Appenzell

From Freepedia

For other uses, see Appenzell (disambiguation).

Appenzell (or Appenzellerland) is a region in the northeast of Switzerland, entirely surrounded by the Canton of St. Gallen. A former canton of the Old Swiss Confederacy, Appenzell has been divided since 1597 into Appenzell Innerrhoden and Appenzell Ausserrhoden.

History

The name Appenzell (Latin: abbatis cella) means "cell (i.e. estate) of the abbot". This refers to the Abbey of St. Gall, which exerted a great influence on the area. Appenzell became a full member of the confederation in 1513, and religious divisions resulting from the Protestant Reformation culminated in a split in 1597 between the Catholic Innerrhoden and Protestant Ausserrhoden.

After this time, the term Kanton Appenzell continued to refer to both half-cantons, although this usage has since become outdated. Usually den Beiden Appenzell ("the two Appenzells") are spoken of in a political context, and Appenzellerland in a geographic context, if the aim is to refer to Innerrhoden and Ausserrhoden collectively.