The 26 Swiss cantons: the full list with capitals
The list of the 26 Swiss cantons with their abbreviation and capital, and what makes the canton the real building block of federalism.
Switzerland has 26 cantons. Each is a small state with its own constitution, parliament, government and taxes — the canton is the basic building block of Swiss federalism. Here is the full list, with each one's official abbreviation and capital.
Format of each line: canton (abbreviation) · capital. Names are given in the canton's own language.
- Zürich (ZH) · Zürich
- Bern (BE) · Bern
- Luzern (LU) · Luzern
- Uri (UR) · Altdorf
- Schwyz (SZ) · Schwyz
- Obwalden (OW) · Sarnen
- Nidwalden (NW) · Stans
- Glarus (GL) · Glarus
- Zug (ZG) · Zug
- Fribourg (FR) · Fribourg
- Solothurn (SO) · Solothurn
- Basel-Stadt (BS) · Basel
- Basel-Landschaft (BL) · Liestal
- Schaffhausen (SH) · Schaffhausen
- Appenzell Ausserrhoden (AR) · Herisau
- Appenzell Innerrhoden (AI) · Appenzell
- St. Gallen (SG) · St. Gallen
- Graubünden (GR) · Chur
- Aargau (AG) · Aarau
- Thurgau (TG) · Frauenfeld
- Ticino (TI) · Bellinzona
- Vaud (VD) · Lausanne
- Valais (VS) · Sion
- Neuchâtel (NE) · Neuchâtel
- Genève (GE) · Genève
- Jura (JU) · Delémont
Frequently asked questions
How many cantons does Switzerland have?
26 cantons, each with its own constitution, government and taxation.
What is the largest canton?
By area, Graubünden; by population, Zurich, with over 1.5 million inhabitants.
Related reading
- Geography of Switzerland: capital, area and cantons
An area of 41,285 km², 26 cantons, no official capital but Bern as the federal city: the geography of Switzerland explained simply.
- The Swiss political system: Federal Council, Parliament, cantons
A seven-member government, a two-chamber Parliament, 26 cantons and direct democracy: how the Swiss political system really works.
- Public holidays in Switzerland: why they vary by canton
Only one federal holiday, the rest decided by the cantons: why public holidays differ from one canton to another in Switzerland.