SION, SWITZERLAND

'Sion' (German ''Sitten'', Latin ''Sedunum'') is the capital of the Swiss canton of Valais. In 2002, its population was 27,700.
Landmarks include the Basilique de Valère and Château de Tourbillon.
Sion has an airfield for civilian and military use, which, because of its location in a valley, causes a reasonable amount of noise pollution.
FC Sion is the local football side. They currently compete in the Swiss Super League.

Contents

Geography

History

Politics

Economy

Airshows

Media

Schools

Transport

References

External links

Geography

The city consists of 28,013 habitants as of 31 December, 2005. However during the day, more than 55 000 people commute to Sion for work. Situated at the heart of the Rhône valley, Sion is the region's economic centre.
The ''Château de Valère'' and the ''Château de Tourbillon'' are situated on twin roches moutonnées over looking Sion.
The ancient part of the city is particularly well conserved. In addition to the two Château's, a number of other inportant buildings are found there. Such as, the ''Château de la Majorie'', the ''Hôtel de Ville'' and the ''Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Sion''.

History

Sion was occupied during the Neolithic era but it seems to have started to really develop during the Celtic times.
It takes its name from the Latin word ''Sedunum'', itself derived from the celtic tribe that lived there, the Seduni. It was occupied by the Romans with the rest of the surrounding area in the first century BCE. The town-hall is said to contain several Roman inscriptions, one of which found at Sion memorializes the Roman presence: ''Civitas Sedunorum Patrono''.
The Roman Catholic diocese of Sion is the oldest in Switzerland and one of the oldest north of the Alps.
Sion lost to Turin, Italy in its bid to host the 2006 Winter Olympics. Sion also bid for the 2002 Winter Olympics, which it lost to Salt Lake City, and the 1976 Winter Olympics, which it lost to Denver (the games were re-assigned to Innsbruck when Denver residents voted down additional funding).

Politics

The municipal council is the executive power in the commune. Its 15 members, non-permanent except the President, are elected every 4 years by the people.
The commune of Sion comprises also of a counsel of public rights of the medieval commune, the ''Burgeoisie''. Who protect the rights of the original inhabitants against new inhabitants. The counsel is made up of 7 people : a president, a vice-president and five counsellors.

Economy

The tertiary sector is the main economic sector in Sion, mainly due to the presence of the cantons administration, the Valaisan parliament and the cantons courthouse. Tourism is also an important sector due to its historic ''château's'' and museums.
The secondary sector is also represented.
The primary sector, although marginalised, is ever present. Sion is the third largest wine making region in Switzerland, however, the valuable agricultural land and vineyards are undergoing constant regression due to the process of urbanisation.
Sion has also become and important medical site. The Sion-Region hospital is situated here next to the