Bünden

Bünden, commonly known in English as Graubünden, is the easternmost and largest canton of Switzerland by area. It covers roughly 7,100 square kilometers and features a diverse landscape of high Alps, deep valleys, and multiple language regions. The canton's capital is Chur, one of the oldest towns in Switzerland.

Name and history: The term Bünden derives from the historical Three Leagues, also called the Grey Leagues, a medieval federation of communities. In the 19th century the region became the canton of Graubünden within the Swiss Confederation after the Act of Mediation in 1803. The name Graubünden reflects its historical association with the Grey Leagues.

Geography and people: The canton includes the Engadin and other inner Alpine valleys and is the source region for the Rhine. The Swiss National Park lies in the southeast, and the Bernina massif with the Bernina Pass is among its notable highlands. The population is around 200,000, with German as the majority language, while Romansh and Italian are also spoken. Romansh has several distinct dialects and is recognized as an official language alongside German and Italian in the canton.

Economy and administration: Tourism is a major economic sector, with well-known resorts such as Davos and St. Moritz, as well as extensive hiking and winter-sports opportunities. The canton also has hydroelectric power production and diverse agriculture. Politically, the canton has a cantonal government led by an executive and a unicameral cantonal parliament, reflecting Switzerland’s system of cantonal autonomy and direct democracy.

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