View source for Grisons

{{short description|Largest and easternmost canton of Switzerland}}
{{for multi|the animal|Galictis|the French wine grape|Grison (grape)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->| name                     = Grisons
| native_name              = {{native name list
 |tag1=de
 |name1=Graubünden
 |tag2=rm 
 |name2=Grischun
 |tag3=it
 |name3=Grigioni}}
| official_name            = Canton of the Grisons<br/>Canton of Graubünden
| other_name               = Graubünden
| settlement_type          = [[Cantons of Switzerland|Canton]]
| image_flag               = Flag of Canton of Graubünden.svg
| image_shield             = CHE Graubünden COA.svg
| shield_size              = 80x80px
| shield_link              = 
| image_map                = {{maplink|frame=y|plain=yes|frame-align=center|zoom=6|type=shape|stroke-width=2|frame-lat=46.7|frame-long=8.25|frame-width=275|frame-height=175}}
| map_alt                  = Map of Switzerland, location of the Grisons highlighted
| map_caption              = Location in Switzerland
{{hidden |ta1 = left| border = 1px solid grey | header = Map of the Grisons| content = <br/>[[File:Karte Kanton Graubünden 2010.png|250px]] }}
| coordinates              = {{coord|46|45|N|9|30|E|region:CH-GR|display=inline,title}}
| seat_type                = Capital
| seat                     = [[Chur]]
| parts_type               = Subdivisions
| parts_style              = para
| p1                       = [[Municipalities of the canton of Grisons|108 municipalities]]
| p2                       = [[Districts of Switzerland#Grisons|11 districts]]
| leader_title             = [[President (government title)|President]]
| leader_name              = Jon Domenic Parolini
| leader_title2            = [[List of cantonal executives of Switzerland|Executive]]
| leader_name2             = Executive Council<br/>{{ublist|{{native name|de|Regierungsrat}}|{{native name|rm|Regenza}}|{{native name|it|Governo}}}} (5)
| leader_title3            = [[List of cantonal legislatures of Switzerland|Legislative]]
| leader_name3             = [[Grand Council of Graubünden|Grand Council]]<br/>{{ublist|{{native name|de|Grosser Rat}}|{{native name|rm|Cussegl Grond}}|{{native name|it|Gran Consiglio}}}} (120)
| area_footnotes           = {{Swiss area data||QUELLE-KT}}
| area_total_km2           = {{Swiss area|GR|km=yes }}
| population_footnotes     = {{Swiss populations ref|CH-GR }}
| population_total         = {{Swiss populations NC|CH-GR|CH-GR}}
| population_as_of         = {{Swiss populations data CH-GR|YM}}
| population_density_km2   = auto
| demographics_type1 = GDP
| demographics1_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web |last=Statistik |first=Bundesamt für |date=2021-01-21 |title=Bruttoinlandsprodukt (BIP) nach Grossregion und Kanton - 2008-2018 {{!}} Tabelle |url=https://www.bfs.admin.ch/asset/de/15304856 |access-date=2023-07-01 |website=Bundesamt für Statistik |language=de}}</ref> 
| demographics1_title1 = Total
| demographics1_info1 = [[Swiss franc|CHF]] 14.519 billion (2020)
| demographics1_title2 = Per capita
| demographics1_info2 = CHF 72,754 (2020)
| iso_code                 = CH-GR
| blank_name_sec1          = [[List of cantons of Switzerland by elevation|Highest point]]
| blank_info_sec1          = {{convert|4049|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}: {{lang|it|[[Piz Bernina]]}}
| blank1_name_sec1         = [[List of cantons of Switzerland by elevation|Lowest point]]
| blank1_info_sec1         = {{convert|260|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}: border to [[Ticino]] at {{lang|it|[[San Vittore, Switzerland|San Vittore]]}}
| blank_name_sec2          = [[History of Switzerland#Order of accession of the cantons|Joined]]
| blank_info_sec2          = 1803
| blank1_name_sec2         = Languages
| blank1_info_sec2         = [[German language|German]], [[Romansh language|Romansh]], [[Italian language|Italian]]
| blank2_name_sec2         = Other languages
| blank2_info_sec2         = [[Lombard language|Lombard]], [[Walser German]]
| website                  = {{URL|https://www.gr.ch/EN/Seiten/welcome.aspx}}
}}

The '''Grisons''' ({{IPAc-en|ɡ|r|iː|ˈ|z|ɒ̃}};<ref>{{cite EPD|18|Grisons|page=216}}</ref> {{IPA|fr|ɡʁizɔ̃|lang}}) or '''Graubünden''' ({{IPA|de-CH|ɡraʊˈbʏndn̩|lang|De-Graubuenden.ogg}}),<ref group=note><!--Only common English terms. Native names below.-->Names include:
*{{langx|de|(Kanton) Graubünden}} {{IPA|de|ɡraʊˈbʏndn̩||De-Graubuenden.ogg}};
*[[Romansh language|Romansh]]:
**{{langx|rm|label=[[Sursilvan]]|(Cantun) Grischun}} {{IPA|rm|ɡʁiˈʒun||Roh-sursilvan-grischun.ogg}}
**{{langx|rm|label=[[Vallader]]|(Chantun) Grischun}} {{IPA|rm|ɡriˈʒun|}}
**{{langx|rm|label=[[Puter]]|(Chantun) Grischun}} {{IPA|rm|ɡriˈʒum|}}
**{{langx|rm|label=[[Surmiran]]|(Cantun) Grischun}} {{IPA|rm|ɡriˈʒun|}}
**{{langx|rm|label=[[Sutsilvan]]|(Cantùn) Grischùn}} {{IPA|rm|ɡriˈʒuŋ, ɡriˈʒeu̯ŋ, ɡriˈʒœŋ|}}
**{{langx|rm|label=[[Rumantsch Grischun]]|(Chantun) Grischun}};
*{{langx|it|(Cantone dei) Grigioni}} {{IPA|it|ɡriˈdʒoːni|}};
*{{langx|lmo|(Cantón) Griṡón}} {{IPA|lmo|ɡriˈzoŋ|}};
*{{langx|fr|(Canton des) Grisons}} {{IPA|fr|ɡʁizɔ̃|}}.
See also [[list of European regions with alternative names#G|other names]].</ref> more formally<!--Only more formally, no information about official name in English on gr.ch--> the '''Canton of the Grisons''' or the '''Canton of Graubünden''',<ref>{{cite web |title=Welcome Bainvegni Benvenuti |url=https://www.gr.ch/EN/Seiten/welcome.aspx |website=Kanton Graubünden Chantun Grischun Cantone dei Grigioni |access-date=16 March 2021}}</ref> is one of the twenty-six [[cantons of Switzerland|cantons]] of [[Switzerland]]. It has eleven districts, and its capital is [[Chur]]. The [[German language|German]] name of the canton, {{lang|de|Graubünden}}, translates as the "Grey Leagues", referring to the canton's origin in three local alliances, the [[Three Leagues]]. The other native names also refer to the [[Grey League]]: {{lang|rm|Grischùn}} in [[Sutsilvan]], {{lang|rm|Grischun}} in the other forms of [[Romansh language|Romansh]], and {{lang|it|Grigioni}} in [[Italian language|Italian]]. {{lang|la|[[Raetia|Rhaetia]]}} is the Latin name for the area. The [[Alpine ibex]] is the canton's heraldic symbol.

The largest and easternmost canton of Switzerland, it is also one of the three large southern [[Alps|Alpine]] cantons, along with [[Valais]] and [[Ticino]]. It is the most diverse canton in terms of natural and cultural geography, as it encompasses both sides of the Alps and several natural and cultural regions.<!--Hydrographic basins and languages--> The diversity of the canton is often compared to that of Switzerland as a whole and warrants it the name of "Little Switzerland".<ref>Benjamin R. Barber, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=EU99BgAAQBAJ The Death of Communal Liberty: A History of Freedom in a Swiss Mountain Canton]'', p. 13, Princeton University Press, 8 March 2015.  ("Graubünden, in fact, has often been dubbed ''die kleine Schweiz'' (little Switzerland).")</ref><ref>Julia Nourney, Tom Wyss. "Graubünden", ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=lSJ4DwAAQBAJ Whisky Trails Schweiz: Ein Reisehandbuch]'', Reiseratte, 2015. ("Kulinarisch ist Graubünden, das auch gern als die «kleine Schweiz in der Schweiz» bezeichnet wird, etwas ganz Besonderes.")</ref> The Grisons is bordered by four cantons as well as [[Austria]], [[Italy]] and [[Liechtenstein]].

