Switzerland. Swiss Confederation Where is Switzerland located?

The name of this country, which has picturesque lands in the very center of Europe, has long become a household name: “you just have Switzerland here” - that’s really a compliment!

Fabulous snowy Alps, blue mirrors of lakes, ancient cities, delicious cheese, famous chocolate, and the best, according to experts, wine - and we have not yet said a word about the watch industry, reliable banks, devotion to tradition and much more, which makes up the image of Switzerland.

Eight regions, twenty-six cantons, four official state languages, own currency, ability to remain neutral...

Such a small country, but there is enough pride and independence for several large ones! Among other things, Switzerland is also one of the richest countries in the world - literally and figuratively. The standard of living and income here are high, but Switzerland can be no less proud of its “human resource” - Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Le Corbusier, Giacometti and Paul Klee were born here, Albert Einstein, Hermann Hesse, Vladimir Nabokov and Friedrich Dürrenmatt worked here. It is in Switzerland that the European headquarters of the UN and the leadership of the Red Cross are located, the Swiss Guard protects the Vatican and the Pope, in general, this country has something to brag about in addition to “external data”, which, however, is also very impressive...

Go skiing in Zermatt or St. Moritz, sail on a pleasure boat on Lake Geneva from Lausanne to Chillon Castle, get lost in the old streets of Zurich and look at live bears in Bern, admire the bridges of Lucerne and the waterfalls of Mitteland, ride along the historical railway, admiring views of meadows, high mountain peaks and lakes - this is the minimum program for a tourist discovering Switzerland for the first time.

You will be surprised at how many surprises this country holds, and yours will definitely be added to the list of expected impressions. own discoveries. Walk through the Ars Gorge, buy a ticket to Locarno, visit the Nietzsche Museum in Sils Maria... Behind the outwardly restrained, refined appearance hides a powerful, passionate nature - such is Switzerland.

Cultural characteristics

Switzerland is distinguished by its diversity of nationalities and officially used languages - there are four of them: German, French, Italian and Romansh. Natives of other countries have enriched the culture of Switzerland and formed unique customs and traditions.

Local residents are usually thorough and do everything with tact and order; they are pedantic and reserved. On the other hand, the Swiss know how to relax and behave quite freely, but they know moderation in everything.

The traditional characteristic of Swiss residents is their hard work, and they make every effort to complete the job as accurately as possible.

The Swiss take great care of the appearance of their homes and gardens. Almost all window sills are decorated with flowers, and cornices and plant boxes are attached to the walls of houses.

Residents are also sensitive to cleanliness, ecology, and waste recycling. The latter is even spelled out in legislation, so this is not just a personal desire for cleanliness, but the responsibility of everyone.

In Switzerland, it is customary to respect everyone's privacy. Strangers don’t talk to each other unless absolutely necessary, but you shouldn’t mistake this for stiffness—it’s respect for your neighbors. You cannot blame the Swiss for impoliteness; they never forget to say hello or thank you.

National holidays

January 1 - New Year;
January 2 - Berthold's Day;
March 28 - April 22 - Good Friday;
April 5 - April 25 (the first Sunday and Monday after the vernal equinox) - Easter and Easter Monday;
May 8 - June 13 - Ascension;
18 -19 - Trinity and Spiritual Day;
June 11 - Feast of Corpus Christi;
August 1-2 - Day of the Swiss Confederation;
November 1 - All Saints' Day;
December 25—Christmas.

Kitchen

Like culture, Swiss cuisine is a mixture of several traditions: German, French and Italian. In addition, it is directly related to the traditions of conducting Agriculture. So all the dishes are borrowed, but with a characteristic twist.

Cheeses are one of the important ingredients in many dishes.

The most famous Swiss cheeses are the beloved Emmental and Gruyère.

One of the most popular local dishes is cheese fondue, invented by Alpine shepherds. The shepherds dipped pieces of bread into the remains of cheese mixed with garlic and white wine. Nowadays this dish is prepared from all kinds of cheeses, but also with the addition of garlic and wine and served in a cauldron. The Swiss consider fondue their national dish.

The taste preferences of the Swiss often depend on their national roots. The Italian speaking population prefers a variety of pastas, risotto or ravioli. And German-speaking residents are fans of various sausages, difficult-to-prepare rösti - a dish made from grated potatoes, and sausages.

Everyone knows that Switzerland produces excellent chocolate, and for its residents it is more than just a delicacy.

The history of this dessert goes back at least three thousand years, and now chocolate is of great importance in the country's economy. The residents themselves consume more than 12 kg of chocolate per year and break world records for its consumption.

