More info on cantons can be researched at: Encyclopedia Britannica: cantons http://www.britannica.com/bcom/eb/article/9/0,5716,20379+1,00.html Switzerland http://www.britannica.com/bcom/eb/article/4/0,5716,115264+1,00.html Political system - Federal systems http://www.britannica.com/bcom/eb/article/7/0,5716,115177+10,00.html In SwissGen: Political and Religious Divisions http://www.eye.ch/swissgen/intro-e.htm#div The foundation of the Swiss Confederation http://www.eye.ch/swissgen/history.html#kap5 The Growth of the Swiss Confederation http://www.eye.ch/swissgen/history.html#kap7 Swiss Citizenship http://www.eye.ch/swissgen/CH-burger-e.html Here is an interesting article from "Swiss Revue" http://www.revue.ch/index-revue.html titled: "Political municipality, citizens' community, municipality of origin: Importance for Swiss Abroad (5/97)" that has been mentioned before, but is worth the read. It is listed under the "archive" section. The page way down until you find it. If you want a direct link to the article, then click on your favorite language: http://www.revue.ch/Englisch/05-97/officialnews/municip/municip.htm (English) http://www.revue.ch/Francais/05-97/pagesofficielles/histoire/histoire.htm (French) http://www.revue.ch/deutsch/05-97/offizielles/gemeinden/gemeinden.htm (German) I can't seem to locate it in Italian - sorry best wishes, Dave Schmutz -----Original Message----- From: Seelentag Wolfhart Dr. KSSG_RO [mailto:wolf.seelentag@kssg.ch] Sent: Friday, November 19, 1999 11:44 AM Dear Pete, well - I don't think there can be any doubt : the canton is an area, the first step in division of the whole country, with it's own constitution and parliament, own tax laws, ..., own rules how to do your genealogy (at least the traffic regulations are fairly similar) - so what would you call that ? The only difference to US states will be the population - on average somewhat smaller ;-). Best regards - Wolf ----- Original Message ----- Von: Outriggger@aol.com[SMTP:Outriggger@aol.com] Gesendet: Freitag, 19. November 1999 18:51 Cathy. You asked a question I've often wondered about. Some say a canton is like a county, some say it's like a state. I'll try to find out on my own (and let you know if I succeed). Meanwhile, anybody else out there have any opinions based on fact, or even half-fact? Pete Mattli Ft. Myers, FL (USA) ----- Original Message ----- Subj: Re: [SWITZ] Re: SWITZERLAND-D Digest V99 #431 Date: 11/19/1999 10:46:19 AM Eastern Standard Time From: karocar@innova.net (Carolyn Carroll) like a state ----- Original Message ----- From: Cathy Raber <pigeon1@gate.net> To: <SWITZERLAND-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, November 19, 1999 5:32 AM What is a canton? Is it a county like over here in the united states? Cathy Raber