The state is the only trilingual canton of Switzerland.<ref>{{cite web |title=Survey of the Grisons |url=https://www.gr.ch/EN/grisons/Seiten/Ueberblick.aspx |website=Kanton Graubünden Chantun Grischun Cantone dei Grigioni |access-date=16 March 2021}}</ref> It is also the only one where [[Romansh language|Romansh]], Switzerland's fourth national language, has official status. Romansh language and culture is an important part of local identity.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kanton Graubünden |title=Grisons the movie |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJfn4lVR1m0 |website=YouTube |access-date=16 March 2021 |date=11 December 2012}}</ref> In {{Swiss populations Y|CH-GR}} the canton had a population of {{Swiss populations|CH-GR|CH-GR}}.{{Swiss populations ref|CH-GR}} It is the least densely populated canton of Switzerland. The only sizable city in the canton is Chur, as the majority of the population lives in mountainous areas, including some of the most remote valleys of the country. One of the birthplaces of winter sports, the canton is a major tourist destination year-round, including a large number of Alpine resort towns, notably [[Davos]] and [[St. Moritz]]. The canton is also renowned for its extensive narrow-gauge railway network, operated by the [[Rhaetian Railway]], and linking the capital with most valleys of the Grisons.

Formerly occupied by the [[Rhaetian people|Rhaeti]], most of the lands of the canton became part of the Roman province called [[Raetia]], which was established in 15&nbsp;BC, with ''[[Chur#History|Curia]]'', a settlement dating back to the [[Pfyn culture]], as capital city. The area later became part of the lands of the [[diocese of Chur]]. The late middle ages saw the foundation of the [[League of God's House]], the [[Grey League]] and the [[League of the Ten Jurisdictions]]. In 1471 an alliance gave birth to the [[Three Leagues]], and before the end of the 15th century, the latter became an ally of the [[Old Swiss Confederacy]]. In 1803 the Three Leagues finally became one of the cantons of the Confederation.

==Geography and climate==
{{see also|Geography of Switzerland}}
[[File:Engadine.jpg|thumb|left|The Engadin (here near [[St. Moritz]] and the lakes) is one of the highest valleys of the Alps and the only Swiss region in the basin of the Black Sea.]]

The Grisons is Switzerland's largest and at the same time easternmost canton. Its geography, essentially marked by the [[Alps]], is complex and encompasses a wide range of climates and ecosystems. It is one of the three large southern Alpine cantons, along with [[Ticino]] and [[Valais]], which include regions on the south side of the Alps. But in contrast to those (and all other cantons), it fully extends on both sides of the great Alpine barrier, from the northern plains at [[Maienfeld]] to the southern plains at [[Roveredo]]. However, a large portion of the canton is neither clearly north nor south of the Alps, it is the [[Engadin]] (the "garden of the Inn"), a large inner Alpine valley oriented towards eastern Europe. Therefore there are parts of this canton in four of the [[Hydrology of Switzerland|five drainage basins of the country]]. The north of the canton is drained by the [[Rhine]] (ending in the North Sea), the south by the [[Po (river)|Po]] and [[Adige]] through several affluents (Mediterranean Sea), and the Engadin by the [[Danube]] through the [[Inn (river)|Inn]] (Black Sea).<ref name=Swisstopo>[https://s.geo.admin.ch/8f3e067194 Topographic map of the Grisons], [[Swisstopo]]. Retrieved 8 March 2021</ref>

The Grisons lies fully within the Alps, with elevations above sea-level ranging from {{convert|260|to|4049|m|ft}}. It is [[List of Swiss cantons by elevation|both one of the highest and lowest cantons]], and the second-highest when considering mean elevation. As a consequence, its topography is extremely rugged and many of the highest settlements in the country (and Europe) are found there, notably in the Upper Engadin. The mountains are numerous; well over 1,000 summits are in the canton.<ref>[https://www.swisstopo.admin.ch/en/home.detail.news.html/swisstopo-internet/news2019/didyouknow/20190930.html Summits of Switzerland], [[Federal Office of Topography]]. Retrieved 9 March 2021 ("Did you know that there are more than 1200 peaks between 2000 and 3000 metres in Graubünden?")</ref> The highest is [[Piz Bernina]]<!--Elevation indicated above-->, closely followed by numerous peaks in the [[Bernina Range|homonymous range]]. Other prominent mountains<!--Over 1200 m prominence--> are [[Piz Russein]], [[Piz Kesch]], [[Calanda (mountain)|Calanda]], [[Aroser Rothorn]] and [[Rheinwaldhorn]], see [[list of mountains of Graubünden]] for a more exhaustive list. The canton includes numerous subranges of the Alps other than the Bernina. These are the [[Albula Alps|Albula]], the [[Bregaglia Range|Bregaglia]], the [[Glarus Alps|Glarus]], the [[Gotthard Massif|Gotthard]], the [[Lepontine Alps|Lepontine]], the [[Livigno Alps|Livigno]], the [[Plessur Alps|Plessur]], the [[Oberhalbstein Alps|Oberhalbstein]], the [[Ortler Alps|Ortler]], the [[Rätikon]], the [[Samnaun Alps|Samnaun]], the [[Sesvenna Alps|Sesvenna]] and the [[Silvretta Alps|Silvretta]] ranges.

[[File:2011-07-25 11-31-16 Switzerland Graubünden Rhine Gorge.jpg|thumb|upright=2|The [[Anterior Rhine]] (here at the [[Ruinaulta|Rhine Gorge]]) is one of the largest rivers in the canton.]]
The regions on the north side of the Alps are all drained by the Rhine and form an intricate network of valleys. The Rhine is both one of the longest rivers within the canton and the only one flowing directly into a sea. The [[sources of the Rhine]] are found in the west of the canton and form the [[Anterior Rhine]] and the [[Posterior Rhine]]. These two rivers converge at [[Reichenau, Switzerland|Reichenau]] to form the Rhine in the strict sense of the term. Just after the convergence, the valley opens and its floor constitutes the flattest plains of the canton, from [[Domat/Ems]] to [[Fläsch]] at the St. Gallen border. In the area around [[Chur]], at the foot of the [[Calanda (mountain)|Calanda]], the Rhine progressively changes its direction, from eastward to northward. The Anterior Rhine and Posterior Rhine include numerous tributaries as well before their own convergence. The former constitutes a long and straight valley, the Surselva, shut off from the lower plains by the [[Ruinaulta|Rhine Gorge]]. Its biggest tributaries are the rivers [[Glogn]], [[Valser Rhine]], [[Rabiusa]], forming respectively the [[Val Lumnezia]], the [[Vals Valley]] and the [[Safiental]]. The other one, the Posterior Rhine, notably collects the waters of the [[Avers Rhine]] and the [[Albula (river)|Albula]], which in turn collects the waters of the [[Gelgia (river)|Gelgia]] and the [[Landwasser]]. Similarly to the Anterior Rhine, the upper portion of the Posterior Rhine is also shut off from the plains by the [[Viamala]] Gorge. After the convergence with the Albula, the Posterior Rhine forms a wide valley, the [[Domleschg]], until it meets its anterior counterpart. After that, the Rhine collects the water of two important rivers: the [[Plessur (river)|Plessur]] at Chur, forming the valley of the [[Schanfigg]], and the [[Landquart (river)|Landquart]] at the [[Landquart, Switzerland|homonymous town]], forming the [[Prätigau]].<ref name=Swisstopo/>

