Canton Zug
The Canton of Zug is small, very diverse and international. Here you can find key facts about the population, history, political structures and religious diversity. You will also find information on local traditions, excursions, associations and other leisure activities.
Short Portrait
The Canton of Zug is one of Switzerland’s 26 cantons (member states). Although it is the smallest full canton, it has a lot to offer: many attractive jobs, beautiful landscapes with lakes and mountains, an open and internationally, oriented society, and a wide range of leisure activities in sports and culture.
The Canton of Zug has more than 130,000 inhabitants, about 30 percent of whom are foreign nationals. The canton covers an area of 239 km² and consists of eleven municipalities (Gemeinden). The capital is Zug, and the official language is German.
Links:
Pamphlet "Canton Zug in figures" (DE)
Kanton Zug / Municipalities of Zug
The history of the Canton of Zug dates back to the Middle Ages. From 1415 onwards, Zug was a full member of the Old Confederacy, and since 1803 it has been an independent canton of Switzerland.
Until the 19th century, Zug was mainly agricultural and a rather poor region. With the industrialisation and the arrival of international companies, the canton changed significantly.
Today, Zug is one of the most economically successful cantons in Switzerland, combining rural traditions with a modern, globally oriented economy.
Links:
Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz / The History of the Canton of Zug (DE)
conTAKT-net.ch / Information on Switzerland's history of migration (DE)
In the Canton of Zug, many living traditions are still practised today and remain part of everyday life. Most of them are rooted in rural life and Catholic culture. They play an important role in shaping cultural identity and strengthening social cohesion.
Among the best-known traditions are the Cherry Chase (Chriesisturm) and the Cherry Market (Chriesimärt), the carnival in Zug, log rafting on Lake Ägeri, Morgarten Shooting, Greth Schell and the Chröpfelimee.
Three of these traditions – the Chröpfelimee, log rafting on Lake Ägeri, and cherry growing – are listed in Switzerland’s national inventory of living traditions.
Links:
Zug Tourismus / Further information (DE)
Lebendige Traditionen / Further information about Canton Zug
Zug is known as the “Chriesiland” (land of cherries). The cherry-growing tradition in Zug is more than 600 years old. For almost 400 years, the Zug Cherry Market (Chriesimärt) has taken place every June, offering fresh cherries and regional specialities.
Also well known are the traditions of the Cherry Bell (Chriesigloggä) and the Cherry Chase (Chriesisturm), a race through Zug’s old town.
Zug has gained worldwide fame for its cherry brandy (Zuger Kirsch) and the Zug cherry cake (Zuger Kirschtorte).
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Political System
In Switzerland, political power is divided into three levels: the Confederation (federal level), the cantons, and the municipalities. Switzerland is a democratic country in which the population can participate directly in political decision-making through voting and referendums.
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The modern Swiss Confederation was founded in 1848. Officially, Switzerland has no capital city, but Bern is the seat of the federal government and fulfils the role of the capital.
Switzerland is ethnically, linguistically and religiously diverse. Because different cultures have voluntarily joined together, the country is often described as a “nation by choice” (Willensnation). Switzerland maintains a neutral position in international relations.
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In Switzerland, the cantons and municipalities have a high degree of autonomy – this is known as federalism. The 26 cantons and over 2,000 municipalities have their own political structures.
The Canton of Zug has its own constitution, government, parliament, and courts. Many public responsibilities are carried out by the cantons or municipalities. This is why, for example, school systems and tax laws differ from canton to canton.
While federal laws apply throughout Switzerland, each canton also has its own legislation, valid only within its territory. Municipalities also issue their own regulations.
The Confederation, cantons, and municipalities all levy taxes to fund their public services.
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To prevent a concentration of power, political authority in Switzerland is divided into three independent branches:
- Legislative – the law-making authority
- Executive – the implementing authority
- Judiciary – the judicial authority
In the Canton of Zug, these functions are exercised by:
- Legislative: Cantonal Parliament (Kantonsrat) – 80 members elected by the people every four years
- Executive: Cantonal Government (Regierungsrat) – 7 members elected by the people every four years
- Judiciary: various courts at district and cantonal level
Each municipality also has a legislative body (municipal assembly or parliament) and an executive body (municipal council or city council).
At the federal level, the legislative branch consists of two chambers – the National Council and the Council of States. The executive branch is the Federal Council, which has seven members. The highest court is the Federal Supreme Court, which hears appeals against cantonal court decisions.
Links:
Kanton Zug / Further information (DE)
Swiss citizens have the right to vote and to stand for election. They elect political representatives at municipal, cantonal and federal levels and can also participate in referendums regarding political issues – this is called direct democracy.
Through popular initiatives, citizens can also propose new issues for a nationwide or cantonal vote.
