Appenzell, a N. E. canton of Switzerland, entirely surrounded by the canton of St. Gall; area, 163 sq. m.; pop. in 1870, 60,639. The surface is irregular and hilly, but there are no considerable mountains, except the picturesque range of the Sentis on the southern border. Offshoots of the Alps form parts of the eastern and western boundaries of the canton. The principal stream is the Sitter, a tributary of the Thur. Since 1597 the canton has been divided, by an agreement of the inhabitants, into two independent half-cantons, each containing a certain number of Rhoden (a Swiss word for communes or parishes). The northern and Protestant division, called Outer Rhodes (Ausserrhoden), contains about 100 sq. m. and 48,726 inhabitants, who carry on a considerable commerce, and manufacture cotton. linen, and silks, their silk-weaving and silk embroidery being among the most beautiful work of the kind in Europe. The southern and Roman Catholic division, called Inner Rhodes (Innerrhoden), contains about 52 sq. m. and 11,913 inhabitants, who devote themselves almost entirely to raising cattle, making butter and cheese, and other pastoral industries. Outer Rhodes sends two members to the federal council, and Inner Rhodes one. The capital of Inner Rhodes is Appenzell, a scattered village 6 m.

S. by E. of St. Gall; of Outer Rhodes, Trogen. The inhabitants of both divisions are intelligent and quick of wit to a degree that has given them a celebrity throughout Switzerland; their habits are simple; they are fond of athletic exercises, and are excellent wrestlers and marksmen. - The canton belonged in the 8th century to the Helvetian dominions of the Prankish kings, and shared their fortunes, until in 1292 it was placed by Adolphus of Nassau under the control of the abbey of St. Gall, which had been founded in 720, and had always exercised great authority in its affairs. In consequence of the oppressions of the abbots, a rebellion broke out in 1401, and was renewed at intervals for 50 years, finally resulting in the independence of the people. In 1452 the district joined seven other cantons for the sake of greater safety, and in 1513 it was received as a canton of the Swiss confederation. It derived its name from the monastery of Ab-batis Cella, established by the monks of the abbey of St. Gall.