The Engadin is entirely drained by the Inn and is the only valley in Switzerland in the Danube basin. The Inn is one of the longest rivers in the canton and forms an almost straight valley, from the [[Maloja Pass]] to [[Martina, Switzerland|Martina]], with a change of direction near [[Zernez]]. Despite its length and numerous tributaries, only a few long rivers converge with the Inn. These are the [[Flaz]] (forming the Val Bernina), the [[Spöl]] (forming the Val da Spöl) and the Clemgia (forming the [[Val S-charl]]). In the lower part of the Engadin is also the side valley of [[Samnaun]]. The main passes connecting the Engadin with the northern Grisons are (from west to east): the [[Julier Pass]], the [[Albula Pass]] and the [[Flüela Pass]].<ref name=Swisstopo/>

The valleys on the south side of the Alps are not contiguous to each other and form four distinct regions. The [[Mesolcina]], drained by the [[Moesa]], the [[Val Bregaglia]], drained by the [[Mera (Lake Como)|Mera]], the [[Val Poschiavo]], drained by the [[Poschiavino]], and the [[Val Müstair]], drained by the [[Rom (river)|Rom]]. The first three are in the Po basin and the last one is in the Adige basin. While the first two (Mesolcina and Bregaglia) are contiguous to the region north of the Alps, through the [[San Bernardino Pass]], and the [[Septimer Pass]] respectively, the three last ones (Bregaglia, Poschiavo and Müstair) are contiguous to the Engadin, through the [[Maloja Pass]], the [[Bernina Pass]], and the [[Ofen Pass]].<ref name=Swisstopo/>

Although no large bodies of water are found in the canton, numerous mountain lakes (above 800 m elevation) dot the landscape, some of them being used as reservoirs for hydroelectricity production. The largest natural lakes are [[Lake Sils]], [[Lake Silvaplana]], [[Lago di Poschiavo]] and [[Lake St. Moritz]] (all in Upper Engadin except that of Poschiavo). Artificial lakes are more numerous, the largest (over 100 ha) being [[Lago di Livigno]], [[Lago di Lei]], [[Lai da Sontga Maria]], [[Zervreilasee]], [[Lago Bianco]], [[Lai da Marmorera]] and [[Lägh da l'Albigna]]. The total number of lakes has been estimated to 600.<ref>[https://www.gr.ch/DE/institutionen/verwaltung/diem/ajf/fischerei/Seiten/Fischerei_Home.aspx Fischerei] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713061059/https://www.gr.ch/DE/institutionen/verwaltung/diem/ajf/fischerei/Seiten/Fischerei_Home.aspx |date=13 July 2022 }}, gr.ch. Retrieved 7 March 2021. ("Obwohl grosse Seen fehlen, ist Graubünden dennoch reich an stehenden Gewässern. Es gibt insgesamt rund 600 kleinere Seen.")</ref><ref group=note>See [[list of mountain lakes of Switzerland]] for a more exhaustive list.</ref><!--Can be sorted by canton-->

Unlike other large cantons, the Grisons includes very few cities. The largest (and capital city) is [[Chur]]. It is followed by [[Davos]], [[Landquart, Switzerland|Landquart]], [[Domat/Ems]] and [[St. Moritz]], which are, however, far less populated. The canton is particularly renowned for its numerous Alpine resort towns, notably two of the aforementioned ones (Davos and St. Moritz), but also [[Klosters]], [[Arosa]], [[Lenzerheide]], [[Disentis]], [[Flims]], [[Pontresina]] and [[Scuol]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://en.graubuenden.ch/home.html?L=2&season=1 |title=Destinations on official tourism board Graubünden, Switzerland holiday destinations |access-date=17 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110116215227/http://en.graubuenden.ch/home.html?L=2&season=1 |archive-date=16 January 2011 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

The diversity of the climate of the Grisons is high and comparable to [[Climate of Switzerland|that of Switzerland]]. In the southernmost and lowest regions, vineyards and olives are grown,<ref name="Mesolcina">[https://www.rsi.ch/rete-uno/programmi/informazione/voci-del-grigioni-italiano/Montagne-e-riscaldamento-globale-4146566.html Montagne e riscaldamento globale], rsi.ch. Retrieve 7 March 2021. ("Con le temperature più alte si stanno sperimentando le coltivazioni di specie diverse. Ne testimonia quella di ulivi, zafferano e fichi d’India a San Vittore in Mesolcina.")</ref> while on the highest summits, snow is found year-round. The inner valleys, particularly the Engadin, are significantly drier than the north and south side of the Alps, being sheltered by the high mountains of the range. On the south side of the Alps, [[Grono, Switzerland|Grono]] is one of the top warmest places in the country with an average of {{Cvt|12.4|C}}. The nationwide record temperature of {{convert|41.5|°C|°F}} was registered there. The southern valleys are also significantly wetter than the rest of the canton (1,476&nbsp;mm of rain in Grono, 849&nbsp;mm in Chur, and 705&nbsp;mm in Scuol). The coldest places are naturally at high elevations, such as on [[Piz Corvatsch]]<!--Weather station there-->. The localities of the Upper Engadin are amongst the coldest inhabited regions in the country, notably [[Samedan]] with an average temperature of {{convert|2.0|°C|°F}}. The cantonwide record-low temperature of {{convert|-37.9|°C|°F}} was registered there.<ref>[https://www.srf.ch/meteo/meteo-news/gefrierschrank-schweiz-am-kaeltesten-wirds-am-mittwochmorgen Gefrierschrank Schweiz: Am kältesten wirds am Mittwochmorgen], srf.ch. Retrieved 8 March 2021 ("Absolute Tiefstwerte (homogenisiert): La Brévine/NE: -42.5 °C, Samedan/GR: -37.9 °C")</ref> The low-elevation region of Chur, including the Bündner Herrschaft, experiences naturally less harsh temperatures with an average of {{convert|10.0|°C|°F}}.<!--See articles for sources about average temperatures and precipitation-->

<gallery mode=packed widths=220 heights=165><!--This gallery is supposed to show clearly distinct ecosystems. See Altitudinal zonation for terminology.-->
File:Maienfeld Falknis 02.JPG|Lowlands: Vineyards of the Bündner Herrschaft, at the foot of the [[Falknis]]
File:Stairs with a view.jpg|Montane zone: Val Bregaglia, at the foot of [[Piz Badile]]
File:Val Frisal.jpg|Alpine zone: Val Frisal, at the foot of [[Piz Durschin]]
File:PizBernina.jpg|Nival zone: [[Piz Bernina]] from [[Piz Morteratsch]]
</gallery>

The area of the Grisons is {{convert|7105.2|km2|sqmi}}, 19.2% larger than the [[canton of Bern]], the second largest canton.<ref name="BFS Graubunden">{{cite web | last = Federal Department of Statistics | title = Regional Statistics for Graubünden | year = 2008 | url = http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/regionen/regionalportraets/graubuenden/blank/kennzahlen.html | access-date = 23 November 2008 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090414212256/http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/regionen/regionalportraets/graubuenden/blank/kennzahlen.html | archive-date = 14 April 2009 }}</ref> Only about a third of this is commonly regarded as productive land of which [[forest]]s cover about a fifth of the total area.<ref name="BFS Graubunden"/>
The canton is almost entirely mountainous and it is the most sparsely populated region of the country. In its southeastern part lies the only official [[Swiss National Park]]. In its northern part, the mountains were formed as part of the thrust fault that was in 2008 declared a geologic [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]], under the name [[Glarus thrust|Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona]]. Another [[Man and the Biosphere Programme|Biosphere Reserve]] is the [[Val Müstair|Biosfera Val Müstair]] adjacent to the Swiss National Park, while [[Ela Nature Park]] is one of the regionally supported parks.

