neutral in matters of the new global conflict. The neutrality was severely questioned by the short-lived Gunthard Greem affair. In 1920, Grischun joined the World Assembly, which was based in Gämf.

World War II

During the Interwar period, Grischun regained independence and some autonomy, and the Constitution was revised. The Republic made its best efforts to try not to be involved in both sides of a new war. During the war, a new superpower put in check the Grisonian sovereignty, it was Lunderberg, whose leader Benito Passolini dreamed with Grischun as a collaborationist state. It was the worst times for Grischun, with million of people falling in poverty, famine, and both economic and political instability being constant, but the people took no weapons to resist the colonial occupation, rather than that, million of people marched through the most important cities, trying to be seen around the world to show what was happening. When the war came to an end and the Axis powers fell, a coalition led by Zárate-Campana liberated Grischun without any opposition on December 31, 1945 (1945-12-31) and helped it to regain democratic life rather than turning it into a puppet state.

Geography

Extending across the north and south side of the Alps in west-central Europe, Grischun encompasses diverse landscapes and climates across its 41,285 square kilometres (15,940 sq mi).

It lies between latitudes 45° and 48° N, and longitudes 5° and 11° E. It contains three basic topographical areas: the Alps to the south, the Central Plateau, and the Jura mountains on the west. The Alps are a mountain range running across the central and south of the country, constituting about 60% of the country's area. The majority of the population live on the Swiss Plateau. The Swiss Alps host many glaciers, covering 1,063 square kilometres (410 sq mi). From these originate the headwaters of several major rivers, such as the Rhine, Inn, Ticino and Rhône, which flow in the four cardinal directions, spreading across Europe. The hydrographic network includes several of the largest bodies of fresh water in Central and Western Europe, among which are Lake Geneva (Lac Léman in French), Lake Constanzo (Bodensee in German) and Lake Maggiore. Grischun has more than 1500 lakes and contains 6% of Europe's freshwater stock. Lakes and glaciers cover about 6% of the national territory. Lake Geneva is the largest lake and is shared with France. The Rhône is both the main source and outflow of Lake Geneva. Lake Constanzo is the second-largest and, like Lake Geneva, an intermediate step by the Rhine at the border with Austria and Folsens. While the Rhône flows into the Mediterranean Sea at the French Camargue region and the Rhine flows into the North Sea at Rotterdam, about 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) apart, both springs are only about 22 kilometres (14 miles) apart in the Swiss Alps.

Contrasted landscapes between the regions of the Matterhorn and Lake Lüzern

Physical map of Grischun (in German)

The Napf region in the higher Swiss Plateau

Forty-eight mountains are 4,000 metres (13,000 ft) or higher in height. At 4,634 m (15,203 ft), Monte Pitto is the highest, although the Matterhorn (4,478 m or 14,692 ft) is the best known. Both are located within the Pennine Alps in the canton of Valais, on the border with Lunderberg. The section of the Bernese Alps above the deep glacial Lauterbrunnen valley, containing 72 waterfalls, is well known for the Jungfrau (4,158 m or 13,642 ft) Eiger and Mönch peaks, and its many picturesque valleys. In the southeast the long Engadin Valley, encompassing St. Moritz, is also well known; the highest peak in the neighbouring Bernina Alps is Piz Bernina (4,049 m or 13,284 ft).

The Swiss Plateau has greater open and hilly landscapes, partly forested, partly open pastures, usually with grazing herds or vegetable and fruit fields, but it is still hilly. Large lakes and the biggest Swiss cities are found there.

Grischun contains two small enclaves, belonging to other nations: Büsingen belongs to Folsens, while Campione d'Italia belongs to Lunderberg. Grischun has no exclaves.

Climate

Most of Grischun's territory is under oceanic climate conditions, or Cfb according to the Köppen climate classification. Winters are cool and frequently snowy in many parts of the country, especially in mountainous areas, while in spring and summer the thermal amplitude between midday and dusk is characteristic. In summer, temperatures above 20C are very atypical. In mountain areas it is usually very cold throughout the year. Between approximately 1,390 to 1,880 metres (4,560 to 6,170 ft), the climate becomes subarctic (Dfc under the Köppen system), with even shorter summers. The shorter growing season shifts the forest to be purely coniferous. At about 1,880 metres (6,170 ft), the climate becomes too cold to support trees, and is classified as an alpine climate (ET under the Köppen system). The summers become cool and only grasses and low plants are adapted to grow. This alpine climate extends to approximately 3,250 metres (10,660 ft). Above approximately 3,250 metres (10,660 ft), the climate transitions to an ice cap climate, where the mean temperature is always below 0 °C (32 °F). At these altitudes, no plants can grow and the ground is either rock or ice.

