Subdivisions of Switzerland difficulties maintaining the civil services they need to perform the duties they are required to do. In an effort to reduce expenses, many municipalities are combining together (through mergers or the creation of special-purpose districts). This restructuring is generally encouraged by the cantonal governments and the rate of these unions is increasing. "Cities" ("villes" or "Städte") are the municipalities with more than 10'000 inhabitants or smaller places which had medieval town rights. There is no specific designation for smaller communities such as "village" or "town". Some subdivisions that exist are: Subdivisions of Switzerland The Swiss Confederation comprises the 26 cantons
Flags and arms of cantons of Switzerland church. Losing the banner to an enemy force was a great shame and invited mockery from other cantons. Pope Julius II in recognition of the support he received from Swiss mercenaries against France in 1512 granted the Swiss the title of "Ecclesiasticae libertatis defensores" and gave them two large banners, besides a blessed sword and hat. Papal legate Matthias Schiner in addition gave to the Swiss cantons and their associates a total of 42 costly silk banners with augmentations, the so-called "Juliusbanner". Some of these banners survive, of the cantonal ones notably those of Zürich and Solothurn. The fashion of