Switzerland serves many original and delicious dishes that you will definitely want to try, and you will definitely want to bring the recipes with you from your trip.

Shopping

Shopping in Switzerland is varied and will definitely bring you pleasure. Traditionally, this country is associated with chocolate, cheese and watches.

Indeed, all these products are different highest quality, and, as for gastronomy, also with excellent refined taste. Therefore, at a minimum, be sure to bring home a few bars of everyone’s favorite dessert and you definitely won’t regret it.

It is curious that the cow is a highly revered animal in this country, and therefore here you can find many souvenirs with its image: figurines made of wood and porcelain, plush toys, dishes and much more.

A real army knife with big amount additional functions, and for a girl you can buy a small music box in the form of a chalet house.

When looking for a more expensive souvenir, pay attention to the jewelry company Gubelin, where craftsmen create original and incredibly elegant jewelry.

Visa

The validity period of a passport for obtaining a visa and for entering the country - is there a difference? To obtain a visa to Switzerland, the passport must be valid for at least three months after the visa expires. To enter the country, the passport must be valid for three months after the end of the trip. . Is it possible to enter the country if a valid visa is in an already invalid passport? Yes, the rules for entry into the EU and Schengen territory allow tourists to enter with an old passport with a visa and a new one without a visa. The main thing is that the owner’s information in both passports matches. The border crossing stamp is placed in the new passport. . Documents that you should pay special attention to when applying for a visa All persons requesting a visa must be included in the hotel reservation. Please note the insurance policy - handwritten insurance is not accepted. The policy itself must be valid for 15 days longer than the planned stay in Schengen. . What documents can increase the chance of receiving? During winter trips to ski resorts The insurance policy must have a clause on extreme sports. There are no other special requirements for documents. There are also no special documents that can influence the decision on your visa. . Where to find full list visa documents? A list of documents, as well as information on how and where to submit an application, and how to then obtain a passport with a ready-made visa, is on the website of the Swiss visa center in Russia and on the website of the Swiss Embassy. . How to avoid pitfalls in a visa application and get a long visa?... Read more

How to get there

Getting to Switzerland is not difficult - Aeroflot flights depart daily from Moscow to Geneva and Zurich, as well as the national Swiss carrier Swiss. In addition, with transfers you can fly on Lufthansa (via Frankfurt to Geneva and Zurich), AirBaltic (via Riga to Zurich), Pegasus and Turkish Airlines(via Istanbul to Geneva, Zurich and Basel), Belavia (to Geneva). Almost all airports fly to Swiss airports... Read more

Border nuances

Every tourist entering Switzerland must have a passport with a valid visa, health insurance. Migration service employees may also require a return ticket or documents confirming the purpose of the visit (for example, a hotel reservation). When entering by car, in addition to your license and registration certificate, you will need... Read more

Customs

Non-EU citizens can bring into Switzerland duty-free up to 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, 250 grams of tobacco, up to 1 liter of spirits or up to 2 liters of strong wines and up to 4 liters of table wine. Fuel (gasoline, diesel fuel) - full car tank + 10 liters in a canister. Other goods for personal use - up to... Read more

Car rental

All major global car rental brands are represented in Switzerland, and there are also many local rental companies with a good fleet of cars. It is better to book a car in advance online through the websites of rental aggregators - in this case, the rental cost will be one third cheaper than what the websites of rent-a-car companies offer. Standard requirements are that the driver must be over 21 years old and have at least 3 years of driving experience. Definitely needed bank card, in which a certain amount (usually from 600 EUR) is blocked as a deposit until the car is returned. A nuance of registering a car in Swiss companies is that the cost of a full tank of fuel is often already included in the rental price. This means that you have the right to return the car with an empty tank. Driving in Switzerland is on the right. The roads are in excellent condition, even those marked on the map as country roads. However, it is worth remembering that there are many mountain roads here - special care must be taken when traveling in winter; in high mountainous areas it is necessary to use chains. In Switzerland there are many ... Read more

Transport within the country

Swiss transport is like a Swiss watch - although it has a complex mechanism, it works almost without failure. All types of transport (buses, trams, ferries, city and intercity trains, funiculars), with the exception of air, are combined into a single Swiss Travel System. There are more than 10 types of different travel tickets, allowing ... Read more

Safety

Switzerland is one of the most safe countries in the world. Residential areas are not densely populated; in any canton of the country, parents calmly send their children to school without additional accompaniment, adults go on an evening or night promenade without fear.... Read more

Connection

Mobile operators Swisscom Ltd is the largest GSM 900/1800 cellular operator, serving about 5.5 million subscribers...