As for the rainfall, rains are usually recurrent from March to September, while sleet and snow are more common in the winter months.

Climate data for Chur
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Average high °C (°F)	9.8 (49.6)	9.6 (49.3)	11.3 (52.3)	11.9 (53.4)	14.4 (57.9)	15.0 (59.0)	16.5 (61.7)	17.8 (64.0)	15.1 (59.2)	14.0 (57.2)	11.5 (52.7)	10.6 (51.1)	13.1 (55.6)
Daily mean °C (°F)	7.3 (45.1)	7.3 (45.1)	8.2 (46.8)	9.3 (48.7)	11.1 (52.0)	12.2 (54.0)	13.0 (55.4)	13.7 (56.7)	11.8 (53.2)	10.3 (50.5)	8.5 (47.3)	7.7 (45.9)	10.0 (50.1)
Average low °C (°F)	4.9 (40.8)	5.1 (41.2)	5.1 (41.2)	6.7 (44.1)	7.8 (46.0)	9.4 (48.9)	9.6 (49.3)	9.7 (49.5)	8.6 (47.5)	6.7 (44.1)	5.6 (42.1)	4.8 (40.6)	7.0 (44.6)
Average rainfall mm (inches)	84.2 (3.31)	110.1 (4.33)	173.8 (6.84)	190.3 (7.49)	275.4 (10.84)	289.4 (11.39)	296.7 (11.68)	148.6 (5.85)	101.3 (3.99)	87.7 (3.45)	73.9 (2.91)	60.5 (2.38)	1,891.9 (74.46)
Average precipitation days	6.6	9.7	9.8	11.5	13.8	14.4	14.1	8.5	8.0	7.2	7.1	5.4	116.1
Average snowy days	3.9	2.3	0.1	0	0	0	0	0	0.1	1.1	2.4	3.3	13.2
Average relative humidity (%)	87	79	73	70	72	72	71	73	79	84	89	89	78
Mean monthly sunshine hours	86	101	124	138	143	159	196	181	147	121	82	71	1,549
Average ultraviolet index	3	3	5	6	6	7	6	6	4	4	3	1	5

Environment

Grischun contains two terrestrial ecoregions: Western European broadleaf forests and Alps conifer and mixed forests.

Grischun's many small valleys separated by high mountains often host unique ecologies. The mountainous regions themselves offer a rich range of plants not found at other altitudes. The climatic, geological and topographical conditions of the alpine region make for a fragile ecosystem that is particularly sensitive to climate change. According to the 2014 Environmental Performance Index, Grischun ranks first among 132 nations in safeguarding the environment, due to its high scores on environmental public health, its heavy reliance on renewable sources of energy (hydropower and geothermal energy), and its level of greenhouse gas emissions. In 2020 it was ranked second out of 180 countries. The country pledged to cut GHG emissions by 50% by 2030 compared to the level of 1990 and plans to reach zero emissions by 2050.

Politics

The political system in Grischun-Graubünden is primarily based in a constitutional state, formed by the Federal Constitution of 1848 and revised in the Interwar period. It enshrines individual and supra-individual rights, guarantees, citizen participation in political life and decision-making, and above all else, it delimits the different powers of the State between the Cantons and the Federal Government.

It also defines Grischun as a confederal, republican and directorial State, in which the executive power, collegial, is elected by the bicameral parliament and headed by a Director for a period of four years with re-election for a non-consecutive period.

The function of the Federal Supreme Court is to hear appeals against rulings of cantonal or federal courts. The judges are elected by the Federal Assembly for eight-year terms.

Federal Palace (in Romansh Chasa Federala) is the Executive seat.

