Affoltern im Emmental
Country Switzerland Canton Berne District Trachselwald 47°3′N 7°43′E / 47.05°N 7.717°E / 47.05; 7.717Coordinates: 47°3′N 7°43′E / 47.05°N 7.717°E / 47.05; 7.717
Population	1,151 (December 2007[update])
- Density	100 /km2 (259 /sq mi)
Area	11.5 km2 (4.4 sq mi)
Elevation	801 m (2,628 ft)
Postal code	3416
SFOS number	0951
Mayor	Christian Kobel
Localities	Weier, Rinderbach, Eggerdingen, Heiligenland, Hirsegg
Surrounded by (view map)	Walterswil, Dürrenroth, Sumiswald, Rüegsau, Heimiswil, Wynigen
Website	www.affolternimemmental.ch SFSO statistics
Affoltern im Emmental [zoom]

Affoltern im Emmental is a municipality in the district of Trachselwald in the canton of Berne in Switzerland. The hamlets of Weier, Rinderbach, Eggerdingen, Heiligenland and Hirsegg belong to Affoltern im Emmental.

Contents 1 History 2 Demographics 3 Geography 3.1 Transportation 3.2 Etymology 4 References 5 External links

[edit] History

Affoltern is first mentioned in 1261 as Affolterra.^[1]

[edit] Demographics

Affoltern has a population (as of 2007^[update]) of 1,151, of which 3.6% are foreign nationals. Over the last 10 years the population has decreased at a rate of -3.5%. Most of the population (as of 2000^[update]) speaks German (98.1%), with Serbo-Croatian being second most common ( 0.7%) and French being third ( 0.3%).

In the 2007 election the most popular party was the SVP which received 56.7% of the vote. The next three most popular parties were the FDP (9.8%), the SPS (9.4%) and the CSP (8.3%).

The age distribution of the population (as of 2000^[update]) is children and teenagers (0–19 years old) make up 26.2% of the population, while adults (20–64 years old) make up 56.3% and seniors (over 64 years old) make up 17.5%. The entire Swiss population is generally well educated. In Affoltern about 76.2% of the population (between age 25-64) have completed either non-mandatory upper secondary education or additional higher education (either University or a Fachhochschule).

Affoltern has an unemployment rate of 0.67%. As of 2005^[update], there were 190 people employed in the primary economic sector and about 66 businesses involved in this sector. 193 people are employed in the secondary sector and there are 25 businesses in this sector. 184 people are employed in the tertiary sector, with 35 businesses in this sector.^[2] The historical population is given in the following table:^[1]

year	population
1764	758
1850	1,140
1900	1,142
2000	1,212

[edit] Geography

Affoltern has an area of 11.5 square kilometers (4.4 sq mi). Of this area, 73.4% is used for agricultural purposes, while 19.8% is forested. The rest of the land, (6.8%) is settled.^[2]

As indicated by the name Affoltern i.E. is situated in the Emmental. It is bordered by Walterswil, Dürrenroth, Sumiswald, Rüegsau, Heimiswil and Wynigen. The well-known mountain Lueg is located in Affoltern.

[edit] Transportation

A train station is located in Weier, which connects it to Huttwil in the one direction and Lützelflüh in the other.

[edit] Etymology

The name Affoltern is a derivation of the old German for apple-tree, "Affal Tra". The apple-tree features prominently in Affoltern's coat of arms.

[edit] References

This article incorporates information from the German Wikipedia.

[edit] External links

• Affoltern im Emmental in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland.
• Official website

v • d • e Municipalities in the district of Trachselwald, Switzerland Affoltern im Emmental | Dürrenroth | Eriswil | Huttwil | Lützelflüh | Rüegsau | Sumiswald | Trachselwald | Walterswil | Wyssachen Canton of Bern | Districts of Canton Bern | Municipalities of the canton of Bern