70-769: Kandersteg is a municipality in the Frutigen-Niedersimmental administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland . It is located along the valley of the River Kander , west of the Jungfrau massif. It is noted for its spectacular mountain scenery and sylvan alpine landscapes. Tourism is a very significant part of its economic life today. It offers outdoor activities year-round, with hiking trails and mountain climbing as well as downhill and cross-country skiing . Kandersteg hosted
140-477: A certain time in Switzerland are also allowed to participate in municipal politics. As at the cantonal and federal level, citizens enjoy political rights, including direct democratic ones, in their municipality. Municipalities are financed through direct taxes (such as income tax ), with rates varying more or less within a framework set by the canton (see Taxation in Switzerland ). As among the cantons, there
210-405: A couple with children. There were 267 (or 5.6%) people who lived in single parent home, while there are 27 persons who were adult children living with one or both parents, 25 persons who lived in a household made up of relatives, 19 who lived household made up of unrelated persons, and 110 who are either institutionalized or live in another type of collective housing. In the 2007 federal election
280-485: A net importer of workers. Of the working population, 9.6% used public transportation to get to work, and 37% used a private car. From the 2000 census, 840 or 73.9% belonged to the Swiss Reformed Church , while 154 or 13.5% were Roman Catholic . Of the rest of the population, there were 12 members of an Orthodox church (or about 1.06% of the population), and there were 27 individuals (or about 2.37% of
350-721: A result, the old Lötschberg line is used much less intensively. Nowadays, hourly regional express trains operate between Bern and Brig via Spiez , and freight trains continue to run on the mountain railway. The municipality is also served by PostAuto bus services down the Kandertal to Mitholz , Blausee , Kandergrund and Frutigen , and up the Gastertal to Selden . Municipalities of Switzerland Municipalities ( German : Gemeinden , Einwohnergemeinden or politische Gemeinden ; French : communes ; Italian : comuni ; Romansh : vischnancas ) are
420-471: A total of 647 people employed in the municipality. Of these, 46 were employed in the primary economic sector and there were about 16 businesses involved in this sector. 81 people were employed in the secondary sector and there were 14 businesses in this sector. 520 people were employed in the tertiary sector , with 76 businesses in this sector. There were 617 residents of the municipality who were employed in some capacity, of which females made up 43.1% of
490-446: A total of 678 people employed in the municipality. Of these, 44 were employed in the primary economic sector and there were about 15 businesses involved in this sector. 99 people were employed in the secondary sector and there were 21 businesses in this sector. 535 people were employed in the tertiary sector , with 104 businesses in this sector. As of 2011, Kandersteg had an unemployment rate of 2.57%. As of 2008, there were
560-537: A tourist destination. Between 1855 and 1890 five hotels opened and by 1913 there were 19 hotels. The population grew dramatically during construction of the Lötschberg Tunnel and the Lötschberg railway line between 1906 and 1913. The new railroad line and tunnel allowed ever increasing numbers of tourists to visit Kandersteg. A chair lift to Oeschinen Lake opened in 1948, followed by a cable car to
630-490: Is 456 people or 9.6% of the population are between 60 and 69 years old, 339 people or 7.1% are between 70 and 79, there are 139 people or 2.9% who are between 80 and 89, and there are 26 people or 0.5% who are between 90 and 99. In 2000 there were 654 persons (or 13.7% of the population) who were living alone in a private dwelling. There were 1,108 (or 23.3%) persons who were part of a couple (married or otherwise committed) without children, and 2,555 (or 53.6%) who were part of
700-449: Is a tax transfer among the municipalities to balance various levels of tax income. Switzerland has a relatively high number of small municipalities, with a population of 1,000 or less, especially in rural areas. Because of the increasing difficulty in providing professional government services and in finding volunteers for political offices in small municipalities, the cantons tend to encourage voluntary mergers of municipalities. This led to
