Liestal
Switzerland

GEOGRAPHY

Liestal is the capital of the canton of Basel-Land, located in northwestern Switzerland, not far from the borders of Germany and France. Liestal is 10 miles southeast of Basel and 5 miles south of the Rhine River. It is 861 feet above sea level.

HISTORY

The city of Liestal was founded in 1189. When the canton of Basel was divided into the canton of Basel Stadt and the canton of Basel-Land, Liestal was selected as the capital of Basel-Land. General John A. Sutter was the first white settler in the Sacramento Valley. On August 13, 1839, he landed his small flotilla of three boats on the American River at to­day’s 29th and A Streets. He named his new settlement New Helvetia (New Switzerland) as he was a citizen of canton of Basel-Land.

INDUSTRIES

Liestal’s industrial base features chemical, textiles, plastics, electronics, banking, and insurance.

AGRICULTURE

Basel-Land is noted for dairy farms and fruit orchards, especially cherries, apples and plums.

CLIMATE

Liestal enjoys an alpine climate with mild summers and cold, snowy winters.

POPULATION

13,200

TRANSPORTATION

Liestal is reachable by rail, road, and air (via the Basel airport). The closest international airport is Kloten-Zurich, about 70 miles from Liestal.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Marianne Richardson, Chair

City Affiliation with Liestal: March 21, 1989.