Switzerland

Overview

The Swiss Confederation is a landlocked country located at the junction of Western, Central and Southern Europe. It has 26 administrative divisions with their capital at Bern.

The country recorded a population of 8.57 million in 2019 and covers an area of 41,285 km2.

Its capital city is Bern. It is home to the largest church in the country; the Cathedral of St. Vincent built in the late Middle Ages.

Other urban cities are Zurich, Geneva, Basel and Lucerne.

Typical Swiss Landscape.

History

The Swiss Confederation was founded in 1291 after 3 divisions formed an alliance to withstand the external control.

Its borders were formed in 1815 at the Congress of Vienna. It remained neutral during the Second World War.

The women voting rights were passed in 1971.

The country became a member of the European Union in 2002.

Food & culture

Swiss culture is diverse and is influenced by that of Germans, French and Italians.

The crops grown in the country are sugar beets, potatoes, cereals and rye. The popular dishes include cheese fondue, raclette, rosti, Swiss chocolate, Swiss cheese and Alplermagronen.

Wildlife

Common wildlife animals found in the country are chamois, red deer, wolves, golden eagle, lynx, ibex, bearded vulture and brown bear.

Festivals & events

The events held in Switzerland include Swiss National Day held on 1st August, Jazz Festival, International Balloon Festival, Paleo Festival, and Geneva International Motor Show.

Things to see

Jungfraujoch is a saddle on the Bernese Alps which connects two 4,000 peaks with a height of 3,46 m above sea level.

Lake Lucerne is the fourth largest lake in the country with unique shape; is has numerous sharp bends and four arms.

The Rhine falls is a known powerful waterfall in Europe located on the High Rhine Switzerland.

Other interesting places to visit are Chillon Castle, Mount Pilatus, Jungfrau, Matterhorn and Lake Geneva.

Interesting facts

The headquarters of FIFA is situated at Zurich City in Switzerland.

The country is the highest producer of chocolate in the world along with the US, Germany and Belgium.

The official languages are German, Romansh, French and Italian.

The official religion is Roman Catholicism.

City guides

• BernCapital city
• GenevaInternational city on Lake Geneva
• ZurichSwitzerland's lakeside city of art and banking

Cities & towns I’ve visited

• Bern
• Geneva
• Lausanne
• Zurich

Famous hikes in Switzerland

Run a marathon in Switzerland

Zurich Marathon

Zurich · usually April

A flat course along the shores of Lake Zurich with the Alps on the horizon on a clear day.

Dates move from year to year, so check the race website before you book.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Switzerland

1 of 13 visited. See every site I've been to.

• Old City of Bern 1983
• Abbey of Saint Gall 1983
• Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe 2007
• Glarus thrust 2008
• Jungfrau-Aletsch protected area 2001
• La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle, Watchmaking Town Planning 2009
• Lavaux 2007
• Monte San Giorgio 2003
• prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps 2011
• Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Landscapes 2008
• Saint John Abbey 1983
• The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier 2016
• Three Castles of Bellinzona 2000

My photos from Switzerland

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Plan your trip to Switzerland

• HotelsBooking.com
• Tours and ticketsGetYourGuide
• FlightsKiwi.com
• Attraction ticketsTiqets
• Airport parking, lounges and transfersHoliday Extras
• Car hireAuto Europe
• Mobile data (eSIM)AiraloCode DAN9406 for money off
• GuidebooksAmazon

Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. More about this.

Neighbours

• Austria
• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Liechtenstein