770-559: Is considered one of the most attractive in Switzerland and can be accessed by the Kandersteg-Oeschinen cablecar which replaced the chairlift that operated until 7 September 2008. Other cablecars serve the areas of Sunnbüel and Allmenalp. In winter over 50 kilometers (31 mi) of cross-country skiing trails (classic and skating) are available in the valley floor and higher up. Small downhill ski areas are located near Lake Oeschinen and Sunnbüel. A winter trail network connects
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#1732793517168840-464: Is followed by three years of obligatory lower secondary school where the students are streamed according to ability and aptitude. After lower secondary school students may attend additional schooling or they may enter an apprenticeship . During the 2010-11 school year, there were a total of 86 students attending classes in Kandersteg. There was one kindergarten class with a total of 18 students in
910-415: Is forested. Of the rest of the land, 1.33 km (0.51 sq mi) or 1.0% is settled (buildings or roads), 2.5 km (0.97 sq mi) or 1.9% is either rivers or lakes and 96.96 km (37.44 sq mi) or 72.1% is unproductive land. Of the built up area, housing and buildings make up 0.4% and transportation infrastructure make up 0.4%. Of the forested land, 8.8% of the total land area
980-412: Is heavily forested and 1.3% is covered with orchards or small clusters of trees. Of the agricultural land, 1.2% is pastures and 12.0% is used for alpine pastures. Of the water in the municipality, 1.0% is in lakes and 0.9% is in rivers and streams. Of the unproductive areas, 10.4% is unproductive vegetation, 43.1% is too rocky for vegetation and 18.6% of the land is covered by glaciers. The municipality
1050-686: Is located in the upper most section of the Kander river valley, along with parts of the Gastern and Oeschinen valleys and part of the Blümlisalp mountain. It consists of the Bäuert of Kandersteg, which includes the village of Kandersteg and the Bäuert of Gastern. On 31 December 2009 Amtsbezirk Frutigen, the municipality's former district, was dissolved. On the following day, 1 January 2010, it joined
1120-656: Is non-productive (rivers or lakes). The municipality is the capital of the Sarganserland Wahlkreis . It is located at the foot of the Mt Gonzen . The eastern border of the municipality is the Rhine river and Liechtenstein . As it is located at the intersection of the Rhine and Seez valleys, Sargans has long been important in both a strategic and commercial sense. It consists of the village of Sargans and
1190-734: Is the highest summit between the Kander Valley and the valley of Adelboden on the west. The Bunderchrinde Pass (2,385 m [7,825 ft]) connects Kandersteg to Adelboden, whilst the Hohtürli Pass (2,778 m [9,114 ft]) on the east connects Kandersteg to Griesalp in the Kiental valley. Neither pass carries a road, but both form part of the Alpine Pass Route , a long-distance hiking trail across Switzerland between Sargans and Montreux that passes through
1260-676: The 2015 federal election the most popular party was the Swiss People's Party (SVP) which received 48.5% of the vote. The next three most popular parties were the Conservative Democratic Party (BDP) (13.7%), the Social Democratic Party (SP) (11.9%) and the FDP.The Liberals (7.7%). In the federal election, a total of 531 votes were cast, and the voter turnout was 57.6%. As of 2012, there were
1330-809: The Bürgerrecht (citizenship), regardless of where they were born or where they may currently live. Instead of the place of birth , Swiss legal documents, e.g. passports, contain the Bürgerort (place of citizenship, or place of origin ). The Bürgergemeinde also often holds and administers the common property in the village for the members of the community. Each canton determines the powers and responsibilities of its municipalities. These may include providing local government services such as education, medical and social services, public transportation, and tax collection. The degree of centralization varies from one canton to another. The federal constitution protects
1400-521: The Helvetic Republic . It was incorporated into the Canton of St. Gallen in 1803. Most of the town was destroyed by fire in 1811. Sargans is at the juncture of the railway lines connecting Chur with Zürich and with Lake Constance , built in 1859. The line to Vienna was added in 1884. The Saar was first canalised in 1858 for the construction of the railway station and again in 1978 for
