Thecanton of Schaffhausen, alsocanton of Schaffhouse (German:Kanton Schaffhausen;Romansh:Chantun Schaffusa;French:Canton de Schaffhouse;Italian:Canton Sciaffusa), is the northernmostcanton ofSwitzerland. The principal city and capital of the canton isSchaffhausen. The canton's territory is divided into three non-contiguous segments, where German territory reaches theRhine. The large central part, which includes the capital, in turn separates the Germanexclave ofBüsingen am Hochrhein from the rest ofGermany.
Schaffhausen was a city-state in theMiddle Ages; it is documented that it struck its own coins starting in 1045. It was then documented asVilla Scafhusun.[5] Around 1049, Count Eberhard von Nellenburg founded a Benedictine monastery which led to the development of a community. This community achieved independence in 1190. In 1330, the town lost not only all its lands but also its independence to theHabsburgs. In 1415, the Habsburg DukeFrederick IV of Austria sided with theAntipope John XXIII at theCouncil of Constance, and was banned by theEmperorSigismund.
As a result of the ban and Frederick's need of money, Schaffhausen was able to buy its independence from the Habsburgs in 1418. The city allied with six of the Swiss confederates in 1454 and allied with a further two (Uri andUnterwalden) in 1479. Schaffhausen became a full member of theOld Swiss Confederation in 1501.[5]
The first railroad came to Schaffhausen in 1857. In 1944, Schaffhausen suffered from abombing raid byUnited States Army Air Forces planes that accidentally strayed from Germany into neutral Switzerland.
The cantonal constitution was written in 1876 and revised in 1895. The distinctive coat of arms bears theSchaffhauser Bock (Billy Goat of Schaffhausen).
Schaffhausen is the northernmost canton of Switzerland and lies almost entirely on the right bank of theRhine, with only part ofStein am Rhein on the left bank. It lies west ofLake Constance and has an area of 298 km2 (115 sq mi).[6] Much of the canton is productive agricultural land, with 134.4 km2 (51.9 sq mi) (about 45%) of the canton used for agriculture while an additional 128.7 km2 (49.7 sq mi) (about 43%) is wooded. Most of the rest of the canton, 31.8 km2 (12.3 sq mi) (about 10%), is developed, while only 3.8 km2 (1.5 sq mi) (1.3%) of the canton is unproductive (rivers, lakes or mountains).[7]
The canton's territory is divided into three non-contiguous segments where German territory reaches the Rhine. The large central part, which includes the capitalSchaffhausen, in turn partially (along with territory of two neighbouring cantons) separates the Germanexclave ofBüsingen am Hochrhein from the rest of Germany. The small exclave ofRüdlingen-Buchberg lies to the southwest, and the third part containsRamsen andStein am Rhein to the east. With the exception of Vor der Brugg, part of Stein am Rhein, all three segments are separated from the rest of Switzerland by the Rhine.
Most of the canton lies on a plateau dominated by theHoher Randen. The summit of this mountain is at 912 m (2,992 ft). The slopes of the mountain are gentle towards the south where it reaches the Rhine valley. Short and narrow valleys intersect these gentle slopes. TheKlettgau is one such valley.
TheRhine Falls are the largest waterfalls in Europe and lie on the border of the cantons of Schaffhausen and Zürich.
The population of the canton (as of 31 December 2020) is 83,107.[3] As of 2007[update], the population included 16,323 foreigners, or about 21.9% of the total population.[10] The German language and Protestant faith predominate. The majority of the population (as of 2000[update]) is Protestant (50%) while a large minority is Roman Catholic (24%).[11]
The legislature is the Cantonal Council (Kantonsrat) of Schaffhausen, which consists of 60 members elected proportionally every four years. Until 2008, it consisted of 80 members.
The executive branch is the Government Council (Regierungsrat), which consists of 5 members elected every four years.
Swiss citizens who live in the canton of Schaffhausen are required to vote in elections.Compulsory voting never existed on the national level in Switzerland. It was introduced in several cantons starting in the late 19th century. In 1974, it was abolished everywhere except in Schaffhausen. Citizens who do not vote have to pay a small fine.[15]
Well-regarded whiteRiesling wine is grown here as well as several other varieties.[16] The main industries, however, are the production of machinery and metal goods. There is also watch making and jewellery. Minor industrial branches are textiles, leather goods, glass, cement, paper and chemicals.[17] There is a brewery in the canton.
AtRheinau there is a hydro electrical power plant generating electricity for the canton and for export. Major electricity customers are the chemical industry inRheinfelden and the aluminium plant atNeuhausen am Rheinfall. The city of Schaffhausen also uses much of the electricity produced at Rheinau.
