Bern, Administrative canton in west-central Switzerland
Bern is a canton in west-central Switzerland that stretches from the Jura range across the plateau to the high Alps. The territory covers roughly 5959 square kilometers and ranges from lowland plains near Lake Biel to glaciated peaks such as the Finsteraarhorn.
The canton joined the Swiss Confederation in 1353 and grew into a major political center over the following centuries. The Reformation in the 16th century shaped the religious landscape and reinforced its role as a Protestant stronghold.
German and French divide the territory, with the western part speaking French and the rest using Swiss German dialects. This bilingual reality appears in daily life along the language border, where towns display signs, run offices, and teach children in both languages side by side.
Ten administrative districts provide access to public services and regional authorities in their respective main towns. Travelers find tourist information in larger settlements that help with orientation and finding places to stay.
The Finsteraarhorn rises to 4274 meters as the highest point in the Alps and remains less visited than other four-thousand-meter peaks due to its remote location. Many hikers and climbers appreciate this quiet and the untouched glaciers surrounding the summit.
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