Question 56 of 350 · Federalism: Confederation, cantons, municipalities
The Swiss federal state is made up of various. . .
Der Schweizer Bundesstaat besteht aus verschiedenen. . .
Correct answer: B
Why
The member states of Switzerland are called cantons. Together with the Confederation they form the federal state.
Common mistakes
- A: federal states
- Federal states (Bundesländer) exist in Germany and Austria, not in Switzerland.
- D: provinces.
- Provinces exist, for example, in Italy or Canada. In Switzerland they are called cantons.
Topic
Three levels of government and 26 cantons
Switzerland is a federal state. Federalism means: power is distributed across several levels. Switzerland has three levels of government. The highest level is the Confederation, that is the whole of Switzerland. The middle level is the cantons. The lowest level is the municipalities. Each level has its own tasks, its own authorities and levies its own taxes.
How the state works · Federalism: Confederation, cantons, municipalities
Sources
Official question of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.