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Appenzell is both, one of the smallest cantons of Switzerland as well as one
of the country’s most traditional and ethno cultural areas. Appenzell is an alpine region, particularly in the south, where the Alpstein limestone range is found, culminating in the world famous Säntis (8216 ft.). Towards the north the surface is composed rather of green hills, separating green hollows in which neat villages and small towns nestle. More then any other region in Switzerland, Appenzell has preserved many old customs and costumes; those of the women being very elaborate and picturesque, while the herdsmen have retained their festival attire of red waistcoats, embroidered braces and canary-coloured shorts. To the outer world the canton of Appenzell is best known by its institution of Landsgemeinden, democratic assemblies held in the open air, in which every male citizen (not being disqualified) over twenty years of age must (under a money penalty) appear personally: each half-canton has such an assembly of its own; the institution is of immemorial antiquity, and the meetings in either case are always held on the last Sunday in April. The Landsgemeinde is the supreme legislative authority, and elects both the as well as the cantonal president or Landammann.
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