Generally, all nations that were related to the Confederation that were not subjects nor fully fledged cantons were considered associates.

The origin of the German term Zugewandte Orte (literally meaning Facing Places) is unknown, but it was used in 15th century Swiss sources to refer to certain secular and ecclesiastical territories that were subject to contractual agreements with the Confederation without being a full member of the Confederation.

What was always ensured was the enactment of duties, trade, justice, and mediation in terms of conflicts,[2] that latter of which generally enforced by the Federal Diet, in which most associates had representatives in.

While Biel was united by a Burgrecht treaty only to Fribourg, Bern and Solothurn, the cities of Rottweil and Mulhouse were allied to all 13 cantons; nevertheless the latter are the only ones who are no longer currently part of the [Confederacy].

The County of Gruyere, originally an associate, fell bankrupt in 1555, and was partitioned by the cantons of Fribourg and Bern.

[2][6] Due to the extremely vague and undefined nature of the Swiss Associates, they were unique when it came to political affairs.

The surrounding areas also acted as a buffer state, defending the core of the Swiss Confederacy from their rivals.