Basel City State is the smallest state in Switzerland and also has the highest population density. It is traditionally known as a "half-state".
Located in the western part of Switzerland, it used to be the city area of Basel State. But in 1833, it was split into the northern Basel (city) and southern Basel (countryside) half-states due to the urban-rural war.
This state is located at the upper Rhine River's tri-national junction, bordering France to the west and Germany to the north. Basel is the core city of Switzerland's northwest region, a bridgehead for Swiss German-speaking regions to the European Union, and the only river port for Switzerland to access the sea.
Besides water transportation, the European Railway's north-south main line and east-west artery intersect here. Basel, Muirhouse, and Freiburg European Airport provide direct connections to the European and global aviation network.
