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Coordinates: 47°21′N 9°27′E / 47.350°N 9.450°ECoordinates: 47°21′N 9°27′E / 47.350°N 9.450°E | ||
Country | Switzerland | |
Canton | Appenzell Ausserrhoden | |
District | n.a. | |
Government | ||
• Mayor |
Gemeindepräsident Ernst Koller FDP/PRD (as of 2016) |
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Area | ||
• Total | 21.23 km2 (8.20 sq mi) | |
Elevation (Church) | 915 m (3,002 ft) | |
Population (Dec 2015) | ||
• Total | 3,073 | |
• Density | 140/km2 (370/sq mi) | |
Demonym(s) | German: Gaiser(in) | |
Postal code | 9056 | |
SFOS number | 3022 | |
Localities | Gais, Rotenwies, Rietli, Zwislen, Schachen, Stoss, Strahlholz, Steinleuten, Gäbris, Kürstein, Schwäbrig, Sommersberg, Hirschberg | |
Surrounded by | Altstätten (SG), Appenzell (AI), Bühler (AR), Eichberg (SG), Rüte (AI), Schlatt-Haslen (AI), Trogen (AR) | |
Website |
www SFSO statistics |
Gais (German pronunciation: [ˈɡais]) is a village and a municipality in the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden in Switzerland. The area of Gais is 21.21 km2 (8.19 sq mi).
In 1977, the village Gais received the Wakker Prize for the development and preservation of its architectural heritage. The village square, the Protestant church of 1782, the former spa hotel Neuer Ochsen of 1796 and the Krone inn of 1781 are listed as heritage sites of national significance.
The village of de Geis is first mentioned in a list of offerings given to the Abbey of St Gall in 1272. While under the Abbey, Gais was a semi-independent village with its own Ammann (bailiff) and judge. By the 14th century Gais was already acting as an independent community. Under the Ammann Konrad Geppensteiner Gais joined the Swabian Cities Alliance (German: Schwäbian Städtebund) in 1377. In 1401 the town allied with the League of God's House. One of the most important battles of the Appenzell Wars (1401–29), the battle of Stoss Pass, took place in the territory of Gais.
Gais is quite centrally located in the hilly grass and woodland known as Appenzell or Appenzellerland at around 900 m (3,000 ft) above sea level. The Rotbach flows from northeast to the southwest through the village and then turns northwest in the direction of Teufen AR.
Gais has an area, as of 2006[update], of 21.21 km2 (8.19 sq mi). Of this area, 49.1% is used for agricultural purposes, while 44.3% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 6.2% is settled (buildings or roads) and the remainder (0.4%) is non-productive (rivers, glaciers or mountains).