Northwestern Switzerland


Northwestern Switzerland, is a subdivision of Switzerland as defined by the Federal Statistical Office for statistical purposes. It is classified as a NUTS-2 statistical region of Switzerland, and encompasses the cantons of Basel-Stadt, Basel-Landschaft, and Aargau. It is different from the traditional region of the same name, which also includes Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft, certain northern parts of the Solothurn and only parts of the canton of Aargau.

Sub-division

The country of Switzerland is federally organized into 26 cantons, which are the primary sub-divisions of the country. For statistical purposes, the Federal Statistical Office organizes the country into broader level sub-divisions based on cardinal directions. These are classified as a NUTS-2 statistical regions of Switzerland, and incorporate various cantons within it.

Geography

Northwestern Switzerland consists of the areas towards the north-western periphery of the country, bordering Grand Est of France to the west and Baden-Württemberg of Germany to the north. The Basel Trinational Eurodistrict extends across the three countries, in the area between the Rhine valley and the plain of Alsace. The three countries meet in the middle of the Rhine River, slightly north of the Dreiländereck. The region encompasses an area of, and had a population of over 1.22 million in 2024.

Sub-divisions

It encompasses the cantons of Basel-Stadt, Basel-Landschaft, and Aargau. It is different from the traditional region of the same name, which also includes Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft, certain northern parts of the Solothurn and only parts of the canton of Aargau.
S.No.Arms
CodeNameEstablishedCapitalGDP
in million CHF
GDP per
capita
in CHF
Population
Area Basel37,168189,354style=padding-right:1em 3German--
3
BLBasel-Landschaft1501 Liestal20,56770,866style=padding-right:1em; 86German--

Economy

The region is economically developed, and Basel area is one of the major economic centers of the country. Major industries include pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and textiles. The economic development started in the early 1900s, when mineral deposits were found in the area. This led to setting up of various industries in Pratteln. The construction of the Hauenstein Railway between Basel and Olten furthered economic growth as it connected the region with the other parts of the country. Liestal serves as the center of the textile industries, and is one of the most industrialized towns in the region.