Appenzell Ausserrhoden

Appenzell Ausserrhoden is a canton of Switzerland. Appenzell Ausserrhoden is in the northeast of Switzerland, next to the cantons of St. Gallen and Appenzell Innerrhoden.

 History 
Settlement in Appenzell began in the 7th and the 8th century alongside the river Glatt.  In 907 Herisau is mentioned for the first time, the canton (Appenzell: abbatis cella) is named first in 1071.

The canton witnessed a number of battles, including the Battle of Vögelinsegg (1403) and the Battle at the Stoss (1405).

In 1513 Appenzell joined the Swiss confederation as the 13th canton. In 1597 the Protestant canton was divided for religious reasons from the former canton Appenzell, with the Catholic Appenzell Innerrhoden being the other half.

From the 16th century onwards linen production was established little by little. Larger textile businesses established themselves, later diversifying into weaving and embroidery. The textile industry collapsed between 1920 and 1939.

In 1834 for the first time a constitution was adapted, undergoing reforms in 1876 and 1908. The construction of numerous railway lines between 1875 and 1913 helped the local industry and the population grew to a maximum of 57,973 people in 1910 (compared with 53,200 in 2001).

In 1934 Johannes Baumann was the first citizen from Appenzell Ausserrhoden to become a federal councilor. Women's right to vote was introduced in 1972 on a local level, but only in 1989 on a canton-wide level. In 1994 for the first time two women were elected into government. The open assembly (Landsgemeinde) was abolished in 1997. The right of foreigners to vote is determined by each municipality.

 Municipalities 
The 20 municipalities are:

Bühler
Gais
Grub
Heiden
Herisau
Hundwil
Lutzenberg
Rehetobel
Reute
SchönengrundSchwellbrunn
Speicher
Stein
Teufen
Trogen
Urnäsch
Wald
Waldstatt
Walzenhausen
Wolfhalden

 References 

 Other websites 
 Official Page 
 Official Statistics

Category:1510s establishments in Europe
Category:Establishments in Switzerland