Foreign residents in the Canton of Zug do not have voting or election rights. However, they can express political concerns to the authorities through petitions.
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The most important legal principles in Switzerland are set in the Federal Constitution. A key part consists of fundamental rights, based on the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
These rights protect human life (for example, the right to life and the right to assistance in situations of need) and safeguard individual freedom against state power. No one may be discriminated against on the basis of origin, religion, gender or sexual orientation.
In Switzerland, freedom of religion, freedom of expression and freedom of the press also apply.
In the Canton of Zug, the Advice Centre for Discrimination Issues offers free support to people who experience discrimination based on their origin or nationality.
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Religion
Switzerland has traditionally been a Christian country. Today, however, many people of other faiths also live here. Freedom of religion is guaranteed by the Constitution, and public schools are religiously neutral.
Switzerland has a long Christian tradition. Each canton is responsible for defining the relationship between religion and the state. In most German-speaking cantons – including the Canton of Zug – the Christian religious communities are recognised as public-law institutions (Landeskirchen).
This means that the state grants them certain rights, such as the right to collect church taxes from their members. In the Canton of Zug, the Roman Catholic Church and the Evangelical Reformed Church are recognised as Landeskirchen.
In addition to the two institutions, there are many other religious communities in the Canton of Zug, representing a wide range of faiths. The majority of residents belong to a Christian denomination, while around one third state they do not belong to any religious community.
Links:
List "Religious diversity in Canton Zug - Christian Churches" (DE)
List "Religious diversity in Canton Zug - Other Churches" (DE)
Freedom of religion is enshrined in the Swiss Federal Constitution. Everyone has the right to hold, express, and share their own religious beliefs. No one may be forced to join a religious community or to take part in religious activities.
People are free to meet for religious ceremonies and celebrations, and no one may be discriminated against based on their religion or beliefs.
Links:
Kanton Zug / Advice Centre for Discrimination Issues (DE)
Public schools are religiously neutral. However, this does not mean that religion has no place in education. There are two types of religious edcuation:
- Confessional religious education (Religionsunterricht) offered by the Landeskirchen: voluntary participation.
- The school subject “Ethics and Religions”: addresses ethical and religious topics that concern everyone.
Children of other denominations or non-Christian faiths may attend religious classes offered by their own community outside school hours.
Leisure
The Canton of Zug offers many attractive opportunities to spend free time. Clubs (Vereine) play a crucial role. They bring people together and provide opportunities to meet new people and take part in community life.
Many residents in Canton Zug are members of a club (Verein). There are clubs for a wide range of interests.
Even small municipalities have sports, cultural and other clubs, which are an excellent way of meeting people.
Most clubs are open to everyone. Information about clubs can be found on municipal websites.
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In Canton Zug, many recreational opportunities are available for young people to meet their peers.
Most municipalities run youth programms and provide meeting points with a variety of activities. Youth work offers young people a supervised space where they can contribute their own ideas and implement projects (Jugendarbeit). Most programms are free.
Youth clubs also offer outdoor activities with peers. These opportunities are provided by clubs, municipalities or regional churches and are open to all young adults. The municipality of residence can provide further information.
The Canton of Zug has many destinations for excursions and a wide range of cultural activities. The historical old town of Zug, the Höllgrotten caves, Mount Zugerberg, and the region’s lakes are among the most famous attractions.
There are also numerous hiking and cycling routes to explore the natural surroundings.
Museums across the canton present exhibitions on various topics.
Zug Tourismus provides information about excursions, sightseeing, and cultural events.
Current event listings can also be found in local newspapers.
Links:
Zug Tourismus / Further information
Zug Tourismus / Events calendar
Zug Kultur / Events calendar (DE)
My Switzerland / The City of Zug
Volunteer work (Freiwilligenarbeit) is an important contribution to society and to the environment. It is unpaid and has a long tradition in Switzerland. Many voluntary activities are carried out within associations, for example in the fields of culture, sport, social issues, education, animal and environmental protection, or health.
Information and opportunities for volunteering are provided by:
- Benevol Zug – specialist office for voluntary work
- Caritas – counselling and volunteer placement
- Swiss Red Cross (SRK) Zug – voluntary assignments in various areas
- Koordinationsstelle Freiwilligenarbeit im Asylbereich – coordination office for volunteering in the asylum and refugee sector
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Benevol Zug / Further information and opportunities (DE)
Caritas / Contact and further information (DE)
People with a low income can benefit from discounts on sport, culture, and educational activities through the "KulturLegi" card.
The card can be applied for at Caritas Zentralschweiz, which also checks one's eligibility.
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Contact
«New in Zug» is a service of the Cantonal Social Welfare Office (Kantonales Sozialamt). Do you have questions, suggestions or notice missing information? We welcome your feedback at integration@zg.ch.