The area of Switzerland is quite small even by European standards. However, this small country plays a fairly significant role in world processes. and the foreign policy of this state, which have provided unprecedented stability for more than one hundred and fifty years, can be considered unique. Let's briefly study the history, find out the area and some other nuances associated with this country.

Geographical location of Switzerland

Before considering the area of Switzerland, as well as some other issues, let's find out where this state is located.

Switzerland is located in the heart of Western Europe, on the territory of a mountain range called the Alps. In the east it borders with Austria and Liechtenstein, in the south with Italy, in the west with France, and in the north it touches Germany.

The nature of most of Switzerland is mountainous. In the west of the country there is a fairly large Lake Geneva.

The capital of Switzerland is the city of Bern.

History before the formation of an independent state

Now let's take a brief look at the history of Switzerland. Settlements in these places have been known since Paleolithic times. During the Neolithic period, there was a cultural community here that built its houses on stilts.

In ancient times, the mountainous part of the country in the east was inhabited by the Rhetian tribes, who were considered related to the Italian Etruscans. It was from the Romanized representatives of this tribe that one of the modern ethnic groups of Switzerland came - the Romans.

Also, starting from the 13th century BC. e., Celtic peoples began to penetrate here. Before the Roman conquest, the west of modern Switzerland was inhabited by the Celtic-speaking tribes of the Helvetii and Allobroges, and the east by the Vindelici.

In 58 BC. e. The Helvetians and Allobroges were conquered by the great Roman commander Julius Caesar, and after his death under Octavian Augustus in 15-13 BC. e. The Rheta and Vindeliki were conquered.

The captured territories were thus included in the Roman Empire. The territory of modern Switzerland was divided between the provinces of Raetia and Upper Germany, and a small area near Geneva was part of Narbonese Gaul. Later, another province, Vindelizia, was separated from Raetia in the north. The region began to gradually become Romanized, significant Roman buildings, roads, cities were built here, when the power of the empire was declining, Christianity began to penetrate here.

Already in 264 AD, the Germanic tribe of the Alemanni invaded the territory of modern western Switzerland. At the beginning of the 5th century they finally captured the east of the country. In 470, the west of Switzerland became part of the kingdom of another Germanic tribe - the Burgundians, who, however, were Christians. If the Alemanni completely destroyed traces of Romanization on their territory, exterminating, expelling and assimilating the local population, the Burgundians, on the contrary, were quite loyal to the locals, which contributed to the predominance of the Roman population in the lands under their control. This division is reflected even in modern times: the western French-speaking population of Switzerland are mainly descendants of the inhabitants of the country of the Roman period, and the eastern German-speaking population are descendants of the Alemanni.

In addition, after 478, the south of Switzerland fell successively under the rule of the Germanic kingdoms of the Ostrogoths and Lombards, the center of which was in Italy. But the Ostrogoths also did not forcefully Germanize the population, so Romansh and Italians currently live in this part of the country.

It should be noted that the prevention of mixing of the above ethnic groups and military invasions was prevented by the natural division of Switzerland by the Alps into relatively isolated areas.

In the 8th century total area Switzerland was again united within the Frankish state. But already in the 9th century it fell apart. Switzerland was again divided between several states: Upper Burgundy, Italy and Germany. But in the 11th century, the German king managed to create one that included the entire area of Switzerland. However, soon the imperial power weakened, and in reality these lands began to be ruled by local feudal lords from the families of the Zerengens, Kyburgs, Habsburgs and others, who exploited the local population. The Habsburgs became especially strong after the title of Holy Roman Emperor passed into their hands at the end of the 13th century.

Struggle for independence

It was the struggle against these lords, mainly the Habsburgs, that served as the beginning of the unification of the disparate Swiss regions into a single independent state. In 1291, a military alliance was concluded “for eternity” between representatives of the three cantons (regions) of Switzerland - Schwyz, Uri and Unterwalden. From this date it is customary to keep a record of Swiss statehood. From this moment on, an active struggle of the people began against the Habsburgs, representatives of the imperial administration and feudal lords. The famous legend of William Tell dates back to the initial stage of this struggle.

In 1315, the first major clash occurred between the Swiss and the Habsburg army. It was called the Battle of Morgarten. Then the Swiss managed to defeat the enemy army, which was several times larger in number and also consisted of knights. It is with this event that the first mention of the name “Switzerland” is associated. This happened due to the erroneous extension of the name of the canton of Schwyz to the territory of the entire union. Immediately after the victory, the treaty of alliance was renewed.

