The canton of Bern is bilingual and located in the North-West of Switzerland between the French- and German-speaking parts. The city of Bern is Switzerland's capital.

The cantons origin is the ancient city and republic of Bern (Respublica Bernensis), which was a city state of the Northern Bernese Alps and arised from the city of Bern in 1191. 

Being a member of the Swiss confederation since 1353, the canton is the third most populated canton of Switzerland. Its population is mainly protestant and German-speaking, about 8% of the population is French-speaking. 

Due to its bilingualism Bern is the link between the German- and French-speaking regions of Switzerland. Bern is the site for numerous international enterprises, especially those of the precision mechanics industry such as watchmaking or medical technology. Nevertheless, the social and health care industry with its almost 71 100 employees remains the most important sector of Bern's economy. 

The canton is famous for being one of the three most popular touristic sites of Switzerland; maybe because of the Gstaad skiing-area, the city of Interlaken or Bern itself, its historic center is registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage.