Epsach

Epsach
Coat of arms
Epsach Show map of Switzerland Epsach Show map of Canton of Bern
Location of Epsach
Coordinates: 47°4′N 7°13′E / 47.067°N 7.217°E / 47.067; 7.217Coordinates: 47°4′N 7°13′E / 47.067°N 7.217°E / 47.067; 7.217
Country	Switzerland
Canton	Bern
District	Seeland
Government
• Executive	Gemeinderat with 7 members
• Mayor	Gemeindepräsident
Area
• Total	3.39 km2 (1.31 sq mi)
Elevation	465 m (1,526 ft)
Population (Dec 2015)
• Total	328
• Density	97/km2 (250/sq mi)
Postal code	3272
SFOS number	0735
Surrounded by	Bühl, Hermrigen, Mörigen, Täuffelen, Walperswil
Website	www.epsach.ch SFSO statistics

Epsach is a municipality in the Seeland administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland.

Epsach is first mentioned in 1244 as Ebza.

The area around Epsach has been inhabited since at least the Bronze Age and the remains of what appears to be a Roman era settlement were discovered between Epsach and Walperswil. During the Late Middle Ages there were several additional settlements within the borders of the modern municipality. The village of Frenschen was mentioned in 1233 but was abandoned in 1377. Less is known about the abandoned settlement of Gummen, but it was probably abandoned during the Middle Ages. Epsach and the surrounding villages were part of the parish of Täuffelen which was part of the Herrschaft of the Counts of Neuchâtel-Nidau. Between 1388 and 1393 the entire Herrschaft was acquired by the city of Bern. Under Bernese rule the Nidau district was divided into four sections, including the Epsach quarter. During the 18th century Epsach was the most populous village in the quarter. Today Epsach is a mostly agricultural village that specializes in producing cherries. However, the number of commuters to jobs in nearby towns has continued to rise.

Epsach has an area of 3.39 km² (1.31 sq mi). As of 2012, a total of 2.65 km² (1.02 sq mi) or 78.2% is used for agricultural purposes, while 0.48 km² (0.19 sq mi) or 14.2% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 0.22 km² (0.085 sq mi) or 6.5% is settled (buildings or roads), 0.05 km² (12 acres) or 1.5% is either rivers or lakes and 0.01 km² (2.5 acres) or 0.3% is unproductive land.

During the same year, housing and buildings made up 3.8% and transportation infrastructure made up 2.7%. Out of the forested land, all of the forested land area is covered with heavy forests. Of the agricultural land, 64.3% is used for growing crops and 6.2% is pastures, while 7.7% is used for orchards or vine crops. All the water in the municipality is flowing water.