1470-516: The Lötschberg line , a major railway line across the Alps. Kandersteg railway station is located in the village, and is the first station to the north of the tunnel, through which trains run for 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) to emerge at Goppenstein in eastern Valais . Road vehicles can be carried through the tunnel to Goppenstein by open sided car shuttle trains . Since 2007, the new Lötschberg Base Tunnel has connected Frutigen with Raron . As
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#17327935171681540-584: The Roman era a bridge and part of a road were discovered in the village. Until 1909 Kandersteg was politically and religiously part of Kandergrund . In 1511 the parish built a chapel in Kandersteg, which survived the iconoclasm of the Protestant Reformation in 1530. It became a filial church of the parish in Kandergrund between 1840 and 1860 and in 1910 became the parish church of
1610-597: The Swiss Alpine Club are located in the valley. The Kander Valley has an extensive network of hiking trails from the valley floor to the mountaintops and passes. The most famous routes lead to the canton of Valais, across the Gemmi Pass straight to Leukerbad (with cable cars operating at each end) or through the wild Gastern valley across the higher Lötschen Pass to the Lötschental . Lake Oeschinen
1680-542: The Swiss Reformed Church . Of the rest of the population, there are 4 individuals (or about 0.08% of the population) who belong to the Christian Catholic faith, there are 132 individuals (or about 2.77% of the population) who belong to the Orthodox Church, and there are 53 individuals (or about 1.11% of the population) who belong to another Christian church. There are 4 individuals (or about 0.08% of
1750-574: The canton of St. Gallen in Switzerland . Sargans is known for its castle , which dates from before the founding of the Swiss Confederation in 1291. Sargans was also a County of the Holy Roman Empire ; see County of Sargans . There are traces of Neolithic settlement in the area. A significant Roman-era estate was destroyed by an Alamannic incursion in c. 270 . Sargans remained part of Lower Raetia in
1820-503: The hamlets of Vild, Ratell, Prod, Splee, Riet, Farb, Töbeli and Schwefelbad. The municipality is located on the A3 motorway . Sargans is an important regional transportation node. Trains heading north toward St. Gallen , east toward Chur and Ticino , and toward Austria , all pass through Sargans. Buses heading toward Liechtenstein also leave Sargans. Sargans has a population (as of 31 December 2020) of 6,213. As of 2007 , about 22.0% of
1890-408: The primary economic sector and about 29 businesses involved in this sector. 1,171 people are employed in the secondary sector and there are 58 businesses in this sector. 1,791 people are employed in the tertiary sector , with 218 businesses in this sector. As of October 2009 the average unemployment rate was 3.9%. There were 310 businesses in the municipality of which 57 were involved in
1960-468: The ski jumping and Nordic combined parts of the 2018 Nordic Junior World Ski Championships . Kandersteg is first mentioned, together with Kandergrund, in 1352 as der Kandergrund . Prehistorically the area was lightly settled. However, several late- neolithic or early Bronze Age bows have been found on the Lötschberg glaciers and a Bronze Age needle was found in the Golitschenalp. From
2030-421: The 12th century and is first mentioned in 1282. The town of Sargans grew around the castle in the 13th century. Sargans is mentioned as Senegaunis in the 11th century. An earlier mention as de Senegaune , ostensibly dated to 765, survives in a 16th-century copy. In 1248 it was mentioned as Sanegans , in 1264 as Sangans and in 1332 as Santgans . The modern spelling dates to the 16th century. The etymology of
2100-473: The Kandersteg parish. A Roman Catholic church was built in 1927. Traditionally the local economy relied on seasonal alpine herding and farming and supporting trade over the alpine passes. In the 17th and 18th centuries sulfur mining began in the Oeschinenalp. A match factory opened in the village in the 19th century to take advantage of the sulfur. Beginning around 1850, the municipality grew into
