Simplon, Switzerland
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 Simplon
Simplon
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Location of Simplon
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| Coordinates: 46°12′N 8°3′E / 46.200°N 8.050°ECoordinates: 46°12′N 8°3′E / 46.200°N 8.050°E | ||
| Country | Switzerland | |
| Canton | Valais | |
| District | Brig | |
| Government | ||
| • Mayor | Martin Ph Rittiner | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 90.82 km2 (35.07 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 1,476 m (4,843 ft) | |
| Population (Dec 2016) | ||
| • Total | 309 | |
| • Density | 3.4/km2 (8.8/sq mi) | |
| Postal code | 3907 | |
| SFOS number | 6009 | |
| Surrounded by | Brig-Glis, Eisten, Ried-Brig, Saas Almagell, Saas Balen, Saas Grund, Visperterminen, Zwischbergen | |
| Website |
www SFSO statistics |
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Simplon (earlier name Simpeln, Walliser German: Simpilu, Italian: Sempione, French: Simplon) is a municipality in the district of Brig in the canton of Valais in Switzerland.
Simplon is first mentioned in 1267 as Simpilion. In 1285 it was mentioned as Xeinplon'.
Simplon has an area, as of 2011[update], of 90.9 square kilometers (35.1 sq mi). Of this area, 21.5% is used for agricultural purposes, while 12.3% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 1.0% is settled (buildings or roads) and 65.2% is unproductive land.
The municipality is located in the Brig district, on the south side of the Simplon Pass near the Italian border. It consists of the village of Simplon and the hamlets of Gabi, Egga and Maschihüs as well as the Hospiz (Hospice) in the Simplon Pass.
The blazon of the municipal coat of arms is Argent, a bicephalous Eagle displayed Sable, crowned each Or and another Or ribboned Sable, langued and membered Gules, holding in dexter a Sword and in sinister a Sabre both Or, escutcheon Sable bordure Argent.
Simplon has a population (as of December 2016[update]) of 309. As of 2008[update], 2.9% of the population are resident foreign nationals. Over the last 10 years (1999–2009 ) the population has changed at a rate of -6.2%. It has changed at a rate of -4.6% due to migration and at a rate of -3.2% due to births and deaths.
Most of the population (as of 2000[update]) speaks German (322 or 96.7%) as their first language, French is the second most common (4 or 1.2%) and Italian is the third (3 or 0.9%).
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