Swiss Passport

Which canton has only been an independent canton since 1979?

Welcher Kanton ist erst seit 1979 ein eigenständiger Kanton?

Correct answer: B

  1. A St. GallenSt. Gallen
  2. B JuraJura
  3. C ZurichZürich
  4. D SolothurnSolothurn

Why

From 1815, the Jura belonged to the canton of Bern. After a long dispute, it became the 26th canton of Switzerland on 1 January 1979.

Common mistakes

A: St. Gallen
St. Gallen has been a canton since 1803.
D: Solothurn
Solothurn has been part of the Confederation since 1481.

Topic

The youngest canton: Jura

Jura is the youngest canton in Switzerland. The area used to belong to the Prince-Bishopric of Basel. In 1815 the Congress of Vienna gave it to the canton of Bern. The north of the Jura is French-speaking and Catholic. Bern is mostly German-speaking and Reformed. That is why many people from the Jura did not feel at home in Bern.

Timeline of Swiss history
  1. 58 BCHelvetii and Romans
  2. 1291The Rütli and William Tell
  3. 1515Marignano
  4. 1523The Reformation
  5. 1798The French and Napoleon
  6. 1815Neutrality
  7. 1848Sonderbund War and the federal state
  8. 19th c.From agrarian state to industrial state
  9. 1918National general strike
  10. 1939–1945Second World War
  11. 1948Prosperity and AHV
  12. 1970Immigration and the Schwarzenbach initiative
  13. 1971Women's suffrage and equal rights
  14. 1979The youngest canton: Jura

History of Switzerland
The 20th century

Sources

Last checked: September 2026

Question 215 of the official question list of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.

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