Subsequently, the Union continued to operate successfully against the Habsburgs. This has attracted other areas to join. By 1353, the Union already had eight cantons, since Zurich, Bern, Zug, Lucerne and Glarus were added to the original three.

In 1386 and 1388, the Swiss inflicted two more significant defeats on the Habsburgs at the battles of Sempach and Näfels. This led to peace being concluded in 1389 for 5 years. Then it was extended for 20 and 50 years. The Habsburgs effectively renounced the rights of seigneurs regarding the eight allied cantons, although they continued to be part of the Holy Roman Empire. This state of affairs continued until 1481, that is, almost 100 years.

In 1474-1477, Switzerland was drawn into the Burgundian War in alliance with France and Austria. In 1477, in the decisive battle of Nancy, the Swiss defeated the troops of the Duke of Burgundy and he himself died in this battle. This victory significantly increased the international authority of Switzerland. Its warriors began to be valued as excellent mercenaries, which had a positive effect on the country's economy. In this capacity they serve the French king, the Duke of Milan, the Pope and other sovereigns. In the Vatican, the Guard of the Holy See is still staffed by the Swiss. There are more and more lands wanting to join the Union, but the old cantons are not too eager to expand their borders.

Eventually, a renewed treaty was concluded in 1481. Two more cantons were accepted as members of the Union - Solothurn and Fribourg. The area of Switzerland expanded, and the number of cantons was increased to ten. In 1499, victory was won in the war with the Swabian League, supported by the emperor. After this, an agreement was concluded, which actually marked the exit of Switzerland from the Holy Roman Empire. But legally, the emperor has not yet renounced his claims. In 1501, Basel and Schaffhausen were admitted as cantons to the Union, and in 1513, Appenzel. The number of lands reached thirteen.

Meanwhile, in the 15th century, the Reformation, a group of Christian religious teachings that denied the primacy of the Pope in the spiritual world, was sweeping across Europe. The founder of one of the leading movements of the Reformation, John Calvin, lived and died in the city of Geneva for a long time. Another outstanding reformer, Ulrich Zwingli, was a native of St. Gallen. The reform was accepted by many European sovereigns and princes. But she was opposed by the Holy Roman Emperor. For this reason, in 1618, a pan-European ode broke out. In 1648, the Peace of Westphalia was signed, in which the emperor recognized his defeat and the right of the princes to choose the religion for their land, and the exit of Switzerland from the Holy Roman Empire was legally secured. Now it has become a completely independent state.

Independent Switzerland

However, Switzerland at that time could only relatively be considered a single state. Each canton had its own legislation, territorial division, the right to conclude international agreements. It was more like a military-political union than a full-fledged state.

In 1795, a revolution began in Switzerland, supported externally by Napoleonic France. The French occupied the country, and in 1798 a unitary state was created here - the Helvetic Republic. After the Allied victory over Napoleon in 1815, the previous structure returned to Switzerland with minor changes, although the number of cantons was increased to 22, and later to 26. But a movement for the centralization of power began to rise in the country. In 1848, a new Constitution was adopted. According to it, Switzerland, although it continued to be called a Confederation, was actually turning into a full-fledged government. The neutral status of the country was immediately secured. This became the key to the fact that from now on Switzerland has become one of the most peaceful and tranquil corners of the world. Located in the heart of Europe, destroyed by the First and Second World Wars, this state is almost the only one that did not suffer during the tragic events. Indeed, only Sweden and the territory of Switzerland were free from war in Europe. The area of the country was not damaged by enemy bombs or invasions of foreign armies.

Industry and the banking sector were actively developing in the country. This allowed Switzerland to become a world leader in the provision of financial services, and the standard of living of citizens of the Alpine state became one of the highest on the planet.

Switzerland area

Now let's find out what the area of Switzerland is. This indicator is the basic criterion for further analysis. On this moment The area of Switzerland is 41.3 thousand square meters. km. This is the 133rd indicator among all countries in the world.

For comparison, the area alone Volgograd region is 112.9 thousand square meters. km.

Administrative divisions of Switzerland

In administrative-territorial terms, Switzerland is divided into 20 cantons and 6 semi-cantons, which, in general, is equal to 26 subjects of the confederation.

The largest cantons in area are the cantons of Graubünden (7.1 thousand sq. km), Bern (6.0 thousand sq. km) and Valais (5.2 thousand sq. km).

