Questions about Schwyz

Correct answer: B – 6

The canton of Schwyz has six districts: Schwyz, Gersau, Küssnacht, Einsiedeln, Höfe and March. Unlike in most cantons, the districts here are self-governing bodies with their own authorities and the right to levy taxes; their voters elect, for example, the district court judges.

Source: bbzp.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: A – 30

The canton of Schwyz consists of 30 political municipalities (as of 2026). The district of Schwyz alone comprises 15 of them, the district of March nine.

Source: bbzp.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: A – Lachen

Lachen is the capital of the district of March. The March lies on the southern shore of the Obersee (Lake Zurich) and also includes the Wägital valley.

Source: bbzp.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: D – Wollerau and Pfäffikon

In the district of Höfe the capital alternates: Wollerau for four years, Pfäffikon for two. The district administration is in the Wollerau town hall.

Source: bbzp.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: A – 1291

Schwyz is one of the three founding members of the Confederation. In 1291 Uri, Schwyz and Nidwalden renewed their alliance (Federal Charter, 'Rütli oath').

Source: bbzp.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: C – Schwyz

The name 'Switzerland' (Schweiz) derives from the place and land of Schwyz. The red banner with the white cross also goes back to the Schwyz banner.

Source: hls-dhs-dss.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: D – In the Museum of the Swiss Charters of Confederation in Schwyz

The Federal Charter of 1291 is kept and exhibited in the Bundesbriefmuseum in Schwyz. It is considered an important founding document of the Confederation.

Source: hls-dhs-dss.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: B – 934

The monastic community of Einsiedeln follows the Rule of Saint Benedict and has existed without interruption since 934. It is therefore older than the Confederation.

Source: bbzp.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: C – Schwyz

The capital of the canton is Schwyz, where the cantonal parliament meets in the town hall. Einsiedeln, Lachen and Pfäffikon are district capitals.

Source: bbzp.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: D – approx. 908 km²

The canton of Schwyz covers about 908 km². Almost half of that is the district of Schwyz (about 494 km²).

Source: bbzp.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: B – District of Schwyz

The district of Schwyz, at about 494 km², is the largest district and also has the most inhabitants. It comprises 15 municipalities, including Arth, Ingenbohl and Muotathal.

Source: bbzp.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: C – Gersau

Gersau is the smallest district (about 14 km², around 2,400 inhabitants). Gersau on Lake Lucerne was even a tiny republic of its own until 1817.

Source: bbzp.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: B – approx. 170,000

According to the Federal Statistical Office, around 169,000 people lived in the canton of Schwyz at the end of September 2025; the cantonal information sheet of August 2025 gives approx. 167,000 (February 2025). The share of foreign nationals is about 23%.

Source: bbzp.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: C – Rothenthurm initiative

One of the largest raised bogs in Switzerland lies between Rothenthurm and Biberbrugg. With the approval of the Rothenthurm initiative in 1987, the protection of moorland landscapes was anchored in the Federal Constitution.

Source: bbzp.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: C – 6 years

Primary school lasts six years (1st–6th grade), lower secondary school three years. Together with the compulsory kindergarten year, compulsory schooling in the canton of Schwyz lasts ten years.

Source: bbzp.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: D – One year is compulsory, a second year is optional

In the canton of Schwyz one year of kindergarten is compulsory. Children attending two-year kindergarten do the first year voluntarily.

Source: bbzp.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: A – In Goldau

The Schwyz University of Teacher Education in Goldau trains teachers and belongs to the tertiary level (university of applied sciences).

Source: bbzp.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: B – Victorinox

Victorinox in Ibach (municipality of Schwyz) employs around 1,000 people and is one of the largest employers in the canton. The largest employer is the cantonal administration (as of 2022).

Source: bbzp.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: C – The service sector

At the end of 2020, around 70% of employees worked in the service sector, about 25% in industry and trade and around 5% in agriculture. The many small businesses make the economy resilient to crises.

Source: bbzp.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: A – The Gotthard line (north-south)

The Gotthard line from Basel to Chiasso runs via the Arth-Goldau junction. In the north the west-east line towards Sargans and Austria touches the canton; the A3 and A4 motorways are the key roads.

Source: bbzp.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: D – Red with a small white cross in the upper corner

The Schwyz coat of arms is red with a small free-standing white cross in the upper corner. Red-white divided is Solothurn, white-blue is Zug, the bull's head belongs to Uri.

Source: hls-dhs-dss.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: C – Muotathal

With more than 212 km of surveyed passages (as of 2025), the Hölloch in Muotathal is the second-longest cave system in Europe. The mountain farmer Alois Ulrich discovered its entrance in 1875.

Source: bbzp.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: A – The Black Madonna

With the Black Madonna in its Chapel of Grace, the Benedictine abbey of Einsiedeln is an important pilgrimage site. It is also a major stop on the Way of St. James.

Source: bbzp.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: A – Einsiedeln Abbey

The Ufenau belongs to the district of Höfe. In 965 it was donated by Emperor Otto the Great to Einsiedeln Abbey, which still owns it today.

Source: bbzp.ch · Checked October 2026