On 1 January 2010, the 26 districts (German: Amtsbezirke, French: districts) of the Canton of Bern were combined into 10 new precincts (German: Verwaltungskreise, French: arrondissement administratif).[1]
They are grouped into five regions (German: Verwaltungsregionen).
The existence of the 26 districts remains through the laws and Constitution of the Canton of Berne (Art.3 al.2 Cst) and coexists with the new 10 precincts (German: Verwaltungskreise, French: arrondissement administratif). Although the original districts no longer serve any purpose.
As of 2022[update] there were 338 municipalities of the canton of Bern.
New district (Verwaltungskreis) | Capital | Region | Former district(s) (Amtsbezirk) |
---|---|---|---|
Bern-Mittelland | Ostermundigen | Bern-Mittelland | Bern, Fraubrunnen, Konolfingen, Laupen, Schwarzenburg and Seftigen |
Biel/Bienne | Biel/Bienne | Seeland | Biel and about half of Nidau |
Emmental | Langnau im Emmental | Emmental-Oberaargau | Burgdorf, Signau and Trachselwald |
Frutigen-Niedersimmental | Frutigen | Bernese Oberland | Frutigen and Niedersimmental |
Interlaken-Oberhasli | Interlaken | Bernese Oberland | Interlaken and Oberhasli |
Jura Bernois | Courtelary | Jura Bernois Region | Courtelary, Moutier and La Neuveville |
Oberaargau | Wangen an der Aare | Emmental-Oberaargau | Aarwangen and Wangen |
Obersimmental-Saanen | Saanen | Bernese Oberland | Obersimmental and Saanen |
Seeland | Aarberg | Seeland | Aarberg, Büren, Erlach and about half of Nidau |
Thun | Thun | Bernese Oberland | Thun |
The canton of Bern is also subdivided into 26 districts (German: Amtsbezirke; French: districts), which have no more administrative or political significance since the introduction of the new larger administrative subdivisions listed above.
The districts are: