Surselva Region is one of the eleven
administrative districts
Administrative division, administrative unit,Article 3(1). country subdivision, administrative region, subnational entity, constituent state, as well as many similar terms, are generic names for geographical areas into which a particular, ind ...
in the
canton of
Graubünden in
Switzerland
). Swiss law does not designate a ''capital'' as such, but the federal parliament and government are installed in Bern, while other federal institutions, such as the federal courts, are in other cities (Bellinzona, Lausanne, Luzern, Neuchâtel ...
. It was created on 1 January 2017 as part of a reorganization of the canton.
[Swiss Federal Statistical Office – Amtliches Gemeindeverzeichnis der Schweiz – Mutationsmeldungen 2016]
accessed 16 February 2017
Surselva Region has an area of , with a population of as of ..
It corresponds exactly to its predecessor,
Surselva District
Surselva Region is one of the eleven administrative districts in the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. It was created on 1 January 2017 as part of a reorganization of the canton.[Anterior Rhine
The Vorderrhein (German; English: ''Anterior Rhine''; Sursilvan: ; Sutsilvan: ''Ragn Anteriur''; Rumantsch Grischun, Vallader, and Puter: ''Rain Anteriur''; Surmiran: ''Ragn anteriour'') is one of the two sources of the Rhine. Its catchment are ...]
in the local (
Sursilvan
Sursilvan (; also ''romontsch sursilvan'' ; Sursilvan, Vallader, Surmiran, Sutsilvan, and Rumantsch Grischun: ''sursilvan''; Puter: ''sursilvaun'') is a group of dialects of the Romansh language spoken in the Swiss district of Surselva. It is t ...
) dialect of
Romansh. The eponymous forest is that of the
Flims rockslide; the region "below the forest" is ''Sutselva'', where the
Sutsilvan
Romansh (; sometimes also spelled Romansch and Rumantsch; Sursilvan: ; Vallader, Surmiran, and Rumantsch Grischun: ; Putèr: ; Sutsilvan: , , ; Jauer: ) is a Gallo-Romance language spoken predominantly in the Swiss canton of the Grison ...
dialect used to be spoken.
Geography
The Surselva encompasses the valley of the Vorderrhein/Rein Anteriur (the Surselva) and all its side valleys, from the source near the
Oberalp Pass
Oberalp Pass ( rm, Alpsu or ''Cuolm d'Ursera''; german: Oberalppass) (2044 meters above sea level) is a high mountain pass in the Swiss Alps connecting the cantons of Graubünden and Uri between Disentis/Mustér and Andermatt.
Winter closure
The ...
all the way down towards Reichenau (where the Vorderrhein joins the
Hinterrhein/Rein Posteriur to form the
Alpine Rhine
The Alpine Rhine Valley (german: Alpenrheintal) is a glacial alpine valley, formed by the part of the Alpine Rhine (german: Alpenrhein ) between the confluence of the Anterior Rhine and Posterior Rhine at Reichenau and the Alpine Rhine's mouth at ...
). The region ends before that confluence at the huge forest on the giant debris of
Flims Rockslide that is responsible for the name of the region: The debris area lack of water and soil and were ever left as a big forest as it was useless for farming. This forest (romonsch: silva) is the border for "Sur-silva" (meaning "above the forest").
The Surselva is one of the few areas in Switzerland that is mainly
Romansh-speaking (another notable valley being the
Engadin
The Engadin or Engadine ( rm, ;This is the name in the two Romansh idioms that are spoken in the Engadin, Vallader and Puter, as well as in Sursilvan and Rumantsch Grischun. In Surmiran, the name is ''Nagiadegna'', and in Sutsilvan, it is ' ...
e, the valley of the Inn). The most important community in the Surselva is
Disentis/Mustér
Disentis (German) or Mustér (, Romansh), with its official name Disentis/Mustér is a village and a municipality in the Surselva Region in the Swiss canton of Graubünden.
The skiing and summer tourism resort high up in the Rhine valley is the ...
, with its
Benedictine monastery
, image = Medalla San Benito.PNG
, caption = Design on the obverse side of the Saint Benedict Medal
, abbreviation = OSB
, formation =
, motto = (English: 'Pray and Work')
, foun ...
, which dates back to 720. There are a few
German
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany (of or related to)
** Germania (historical use)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law
**Ge ...
-speaking communities in the Surselva, e.g.
Obersaxen
Obersaxen ( rm, Sursaissa) is a former municipality in the district of Surselva in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. On 1 January 2016 the former municipalities of Obersaxen and Mundaun merged to form the new municipality of Obersaxen Mundaun.
...
and
Vals Vals is the word for waltz in many European languages.