Population

The total population in the country is about 8 million people. This is the 95th indicator in the world.

But what population density does Switzerland have? The area of the country and the population, which we established above, make it easy to calculate this indicator. It is equal to 188 people/sq. km.

Ethnic composition

In the country, 94% of residents consider themselves ethnic Swiss. This does not prevent them from speaking different languages. Thus, 65% of the population are German-speaking, 18% are French-speaking and 10% are Italian-speaking.

In addition, about 1% of the population are Romansh.

Religion

During the Middle Ages and Modern times, Switzerland became a real arena of struggle between Protestants and Catholics. Now passions have subsided and there is no religious confrontation in the country. About 50% of the population are Protestants - Catholics.

In addition, Switzerland has small Jewish and Muslim communities.

general characteristics

We found out the area of Switzerland in square meters. km, population and history of this country. As we see, it has had a long journey from a disunited union of cantons to a single state. The history of Switzerland can serve as an example of how culturally, religiously, ethnically and linguistically disparate communities can be united into a single nation.

The success of the Swiss development model is confirmed by its economic indicators and more than 150 years of peace in the country.

Useful information for tourists about Switzerland, cities and resorts of the country. As well as information about the population, currency of Switzerland, cuisine, features of visa and customs restrictions in Switzerland.

Geography of Switzerland

The Swiss Confederation is a state in central Europe bordering Germany, France, Italy, Austria and Liechtenstein.

Almost all of Switzerland lies in the Alps and Jura mountains. The highest peak is Peak Dufour (4634 m) in the south of the country.

State

State structure

A federal republic (confederation) consisting of 23 cantons, each of which has its own constitution, parliament and government. The head of state is the president. The legislative body is the bicameral Federal Assembly (National Council and Council of Cantons). Executive power is exercised by the Federal Council (government) of 7 federal councilors (ministers).

Language

Official language: German, French, Italian

In the northeast of the country they speak Retro-Roman. Most Swiss people speak English language.

Religion

About 48% are Catholics, 46% are Protestants, 6% profess other religions.

Currency

International name: CHF

The Swiss franc is equal to 100 centimes (rappen in German Switzerland). There are banknotes in circulation in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 francs, as well as coins in 5, 2, 1 franc, 50, 20, 10 and 5 centimes.

Many stores accept convertible currencies, and all major credit cards and traveler's checks are accepted. You can change money at any bank branch, in the evening - at exchange offices major department stores, airports and some travel agencies. It is better to change money abroad, since in Switzerland itself the exchange rate of the national currency is overvalued.

History of Switzerland

The history of Switzerland dates back to the 12th millennium BC. It was then that the territory covered with eternal snow, under the pressure of global warming, began to become free of ice. Gradually the white cover changed to green, and the “revived” earth found its first inhabitants from the human race.

In ancient times, Switzerland was inhabited by the Celtic tribes of the Helvetii, hence its ancient name - Helvetia. Around the 1st century BC, after the campaigns of Julius Caesar, the country was conquered by the Romans and gained worldwide fame. In the 5th century AD, during the era of the Great Migration, it was captured by the Alemanni, Burgundians and Ostrogoths; in the 6th century - the Franks. In the 11th century, Switzerland became part of the “Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation.”

Initially, the Swiss were not a single nation; Switzerland itself was a union of communities (cantons) striving for self-government. At the beginning of August 1291, the peasants of the forest cantons of Schwyz, Uri and Unterwalden, living on the shores of Lake Vierwaldstät, entered into an alliance with each other and swore an oath to help each other in the fight against the rule of the Habsburg dynasty; in a stubborn struggle they defended their independence. The Swiss celebrate this joyful event to this day: August 1 is the Swiss National Day - fireworks and fireworks illuminate the Swiss sky in memory of the events of more than seven centuries ago.

For two centuries, Swiss troops defeated the feudal armies of dukes, kings and kaisers. Provinces and cities began to join the original union. The united allies sought to expel the Habsburgs, gradually expanding their borders. In 1499, after the victory over Kaiser Maximilian I of Habsburg, Switzerland was freed from imperial rule. In 1513, there were already 13 cantons in the union. Each canton was absolutely sovereign - there was no common army, no common constitution, no capital, no central government.