2170-534: The Swiss Confederacy confirmed the city rights of Sargans and granted the right for a weekly market. The municipal coat of arms goes back to the 15th century. It is canting , showing a goose based on the folk etymology for the name Sargans . The historical coat of arms of the county of Sargans was azure three mullets or . In 1798, Sargans became part of the Mels district of the Canton of Linth in
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2240-695: The Swiss national languages (as of 2000 ), 4,146 speak German , 18 people speak French , 102 people speak Italian , and 22 people speak Romansh. The age distribution, as of 2000 , in Sargans is; 522 children or 11.0% of the population are between 0 and 9 years old and 592 teenagers or 12.4% are between 10 and 19. Of the adult population, 594 people or 12.5% of the population are between 20 and 29 years old. 749 people or 15.7% are between 30 and 39, 738 people or 15.5% are between 40 and 49, and 610 people or 12.8% are between 50 and 59. The senior population distribution
2310-403: The autonomy of municipalities within the framework set out by cantonal law. Municipalities are generally governed by an executive council headed by a president or mayor . Legislative authority is exercised by a town meeting of all citizens, or by a municipal parliament, depending on the size of the municipality, and on cantonal and municipal law. In some cantons, foreigners who have lived for
2380-454: The classroom language. As of 2000, there was one student in Kandersteg who came from another municipality, while 49 residents attended schools outside the municipality. A broad spectrum of accommodation characterises the village: from 5-star hotel to holiday apartments and camp sites. The World Scout Centre is located at the edge of the village. More than 14,000 Scouts from all over the world visit each year. Several mountain huts belonging to
2450-459: The construction of the A3 - A13 motorway junction. Sargans remained mostly unaffected by industrialisation; the Gonzen iron ore mine was closed down in 1966. Sargans has an area, as of 2006 , of 9.5 km (3.7 sq mi). Of this area, 38.4% is used for agricultural purposes, while 35.2% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 20.2% is settled (buildings or roads) and the remainder (6.2%)
2520-427: The construction rate of new housing units was 32.5 new units per 1000 residents. The vacancy rate for the municipality, in 2011, was 3.8%. The historical population is given in the following chart: The population rose sharply between 1906 and 1913 with the construction of the Lötschberg railway line . The hotel and restaurant or Gasthof Ruedihaus is listed as a Swiss heritage site of national significance . In
2590-408: The early medieval period, with gradual displacement of Rumantsch by Alemannic speakers during the high medieval period. A church dedicated to Saint Cassian is mentioned in the 9th century. Sargans was part of the territory of the county of Werdenberg from the 12th century, with a separate line of Werdenberg-Sargans established in the later 13th century. The castle was presumably first built in
2660-724: The exercise of political rights for everyone except the members of the Bürgergemeinde . In the Regeneration era (1830–1848), the liberal revolutions of the common people helped to restore some rights again in a few cantons. In other cantons, the Bürgergemeinden were able to maintain power as political communities. In the city of Zürich it was not until the Municipal Act of 1866 that the political municipality came back into existence. The relationship between
2730-438: The highest education level completed by 1,079 people (22.6% of the population) was Primary , while 1,870 (39.2%) have completed their secondary education, 477 (10.0%) have attended a Tertiary school, and 236 (5.0%) are not in school. The remainder did not answer this question. The historical population is given in the following table: From the 2000 census , 3,001 or 63.0% are Roman Catholic , while 843 or 17.7% belonged to
2800-589: The lowest level of administrative division in Switzerland. Each municipality is part of one of the Swiss cantons , which form the Swiss Confederation . In most cantons, municipalities are also part of districts or other sub-cantonal administrative divisions. There are 2,131 municipalities as of January 2024 . Their populations range between several hundred thousand ( Zürich ), and a few dozen people ( Kammersrohr , Bister ), and their territory between 0.32 km² ( Rivaz ) and 439 km² ( Scuol ). The beginnings of