Vals or VALS may also refer to:
* Peruvian waltz
* Venezuelan waltz
* Vals (dance), a dance related to Argentine tango
* VALS, "Values And Lifestyles," a psychographic segmentation tool
Place ...
, which were founded in the thirteenth century by the
Walser
The Walser people are the speakers of the Walser German dialects, a variety of Highest Alemannic.
They inhabit the region of the Alps of Switzerland and Liechtenstein, as well as the fringes of Italy and Austria.
The Walser people are named af ...
.
A long-distance hike is signposted to follow the full length of the main valley of the Anterior Rhine.
Municipalities
Surselva Region had 17 municipalities at the time of its formation. On 1 January 2018 the former municipalities of
Andiast
Andiast () is a former municipality in the Surselva Region in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. Until 1943, it was known as Andest.[Waltensburg/Vuorz
Waltensburg/Vuorz is a former municipality in the Surselva Region in the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. On 1 January 2018 the former municipalities of Andiast and Waltensburg/Vuorz merged into the municipality of Breil/Brigels.
History
...]
merged into the municipality of
Breil/Brigels
Breil/Brigels is a municipality in the Surselva Region in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. On 1 January 2018 the former municipalities of Andiast and Waltensburg/Vuorz merged into the municipality of Breil/Brigels.
The name of the municipality c ...
, for a total of 15 municipalities.
Linguistic demography
Romansh is the predominant language in the region, most of which speak the
Sursilvan
Sursilvan (; also ''romontsch sursilvan'' ; Sursilvan, Vallader, Surmiran, Sutsilvan, and Rumantsch Grischun: ''sursilvan''; Puter: ''sursilvaun'') is a group of dialects of the Romansh language spoken in the Swiss district of Surselva. It is t ...
dialect. There is a large German-speaking minority in Surselva, notably the Walser settlements of
Obersaxen
Obersaxen ( rm, Sursaissa) is a former municipality in the district of Surselva in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. On 1 January 2016 the former municipalities of Obersaxen and Mundaun merged to form the new municipality of Obersaxen Mundaun.
...
and
Vals Vals is the word for waltz in many European languages.
Vals or VALS may also refer to:
* Peruvian waltz
* Venezuelan waltz
* Vals (dance), a dance related to Argentine tango
* VALS, "Values And Lifestyles," a psychographic segmentation tool
Place ...
.
History
Surselva District ( rm, ) was an
administrative district
Local government is a generic term for the lowest tiers of public administration within a particular sovereign state. This particular usage of the word government refers specifically to a level of administration that is both geographically-loca ...
in the
canton of
the Grisons,
Switzerland
). Swiss law does not designate a ''capital'' as such, but the federal parliament and government are installed in Bern, while other federal institutions, such as the federal courts, are in other cities (Bellinzona, Lausanne, Luzern, Neuchâtel ...
, from 2000 until 2016.
It had an area of and a population of 21,325 in 2015.
It was formed in 2000 by a merger of the former Vorderrhein and Glenner districts. During its existence there were several changes in its composition:
*On 1 January 2012 the municipality of
Schlans
Schlans is a former municipality in the district of Surselva in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. The municipality of Schlans merged on 1 January 2012 into the municipality of Trun.[Cumbel
Cumbel () is a former municipality in the district of Surselva in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. The municipalities of Cumbel, Degen, Lumbrein, Morissen, Suraua, Vignogn, Vella, and Vrin merged on 1 January 2013 into the new municipality of ...]
,
Degen,
Lumbrein
Lumbrein is a former municipality in the district of Surselva in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. The municipalities of Cumbel, Degen, Lumbrein, Morissen, Suraua, Vignogn, Vella, and Vrin merged on 1 January 2013 into the new municipality of ...
,
Morissen
Morissen ( rm, Murissen) is a former municipality in the district of Surselva in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. The municipalities of Cumbel, Degen, Lumbrein, Morissen, Suraua, Vignogn, Vella, and Vrin merged on 1 January 2013 into the new ...
,
Suraua
Suraua is a former municipality in the district of Surselva in the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. The former municipality was formed on January 1, 2002, through the union of Camuns, Surcasti, Tersnaus, and Uors-Peiden. The municipalities ...
,
Vignogn
Vignogn is a former municipality in the district of Surselva in the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. The municipalities of Cumbel, Degen, Lumbrein, Morissen, Suraua, Vignogn, Vella, and Vrin merged on 1 January 2013 into the new municipal ...
,
Vella
Vella is a village and a former municipalities of Switzerland, municipality in the district of Surselva (district), Surselva in the Cantons of Switzerland, canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. The municipalities of Cumbel, Degen, Switzerland, De ...
