Switzerland. Canton Ticino. Corippo lies in the Verzasca valley. Claudio Scettrini gives bread to its sheeps. He works in the forest service, and is on the side an alpine farmer, but also the mayor who leads the town council consisting of three local citizens. With a population of just 16, Corippo is the smallest municipality in Switzerland. Despite this, it possesses the trappings of communities many times its size such as its own coat of arms and a town council which is a democratically elected form of government for small municipalities. A council may serve as both the representative and executive branch. The village has maintained its status as an independent entity since its incorporation in 1822. 9.05.13 © 2013 Didier Ruef