The Grisons is sometimes included in the larger region of [[Eastern Switzerland]], together with six other cantons. The Grisons shares border with numerous regions of Europe, reflecting its cultural diversity, and is the only canton adjacent to three different countries. On the national level it shares borders with four other cantons: [[Canton of Uri|Uri]], [[Canton of Glarus|Glarus]], [[Canton of St. Gallen|St. Gallen]] to the northwest (essentially across the Glarus Alps) and [[Ticino]] to the west (essentially across the [[Gotthard Massif]] and the Lepontine Alps but also at the level of the plain at Roveredo). On the international level, the canton shares borders with three countries: [[Liechtenstein]] to the north, the Austrian regions of [[Vorarlberg]] and [[Tyrol (state)|Tyrol]] to the northeast and the Italian regions of [[Trentino-South Tyrol]] and [[Lombardy]] to the east and south.<ref>[https://s.geo.admin.ch/8f3e067194 Topographic map of the Grisons], [[Swisstopo]]. Retrieved 4 March 2022</ref>

==History==
{{further|Three Leagues|Bündner Wirren}}
[[File:Geschichte Graubuenden.png|thumb|Map of the [[Three Leagues]] and surrounding lands]]
The deep Alpine valleys of the present-day Grisons were originally settled by the [[Raeti]]ans (''Rhaeti''). In Chur, archaeological evidence of settlement goes back as far as the [[Pfyn culture]]<ref name=HDS_Chur>{{HDS|1581|Chur}}</ref> (3900–3500&nbsp;BC),<ref>Schibler, J. 2006. The economy and environment of the 4th and 3rd millennia BC in the northern Alpine foreland based on studies of animal bones. Environmental Archaeology 11(1): 49-65.</ref> making the capital city of the Grisons one of the oldest settlements in Switzerland.

Most of the lands of the canton were once part of a Roman province called ''Raetia'', which was established in 15&nbsp;BC. The current capital of the Grisons, [[Chur]], was known as Curia in Roman times. The area later was part of the lands of the [[Bishop of Chur|diocese of Chur]].

In 1367 the [[League of God's House]] (''Cadi'', ''Gottes Haus'', ''Ca' di&nbsp;Dio'') was founded to resist the rising power of the [[Bishop of Chur]]. This was followed by the establishment of the [[Grey League]] (''Grauer Bund''), sometimes called ''Oberbund'', in 1395 in the Upper Rhine valley. The name ''Grey League'' is derived from the homespun grey clothes worn by the people and was used exclusively after 16 March 1424.<ref>{{HDS|17158|Grauer Bund|rm=3364}}</ref> The name of this league later gave its name to the canton of the Grisons. A third league was established in 1436 by the people of ten [[bailiwick]]s in the former [[Counts of Toggenburg|Toggenburg countship]], as the dynasty of Toggenburg had become extinct. The league was called [[League of the Ten Jurisdictions]] (''Zehngerichtebund'').

[[File:Dreibündenstein.jpg|thumb|upright|left|The Dreibündenstein monument, marking the former tripoint of the Three Leagues]]
The first step towards the canton of the Grisons was when the league of the Ten Jurisdictions allied with the League of God's House in 1450. In 1471 the two leagues allied with the Grey League. In 1497 and 1498 the Leagues<ref>{{HDS|26413<!--Section 1-3-->|Eidgenossenschaft - Konsolidierung und Erweiterung (1353-1515)}}</ref> allied with the [[Old Swiss Confederacy]] after the [[Habsburgs]] acquired the possessions of the extinct Toggenburg dynasty in 1496,<ref>{{HDS|7391<!--Section 3-15-->|Graubünden, section 3.1.4 - Landesherrschaft und Widerstand im Norden}}</ref> siding with the Confederacy in the [[Swabian War]] three years later. The Habsburgs were defeated at [[Battle of Calven|Calven Gorge]] and [[Battle of Dornach|Dornach]], helping the Swiss Confederation and the allied leagues of the canton of the Grisons to be recognised. However the [[Three Leagues]] remained a loose association until the ''Bundesbrief'' of 23 September 1524.<ref>{{HDS|7391<!--Section 3-19-->|Graubünden, section 3.2.4 - Verfassung und Landesgesetze}}</ref>

The last traces of the Bishop of Chur's jurisdiction were abolished in 1526. The [[Musso war]] of 1520 drove the Three Leagues closer to the Swiss Confederacy.

Between 1618 and 1639 it became a battleground between competing factions during the [[Bündner Wirren]]. The [[Protestant]] party was supported by [[France]] and [[Venice]], while the [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]] party was supported by the [[Habsburg]]s in Spain and Austria. Each side sought to gain control of the Grisons to gain control over the important [[Swiss Alps|alpine]] passes. In 1618, the young radical [[Jörg Jenatsch]] became a member of the court of 'clerical overseers' and a leader of the anti-Habsburg faction. He supervised the torture to death of the arch-priest [[Nicolò Rusca]] of [[Sondrio]]. In response, Giacomo Robustelli of the pro-Catholic Planta family, raised an army of rebels in the [[Valtellina]]. On the evening of 18/19&nbsp;July 1620, a force of Valtellina rebels supported by Austrian and Italian troops marched into [[Tirano]] and began killing Protestants. When they finished in Tirano, they marched to [[Teglio]], [[Sondrio]] and further down the valley killing every Protestant that they found. Between 500<ref name=History/> and 600<ref name=HDS_Valtellina>{{HDS|24652|Valtellina murders}}</ref> people were killed on that night and in the following four days. The attack drove nearly all the Protestants out of the valley, prevented further Protestant incursions and took the Valtellina out of the Three Leagues.

[[File:Georg Jenatsch.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Jörg Jenatsch]] was a major and divisive figure during the [[Bündner Wirren]] (1618–1639).]]
In response, in February 1621, Jenatsch led a force of anti-Habsburg troops to attack [[Rietberg Castle]], the home of a leader of the pro-Catholic faction, Pompeius Planta.<ref name=Religious>[http://www.gr.kath.ch/ressourcen/download/20080529163237.pdf Graubünden's religious history]{{dead link|date=October 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} (PDF; 3.95&nbsp;MB) {{in lang|de}}</ref> They surprised Planta and according to legend he was killed by Jörg Jenatsch with an axe.<ref name=DNA>{{cite news |last=MacNamee |first=Terence |title=DNA tests aim to identify 17th century figure |url=http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/culture/DNA_tests_aim_to_identify_17th_century_figure_.html?cid=32489350 |access-date=20 April 2012 |newspaper=Swissinfo.com |date=17 April 2012 |archive-date=10 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310195440/http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/culture/DNA_tests_aim_to_identify_17th_century_figure_.html?cid=32489350 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The murder of Planta encouraged the Protestant faction and they assembled a poorly led and disorganized army to retake the Valtellina and other subject lands. However, the army fell apart before they could attack a single Catholic town.<ref name=Religious/> This Protestant invasion provided the Spanish and Austrians with an excuse to invade the Leagues. By the end of October, Spain and Austria had occupied all of the Grisons. The resulting peace treaty of January 1622, forced Grisons to cede the [[Val Müstair|Müstair]], the [[Lower Engadine]] and [[Prättigau]] valleys.<ref name=History>[http://www.geschichte-schweiz.ch/reformation.html Swiss History] {{in lang|de}} accessed 16 January 2012</ref> The treaty also forbade the Protestant religion in these valleys. In response, in 1622, the Prättigau valley rebelled against the Austrians and drove them out of the valley. The Austrians invaded the valley twice more, attempting to reimpose the Catholic faith, in 1623–1624 and 1629–1631.<ref name=HDS_BW>{{HDS|28698|Bündner Wirren}}</ref>