, and
Vrin
Vrin () is a village and a former municipality in the Lumnezia. It belonged to the circle of Lugnez/Lumnezia in the district of Surselva in the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. The municipalities of Cumbel, Degen, Lumbrein, Morissen, Sur ...
merged on 1 January 2013 into the new municipality of
Lumnezia
Lumnezia is a valley region and a municipality in the Surselva Region in the Swiss of canton of Graubünden. The former municipalities of Cumbel, Degen, Lumbrein, Morissen, Suraua, Vignogn, Vella, and Vrin merged on 1 January 2013 into the ...
.
[
*On 1 January 2014 the former municipalities of ]Castrisch
Castrisch () is a former municipality in the district of Surselva in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. Until 1943, it was officially known as Kästris. On 1 January 2014 the former municipalities of Castrisch, Ilanz, Ladir, Luven, Pitasch, Riei ...
, Ilanz
Ilanz ( rm, Glion) is a former municipality in the district of Surselva in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. The former municipality of Ilanz was congruent with the town of Ilanz. On 1 January 1978, the former municipality of Strada merged into ...
, Ladir
Ladir is a former municipality in the district of Surselva in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. On 1 January 2014 the former municipalities of Ladir, Castrisch, Ilanz, Luven, Pitasch, Riein, Ruschein, Schnaus, Sevgein, Duvin, Pigniu, Rueun an ...
, Luven
Luven (formerly known as ''Luvis'') is a former municipality in the district of Surselva in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. On 1 January 2014 the former municipalities of Luven, Castrisch, Ilanz, Ladir, Pitasch, Riein, Ruschein, Schnaus, Sev ...
, Pitasch
Pitasch is a former municipality in the district of Surselva in the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. On 1 January 2014 the former municipalities of Pitasch, Castrisch, Ilanz, Ladir, Luven, Riein, Ruschein, Schnaus, Sevgein, Duvin, Pigniu, ...
, Riein
Riein () is a village and a former municipality in the district of Surselva in the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. On 1 January 2014 the former municipalities of Riein, Castrisch, Ilanz, Ladir, Luven, Pitasch, Ruschein, Schnaus, Sevgei ...
, Ruschein
Ruschein (, ) is a former municipality in the district of Surselva in the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. Its official language is the Sursilvan dialect of Romansh. On 1 January 2014 the former municipalities of Ruschein, Castrisch, Ila ...
, Schnaus
Schnaus is a former municipality in the district of Surselva in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. On 1 January 2014 the former municipalities of Schnaus, Castrisch, Ilanz, Ladir, Luven, Pitasch, Riein, Ruschein, Sevgein, Duvin, Pigniu, Rueu ...
, Sevgein
Sevgein (; german: Seewis im Oberland) is a former municipality in the district of Surselva in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. On 1 January 2014 the former municipalities of Sevgein, Castrisch, Ilanz, Ladir, Luven, Pitasch, Riein, Ruschein, Sch ...
, Duvin
Duvin (german: Duvin ), rm, Duin ) is a former municipality in the district of Surselva in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. On 1 January 2014 the former municipalities of Duvin, Castrisch, Ilanz, Ladir, Luven, Pitasch, Riein, Ruschein, Schnau ...
, Pigniu
Pigniu (german: Panix) is a former municipality in the district of Surselva in the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. Its official language is Romansh. On 1 January 2014 the former municipalities of Pigniu, Castrisch, Ilanz, Ladir, Luven, ...
, Rueun
Rueun is a former municipality in the district of Surselva in the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. On 1 January 2014 the former municipalities of Rueun, Castrisch, Ilanz, Ladir, Luven, Pitasch, Riein, Ruschein, Schnaus, Sevgein, Duvin, ...
and Siat SIAT may refer to:
* S.I.A.T. (Sociedad Ibérica de Automóviles de Turismo), the predecessor company of the Spanish car maker SEAT (S.E.A.T., Sociedad Española de Automóviles de Turismo)
* Siebelwerke/ATG, a German aircraft manufacturer
* Sib ...
merged into the new municipality of Ilanz/Glion.[
*On 1 January 2015 the former municipality of St. Martin merged into the municipality of Vals.][
It consisted of five '' Kreise'' (sub-districts) and forty-three ]municipalities
A municipality is usually a single administrative division having corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by national and regional laws to which it is subordinate.
The term ''municipality'' may also mean the go ...
. It was replaced with the ''Surselva Region'' on 1 January 2017 as part of a reorganization of the Canton.[
]
References
{{Coord, 46.76, N, 9.09, E, region:CH, display=title
Regions of Graubünden
Vorderrhein basin