In the 16th century, a severe crisis occurred in Switzerland. The reason for this was a schism in the Christian church. Geneva and Zurich became centers of activity for the Protestant reformers Calvin and Zwingli. In 1529, a religious war began in Switzerland. Only a serious danger coming from outside prevented the complete collapse of the state. In 1798, the French invaded Switzerland and transformed it into the unitary Helvetic Republic. For fifteen years the country was under their rule. The situation changed only in 1815, when the Swiss introduced their own constitution with equal rights for 22 sovereign cantons. In the same year, the Vienna Peace Congress recognized the “permanent neutrality” of Switzerland and defined its borders, which are still inviolable. However, the unity of the union of cantons was not reliably ensured by the organization of a sufficiently strong central government. Only under the constitution of 1948 did the fragile union turn into a single state - federal Switzerland.

Popular attractions

Tourism in Switzerland

Where to stay

Switzerland is a country with high level life, which did not bypass such an area as travel business. All hotels in this country have their own classification and are characterized by a high level of service.

The highest category - Swiss Deluxe - includes hotels located in old historical buildings, completely restored and adapted to the needs of the guests. The windows of such a room will offer a beautiful view, and the interior will delight the eye with sophistication. Hotels in this category have not only first-class restaurants, but also golf courses, spa centers and much more.

The SWISS Quality standard includes five classes of hotels (similar to stars), which are located in large or resort towns. Five stars, or SWISS Quality Excellence, is awarded to hotels with a high level of service, careful attention to interior design, high-quality restaurants, etc.

Four stars, or SWISS Quality Superior, are hotels in which, in addition to special comfort, guests will be offered the use of a restaurant, a modern conference room, a gym or spa services. Hotels awarded three stars also offer good service and are suitable for both tourist groups and businessmen.

Campsites in Switzerland, which are located in picturesque corners of the country, are also rated from 1 to 5 stars. Please note that unauthorized accommodation outside the campsite is fraught with a police visit and a fine.

In small towns you can rent a room in private hotels or live in a real peasant house. For those who prefer some extreme sports, there is the opportunity to spend the night in a real hayloft.

Mountain chalets are very popular in winter. However, keep in mind that they must be ordered in advance.

Popular hotels

Excursions and attractions in Switzerland

Elegance and impeccability - this is how you can describe Switzerland in a nutshell. This amazing country V Western Europe with stunning natural landscapes and breathtakingly magnificent scenery. Switzerland is the majestic Alps with densely forested slopes, snow-capped peaks and world-famous ski centers, the picturesque Jura Mountains, numerous rivers and lakes with clear water, stunningly beautiful glaciers and waterfalls, as well as banks, watches, cheese and delicious chocolate! Switzerland is also famous for its abundance of interesting historical, architectural and cultural attractions.

The de facto capital of Switzerland, as well as the political center of the country, is the picturesque city of Bern, located in the valley of the Aare River. Of particular interest is the historical center of the city (included in the list world heritage UNESCO) with its charming medieval streets with multiple arcades, fountains, beautiful architectural structures and a lot of attractions. Among the most interesting sights of Bern it is worth noting Cathedral, clock tower, the Town Hall, the Parliament building, the Niedegkirche church, the Historical Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Bear Pit and the magnificent Rose Garden. No less interesting are the Albert Einstein House Museum, the Museum of Antiques, the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, the Dutch Tower, Botanical Garden and, of course, the famous Berne fountains - “Child Eater”, “Zähringer”, “Messenger”, “Moses”, “Anna Sailer” and others.

Particularly popular among tourists is Zurich, the largest city in Switzerland, a global financial center and cultural life countries. The city is located in a picturesque valley on the banks of Lake Zurich and the Limmat River. Zurich is a city of museums and galleries, beautiful architectural and historical monuments, fashionable shops and fashionable restaurants, with a vibrant nightlife and an abundance of various cultural events(festivals, concerts, theatrical and musical performances, exhibitions, etc.). You should definitely take a stroll through the narrow medieval streets of the “old town”, which are built up charming houses V gothic style with many cozy cafes, excellent pastry shops and antique shops. Among the main attractions of Zurich it is worth highlighting the Grossmünster Cathedral, the Fraumünster Church, St. Peter's Church, the Town Hall, the Swiss National Museum, the Zurich House of Arts (Kunsthaus), the University, Lindenhof and Opera theatre– one of the best theaters in Europe. Also worth visiting are the Wasserkirche and Predigerkirche churches, the Dinosaur Museum, the Toy Museum, the Tram Museum, the Emil Bührle Foundation Collection and the Zoo. Enjoy amazing panoramic views You can visit Zurich and its surroundings from the observation deck on Mount Utliberg.