In 1623 the Leagues entered into an alliance with France, Savoy and Venice. Jürg Jenatsch and Ulysses von&nbsp;Salis used French money to hire an 8,000-man mercenary army and drive out the Austrians. The peace treaty of Monzon (5&nbsp;March 1626) between France and Spain, confirmed the political and religious independence of the Valtellina. In 1627 the French withdrew from the Valtellina valley, which was then occupied by Papal troops. Starting in 1631 the League, under the French Duke Henri de Rohan, started to expel the Spaniards. However, Richelieu still did not want to hand the valley over to its residents. When it became clear that the French intended to remain permanently in the Leagues, but would not force the Valtellina to convert to Protestantism, Jürg Jenatsch (now a mercenary leader) converted in 1635 to the Catholic faith. In 1637, he rebelled and allied with Austria and Spain. His rebellion along with the rebellion of 31 other League officers forced the French to withdraw without a fight.<ref name=History/><ref name=HDS_BW/> On 24&nbsp;January 1639, Jürg Jenatsch was killed during [[Carnival]] by an unknown attacker who was dressed as a bear. The attacker may have been a son of Pompeius Planta<ref name=History/> or an assassin hired by the local aristocracy.<ref name=HDS_BW/> According to legend he was killed by the same axe that he used on Pompeius Planta.<ref name=DNA/> On 3&nbsp;September 1639 the Leagues agreed with Spain to bring the Valtellina back under League sovereignty, but with the promise to respect the free exercise of the Catholic faith. Treaties with Austria in 1649 and 1652, brought the Müstair and Lower Engadine valleys back under the authority of the Three Leagues.<ref name=History/>

In 1798, the lands of the canton of the Grisons became part of the [[Helvetic Republic]] as the [[canton of Raetia]] except [[Valtellina]], which was separated in 1797 for joining the [[Cisalpine Republic]]. It was later part of the [[Empire of Austria]] in 1814 before joining the [[Kingdom of Italy]] in 1859. With the [[Act of Mediation]] the "perpetual ally" of [[Switzerland]] became a canton in 1803. The constitution of the canton dates from 1892. In the following century, there have been about 30&nbsp;changes made to the constitution.<ref>{{HDS|7391<!--Section 3-34-->|Graubünden, section 4.2.2-Von 1848 bis heute}}</ref>

The arms of the three original leagues were combined into the modern [[cantonal coat of arms]] in 1933.

==Government==
[[File:Chur Grossratsgebäude.jpg|thumb|Grand Council building in Chur]]
The Grand Council ({{langx|de|Grosser Rat}}; {{langx|it|Gran Consiglio}}, {{langx|rm|Cussegl Grond}}), the legislature of the canton, sits in Chur, the cantonal capital. Its 120 members, elected in 39 districts using a [[Plurality voting system|majority system]], are in office for four years. The last district elections were in 2014.<ref>{{cite web |title= "Der Grosse Rat" Parliament of the Canton Grisons |url=http://www.gr.ch/EN/institutions/parliament/Seiten/Parlament.aspx |publisher=Portal of the Canton Grisons |access-date=8 July 2009}}</ref> The cantonal government, exercising executive authority, is made up of five members, elected by the people for a term of four years and [[term limit|limited]] to three terms using a [[Plurality voting system|majority system]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Government of the Canton Grisons |url=http://www.gr.ch/EN/INSTITUTIONS/GOVERNMENT/Seiten/Regierung.aspx |publisher=Portal of the Canton Grisons |access-date=8 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090603195420/http://www.gr.ch/EN/institutions/government/Seiten/Regierung.aspx |archive-date=3 June 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The constitution of the Grisons, last revised on 14&nbsp;September 2003, states in its [[preamble]] that the canton's purpose is to "safeguard freedom, peace, and human dignity, ensure democracy and the [[Rechtsstaat]], promote prosperity and [[social justice]] and preserving a sane environment for the future generations, with the intention of promoting [[trilingualism]] and cultural variety and conserving them as part of our historical heritage".<ref>{{cite web |title=Constitution of the canton of Graubünden |url=http://www.admin.ch/ch/i/rs/131_226/index.html |language=it, de |publisher=Federal Authorities of the Swiss Confederation |access-date=8 July 2009}}</ref>

The constitution allows for the [[Right of foreigners to vote|enfranchisement of foreign residents]] at a municipal level, at discretion of the local governments. In 2009, the municipality of [[Bregaglia]] became the first in the canton to make use of this provision, granting voting rights to foreigners.<ref>{{cite web |title=Comune Bregaglia accorda diritto di voto e di eleggibilità a stranieri domiciliati |url=http://www.swissinfo.ch/ita/prima_pagina.html?siteSect=105&ty=nd&ref=fb&sid=10708358 |date=17 May 2009 |language=it |publisher=[[swissinfo]] |access-date=8 July 2009}}</ref>

==Politics==

===Federal election results===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style ="text-align: center"
|-
! colspan="15"| Percentage of the total vote per party in the canton in the Federal Elections 1971–2015<ref>{{cite report |title=Nationalratswahlen: Stärke der Parteien nach Kantonen (Schweiz = 100%) |publisher=Swiss Federal Statistical Office |date=2015 |url=http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/17/02/blank/dos/09.html |access-date=5 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160802014002/http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/17/02/blank/dos/09.html |archive-date=2 August 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
! colspan="2" | Party !! class="unsortable" | Ideology !! 1971 !! 1975 !! 1979 !! 1983 !! 1987 !! 1991 !! 1995 !! 1999 !! 2003 !! 2007 !! 2011 !! 2015
|-
! [[FDP.The Liberals]]{{ref|a|a}}
| {{party color cell|FDP.The Liberals}} || [[Classical liberalism]] || 14.8 || 18.1 || 22.9 || 20.1 || 18.3 || 18.1 || 16.5 || 15.1 || 15.8 || 19.1 || 11.9 || 13.3
|-
! [[Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland|CVP/PDC/PPD/PCD]]
| {{party color cell|Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland}} || [[Christian democracy]] || 37.3 || 35.9 || 35.5 || 33.3 || 28.5 || 25.6 || 26.9 || 25.6 || 23.7 || 20.3 || 16.6 || 16.8
|-
! [[Social Democratic Party of Switzerland|SP/PS]]
| {{party color cell|Social Democratic Party of Switzerland}} || [[Social democracy]] || 13.9 || 15.2 || 20.5 || 24.6 || 19.5 || 21.2 || 21.6 || 26.6 || 24.9 || 23.7 || 15.6 || 17.6
|-
! [[Swiss People's Party|SVP/UDC]]
| {{party color cell|Swiss People's Party}} || [[National conservatism]]|| 34.0 || 26.9 || 21.1 || 22.0 || 20.0 || 19.5 || 26.9 || 27.0 || 33.8 || 34.7 || 24.5 || 29.7
|-
! [[Alliance of Independents|Ring of Independents]]
| bgcolor=#019c3e| || [[Social liberalism]] || * {{ref|b|b}} || * || * || * || * || * || 1.1 || * || {{No attempt|''disbanded''}} || {{No attempt|''disbanded''}} || {{No attempt|''disbanded''}} || {{No attempt|''disbanded''}}
|-
! [[Christian Social Party (Switzerland)|CSP/PCS]]
| {{party color cell|Christian Social Party (Switzerland)}} || [[Christian left]] || * || * || * || * || * || 6.9 || * || * || * || * || * || *
|-
! [[Green Liberal Party of Switzerland|GLP/PVL]]
| {{party color cell|Green Liberal Party of Switzerland}} || [[Green liberalism]] || * || * || * || * || * || * || * || * || * || * || 8.3 || 7.9
|-
! [[Conservative Democratic Party of Switzerland|BDP/PBD]]
| {{party color cell|Conservative Democratic Party of Switzerland}} || [[Conservatism]] || * || * || * || * || * || * || * || * || * || * || 20.5 || 14.5
|-
! [[Green Party of Switzerland|GPS/PES]]
| {{party color cell|Green Party of Switzerland}} || [[Green politics]] || * || * || * || * || * || * || 3.5 || * || * || * || 2.2 || *
|-
! FGA
| || [[Feminist political theory|Feminist]] || * || * || * || * || 6.0 || 4.3 || 1.9 || * || * || * || * || *
|-
! [[Swiss Democrats|SD/DS]]
| {{party color cell|Swiss Democrats}} || [[Nationalism|Swiss nationalism]]|| * || 3.5 || * || * || * || * || * || * || * || * || * || *
|-
! [[Federal Democratic Union of Switzerland|EDU/UDF]]
| {{party color cell|Federal Democratic Union of Switzerland}} || [[Christian right]] || * || * || * || * || * || * || * || * || 1.9 || 1.6 || 0.5 || *
|-
! Other
| || || * || 0.3 || * || * || 7.7 || 4.4 || 1.7 || 5.8 || * || 0.6 || * || 0.2
|-
! Voter participation % || || || 56.7 || 49.6 || 45.9 || 39.9 || 39.5 || 37.9 || 36.7 || 40.6 || 39.1 || 41.9 || 45.1 || 46.0
|-
|}
:{{note|a|a}} FDP before 2009, FDP.The Liberals after 2009
:{{note|b|b}} "*" indicates that the party was not on the ballot in this canton.

