List of Switzerland Cantons and Capitals - Cantons in Switzerland

Written and Fact-checked by | Last Updated On: May 22, 2026

Switzerland is divided into 26 Cantons, also known as "states" or "Cantons" in other countries. Here is a list of the 26 Cantons in alphabetical order:

Switzerland is a landlocked country in Central Europe surrounded by Germany, France, Italy, Austria, and Liechtenstein. The country is divided into 26 cantons, which function as the main administrative and political divisions of Switzerland. Bern is the federal capital city, while Zürich is the largest city and the country’s biggest financial and economic center.

The country is known for the Alps, mountain lakes, medieval towns, and multilingual culture spread across German, French, Italian, and Romansh-speaking regions. Different cantons are known for banking, tourism, manufacturing, watchmaking, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and international diplomacy, and each canton has a high level of autonomy within the Swiss federal system.

Key Facts

Federal capital: Bern | Total population: 8,962,300 (Official estimate 2025) | Total area: 41,285 km² (15,940 sq miles) | Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF - Fr.) | Bordering countries: Germany, France, Italy, Austria, Liechtenstein | Total Cantons: 26 | Total Municipalities: 2,100+

List of Cantons and Capitals of Switzerland

Total administrative divisions shown: 26 | Combined population: 8,962,300 | Combined area: 41,285 km²

#Canton NameCanton CapitalGeographic RegionArea (km²)Population (Official Estimate 2025)
1AargauAarauNorthern Switzerland1,404720,000
2Appenzell AusserrhodenHerisauEastern Alps24357,000
3Appenzell InnerrhodenAppenzellEastern Alps17316,500
4Basel-LandschaftLiestalNorthwestern Switzerland518295,000
5Basel-StadtBaselRhine Border Region37205,000
6BernBernCentral Plateau5,9591,080,000
7FribourgFribourgWestern Plateau1,671340,000
8GenevaGenevaWestern Border Region282525,000
9GlarusGlarusEastern Alps68542,000
10GraubündenChurSoutheastern Alps7,105205,000
11JuraDelémontJura Mountains83974,000
12LucerneLucerneCentral Switzerland1,494430,000
13NeuchâtelNeuchâtelWestern Switzerland803178,000
14NidwaldenStansCentral Alps27645,000
15ObwaldenSarnenCentral Alps49139,000
16SchaffhausenSchaffhausenNorthern Border Region29887,000
17SchwyzSchwyzCentral Switzerland908167,000
18SolothurnSolothurnNorthwestern Plateau791282,000
19St. GallenSt. GallenEastern Switzerland2,026525,000
20ThurgauFrauenfeldNortheastern Switzerland991295,000
21TicinoBellinzonaSouthern Alps2,812360,000
22UriAltdorfCentral Alps1,07738,000
23ValaisSionSouthwestern Alps5,224365,000
24VaudLausanneLake Geneva Region3,212860,000
25ZugZugCentral Switzerland239132,000
26ZürichZürichNortheastern Plateau1,7291,620,800

Largest Cantons by Area

  • Graubünden - 2,743 sq mi (7,105 km²)
  • Bern - 2,301 sq mi (5,959 km²)
  • Valais - 2,017 sq mi (5,224 km²)
  • Vaud - 1,240 sq mi (3,212 km²)
  • Ticino - 1,086 sq mi (2,812 km²)
  • St. Gallen - 782 sq mi (2,026 km²)
  • Zürich - 668 sq mi (1,729 km²)
  • Fribourg - 645 sq mi (1,671 km²)

Most Populous Cantons

  • Zürich - Population: 1,620,800 (Official Estimate 2025)
  • Bern - Population: 1,080,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
  • Vaud - Population: 860,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
  • Aargau - Population: 720,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
  • Geneva - Population: 525,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
  • St. Gallen - Population: 525,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
  • Lucerne - Population: 430,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
  • Valais - Population: 365,000 (Official Estimate 2025)

Smallest Cantons by Area

  • Basel-Stadt - 14 sq mi (37 km²)
  • Appenzell Innerrhoden - 67 sq mi (173 km²)
  • Zug - 92 sq mi (239 km²)
  • Appenzell Ausserrhoden - 94 sq mi (243 km²)
  • Nidwalden - 107 sq mi (276 km²)
  • Geneva - 109 sq mi (282 km²)

Cantons by Geographic Grouping

  • Central Alps: Nidwalden, Obwalden, Uri
  • Central Plateau: Bern
  • Central Switzerland: Lucerne, Schwyz, Zug
  • Eastern Alps: Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Glarus
  • Eastern Switzerland: St. Gallen
  • Jura Mountains: Jura
  • Lake Geneva Region: Vaud
  • Northeastern Plateau: Zürich
  • Northeastern Switzerland: Thurgau
  • Northern Border Region: Schaffhausen
  • Northern Switzerland: Aargau
  • Northwestern Plateau: Solothurn
  • Northwestern Switzerland: Basel-Landschaft
  • Rhine Border Region: Basel-Stadt
  • Southern Alps: Ticino
  • Southeastern Alps: Graubünden
  • Southwestern Alps: Valais
  • Western Border Region: Geneva
  • Western Plateau: Fribourg
  • Western Switzerland: Neuchâtel

Landlocked Cantons

  • All 26 cantons of Switzerland are landlocked because Switzerland has no coastline.

Cantons Sharing an International Border

  • Basel-Stadt - borders France and Germany
  • Basel-Landschaft - borders France
  • Geneva - borders France
  • Graubünden - borders Italy, Austria, and Liechtenstein
  • Jura - borders France
  • Neuchâtel - borders France
  • Schaffhausen - borders Germany
  • St. Gallen - borders Austria and Liechtenstein
  • Ticino - borders Italy
  • Thurgau - borders Germany
  • Valais - borders France and Italy
  • Vaud - borders France

Major Economic Activities by Canton

CantonMain Economic ActivityKnown For
ZürichFinance and technologyBanking and global business center
GenevaInternational diplomacy and financeUnited Nations offices and banking
BernGovernment and manufacturingFederal administration and engineering
TicinoTourism and servicesItalian-speaking culture and lakes
GraubündenTourism and hydropowerAlpine resorts and winter sports
VaudResearch and agricultureUniversities and vineyards

Important Natural and Cultural Areas

  • Swiss Alps: Valais, Graubünden, Bern, Uri
  • Lake Geneva Region: Vaud and Geneva
  • Matterhorn Mountain: Valais
  • Jungfrau Region: Bern
  • Old City of Bern: Bern Canton
  • St. Moritz Resort: Graubünden

Sources