Of course, such interesting sights as Chillon Castle, a few kilometers from the famous Swiss resort of Montreux, the castles of Bellinzona and the Benedictine Monastery of St. John in the village of Müstair, also deserve special attention. However, you will get a lot of pleasure and unforgettable impressions by visiting such charming Swiss cities as Geneva, Lausanne, Lucerne, Basel, as well as Neuchâtel, Interlaken, Aarau, Saas-Fee and St. Gallen with its famous monastery.

Among the abundance of natural attractions in Switzerland, it is worth noting the Matterhorn and Pilatus mountains, Lake Geneva, the Jungfrau Mountain and the Aletsch Glacier, the Giessbach Falls, the Trummelbach Falls, the Beatus Caves, Lake Lugano, Lake Lucerne, the Magja Valley, as well as the Rhine and Reichenbach Falls. The Swiss National Park is also very popular.

Tips

Despite the fact that in a restaurant a service charge is included in the bill, if you want to thank for good service, you can leave a few coins to the waiter or round up the payment amount. It is customary to leave 1-2 francs for porters in hotels.

Visa

Office hours

Banks are open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (some until 6 p.m.) on weekdays, with a break from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Once a week, banks are open longer than usual. Currency exchange offices at airports and railway stations open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., often 24 hours a day.

Shops are open on weekdays from 8.30 to 18.30, some are open until 22.00. On Saturday, all shops are open from 8.00 to 12.00 and from 14.00 to 16.00. major cities Some shops are open without a lunch break, but are closed on Monday in the first half of the day.

Purchases

Value added tax (VAT) in Switzerland is 7.5%. In hotels and restaurants, all taxes are included in the bill. For purchases over CHF 500 in one store, you can receive a VAT refund. To do this, you need to get a “Tax-free Shopping Check” from the store (a passport is required), according to which you must pay VAT at the bank at the airport or have it stamped when leaving the country. In this case, upon returning home, the stamped form must be sent by mail to receive a VAT refund check. In large stores, VAT is refunded on site upon presentation of your passport.

Safety

The crime rate in Switzerland is very low. However, you should beware of pickpockets and bag snatchers.

Emergency numbers

Police - 117
Fire services - 118
Ambulance - 14

Questions and feedback about Switzerland

Question answer

The territory of Switzerland is small and amounts to only 41,285 km 2 (133rd place in the world). The territory of Russia is 17,075,400 km 2 (1st place). That is, Switzerland is approximately 413 times smaller than Russia in area. 8,391,000 people live in this territory - less than in Moscow. The population density in Switzerland is 203 people per square kilometer. This alpine country is one of the most populous countries in Western Europe.

In Russia, this figure is more modest: only 8 inhabitants per square kilometer. However, these data are relative. After all, the population density in Moscow goes beyond 4.5 thousand inhabitants per square kilometer.

Division of territory

23.9% of Switzerland's territory is agricultural land, 13% is occupied by highland livestock farming. Settlements 6.8% of the territory is occupied. 25.5% of the country's area - primarily in the Alps and the Jura mountain range - is classified as "unproductive natural area". And about 30.8% of Switzerland's area is occupied by forests and copses.

Length of Swiss borders

The highest point in Switzerland is Peak Dufour (German: Dufourspitze, French: Pointe Dufour), located in the Pennine Alps, with a height of 4,634 meters. In total, Switzerland has more than 3,350 peaks with a height of more than 2,000 meters - the dream of many climbers. 16 most high peaks Switzerland is located in the Vallis Alps. And the lowest point in Switzerland is the shore of Lake Lago Maggiore (Italian: Lago Maggiore) at 193 meters above sea level. The lake is located in Switzerland and Italy. The Swiss state border stretches for 1,935 kilometers. The longest border between Switzerland and Italy is 782 kilometers. The greatest distance from north to south is 220.1 km (from the town of Bargen (German: Bargen) in the canton of Schaffhausen to the town of Chiasso (Italian: Chiasso) in the canton of Tessin), and the greatest distance from west to east is 348.4 km (from the village of Chansi (French) . Chancy) in the canton of Geneva to the town of Münstertal in the canton of Grisons). The protection of the state border in Switzerland is carried out by the GWK border guard corps (German: Grenzwachtkorps, French: Corps des gardes-frontière), subordinate to the state customs department EZV.

