The canton if Appenzell is part of Switzerland since 1513 and it is completely surrounded by St. Gallen. It peacefully split in 1597 into the catholic Appenzell Innerrhoden and the protestant Appenzell Ausserrhoden. Despite of being united for a long time, both cantons are two separated and fully independent cantons.

This canton is measured on its population the smallest and has the second-smallest area. It is the last canton, where women got their voting right in 1991. Except of Uri, it is the only canton to preserve the country community, an annual meeting of all residents, which is taking place on the last Sunday of April. 

The canton is not only known for its cheese, the Appenzeller, but is also very popular for naked hiking and for car rental companies because of its low car taxes.