Canton (administrative division)

A canton is a type of administrative division of a country.^[1] In general, cantons are relatively small in terms of area and population when compared with other administrative divisions such as counties, departments, or provinces. Internationally, the most politically important cantons are the Swiss cantons. As the constituents of the Swiss Confederation, theoretically and historically, they are semi-sovereign states.^[2]

The term is derived from the French word canton, meaning "corner" or "district" (from which "cantonment" is also derived).^[3]

^ Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Canton" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 5 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 221.
^ "Bundesverfassung". www.parlament.ch. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
^ Oxford English Dictionary cantonment and canton, v.

[1] Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Canton" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 5 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 221.

[:0-2] "Bundesverfassung". www.parlament.ch. Retrieved 2021-06-13.

[3] Oxford English Dictionary cantonment and canton, v.

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