1. A subdivision of a canton, especially in Switzerland; a half-canton or semi-independent district within a larger canton.
Usage: chiefly Swiss administrative context; also called half-canton

Examples

• Basel-Landschaft is a demicanton that separated from Basel-Stadt in 1833.
• Switzerland has several demicantons with their own local governments.
• The demicanton system allows smaller regions to maintain autonomy within the larger canton structure.
• Appenzell Ausserrhoden functions as a demicanton in northeastern Switzerland.