Appenzell Ausserrhoden

The territory extends across 243 square kilometers of rolling hills, forests, and mountains at an average elevation of 771 meters above sea level.

The region split into two administrative divisions in 1597, with Appenzell Ausserrhoden adopting Protestant beliefs while Appenzell Innerrhoden remained Catholic.

The canton preserves traditional Swiss customs through annual festivals, regional celebrations, and maintains agriculture as a primary economic activity.

Twenty municipalities form the canton, with Herisau serving as the governmental center and Trogen functioning as the judicial capital.

Until 1997, citizens gathered in a Landsgemeinde, an open-air assembly where they directly voted on cantonal matters by raising their hands.

Location: Switzerland

Inception: 1513

Capital city: Herisau

Elevation above the sea: 771 m

Part of: Eastern Switzerland, Northeastern Switzerland, Appenzellerland

Shares border with: Canton St. Gallen, Appenzell Innerrhoden

Email: kommunikation@ar.ch

Website: https://ar.ch

GPS coordinates: 47.37840,9.31280

Latest update: May 28, 2025 18:32