2870-517: The modern municipality system date back to the Helvetic Republic . Under the Old Swiss Confederacy , citizenship was granted by each town and village to only residents. These citizens enjoyed access to community property and in some cases additional protection under the law. Additionally, the urban towns and the rural villages had differing rights and laws. The creation of a uniform Swiss citizenship, which applied equally for citizens of
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2940-572: The most popular party was the SVP which received 35.2% of the vote. The next three most popular parties were the CVP (21.7%), the SP (19.4%) and the FDP (13.5%). In Sargans about 68.8% of the population (between age 25–64) have completed either non-mandatory upper secondary education or additional higher education (either university or a Fachhochschule ). Out of the total population in Sargans, as of 2000 ,
3010-471: The municipalities under cantonal or federal law. Municipalities are numbered by the Swiss Federal Office for Statistics (see Community Identification Number#Switzerland ). One or more postal codes (PLZ/NPA) can by assigned to a municipality or shared with other municipalities. Between 2011 and 2021 nine of the smallest municipalities merged into others as part of the effort to eliminate
3080-535: The municipality is located within the Jungfrau-Aletsch area , declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001 and extended in 2007. The area comprises Lake Oeschinen and the Gastern Valley. Kandersteg has an area of 134.33 km (51.87 sq mi). Of this area, 17.84 km (6.89 sq mi) or 13.3% is used for agricultural purposes, while 15.86 km (6.12 sq mi) or 11.8%
3150-399: The municipality. Of the kindergarten students, 27.8% were permanent or temporary residents of Switzerland (not citizens) and 22.2% have a different mother language than the classroom language. The municipality had 3 primary classes and 68 students. Of the primary students, 13.2% were permanent or temporary residents of Switzerland (not citizens) and 14.7% have a different mother language than
3220-417: The municipality. There were 597 married individuals, 72 widows or widowers and 32 individuals who are divorced. As of 2000, there were 166 households that consist of only one person and 27 households with five or more people. In 2000, a total of 467 apartments (48.5% of the total) were permanently occupied, while 434 apartments (45.1%) were seasonally occupied and 61 apartments (6.3%) were empty. As of 2010,
3290-400: The name is unknown; San- seems to have changed to Sar- under the influence of the hydronym Saar . A popular etymology connecting the name Sargans to "goose" (German Gans ) may date to as early as the 15th century. From 1406, a combined fortification of the town and the castle was built. In 1445, the town, but not the castle, was captured and burned by the Swiss Confederacy. The town
3360-488: The newly created Verwaltungskreis Frutigen-Niedersimmental. The blazon of the municipal coat of arms is Azure a Foot-bridge in pale Or and in chief Argent an Eagle displayed Sable. Kandersteg has a population (as of December 2020) of 1,288. As of 2010, 17.9% of the population are resident foreign nationals. Over the last 10 years (2000-2010) the population has changed at a rate of 4.3%. Migration accounted for 9.7%, while births and deaths accounted for -4.5%. Most of
3430-436: The number of municipalities dropping by 384 between the end of 2010 and the beginning of 2019. Some municipalities designate themselves as "city" ( ville or Stadt ) or as "village" ( Dorf ). These designations result from tradition or local preference – for example, several small municipalities designated as cities held city rights in medieval times – and normally do not impact the legal or political rights or obligations of
3500-533: The old towns and their tenants and servants, led to conflict. The wealthier villagers and urban citizens held rights to forests, common land and other municipal property which they did not want to share with the "new citizens", who were generally poor. The compromise solution, which was written into the municipal laws of the Helvetic Republic, is still valid today. Two politically separate but often geographically similar organizations were created. The first,
3570-408: The political municipality and the Bürgergemeinde was often dominated by the latter's ownership of community property. Often the administration and profit from the property were totally held by the Bürgergemeinden , leaving the political municipality dependent on the Bürgergemeinde for money and use of the property. It was not until the political municipality acquired rights over property that served
