Grafschaft VS

Grafschaft is a former municipality in the district of Goms in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. In 2000 the municipality was created with the merger of Biel (VS), Ritzingen and Selkingen. On 1 January 2017 the former municipalities of Grafschaft, Blitzingen, Münster-Geschinen, Niederwald and Reckingen-Gluringen merged into the new municipality of Goms.HistoryGrafschaft was created in 2000 through the merger of Biel, Ritzingen and Selkingen. Biel was first mentioned in 1277 as Buele. Starting in the 13th Century, Ritzingen gradually became a municipality. By the 16th Century the traditional practices and pastures of the farmers were finally codified into laws. Selkingen was first mentioned in 1374 as villa de Selgingen.GeographyGrafschaft had an area, of 22.6km2. Of this area, 27.7% is used for agricultural purposes, while 20.4% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 1.6% is settled (buildings or roads) and 50.4% is unproductive land.Coat of armsThe blazon of the municipal coat of arms is Azure a Crozier Or issuiant from base surrounded with three Mullets of five of the same.DemographicsGrafschaft had a population of 206., 7.6% of the population are resident foreign nationals. Over the last 10 years (1999–2009 ) the population has changed at a rate of -4.3%. It has changed at a rate of 3.4% due to migration and at a rate of -3.4% due to births and deaths.