==Political subdivisions==

===Regions===
as of January 2017<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bfs.admin.ch/asset/de/1664150|title=Kanton Graubünden: Die 11 Regionen, 2017 (Kantone/Bezirke) &#124; Karte|first=Bundesamt für|last=Statistik|date=21 December 2016|website=Bundesamt für Statistik}}</ref>

* [[Albula Region|Albula]] with capital [[Tiefencastel]]
* [[Bernina Region|Bernina]] with capital [[Poschiavo]]
* [[Engiadina Bassa/Val Müstair Region|Engiadina Bassa/Val Müstair]] with capital [[Scuol]]
* [[Imboden Region|Imboden]] with capital [[Domat/Ems]]
* [[Landquart Region|Landquart]] with capital [[Igis]]
* [[Maloja Region|Maloja]] with capital [[Samedan]]
* [[Moesa Region|Moesa]] with capital [[Roveredo]]
* [[Plessur Region|Plessur]] with capital [[Chur]]
* [[Prättigau/Davos Region|Prättigau/Davos]] with capital [[Davos]]
* [[Surselva Region|Surselva]] with capital [[Ilanz]]
* [[Viamala Region]] with capital [[Thusis]]

===Municipalities===
There are 100 [[Municipalities of the canton of Graubünden|municipalities in the canton]] ({{As of|2025|1|lc=on}}).<ref>{{cite web|title=Répertoire officiel des communes de Suisse |url=http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/fr/index/infothek/nomenklaturen/blank/blank/gem_liste/03.Document.90142.xls |date=1 January 2009 |publisher=Statistique Suisse |access-date=10 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090612012604/http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/fr/index/infothek/nomenklaturen/blank/blank/gem_liste/03.Document.90142.xls |archive-date=12 June 2009 }}</ref>

==Demographics==
[[File:Chur (Switzerland).jpg|thumb|View of Chur, at the foot of the [[Calanda (mountain)|Calanda]]]]
The inhabitants of the Grisons are called ''Bündner'' or (rarely) Grisonians.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}}

The population of the canton (as of {{Swiss populations date|CH-GR}}) is {{Swiss populations|CH-GR|CH-GR}}.{{Swiss populations ref|CH-GR}} {{as of|2007}}, the population included 28,008 foreigners, or about 14.84% of the total population.<ref>{{cite web | last = Federal Department of Statistics | title = Ständige Wohnbevölkerung nach Staatsangehörigkeit, Geschlecht und Kantonen | year = 2008 | url = http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/01/02/blank/key/raeumliche_verteilung/kantone__gemeinden.html | format = Microsoft Excel | access-date = 5 November 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081215033605/http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/01/02/blank/key/raeumliche_verteilung/kantone__gemeinden.html | archive-date = 15 December 2008 | url-status = dead | df = dmy-all }}</ref> The main religions are [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholicism]] and [[Protestantism]]. Both are well represented in the canton, with Roman Catholics forming a slight plurality (47% Catholic to 41% Protestant).<ref>{{cite web | last = Federal Department of Statistics | title = Wohnbevölkerung nach Religion, nach Kantonen und Städten | year = 2008 | url = http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/01/05/blank/key/religionen.html | format = Microsoft Excel | access-date = 6 October 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081229131401/http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/01/05/blank/key/religionen.html | archive-date = 29 December 2008 | url-status = dead | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

===Languages===
{{See also|Romansh language}}
{{See also|Italian Grisons}}
[[File:Sprachen GR 2000.png|thumb|Geographical distribution of languages in the Grisons {{as of|lc=yes|2000}}]]
[[File:Romansh language spread.svg|thumb|Original areas where was spoken the Romansh language since the Middle Ages]]
The Grisons is the only canton of Switzerland with three official languages: [[German language|German]] (74.7%), [[Romansh language|Romansh]] (13.9%), and [[Italian language|Italian]] (13.9%) with the remaining 13% speaking another language natively.<ref>{{in lang|de|it}} [https://www.gr.ch/DE/kanton/Seiten/Bevoelkerung.aspx Canton of Graubünden Website] accessed 8 November 2017</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title= Sprache, Religion - 01 Bevölkerung|url=https://www.gr.ch/DE/institutionen/verwaltung/dvs/awt/statistik/Bevoelkerung/Seiten/Sprache,_Religion.aspx}}</ref>

{|class="wikitable"
|+ Languages in the Grisons 1803–2020<ref>Coray, Renata (2008), ''Von der Mumma Romontscha zum Retortenbaby Rumantsch Grischun: Rätoromanische Sprachmythen'' (in tedesco), Chur: Institut für Kulturforschung Graubünden ikg, {{ISBN|978-3-905342-43-7}}, p. 86</ref><ref>{{HDS|7391|Canton Grigioni}}</ref>
! Year
! Population
! Romansh (%)
! German (%)
! Italian (%)
|-
|1803
|73,200<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sgvs.ch/papers/sjesBackIssues/1902_PDF/1902-II-2.pdf|title=Die ersten Volkszählungen in Graubünden}}</ref>
|36,700 (~'''50%''')
|26,500 (~36%)
|10,000 (~14%)
|-
|1850
|89,895
|42,439 (47.2%)
|35,509 (39.5%)
|11,956 (13.3%)
|-
|1880
|93,864
|37,794 (39.8%)
|43,664 (46.0%)
|12,976 (13.7%)
|-
|1900
|104,520
|36,472 (34.9%)
|48,762 (46.7%)
|17,539 (16.8%)
|-
|1920
|119,854
|39,127 (32.7%)
|61,379 (51.2%)
|17,674 (14.8%)
|-
|1941
|128,247
|40,187 (31.3%)
|70,421 (54.9%)
|16,438 (12.8%)
|-
|1950
|137,100
|40,109 (29.3%)
|77,096 (56.2%)
|18,079 (13.2%)
|-
|1960
|147,458
|38,414 (26.1%)
|83,544 (56.7%)
|23,682 (16.1%)
|-
|1970
|162,086
|37,878 (23.4%)
|93,359 (57.6%)
|25,575 (15.8%)
|-
|1980
|164,641
|36,017 (21.9%)
|98,645 (59.9%)
|22,199 (13.5%)
|-
|2000
|187,058
|27,038 (14.5%)
|127,755 (68.3%)
|19,106 (10.2%)
|-
|2012
|191,612
|27,955 (15.2%)
|143,015 (74.6%)
|23,506	(12.0%)
|-
|2015<ref>[https://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/de/home/statistiken/bevoelkerung/sprachen-religionen/sprachen.html Federal Statistical Office - Ständige Wohnbevölkerung nach Hauptsprachen und Kanton, 2015] accessed 8 November 2017</ref>
|193,662
|29,826 (15.4%)
|142,378 (73.5%)
|25,033 (12.9%)
|-
|2020
|200,096
|27,813 (13.9%)
|149,471 (74.7%)
|27,813 (13.9%)
|}

More speakers of the [[Romansh language]] live in the Grisons than in any other canton, although it has become a minority language there. Since the late [[Middle Ages]] the Romansh language has greatly reduced (by more than half the original territory, that included [[Liechtenstein]] and sections of western [[Austria]]) the area where it is spoken by the majority of the population.

Romansh consists of five dialect groups, each with its own written language: [[Sursilvan]], [[Vallader]], [[Puter]], [[Surmiran]] and [[Sutsilvan]]. There also exists a common written language called [[Rumantsch Grischun]].
Romansh has been recognized as one of four "national languages" by the [[Swiss Federal Constitution]] since 1938. It was declared an "official language" of the Confederation in 1996, meaning that Romansh speakers may use Romansh for correspondence with the federal government and expect to receive a response in Rumantsch Grischun.
Romansh has official language status at the canton level. Municipalities in turn are free to specify their own official languages.

