Burgdorf, Switzerland

Burgdorf
Country Switzerland Canton Berne District Burgdorf 47°03′N 7°37′E / 47.05°N 7.617°E / 47.05; 7.617Coordinates: 47°03′N 7°37′E / 47.05°N 7.617°E / 47.05; 7.617
Population	15,049 (2007[update])
- Density	964 /km2 (2,497 /sq mi)
Area	15.61 km2 (6.03 sq mi)
Elevation	533 m (1,749 ft)
Postal code	3400
SFOS number	0404
Mayor	Elisabeth Zäch (as of 2009) SPS/PSS
Surrounded by (view map)	Hasle bei Burgdorf, Heimiswil, Kirchberg, Krauchtal, Lyssach, Mötschwil, Oberburg, Rüti bei Lyssach, Wynigen
Twin towns	Epesses (Switzerland), Burgdorf (Germany), San Pellegrino Terme (Italy)
Website	www.burgdorf.ch SFSO statistics
Burgdorf [zoom]

Burgdorf (French: Berthoud) is the largest city in the Emmental in the canton of Berne in Switzerland and is the capital of the district of the same name.

History

The Burgdorf castle, first built in 1175, now contains a museum founded in 1886.

In 1175 the town was first known as "Burtorf" from Burg Bertolfs (Berchtold's) in connection with a deed of Duke Berchtold IV of Zähringer. In 1384, the city of Berne purchased Burgdorf.

Geography

Burgdorf has an area of 15.6 square kilometers (6.0 sq mi). Of this area, 27.4% is used for agricultural purposes, while 41.6% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 28.8% is settled (buildings or roads) and the remainder (2.1%) is non-productive (rivers or glaciers).^[1]

Points of interest

Interior of the Late Gothic Stadtkirche (City Church)

• The old town centre, with alleyways, squares and many historical buildings
• Late Gothic church 1471/1490
• The Schloss Burgdorf (a castle)
• The "Badi" (which means public swimming pool)
• Museum Franz Gertsch
• Kornhaus (cornhouse)
• Burgdorf Flüeh (4 huge rocks) and the river Emme
• Burgdorf Schützematte, a big field, meeting point of peoples

People associated with Burgdorf

• Christian Ferdinand Schiess VC, Swiss Victoria Cross recipient at Rorke's Drift, born there in 1856.
• Max Schneckenburger, the poet, lived and died there.
• Johann August Sutter, Californian pioneer, left Burgdorf in 1834 for America.
• John Mbiti, the African theologian and philosopher, is a Christian minister in Burgdorf.
• Martin Gerber, NHL goaltender.
• Marc Reichert, Swiss Ice hockey player
• Simone Niggli-Luder, Swiss Orienteering World Champion
• Lisa della Casa, soprano, born in Burgdorf.
• Wily Michel, founder of Disetronic - Ypsomed, billionaire
• Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi, used to live and teach in the castle of Burgdorf

Special events

• Solaette - #1 event in Burgdorf, old tradition child event (last Monday of June)
• Gymfest - big party organized by a group of students of Gymnasium Burgdorf (January)
• Pogoschuetz - an openair concert on the Schuetzenmatte (September)
• Cinete - an openair movie theater, every year during summer
• Kalter Maert - the biggest fair in Burgdorf, every year 10 000 of people come to shop in

the old city of Burgdorf (cold winter time)

• Burgdorfer Stadtlauf - Burgdorf running race through the city of Burgdorf

Demographics

Burgdorf has a population (as of 2007^[update]) of 15,049, of which 13.4% are foreign nationals. Over the last 10 years the population has grown at a rate of 4.7%. Most of the population (as of 2000^[update]) speaks German (88.9%), with Italian being second most common ( 2.7%) and Albanian being third ( 1.5%).

In the 2007 election the most popular party was the SPS which received 25% of the vote. The next three most popular parties were the SVP (23%), the FDP (16.5%) and the Green Party (15.5%).

The age distribution of the population (as of 2000^[update]) is children and teenagers (0-19 years old) make up 21.2% of the population, while adults (20-64 years old) make up 59.7% and the seniors (over 64 years old) make up 19.2%. The entire Swiss population is generally well educated. In Burgdorf about 72.7% of the population (between age 25-64) have completed either non-mandatory upper secondary education or additional higher education (either University or a Fachhochschule).

Economy

Burgdorf has an unemployment rate of 2.39%. As of 2005^[update], there were 94 people employed in the primary economic sector and about 20 businesses involved in this sector. 3743 people are employed in the secondary sector and there are 142 businesses in this sector. 7533 people are employed in the tertiary sector, with 702 businesses in this sector.^[1]

Burgdorf has several engine works and some departments of the Berne University of Applied Sciences (e.g. Architecture and Civil Engineering). Burgdorf has a growing economy, several small companies called KMU (small and middle companies) are located and have their headquarters in Burgdorf, such as Ypsomed (former Disetronic), Aebi, Typon, Iverslee and Seewer.

Burgdorf is also known for its local beer. In 1871 Burgdorf had one of the most modern breweries is Switzerland.^[3] However, these local, small breweries closed during the 20th Century. In 1999, a brewery was opened, which brewed a local Burgdorf beer. This beer has won a number of awards at Beerdays in Solothurn.^[4]

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Burgdorf

Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article Burgdorf.

• http://www.burgdorf.ch
• http://www.schloss-burgdorf.ch
• Burgdorf (municipality) in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland.

References

v • d • e Municipalities in the district of Burgdorf, Switzerland Aefligen | Alchenstorf | Bäriswil | Burgdorf | Ersigen | Hasle | Heimiswil | Hellsau | Hindelbank | Höchstetten | Kernenried | Kirchberg | Koppigen | Krauchthal | Lyssach | Mötschwil | Niederösch | Oberburg | Oberösch | Rüdtligen-Alchenflüh | Rumendingen | Rüti | Willadingen | Wynigen Canton of Bern | Districts of Canton Bern | Municipalities of the canton of Bern