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Sovereign borders

The term «sovereign borders» refers to the national borders as well as cantonal and municipal boundaries.

Sovereign borders: Picture symbolizing

Every sovereign border (national borders, cantonal, district and municipal boundaries) has to be specified in accordance with the applicable definition – for the national border, for example, in accordance with the relevant international treaties.

There are three hierarchical levels in Switzerland:

  1. National border
  2. Cantonal boundaries
  3. Municipal boundaries

 

District boundaries are a special case: they are formed from a combination of several sections of municipal boundaries. In some cantons there are no district boundaries at all.

The following bodies are responsible for the specification, marking and measuring of sovereign borders:

  • National border: Federal Office of Topography swisstopo
  • Cantonal and municipal boundaries: the cantons

 

 

National border

The external boundary of Switzerland's sovereign territory is designated as its national border, which is specified in cooperation with its neighbouring countries.

Cantonal and municipal boundaries

In Switzerland, the cantons are responsible for cantonal and municipal boundaries, which are recorded in the cadastral survey.


Federal Office of Topography swisstopo Seftigenstrasse 264
P.O. Box
3084 Wabern
Tel.
+41 58 469 01 11

E-mail


Relevant authority

Geodesy and Federal Directorate of Cadastral Surveying
E-mail

Federal Office of Topography swisstopo

Seftigenstrasse 264
P.O. Box
3084 Wabern

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