halfcantons

Halfcantons are a historical and legal category within the Swiss federal system referring to cantons that originated as a single political unit but were divided into two entities that still share cantonal heritage. In federal representation, half-cantons have one seat in the Council of States (the upper house), while full cantons have two seats. This arrangement means that the six current half-cantons collectively contribute six seats in the Council of States, complementing the representation of the full cantons.

The six half-cantons today are Appenzell Innerrhoden, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Basel-Stadt, Basel-Landschaft, Nidwalden, and Obwalden. Each half-canton maintains its own cantonal government and electoral processes, distinct from its paired half (where applicable) and from its corresponding full cantons in cantonal matters.

Historically, the division of certain cantons created half-cantons. For example, Unterwalden split into Obwalden and Nidwalden; Appenzell was divided into Innerrhoden and Ausserrhoden; Basel developed as a city-canton (Basel-Stadt) and a rural/cantonal counterpart (Basel-Landschaft). The status of half-cantons is a peculiarity of Switzerland’s federal design and remains in effect today, though the term is largely historical in ordinary usage.

In contemporary Swiss politics, the principle remains that half-cantons have equal constitutional status to full cantons in the Council of States, but each sends only one representative to that body, reflecting their smaller size and distinct historical origins.