==Economy==
[[File:Skiing in the Grisons.jpg|thumb|Skiers above [[Lenzerheide]]]]
Agriculture is still essential to keep remote valleys inhabited and [[Cultural landscape|cultivated]], differing it from sheer [[wilderness]]. Agriculture is therefore supported by subsidies by the authorities both national and regional. Eight per cent of the population work in agriculture and forestry, where 50 per cent of the production is certified as organic. Agriculture includes forests and [[Alpine transhumance|mountain pasturage]] in summer, particularly of cows, sheep and goats.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}}
Since wolf and bear have returned, the use of [[Maremma Sheepdog]]s is not unusual.<ref name="engadin">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.daserste.de/information/reportage-dokumentation/erlebnis-erde/sendung/das-engadin-naturwunder-der-alpen-140.html |title=Das Engadin – Naturwunder der Alpen |date=3 August 2015 |last=Mayer |first=Kurt |type=documentary |language=de}}</ref> Although mountain pastures are predominant, there is also wine production in the Rhine Valley, particularly in [[Fläsch]], [[Maienfeld]], [[Jenins]] and [[Malans, Switzerland|Malans]]. This area is referred to as the Bündner Herschaft. In the southern valleys of [[Mesolcina]] and [[Val Poschiavo]] there is corn ([[maize]]) and [[Chestnut production in Switzerland|chestnut farming]], allowed by the milder climate. In the Mesolcina, [[Olive production in Switzerland|olive trees are also grown]].<ref name="Mesolcina"/>

24 per cent of the workforce are employed in industry whereas 68 per cent work in the service industry. The most industrialized region is naturally that of Chur. [[Ems-Chemie]] is based in [[Domat/Ems]] and is a major employer in the area.

The tourism industry is a major player and reaches a remarkable 14 per cent of the GDP. Tourism is concentrated around the towns of [[Davos]], [[Klosters]], [[Lenzerheide]], [[Arosa]], [[Flims]],  [[St. Moritz]] and [[Pontresina]], which have large ski areas. There are, however, a great number of other tourist resorts in the canton, divided by the official tourist board for winter sports for example into categories "Top - Large - Small and beautiful".<ref>[http://en.graubuenden.ch/ski-snowboard/overview.html Switzerland holidays Graubünden winter]{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> St. Moritz is one of the oldest [[winter sport]] resorts, being popular in winter since 1864.<ref>{{cite news |last=Potter |first=Everett |date=21 November 2019 |title=St Moritz, The Birthplace Of Winter Sports |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/everettpotter/2019/11/21/st-moritz-the-birthplace-of-winter-sports/?sh=7f796e57330f |work=[[Forbes]] |access-date=4 March 2022 |quote=You can make a strong case that the origins of modern winter sports lie here, starting in the 1860’s with hotelier Johannes Badrutt, who welcomed a steady stream of well-heeled British guests to his small Kulm Hotel.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7UPqDwAAQBAJ | title=Travel Journalism and Travel Media: Identities, Places and Imaginings | publisher=[[Springer Nature]] | author=Ben Cocking | year=2020 | pages=9 | isbn=9781137599087 |quote=The launching of the Cook excursions in Britain (1841), the appearance of the first Baedekker guide (1843), the inauguration of a winter "season" in Saint Moritz (1864), the creation of Yellowstone (1877): these were the important markers of its growth path [mass tourism].}}</ref> The following year, Davos also saw its first tourists in winter.<ref>[https://www.davos.ch/en/information/portrait-image/storybook/davos-the-pioneer In step with the times for the past 150 years] davos.ch</ref> St. Moritz hosted the [[1928 Winter Olympics]] and the [[1948 Winter Olympics]]. Summer tourism is also an important source of revenue. Trekking, mountaineering, and mountain biking are some of the main activities. Business tourism is also a source of revenue, notably in [[Davos]], where the [[World Economic Forum]] meetings are traditionally organised.

==Transport==
[[File:Albulapass In Switzerland (110510259).jpeg|thumb|upright|[[Glacier Express]] climbing the [[Albula Railway]]. Winding mountain roads and railways have become an integral part of the landscape.]]

As the canton extends on both sides of the great Alpine barrier, many important mountain passes are found there, particularly on the north-south axis. Transport has always been an important issue in the area; cart tracks from the Roman era were found on [[Julier Pass]] and [[Septimer Pass]] was rebuilt for cart use in 1387 and, although it later became unimportant, it is still in its 1800 form (for hikers only). [[Corniche]] paths were necessary for long stretches, and gorges such as the [[Viamala]] gave construction problems for any kind of transport. The first real roads of {{convert|4|yd|m|order=flip|abbr=on}} width were built across the Alps from around 1816, one of which is still in a very good historical condition<ref>{{in lang|en}} [http://en.graubuenden.ch/hiking-switzerland/trekking/50-via-spluga-thusis-chiavenna.html Historic route across Alps Splügen Pass hike in Switzerland] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706233800/http://en.graubuenden.ch/hiking-switzerland/trekking/50-via-spluga-thusis-chiavenna.html |date=6 July 2011 }}</ref> as this connection across [[Splügen Pass]] lost its importance after the opening of rail tunnels crossing the alps. The last valley to be connected to the road system in the Grisons was [[Avers]], whose remote hamlet of [[Juf]] was only reached in 1897. After the [[Swiss Post]] expanded their [[PostBus Switzerland|Postal Bus]] transport services, the region's inhabitants became more used to motorized traffic.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y989HQAACAAJ |title=Heimatbuch Thusis, Viamala |publisher=Verkehrsverein |year=1973 |pages=80 |language=de}}</ref> In 1925, there were already 250 vehicles in service.<ref name=":0" /> Eventually, the inhabitants of the Grisons gave up their resistance against individual motor traffic in 1926,<ref>{{in lang|en}} [http://en.graubuenden.ch/facts-figures.html Facts for Graubünden Switzerland] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110414160421/http://en.graubuenden.ch/facts-figures.html |date=14 April 2011 }}</ref> In 1967 opened [[San Bernardino Pass|San Bernardino road tunnel]], built to host tourism traffic, is used also by heavy goods vehicles nowadays although not really suitable for them because of its ascent gradients. Most other passes have lost their importance for goods transport nowadays.

Unlike [[Valais]] and [[Ticino]], the Grisons does not benefit from major railway axes across the Alps such as the [[Lötschberg Railway|Lötschberg]] and [[Gotthard Railway|Gotthard]]. As a consequence, the only standard gauge railway in the canton is that of the Rhine Valley, ending at [[Chur railway station|Chur station]]. Conversely, the latter has become a major railway station and a transport hub of the canton since the construction of the [[Rhaetian Railway]], which links most regions of the canton from the Rhine Valley.

Huge efforts ensure public transport to (nearly) every settlement by an integrated timetable of different transport companies. Even Juf, inhabited by some 30 people only but holding a [[Extreme points of Switzerland|European record]], is reached five times a day by public transport. The two main transport companies are [[PostBus Switzerland|PostBus]], the national post bus company, and the Rhaetian Railway, essentially owned by the cantonal government. The latter uses the largest narrow-gauge railway network in Switzerland and serves most regions of the canton, with branches towards Central Switzerland and Italy. This network is notably travelled by two of the longest distance trains of Switzerland: the [[Glacier Express]] and the [[Bernina Express]]. The [[Swiss Federal Railways]] extend only a few kilometres into the canton, from Maienfeld, and serve essentially [[Landquart railway station|Landquart]] and Chur, where passengers transfer to the Rhaetian Railway and a large number of PostBus routes. The [[Albula Line]] became a UNESCO world heritage as did the [[Bernina Railway]], the highest and only railway to cross the Alps without the use of a tunnel at the pass. In winter some of the road passes are closed <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.strassen.gr.ch/sites/dokumentation/offen.html|title=Graubünden Strasseninfos - Unser Kanton - www.gr.ch|website=www.strassen.gr.ch}}</ref> whereas several high mountain passes such as the [[Julier Pass|Julier]], [[Bernina Pass|Bernina]] and [[Lukmanier Pass|Lukmanier]] are kept open all winter (subject to restrictions). Being the highest elevated state in Switzerland, the Grisons hosts huge alpine areas that are not accessible by any means of transport but have to be walked to.<ref>{{in lang|en}} [http://en.graubuenden.ch/hiking-switzerland/hiking-trails.html Hike the alps in Switzerland; Information, Graubünden] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515064604/http://en.graubuenden.ch/hiking-switzerland/hiking-trails.html |date=15 May 2011 }}</ref> A large number of cable transport facilities provide easy access to some of the mountains of the Grisons, the highest being on [[Piz Corvatsch]].

