The canton has 403 300 residents, this represents about 5% of the total population of Switzerland. Two third amongst them are roman-catholic.

Lucerne is inhabited since the prehistoric era and is located in the North-West, directly on the verge of the Alps. Being a Benedictine monastry since 750, it was registered under the name of Luciaria for the first time in 840. 

The actual foundation of the city of Lucerne was in about 1200. Although it was allied with the Habsburger during the battle of Mortgarten, it became the first city of the cantons Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden to become again a member of the confederation in 1332.  

The main part of its area is agriculture, but the service sector of the tourism industry should also be mentioned, since the canton is an area, where a lot of traffic from Germany to Italy is going through and additionally, it adjoins the Lake Lucerne.