Lucerne, Ger. Luzern, canton (1993 pop. 331,800), 576 sq mi (1,492 sq km), central Switzerland. Drained by the Reuss and Kleine Emme rivers, Lucerne is mainly an agricultural and pastoral region, with orchards and large forested areas. It contains the Lake of Sempach and borders on the Lake of Lucerne. There are several resort areas, notably along the northwest shores of the Lake of Lucerne. The population is mainly German-speaking and Roman Catholic. Manufactures of the canton include machinery, textiles, metallurgic goods, electrical equipment, paper, and wood products. Boatbuilding and automobile assembly are also important. One of the Four Forest Cantons, its history is that of its capital, Lucerne (1990 pop. 59,115), which is on both banks of the Reuss where it flows out of the Lake of Lucerne. It is one of the largest resorts (mainly summer) in Switzerland and relies on tourism as the staple of its economy. A narrow-gauge rail line links Lucerne to the winter sports center of Engelberg. The city grew around the monastery of St. Leodegar, founded in the 8th cent. An important trade center on the St. Gotthard route, it became a Hapsburg possession in 1291. Lucerne joined the Swiss Confederation in 1332 and gained full freedom after the battle of Sempach (1386). It became capital of the Helvetic Republic in 1798. Lucerne was one of the chief towns of the Sonderbund (1845-47). The noted monument, the Lion of Lucerne, designed by A. B. Thorvaldsen, was erected (1820-21) in memory of the Swiss Guards killed in Paris in 1792. Other points of interest are a mainly 17th-century church (Hofkirche), the Glacier Garden, the cantonal buildings, and several museums. The city's Chapel Bridge, built in 1333 and purported to be Europe's oldest and longest (219 yards) covered wooden bridge, long stood as a city symbol. In 1993 a fire damaged or destroyed much of it; it reopened in 1994 following reconstruction. Lucerne hosts an annual music festival, which moved into a striking lakeside cultural center in 1997.

Lucerne, Lake of, Ger. Vierwaldstätter See, irregular-shaped lake, 44 sq mi (114 sq km), central Switzerland. It has a maximum depth of c.700 ft (210 m). The lake is fed and drained by the Reuss River. Surrounded by mountains, the Lake of Lucerne is noted for its scenic beauty; many resort towns are along its shores. Lucerne (Ger. Luzern), the principal lakeside city, is located at its northern outlet. The three arms of the Lake of Lucerne are called the Lake of Küssnacht (northern arm), the Lake of Alpnacht (southwestern), and the Lake of Uri (southeastern).

Perennial, clover-like legume (Medicago sativa). It is widely grown primarily for hay, pasturage, and silage. It is known for its tolerance of drought, heat, and cold, and for its improvement of soil by nitrification (see nitrifying bacteria) due to bacteria associated with its roots. The plant, which grows 1–3 ft (30–90 cm) tall, develops numerous stems that arise from a much-branched crown at soil level, each bearing many three-leaved leaflets. Its long primary root—as long as 50 ft (15 m) in some plants—accounts for its unusual ability to tolerate drought. Its remarkable capacity for regeneration of dense growths of new stems and leaves following cutting makes possible as many as 13 crops of hay in one growing season. Alfalfa hay is very nutritious and palatable, high in protein, minerals, and vitamins.

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German Vierwaldstättersee (“Lake of the Four Forest Cantons”)

Lake, central Switzerland. It is 24 mi (39 km) long and 0.5 to 2 mi (0.8 to 3 km) wide, with an area of 44 sq mi (114 sq km). It has a maximum depth of 702 ft (214 m). The “Cross of Lucerne” is formed by its four main basins, which are joined by narrow channels. Named after the city of Lucerne at its western end, it is in a region of resorts and tourist attractions.

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German Luzern

City (pop., 2000: 59,496), central Switzerland. Located southwest of Zürich, on Lake Lucerne and its Reuss River outlet, it developed around an 8th-century monastery. It joined the Swiss Confederation in 1332. A stronghold of Catholicism during the Reformation, it later took part in the Sonderbund war. It is a tourist centre, with its medieval walls, towers, and covered bridges. Among its many monuments is the famous Lion of Lucerne, carved in rock, which commemorates the Swiss Guards slain while defending the Tuileries Palace in Paris in 1792.

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German Vierwaldstättersee (“Lake of the Four Forest Cantons”)

Lake, central Switzerland. It is 24 mi (39 km) long and 0.5 to 2 mi (0.8 to 3 km) wide, with an area of 44 sq mi (114 sq km). It has a maximum depth of 702 ft (214 m). The “Cross of Lucerne” is formed by its four main basins, which are joined by narrow channels. Named after the city of Lucerne at its western end, it is in a region of resorts and tourist attractions.

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Lucerne is a census-designated place (CDP) in Lake County, California, United States. The population was 2,870 at the 2000 census.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 19.5 square miles (50.4 km²), of which, 6.1 square miles (15.8 km²) of it is land and 13.4 square miles (34.6 km²) of it (68.67%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,870 people, 1,325 households, and 744 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 469.8 people per square mile (181.4/km²). There were 1,814 housing units at an average density of 296.9/sq mi (114.6/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 87.87% White, 1.67% African American, 3.14% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 3.41% from other races, and 3.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.54% of the population.

There were 1,325 households out of which 20.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.8% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.8% were non-families. 36.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.78.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 20.8% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 20.5% from 25 to 44, 28.3% from 45 to 64, and 25.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females there were 93.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.3 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $24,969, and the median income for a family was $27,656. Males had a median income of $26,612 versus $20,227 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $13,396. About 13.7% of families and 15.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.2% of those under age 18 and 10.2% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

In the state legislature Lucerne is located in the 2nd Senate District, represented by Democrat Pat Wiggins, and in the 1st Assembly District, represented by Democrat Patty Berg. Federally, Lucerne is located in California's 1st congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of D +10 and is represented by Democrat Mike Thompson.

References

External links

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