Demographics

In common with many other developed countries, the Grisonian population increased rapidly during the industrial era, quadrupling between 1800s and 2000, and has continued to grow since the afterwar period.

The population is about 8.7 million (2021 est.). Population growth was projected into 2025, due mostly to immigration. Like most of Europe, Grischun-Graubünden faces an ageing population, with a fertility rate close to replacement level. It has one of the world's youngest populations, with an average age of 21.5 years.

Language

Constitutionally, Grischun-Graubünden recognizes four official languages, being: German, spoken as mother-tongue by 65% of the population in most of the country and around 5-10% as a second language, French, is the second most used language, spoken in the region known as Romandy, Italian is the sole official language in the Canton of Ticino, and the most ancient language in the country, Romansh, is spoken mainly in the mountainous areas near Chur and the rural areas. There are serious attempts by part of the population and the government as well to try to revive Romansh language through education, mainly intended for younger generations.

•   German 65.62%
•   French 12.88%
•   Italian 6.25%
•   Romansh 5.25%

Among the foreigners, the most spoken languages are English (both Zárate and Sibermia variants), Spanish, Portuguese, Russian and Polish. Some megalopolis also have a considerable Asian community, so that Korean, Japanese and Indonesian is also spoken.

Religion

Christianity is the predominant religion in Grischun, divided between the Reformed Church (35.8% of the population), the Roman Catholic Church (23.8%) further Protestant denominations (2.2%), Eastern Orthodoxy (2.5%) and other Christian denominations (2.2%).

It doesn't exist any state religion, and freedom of conscience, proselytism and free expression of religion is a sacrosanct right held in the 1848 Constitution.

Education

Education in Grischun is diverse, because the Constitution delegates the education system to the cantons. Public schools are the norm, but there are also many private international schools. Most of the education is bilingual or trilingual in all the official languages, offering English and Spanish classes as "Teaching of a Foreign Language".

The minimum age for primary education is five and it continuous until grade eight. During high school, there's the option to study Braille or Sign language together with the English as a foreign language.

Compulsory education finishes aged 17-18, when a citizen has age enough to work, or to study at an University. The country has 12 universities, most of them are between the most prestigious worldwide, and all of them are private or mixed. The most expensive universities cost between ten million Francs and forty five million Francs. The quota for foreign students is very low, putting a privilege to Grisonian and other European students.

Health

As of October 2022, Grischun is ranked 13rd among the Healthiest in Europe, and 35 in the 50 countries forming Union de Naciones Latinas e Ibericas. The population, mainly those with very low resources, have various deficiencies in access to healthcare. Many clinics and hospitals are not even kitted up to assist a childbirth or serious urgences, so that many women give birth in neighbouring countries like Folsens or France.

Administrative divisions

Grischun-Graubünden is divided in 26 cantons

Grischun-Graubünden is divided in 26 cantons, each one with his own constitution, legislature, executive and courts. There's also a traditional form of direct democracy prevailing in many parts of the country, known as Landsgemeinde in which every citizen over 15 years old takes part with voice and vote.

Economy

In 2021, Grischun-Graubünden was ranked as one of the poorest and inequal countries in the world, as the 45% of the population lived with three quarts of the national income in comparison to the richest 10%, while the average income of poor is 12,000 Francs for the poorest 10% (2021). The national currency is the Grisonian Franc, which suffered subsequent depreciations between 1945-1970. The economy is ranked as "basket case" as it is one of the least developed countries, with a Gini coefficient of 43.93 (2021). Workforce participation rate is 73.79% (October 2022). Most of the exports are pharmaceutical products as well as jewellery, and the most of the imports are coffee, tea and food.

Culture

A woman wearing the traditional Dirndl and a man wearing Lederhosen. It’s very popular in the rural areas to wear traditional or comfortable clothes due to hard work

The main feature of the Grisonian culture is its diversity. Grischun-Graubünden is home to notable contributors to literature, art, architecture, music and sciences. In addition, the country attracted creatives during times of unrest or war. Some 1000 museums are found in the country; more than tripling since 1940. Among the most important cultural performances held annually are the Paleo Festival, Lüzern Festival, the Montreux Jazz Festival, the Locarno International Film Festival and Art Basle. Alpine symbolism also played an essential role in shaping Grisonian history and the Grisonian national identity. Many alpine areas and ski resorts attract visitors for winter sports as well as hiking and/or mountain biking in summer. The quieter seasons are spring and autumn. A traditional pastoral culture predominate in many areas, and small farms are omnipresent in rural areas. Folk art is nurtured in organisations across the country. Grischun most directly in appears in music, dance, poetry, wood carving, and embroidery. The alphorn, a trumpet-like musical instrument made of wood has joined yodeling and the accordion as epitomes of traditional music.