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#17327935171683640-447: The political voting and electoral body rights from the Bürgergemeinde . In the cities, the percentage of members in the Bürgergemeinde in the population was reduced as a result of increasing emigration to the cities. This led to the Bürgergemeinde losing its former importance to a large extent. However, the Bürgergemeinde has remained, and it includes all individuals who are citizens of the Bürgergemeinde , usually by having inherited
3710-484: The population (as of 2000) speaks German (1,022 or 89.9%) as their first language, Portuguese is the second most common (32 or 2.8%) and English is the third (13 or 1.1%). There are 12 people who speak French , 5 people who speak Italian . As of 2008, the population was 48.3% male and 51.7% female. The population was made up of 486 Swiss men (39.5% of the population) and 108 (8.8%) non-Swiss men. There were 525 Swiss women (42.6%) and 112 (9.1%) non-Swiss women. Of
3780-463: The population have completed non-mandatory upper secondary education , and 106 or (9.3%) have completed additional higher education (either university or a Fachhochschule ). Of the 106 who completed tertiary schooling, 51.9% were Swiss men, 19.8% were Swiss women, 17.9% were non-Swiss men and 10.4% were non-Swiss women. The Canton of Bern school system provides one year of non-obligatory Kindergarten , followed by six years of primary school. This
3850-525: The population in the municipality, 403 or about 35.4% were born in Kandersteg and lived there in 2000. There were 355 or 31.2% who were born in the same canton, while 154 or 13.5% were born somewhere else in Switzerland, and 181 or 15.9% were born outside of Switzerland. As of 2010, children and teenagers (0–19 years old) make up 16.2% of the population, while adults (20–64 years old) make up 61.9% and seniors (over 64 years old) make up 21.9%. As of 2000, there were 436 people who were single and never married in
3920-466: The population was made up of foreign nationals. Of the foreign population, (as of 2000 ), 34 are from Germany , 126 are from Italy , 432 are from former Yugoslavia , 38 are from Austria, 50 are from Turkey , and 228 are from other countries. Over the last 10 years the population has grown at a rate of 7.3%. Most of the population (as of 2000 ) speaks German (87.0%), with Serbo-Croatian being second most common ( 3.2%) and Italian being third ( 2.1%). Of
3990-498: The population) who are Jewish , and 265 (or about 5.56% of the population) who are Islamic . There are 75 individuals (or about 1.57% of the population) who belong to another church (not listed on the census), 218 (or about 4.58% of the population) belong to no church, are agnostic or atheist , and 170 individuals (or about 3.57% of the population) did not answer the question. As of 2007 , Sargans had an unemployment rate of 1.75%. As of 2005 , there were 79 people employed in
4060-538: The population) who belonged to another Christian church. There were 12 (or about 1.06% of the population) who were Islamic . There was 1 individual who belonged to another church. 53 (or about 4.66% of the population) belonged to no church, are agnostic or atheist , and 51 individuals (or about 4.49% of the population) did not answer the question. Between 1981 and 2010 Kandersteg had an average of 139.2 days of rain or snow per year and on average received 1,194 mm (47.0 in) of precipitation . The wettest month
4130-507: The public (such as schools, fire stations, etc.) and taxes, that they obtained full independence. For example, in the city of Bern, it was not until after the property division of 1852 that the political municipality had the right to levy taxes. It was not until the Federal Constitution of 1874 that all Swiss citizens were granted equal political rights on local and Federal levels. This revised constitution finally removed all
4200-401: The repair of motor vehicles, 58 (13.4%) were in the movement and storage of goods, 264 (60.8%) were in a hotel or restaurant, 6 (1.4%) were in the insurance or financial industry, 7 (1.6%) were in education and 20 (4.6%) were in health care. In 2000, there were 175 workers who commuted into the municipality and 174 workers who commuted away; thus, by an extremely small margin the municipality is
