Schwyz is another founding member of the Swiss Confederation, whose name derives from the old-German word "swedan"(to burn). It was mentioned in 972 and its name reminds of the times, when the region's residents burnt the woods in order to use the land for agriculture. 

For the Habsburger from Austria Schwyz was the nearest founding canton, giving the confederation of the thre cantons its name, which led to the name Switzerland in the end.

The canton of Schwyz borders partly to the Lake Lucerne and has a population of about 155 800 residents, which are mainly German-speaking and catholic. This was the only allowed religion of the canton Schwyz after the battle of Kappel, where protestant reformed and roman-catholic regions fought against each other in 1531. 

The Swiss brand Victorinox is known worldwide for its Swiss Army knives and is the biggest employer in the canton.