Interlaken

Interlaken
Country Switzerland Canton Bern District Interlaken 46°41′N 7°51′E / 46.683°N 7.85°E / 46.683; 7.85Coordinates: 46°41′N 7°51′E / 46.683°N 7.85°E / 46.683; 7.85
Population	5,577 (December 2007[update])
- Density	1,268 /km2 (3,283 /sq mi)
Area	4.4 km2 (1.7 sq mi)
Elevation	568 m (1,864 ft)
Postal code	3800
SFOS number	0588
Mayor	Urs Graf (Social Democratic Party of Switzerland)
Surrounded by	Bönigen, Därligen, Matten bei Interlaken, Ringgenberg, Unterseen
Twin towns	Scottsdale (USA), Ōtsu (Japan), Třeboň (Czech Republic)
Website	www.interlaken-gemeinde.ch SFSO statistics
Interlaken

Interlaken

Interlaken is a municipality in the district of Interlaken in the Canton of Bern in Switzerland, a well-known tourist destination in the Bernese Oberland.

History

Until 1891 Interlaken was known as Aarmühle.^[1] The original importance of the town was as the site of a convent of the Augustinian Canons; the convent was built in 1130 and lasted until 1528. In the past, printing, textiles, and to a smaller extent watchmaking were also of importance, but today tourism is the most significant source of income. Interlaken is one of the oldest tourist resorts in Switzerland, and it remains one of the most popular.

Geography

View of Interlaken from Schynige Platte

On the main street

The Aare River flows through the town. Interlaken is located between Lake Brienz to the east and Lake Thun to the west in the area called Bödeli. The town takes its name from its geographical position between the lakes (in Latin inter lacus).

Interlaken is located at 570 m (1,870 ft) above sea level.

Interlaken has an area of 4.4 square kilometers (1.7 sq mi). Of this area, 26.4% is used for agricultural purposes, while 21.6% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 45.2% is settled (buildings or roads) and the remainder (6.9%) is non-productive (rivers, glaciers or mountains).^[2]

Demographics

Interlaken has a population (as of 2007^[update]) of 5,286, of which 24.0% are foreign nationals. Over the last 10 years the population has grown at a rate of 4.5%. Most of the population (as of 2000^[update]) speaks German (83.4%), with Portugese being second most common ( 3.9%) and Italian being third ( 2.8%).

In the 2007 election the most popular party was the SVP which received 29.3% of the vote. The next three most popular parties were the SPS (21.3%), the FDP (18.7%) and the Green Party (11.6%).

The age distribution of the population (as of 2000^[update]) is children and teenagers (0-19 years old) make up 19.3% of the population, while adults (20-64 years old) make up 63.1% and seniors (over 64 years old) make up 17.6%. The entire Swiss population is generally well educated. In Interlaken about 69.2% of the population (between age 25-64) have completed either non-mandatory upper secondary education or additional higher education (either University or a Fachhochschule).

Interlaken has an unemployment rate of 3.86%. As of 2005^[update], there were 28 people employed in the primary economic sector and about 6 businesses involved in this sector. 742 people are employed in the secondary sector and there are 76 businesses in this sector. 4,935 people are employed in the tertiary sector, with 535 businesses in this sector.^[2] The historical population is given in the following table:^[1]

Tourism

Jungfrau from Interlaken

Interlaken is frequently visited by adventure-seeking backpackers throughout the year. Interlaken is home to numerous backpacker-friendly hostels and companies that provide guided services in skydiving, canyoning, hang gliding, paragliding, and skiing.

The town offers tourists a peaceful base from which to explore the surrounding areas by train or bus. However, the main attraction is probably the magnificent Jungfrau (4,158 m (13,642 ft)) and the nearby Jungfraujoch railway station (3,450 m (11,319 ft)). Many hotels are located along the Höheweg avenue which offer good views of the mountains. Mystery Park, a paranormal-based theme park owned by Erich von Däniken, was closed in 2006 after three years because of financial difficulties but re-opened in 2009^[3].

Transportation

BOB railways train at Interlaken

Despite its small size, the town features two railway stations Interlaken Ost and Interlaken West and two funicular railways, the Harderbahn and the Heimwehfluhbahn. Train connections in Interlaken serve the Jungfrau region via the Berner Oberland Bahn, with the narrow-gauge lines of the Zentralbahn extending over the Brünig Pass to Luzern. The main line connects Interlaken with the cities of Spiez, Thun and Bern. There are also regular bus links to the neighbouring town of Thun. Boat services across Lake Brienz to Brienz and across Lake Thun to Spiez and Thun are operated by BLS Lötschbergbahn.

Events

• In September, the Jungfrau Marathon starts in Interlaken.
• The Unspunnenfest is a festival held in Interlaken and the neighbouring communities of Matten and Wilderswil approximately every twelve years. The festival highlights traditional Swiss culture and features competitions of Steinstossen (stone put), Schwingen (wrestling) and yodelling. The last Unspunnenfest was held in September 2006. The next celebration is scheduled for the year 2017.
• On July 15, the Red Bull Air Race World Series was held on the Airport situated near Interlaken.
• During Summer, there is the Greenfield Music Festival on the outskirts of Interlaken.

Weather

See also

View of Interlaken, 1821

• Swiss Alps
• Entrelagos

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Interlaken

• Official website
• Official website of the municipality (German)
• Interlaken (municipality) in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland.

References

v • d • e Municipalities in the district of Interlaken, Switzerland Beatenberg | Bönigen | Brienz | Brienzwiler | Därligen | Grindelwald | Gsteigwiler | Gündlischwand | Habkern | Hofstetten bei Brienz | Interlaken | Iseltwald | Lauterbrunnen | Leissigen | Lütschental | Matten bei Interlaken | Niederried bei Interlaken | Oberried am Brienzersee | Ringgenberg | Saxeten | Schwanden bei Brienz | Unterseen | Wilderswil Canton of Bern | Districts of Canton Bern | Municipalities of the canton of Bern