4270-525: The secondary sector of the economy while 227 were involved in the third. As of 2000 there were 994 residents who worked in the municipality, while 1,493 residents worked outside Sargans and 1,893 people commuted into the municipality for work. Both the local mining operation and Schloss Sargans are listed as Swiss heritage sites of national significance . Sargans has an average of 142.2 days of rain or snow per year and on average receives 1,325 mm (52.2 in) of precipitation . The wettest month
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#17327935171684340-493: The smallest communities. Only Bister has not merged into a new municipality although the smallest municipality is now Kammersrohr with a population of just 32. In addition to the municipalities as basic territorial political subdivisions, a number of other local subdivisions exist in several cantons. These include: Sargans Sargans is a municipality in the Wahlkreis (constituency) of Sarganserland in
4410-677: The so-called municipality, was a political community formed by election and its voting body consists of all resident citizens. However, the community land and property remained with the former local citizens who were gathered together into the Bürgergemeinde /bourgeoisie. During the Mediation era (1803–1814), and especially during the Restoration era (1814–1830), many of the gains toward uniform citizenship were lost. Many political municipalities were abolished and limits were placed on
4480-536: The valley floor in 1951. A ski jump was built in 1979. The Kandersteg International Scout Centre opened in 1923. Kandersteg is located on the northern side of the Bernese Alps at an altitude of 1,200 meters (3,900 ft) above sea level at the foot of the Lötschen and Gemmi Passes . The village, with 1200 inhabitants, lies in the upper Kander Valley. The municipality extends over a territory encompassing
4550-480: The valleys of Gastern (upper Kander Valley) and Oeschinen . It includes the villages of Kandersteg and Gastern. Kandersteg is surrounded by high mountains. The Balmhorn (3,698 m [12,133 ft]), bordering the canton of Valais to the south, is the highest in the valley; it is followed by the Blüemlisalp (3,663 m [12,018 ft]), east of the village. The Gross Lohner (3,049 m [10,003 ft])
4620-471: The village to Blausee and to the Gemmi Pass. Other winter activities include skating, curling, ice climbing and ice fishing. Near Kandersteg is located the Ricola Alpine garden. Other attractions in the village include a 16th-century parish church. Kandersteg owes its development as a tourist destination to its good transport links at the northern end of the Lötschberg Tunnel , which is part of
4690-507: The village. The largest lake in the valley is lake Oeschinen . It is located at 1,578 m (5,177 ft) east of Kandersteg, at the foot of the Blüemlisalp massif. The Gastern Valley is an almost closed off valley. At the upper end of the valley lies the Kander Glacier , the source of the 44 km (27 mi) long Kander river . The Gastern Valley is on the way to the 2,700 m [8,900 ft] high Lötschen Pass. Part of
4760-420: The workforce. In 2008 there were a total of 527 full-time equivalent jobs. The number of jobs in the primary sector was 22, all of which were in agriculture. The number of jobs in the secondary sector was 71 of which 9 or (12.7%) were in manufacturing and 55 (77.5%) were in construction. The number of jobs in the tertiary sector was 434. In the tertiary sector, 50 (11.5%) were in wholesale or retail sales or
4830-456: Was July, when Kandersteg had an average of 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain or snow. During this month there was precipitation for an average of 13.5 days. The month with the most days of precipitation was June, with an average of 14.1, but with only 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain or snow. The driest month of the year was February with an average of 68 mm (2.7 in) of precipitation over 9.6 days. In Kandersteg about 509 or (44.8%) of
4900-410: Was given limited rights of self-government in 1456 when the count agreed to select a Schultheiss out of a list of three candidates to be submitted by the burghers. In 1483, count Jürg of Werdenberg-Sargans was forced to sell the county to the Swiss Confederacy for 15,000 Rhenish guilder . From this time until 1798, the castle was the seat of the Swiss reeves. The town burned down again in 1490. In 1501,
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