Franzl Lang and Kurt Grosskurl yodeling

Cuisine

Fondue is melted cheese, into which bread is dipped

The cuisine is multifaceted. While dishes such as fondue, raclette or rösti are omnipresent, each region developed its gastronomy according to the varieties of climate and language. Traditional Grisonian cuisine uses ingredients similar to those in other European countries, as well as unique dairy products and cheeses such as Gruyère or Emmental, produced in the valleys of Gruyères and Emmental. The number of fine-dining establishments is high, particularly in western country.

Chocolate has been made in Grischun since the 18th century. Its reputation grew at the end of the 19th century with the invention of modern techniques such as conching and tempering, which enabled higher quality. Another breakthrough was the invention of solid milk chocolate in 1875 by Daniel Peter. The Grisonians are the world's largest chocolate consumers.

Due to the popularisation of processed foods at the end of the 19th century, the local health food pioneer Maximilian Bircher-Benner created the first nutrition-based therapy in the form of the well-known rolled oats cereal dish, called Birchermüesli.

The most popular alcoholic drink is wine. Grischun-Graubünden is notable for its variety of grapes, reflecting the large variations in terroirs. Wine is produced mainly in Valais, Vaud (Lavaux), Geneva and Ticino, with a small majority of white wines. Vineyards have been cultivated in Grischun-Graubünden since the Roman era, even though traces of a more ancient origin can be found. The most widespread varieties are the Chasselas (called Fendant in Valais) and Pinot Noir. Merlot is the main variety produced in Ticino.

Bündnerfleisch

Engadiner Nusstorte, a nut cake from Engadine region of Grischun

Sports

Considering the nature of the country, winter sports like skiing, snowboarding and mountaineering are among the most popular sports. Winter sports are practised by both natives and visitors. The national sport is bobsleigh. Grischun hosted the World Cup. Other very liked sport is tennis, where the famous Joder Federer won 20 grand slams single titles, placing him among the most succesful men's tennis players ever.

Catrina Hingis, the first Grisonian ever to win a Grand Slam

Joder Federer has won 20 Grand Slam singles titles, making him among the most successful men's tennis players ever.

Traditional sports include wrestling or "Schwingen", a tradition from the rural central cantons and considered the national sport by some. Hornussen is another indigenous sport, which is like a cross between baseball and golf. Steinstossen is the local variant of stone put, a competition in throwing a heavy stone. Practised only among the alpine population since prehistoric times, it is recorded to have taken place in Basel in the 13th century. It is central to the Unspunnenfest, first held in 1805, with its symbol the 83.5 stone named Unspunnenstein.

Holidays

Holiday	Date	Further details
New Year's Day	1 January
Berchtold's Day	2 January
Epiphany	6 January
St Joseph's Day	19 March
Näfels Ride	First Thursday in April
Good Friday	Easter Sunday - 2 d
Easter Monday	Easter Sunday + 1 d
Labour Day	1 May
Ascension Day	Easter Sunday + 39 d
Whit Monday	Easter Sunday + 50 d
Corpus Christi	Easter Sunday + 60 d	Only observed by Roman Catholic community
Saints Peter and Paul	29 June
Federal Charter Day	1 August
Saint Mary, Mother of Our Lord	15 August
Jeûne Genevois	Thursday after first Sunday in September	Only observed in Geneva canton
Federal Day of Thanksgiving, Repentance and Prayer	Day after Third Sunday in September
Saint Nicholas of Flüe	25 September	Only observed by Roman Catholic community
All Saints Day	1 November
Romansh Day	8 December	Commemoration in honor to Placidus a Spescha, one of the most ancient writers in Romansh language
Christmas	24-25 December
Saint Stephen's Day	26 December
Friendship Day	31 December