The [[Engadin]] valley has its own airport, [[Samedan Airport]]. It is the highest airport in Switzerland. However, there are no scheduled flights to and from the airport. Generally, residents in the Grisons would also use [[Zurich Airport]], and Milan's [[Milan Malpensa Airport|Malpensa Airport]], [[Milan Linate Airport|Linte Airport]] and [[Milan Bergamo Airport|Bergamo Airport]] to fly other domestic and international destinations.

==Culture==
{{see also|List of cultural property of national significance in Switzerland: Graubünden}}
[[File:Engadinerhaus und hölzener Brunnen in Guarda.jpg|thumb|Painted houses in [[Guarda, Switzerland|Guarda]]]]
The Grisons is culturally the most diverse region of Switzerland. Its common denominator, however, is a strong mountain culture marked by life in isolated rural communities, notably depicted in [[Johanna Spyri]]'s [[Heidi]]. Traditional customs include [[Alpine transhumance]] in spring and autumn, and the [[Chalandamarz]] at the end of winter.

The canton has a large concentration of medieval castles (and ruins). The most notable, in the Engadin, is that of [[Tarasp Castle|Tarasp]], guarding the Inn valley. Many ruins and castles are found in the [[Hinterrhein District|Domleschg]] area. Close by lies the church of [[Zillis]], where 1130/40 a famous romanesque illustrated ceiling was added which is now treated as national heritage. Three [[World Heritage Site]]s are located in the canton: the [[Benedictine Convent of Saint John]], the [[Glarus thrust|Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona]] and the [[Rhaetian Railway]] in the [[Albula Railway|Albula]] and [[Bernina Railway|Bernina]] Landscapes.

[[File:Maluns.jpg|thumb|left|A dish of [[Maluns]] accompanied by various products of the Grisons]]
The gastronomy of the Grisons is mostly known for a dried-beef delicacy called [[Bündnerfleisch]], often simply referred to as Grisons Meat. Other meat specialities include dried sausages (especially [[Salsiz]], made of various meats), speck and ham. Cheeses produced in the Grisons are also numerous. Among notable dishes are the [[Capuns]], predominantly made in the western part of the Grisons.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.grischuna.ch/Rezepte/CapunsE.html |title=Capuns recipe |access-date=17 August 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090901172616/http://www.grischuna.ch/Rezepte/CapunsE.html |archive-date=1 September 2009 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> Capuns consist of hearty dumplings with pieces of meat wrapped in [[chard]] leaves, then gratinated in oven with cheese and cream. The [[Maluns]] are another well-known dish of the Grisons. They are made of boiled potatoes mixed with flour, then fried in butter. Maluns are typically served with a compote of apples and various other local products such as cheeses and meat specialities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.grischuna.ch/en/diet/recipes/maluns-da-lai-en-US/|title=Grischuna - Spezialitad dal Grischun|first=Fleischtrocknerei Churwalden|last=AG|date=10 March 2011|website=www.grischuna.ch}}</ref> The [[Pizzoccheri]] are another dish, essentially eaten in the valley of [[Poschiavo]]. They consist of buckwheat noodles, cooked with potatoes, vegetables and cheese.<ref>[https://www.graubuenden.ch/en/experience-graubunden/culinary-arts/recipe-pizzoccheri-poschiavo Recipe: Pizzoccheri from Poschiavo], graubuenden.ch. Retrieved 13 March 2021</ref> The emblematic dessert of the Grisons is the [[Bündner Nusstorte]]. It is essentially a shortcrust pastry filled with a mix of caramelized walnuts and honey. Another similar pastry, but containing chestnuts instead, the Torta di Castagne, is made in the southern valleys, especially in the Val Bregaglia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.roticcio.ch/it/arte-culinaria/dol|title=Torta di Casatagna della Val Bregaglia}}</ref>

Wines are essentially produced in the Bündner Herrschaft. In the vineyards between Fläsch and Malans, 42 types of vines are found, [[Pinot Noir]] being the most popular.<ref>[https://www.graubuenden.ch/en/experience-graubunden/culinary-arts/bundner-herrschaft-small-region-great-wines Bündner Herrschaft – a small region of great wines], graubuenben.ch. Retrieved 13 March 2021. ("Mild climate, foehn and calcareous soil: Bündner Herrschaft is also wine country, ideal for the cultivation of premium grapes. In the middle of Heidiland, from Fläsch to Malans, you can find 42 types of vines along the Rhine, from which more than 70 companies are pressing a wide range of wines. Especially popular is the complex and refined Pinot Noir.")</ref> Wines are also naturally produced in the southern valleys but in smaller quantities. The valley of the [[Mesolcina]] is contiguous with the [[Ticino (wine region)|Ticino wine region]] and that of Poschiavo is contiguous with the [[Valtellina (wine)|Valtellina wine region]]. Numerous breweries can be found in the canton as well. The largest, located at Chur, is [[Calanda Bräu]].

[[Radiotelevisiun Svizra Rumantscha]] is the Romansh-speaking division of the [[Swiss Broadcasting Corporation]] and focuses on the Grisons. ''[[Die Südostschweiz]]'' (in German) and ''[[La Quotidiana]]'' (Romansh) are some of the most important written media of the region.

==Nature==
The Grisons successfully reintroduced [[ibex]] in the early 20th century after it had all but died out from the Alps, except for an area in the Aosta Valley in Italy, Parco Nazionale Gran Paradiso.<ref>{{Cite journal |author=Stüwe, M. |author2=Nievergelt, B.  |year=1991 |title=Recovery of Alpine ibex from near extinction: the result of effective protection, captive breeding, and reintroductions |journal=Applied Animal Behaviour Science |volume=29 |pages=379–387 |number=1–4 |doi=10.1016/0168-1591(91)90262-V}}</ref> Similarly, it reintroduced the [[bearded vulture]] and lynx in the 21st century, which had been extinguished, though the [[lynx]] remains rare.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.beardedvulture.ch/project/reintroduction |title=Reintroduction |date=n.d. |website= Foundation for the Bearded Vulture www.beardedvulture.ch |access-date=6 April 2020}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Switzerland}}
*[[Swiss Alps]]
*[[Three Leagues]]

== Notes ==
{{reflist|group=note}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Canton of Graubünden|<br>Canton of the Grisons}}
*[https://www.gr.ch/EN/Seiten/welcome.aspx Official Canton website]
*[http://www.graubunden.com Canton of the Grisons Tourism website]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJfn4lVR1m0 Short documentary from the cantonal authorities]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130606131303/http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/en/index/regionen/kantone/gr/key.html Official Canton of the Grisons statistics website]
*{{HDS|7391|rm=1168}}
* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Grisons | volume= 12 |last= Coolidge |first= William Augustus Brevoort |author-link= W. A. B. Coolidge|  pages = 608&ndash;610 |short= 1}}

{{Regions of Graubünden}}
{{Cantons of Switzerland}}
{{Switzerland topics}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Grisons}}
[[Category:Grisons| ]]
[[Category:Cantons of Switzerland]]
[[Category:Regions of Europe with multiple official languages]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1803]]
[[Category:1803 establishments in Switzerland]]