Geology and earthquakes

Geologically, the territory of Switzerland is divided into 5 main regions: the Alps, the basis of which is granite, a younger mountain range The Jura is made of limestone, a hilly area of medium height - the Swiss plateau, located between the Alps and the Jura and covering about 30% of the territory of Switzerland, the Padan plain in the southern part of the canton of Ticino, as well as the area around the district of Mendrisio (Italian: Distretto di Mendrisio), also located in southern part of Ticino. The geological structure of Switzerland is the result of the collision of the African and European geological plates. There are earthquakes in Switzerland. At the same time, there are regional characteristics. Most often, earthquakes occur in the cantons of Valais, Basel, St. Gallen, in the regions of Engadin and Mittelbünden (parts of the canton of Graubünden) and in central Switzerland. However, it is impossible to guess this 100%. The last earthquake in Switzerland was on March 6, 2017, with an epicenter in the canton of Glarus and a magnitude of 4.6. No one was injured from the earthquake. And on February 11, 2012, an earthquake of magnitude 4.2 “shook” the canton of Zurich. But in this case there were no casualties or serious damage.

Swiss water reserves

Switzerland has very few mineral resources: gravel, limestone, clay, graphite, granite, rock salt, as well as small reserves of coal and small deposits of iron ores. An important natural resource is fresh water, which is also a source of energy. More than 500 large and small hydroelectric power plants across the country supply two-thirds of the electrical energy needed by industry and the population. Natural water reserves in little Switzerland account for 6% of all water reserves in Europe.

Switzerland is a prosperous, multilingual country and the most mountainous of all European countries. 60% of its territory is occupied by the Alps.

Square: 41,285 km 2

Population: 7 288 000

Capital: Bern (with suburbs - 317,000 people)

Main export items: mechanical engineering products, electronics, chemical products, precision instruments, watches, jewelry

State tuning: republic

Switzerland is bordered to the west by France, to the east by Liechtenstein and Austria, to the north by Germany and to the south by Italy. You're tall Mountain peaks give way to lush green valleys and plateaus. About 20% of the country's territory is covered with forests. The main rivers of the country, the Rhine and Rhone, flow in opposite directions and flow into two different seas - the North and the Mediterranean. In the west of the country, winds from the Atlantic bring a lot of moisture, causing rain. In the east, the climate is drier and with sharper seasonal temperature changes. In general, the climate in the valleys and plains is temperate, while in the lowlands south of the Alps it is warmer.

MOUNTAINS OF SWITZERLAND

More? The country occupies two mountain systems. To the west, the Jura Mountains form a natural border between Switzerland and France. Between the Alps and the Jura lies the Swiss Plateau, a region with an average altitude of 395 m, dotted with numerous low hills. Switzerland contains 1/5 of the entire Alpine mountain system. The Swiss Alps stretch from east to west, occupying almost the entire center and south of the country. The Alps are most picturesque in the southwestern section of the Italian-Swiss border. Famous peaks over 4000 m high include the Matterhorn and Dufour.

AGRICULTURE, TRADE AND TRANSPORT

The Swiss economy had to adapt to geographical location and the terrain of the country to achieve success. The mountainous terrain of the Alpine region is not suitable for agriculture, but thanks to the use of high-intensity technologies in agriculture and livestock farming, the Swiss are fully self-sufficient in many food products, including beef, dairy products and wheat.

Swiss dairy products, cheeses and chocolate are exported to many countries around the world. Apart from the fast-flowing rivers that generate electricity, there are almost no natural resources. The country is forced to import raw materials, process them and use them to produce goods, mostly non-mass and expensive, including watches, medicines, electronics and products self made. The delivery of raw materials and the export of finished goods from the country is carried out along rivers, but mainly through an excellent network of railways and roads. Switzerland, together with other countries, has built road and rail tunnels through mountain ranges. The country is landlocked, but it owns a national fleet of more than 170 merchant ships, which are based in foreign ports and in Basel, a city on the Rhine.

MULTILINGUALISM

Although Switzerland is a small country, its inhabitants speak many languages. 65% of the population speaks German, 18% speaks French and 4% speaks Italian. The Swiss version of the German language is very different from literary German, but in newspapers and printed publications literary German is used. French is most widely spoken in the Geneva region and in the west of the country. The fourth official language is Swiss Romansh, although it is spoken by less than 2% of the population in the southeast of the country.

PEACE-LOVING NATION

Switzerland has not participated in any wars or conflicts for almost 200 years - since 1815 it has maintained political neutrality. The country's internal situation remained stable, and it grew richer as a financial and banking center. These and other service industries employ more than half the workforce. The country is home to a number of major international organizations, including the Red Cross and the World Health Organization, both headquartered in Geneva. The European headquarters of the UN is also located in Switzerland, although the country joined this organization only in 2002.

«Large Illustrated Directory. Countries and continents", Moscow, "Swallowtail", 2005,

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