Appenzell Ausserrhoden

Canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden
Kanton Appenzell Ausserrhoden (German)
Canton of Appenzell Outer Rhodes
Location in Switzerland
Map of Appenzell Ausserrhoden

Coordinates: 47°3′N 9°1′E / 47.050°N 9.017°E / 47.050; 9.017
Country  Switzerland
CapitalsHerisau (executive and legislative) Trogen (judicial)
Subdivisions20 municipalities
Government
  PresidentYves Noël Balmer
  ExecutiveRegierungsrat (5)
  LegislativeKantonsrat (65)
Area
  Total
242.84 km2 (93.76 sq mi)
Population
 (December 2020)
  Total
55,309
  Density230/km2 (590/sq mi)
GDP
  TotalCHF 3.190 billion (2020)
  Per capitaCHF 57,601 (2020)
ISO 3166 codeCH-AR
Highest point2,502 m (8,209 ft): Säntis
Lowest point430 m (1,411 ft): Lutzenberg
Joined1513
LanguagesGerman
Websitewww.ar.ch

Canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden (German: Kanton Appenzell Ausserrhoden [ˈapn̩tsɛl ˈaʊsərˌroːdn̩] ; Romansh: Chantun Appenzell Dadora; French: Canton d'Appenzell Rhodes-Extérieures; Italian: Canton Appenzello Esterno), in English sometimes Appenzell Outer Rhodes, is one of the 26 cantons forming the Swiss Confederation. It is composed of twenty municipalities. The seat of the government and parliament is Herisau, and the seat of judicial authorities are in Trogen. It is traditionally considered a "half-canton", the other half being Appenzell Innerrhoden.

Appenzell Ausserrhoden is located in the north east of Switzerland. Together with the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden, it forms an enclave within the canton of St. Gallen. The canton is essentially located in the Alpine foothills of the Alpstein massif, culminating at the Säntis.

Appenzell Ausserrhoden was part of the historical canton of Appenzell, which was divided into Appenzell Innerrhoden (Catholic) and Appenzell Ausserrhoden (Protestant) in 1597 as a result of the Swiss Reformation.