Gland, Switzerland

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Gland
Country	Switzerland
Canton	Vaud
District	Nyon
Coordinates	46°25′N, 06°16′E
Population	10,775 (2005)
- Density	1,298 /km² (501 /sq.mi.)
Area	8.30 km² (3.2 sq mi)
Elevation	432 m (1,417 ft)
Postal code	1196
SFOS number	5721
Mayor	Gérald Cretegny
Surrounded by	Begnins, Dully, Luins, Nernier (FR-74), Prangins, Vich, Yvoire (FR-74)
Website	www.gland.ch
Gland

Gland is a municipality in the district of Nyon in the canton of Vaud in Switzerland.

Even though French is the main language, there are over 80 nationalities living in this city with a population of 10,775 (2005). Since it is ideally located halfway between the cities of Geneva and Lausanne, many international companies and organizations settled there, among others Sun Microsystems, the World Conservation Union (IUCN), the Ramsar Convention and World Wide Fund for Nature.

Gland is known to have been a prehistoric settlement. During the Roman period a farm called Villa Glanis was there. Until the 1960s, Gland was merely a small farming village (essentially vineyards and cattle). The opening of the highway linking Geneva with Lausanne brought many commuters to this quiet place. It is only since the mid-1980s that Gland has started to grow into a city with its own businesses and shopping centers.

In the 1930s, the Toblerone line, a defensive line, was built at the edge of Gland. Its purpose was to stop a tank invasion from the west.

It is also the home of Seven time Formula 1 World Champion, Michael Schumacher