24 practice questions with answers and explanations on the authorities, history, geography and culture of Ticino. The app has all 413 questions on Ticino and Switzerland.
Ticino does not publish an official question bank. Our questions are based on the study material of the canton and the Confederation and cover the topics that are examined.
Tap an answer to see if it is right. Under “Show answer” you find the solution with an explanation and the source.
Correct answer: A – 90
The Grand Council has 90 members (as of 2026), elected by the people every four years by proportional representation. It passes cantonal laws and the budget.
Source: it.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: D – 5
The Council of State consists of five members (as of 2026), each heading a department. It is the canton's executive authority.
Source: www4.ti.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: B – By the people, by proportional representation
The Council of State is elected by the people by proportional representation, with the whole canton as a single constituency. Since Zug switched to majority voting (2014), Ticino is the only canton that elects its government by proportional representation.
Source: www4.ti.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: A – Since 1878
The 1814 Constitution introduced a rotating capital: the seat of government moved every six years between Bellinzona, Lugano and Locarno. In 1878 a popular vote chose Bellinzona as the permanent capital.
Source: www4.ti.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: D – 1803
With Napoleon's Act of Mediation of 1803, Ticino became a sovereign canton with equal rights. Before the Helvetic Republic (1798) its lands were bailiwicks of the Confederates.
Source: it.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: C – As bailiwicks of the Confederate cantons
From the 15th-16th century the Ticino lands were bailiwicks (subject territories) governed by bailiffs sent by the Confederate cantons. Only with the end of the Ancien Régime in 1798 did they become free.
Source: it.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: B – 'Free and Swiss'
In February 1798 the people of Lugano rejected annexation to the Cisalpine Republic with the cry 'Liberi e Svizzeri' (Free and Swiss). The motto expresses Ticino's bond with Switzerland.
Source: it.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: C – Bellinzona
Bellinzona is the capital and the seat of the Grand Council and the Council of State. Lugano is the most populous city, but not the capital.
Source: www4.ti.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: D – 8
Ticino has 8 districts (as of 2026): Mendrisio, Lugano, Locarno, Vallemaggia, Bellinzona, Riviera, Blenio and Leventina. The districts are further divided into circles (circoli).
Source: m3.ti.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: B – About 100
Since 6 April 2025, when the new municipalities of Giornico, Lema and Quinto were created, Ticino has had 100 municipalities (as of 2026). At the end of the 1990s there were 245: mergers are an active cantonal policy.
Source: rsi.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: C – Lake Maggiore and Lake Lugano
Lake Maggiore (Verbano) and Lake Lugano (Ceresio) are shared with Italy. Locarno, Ascona and Lugano lie on their shores.
Source: it.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: B – About 360,000
According to the statistics office (USTAT/FSO), the permanent resident population was 358,903 at the end of 2024 (latest final figure). About 29% of the population holds a foreign nationality.
Source: www3.ti.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: D – Italian
Ticino is the only Swiss canton with Italian as its sole official language. In Graubünden, Italian is one of three official languages.
Source: lexfind.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: B – 1996
USI was founded in 1996 and is the only Italian-speaking university in Switzerland. It has campuses in Lugano, Mendrisio (Academy of Architecture) and Bellinzona.
Source: usi.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: D – That they took a citizenship course and passed a test
The cantonal regulation (Art. 7 RLCCit) requires a course at a school designated by the education department (DECS) and a test on geographical, historical, political and social knowledge of Switzerland and Ticino. The result is pass or fail.
Source: m3.ti.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: B – After at least 6 months
Under the cantonal regulation (Art. 10 RLCCit), the test can be retaken once at least six months have passed since the previous one. Personal circumstances such as a disability are taken into account.
Source: m3.ti.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: B – Those who attended at least 5 years of compulsory school in Ticino
Under the cantonal regulation (Art. 7 RLCCit), anyone who attended at least five years of compulsory school (excluding kindergarten) and/or upper-secondary education in Ticino is exempt from the course and the test. Holders of an upper-secondary or tertiary qualification obtained in Ticino may be exempted from the course only and must still take the test. Italian as a mother tongue exempts only from the language requirement.
Source: m3.ti.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: D – About 57 km
At about 57 km it is the longest railway tunnel in the world (as of 2026). It is part of AlpTransit (NRLA) together with the Ceneri Base Tunnel, opened in 2020.
Source: alptransit.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: B – The Ceneri Base Tunnel
The Ceneri Base Tunnel, opened in 2020, brought Bellinzona, Locarno and Lugano closer together. It completes the New Rail Link through the Alps (AlpTransit) across Ticino. The Lötschberg and Simplon tunnels lie between Bern and Valais and between Valais and Italy, the Vereina in Graubünden.
Source: alptransit.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: D – Merlot
Merlot, introduced in the early 20th century, covers most of Ticino's vineyards. It is also vinified as a white wine (Merlot bianco).
Source: it.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: A – Bosco Gurin
Bosco Gurin, in the Vallemaggia district, was settled by the Walser in the Middle Ages. It is the only Ticino municipality with a German-speaking tradition.
Source: it.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: B – The three castles of Bellinzona
Castelgrande, Montebello and Sasso Corbaro, together with the town walls, form a medieval defensive system. They have been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 2000.
Source: whc.unesco.org · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: C – Divided vertically into red and blue
Ticino's coat of arms is 'per pale gules and azure': divided vertically, red on the left and blue on the right (as seen by the viewer). The cantonal flag shows the same colours.
Source: it.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: A – The Locarno Film Festival
The Locarno film festival has existed since 1946 and awards the Golden Leopard (Pardo d'oro). The evening screenings on the Piazza Grande are world-famous.
Source: locarnofestival.ch · Checked October 2026
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