(rather over ), and of the lake of Zürich (), and several small lakes wholly within its limits. The mountains of the canton include part of a thrust fault that was declared a geologic UNESCO World Heritage Site, under the name Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona, in 2008. Political subdivisions Constituencies Since 2003 the canton is subdivided into 8 constituencies (Wahlkreise) replacing the districts (Bezirke). Rheintal with capital Altstätten Rorschach with capital Rorschach Sarganserland with capital Sargans See-Gaster with capital Rapperswil-Jona St. Gallen with capital St. Gallen Toggenburg with capital Lichtensteig Werdenberg with capital Buchs Wil with capital Wil Municipalities There are 77 municipalities in the canton (). Politics Federal election results FDP before 2009, FDP.The Liberals after 2009 "*" indicates that the party was not on the ballot in this canton. Part of the GPS Demographics 88% of the population is German-speaking. The main centres of population are the capital St. Gallen (69,700 inhabitants), Rapperswil-Jona (27,000), Wil (17,500) and Gossau (17,000). , the population included 97,461 foreigners, or about 20.9% of the total population. The majority of the population () is Roman Catholic (52%) while a large minority is Protestant (28%). Historical population The historical population is given in the following table: Economy Agricultural activity consists predominantly of dairy farming and cattle breeding in the mountainous areas. In the plains fruit and wine production are important, but there is also mixed farming. Industries of the canton include optical goods, pyrotechnics, chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Tourism plays an important role in the many resorts. There is a thermal spa in Bad Ragaz and another in St. Margrethen and a great number of winter sports facilities. Education Higher educational institutions include the Hochschule für Technik Rapperswil and the University of St. Gallen. Notes and references External links Official website stadt Restaurant st Gallen spitze BusreszaurantsNSr Gallen Cantons of Switzerland Cantons of the Helvetic Republic 1803 establishments in Switzerland States and territories established in 1803