| The Cantons |
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Since the creation of Canton Jura in 1978, Switzerland has consisted of 23 cantons, three of which -Unterwalden, Appenzell and Basel - are divided into two half-cantons for historical reasons. The cantons often referred to as the «States» are the original States which joined together to form the Federation to which they transferred part of their sovereignty in 1848.
Each canton and half-canton has its own constitution, parliament, government and courts. The cantonal parliaments have between 58 and 200 seats, while the cantonal governments have 5, 7 or 9 members. Direct democracy in the form of the rural municipality, or open-air meetings of citizens is now confined to Appenzell Innerrhoden and Glarus. In all the other cantons, voters make their decisions at the ballot box.
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