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Discover Switzerland

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  • Society
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    People

    The main driver of demographic growth in Switzerland over the last few decades has been migration

    Major events

    Throughout the year, Switzerland hosts hundreds of festivals and sporting, cultural and political events. Roughly every 25 years, Switzerland holds a National Exhibition.

    Language

    Switzerland's national languages are German, French, Italian and Romansh – a multilingualism lived out in practice.

    Traditions

    Traditions and customs are an integral part of everyday life in Switzerland.

    Religion

    Switzerland is a Christian country. Around two-thirds of the population are either Roman Catholic or Protestant (Reformed-Evangelical).

    Swiss cuisine

    Swiss cuisine is as varied as its landscape – and yet you'll still find bread and cheese everywhere.

    Culture

    Thanks to its location at the crossroads of three major European cultures (German, French and Italian), Switzerland has a rich and varied arts and culture scene.

    Sport and leisure

    The Swiss are keen sports enthusiasts, especially outdoor pursuits.

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  • History
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    Chronology

    Epochs

    Switzerland evolved over many centuries from a loose alliance of small self-governing towns and states to a fully-fledged federal state of 26 cantons.

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  • Politics
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    Overview

    Federalism and direct democracy reflect the great importance that the Swiss political system places on the freedom of choice and self-determination.

    Switzerland and the World

    Switzerland pursues an active foreign policy.

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  • Economy
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    Swiss economy – Overview

    One of the most competitive economies in the world at a glance: facts, figures and articles on business, exports, taxes and public finance.

    Telecommunications

    Switzerland's ultra-modern radio and television, mobile, fixed network and broadband infrastructure makes it a highly attractive location for businesses.

    Swiss financial centre

    A global leader in wealth management, Switzerland's banks, insurance providers and pension funds generate around 10% of the country's value-added.

    Energy

    The Federal Council is pursuing plans to free Switzerland from reliance on imported, non-renewable energy. Its Energy Strategy 2050 seeks to reduce consumption and increase the share of renewables.

    Sectors

    The Swiss economy is service-oriented, but also has a strong, export-focused industrial sector. Swiss watches, which are a product of this sector, are known worldwide for their high quality.

    Transport

    Even though Switzerland tops the world rankings for rail travel by passenger-kilometres per capita, the car remains the country's favourite means of transport. For freight transport, efforts are under way to shift from road to rail.

    Social Aspects

    Switzerland's stable labour market and low unemployment rate account for a high GDP per capita, excellent healthcare and a social security system that leaves no one behind.

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  • Education and Science
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    Education

    Switzerland's diverse and permeable education system in essence offers a choice between an academic or vocational education.

    Science and Research

    The field of science and research is held in high regard in Switzerland and is promoted accordingly, resulting in highly dynamic research activity.

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  • Environment
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    Geography

    Switzerland has three main geographic regions: the Alps covering around 60% of the country's total surface area, the Swiss Plateau (30%) and the Jura (10%).

    Nature

    Switzerland has a very varied landscape and great habitat diversity.

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  • Graphics
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    Society

    Various aspects of the Swiss population at a glance: social demographics, language, religion, sport, cuisine, design, Swiss abroad.

    Science

    Organisation, financing and achievements of Swiss science and research presented in two graphics.

    Politics

    Seven aspects of Switzerland's complex political system presented in simple graphic form.

    Environment

    Seven charts portray the most important and prominent aspects of Switzerland’s environment, from geography to animals and plants to waste disposal.

    Economy

    Graphics on the economy, energy, transit, transport, media consumption and social security in Switzerland.

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  • Swiss Specials
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    A construction project serving Europe – The opening of the Gotthard Base Tunnel in 2016

    The world’s longest railway tunnel – the Gotthard Base Tunnel – was officially opened on 1 June 2016.

    Solar Impulse – Around the world in a solar-powered aircraft

    Solar Impulse has brought the dream of flying over long distances without the need for fossil fuel a step closer to reality.

    A sparkling metallic-grey shard of rock crystal in the heart of the Alps

    At an altitude of 2,883 metres and nestled among the glaciers and imposing peaks of the Valais Alps, the new Monte Rosa mountain refuge rises from the icy landscape like a giant sparkling shard of rock crystal.

    Protecting cultural and natural heritage of universal value

    From the medieval Old Town of Berne to the futuristic city of Brasilia, from the tiny convent of Müstair to the imposing cathedral of Chartres, from the fertile terraced vineyards of Lavaux to the vast desert of Ténéré – all have one thing in common: they are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

    Swiss Watches

    Quality, precision, uniqueness, reliability, tradition, design, innovation … these are just a few of the words that sum up the Swiss watchmaking industry – an industry which manages to produce timepieces that are diminutive yet highly complex, traditional yet state-of-the art.

    Mountain records

    Switzerland is synonymous with mountains. Not only do they cover one third of the country’s surface area, but they are also of major historical, geopolitical and economic importance. The mountains, for example, have been the selling point of the Swiss tourist industry for more than 100 years.

    Cheese in Switzerland

    Hard cheese, soft cheese, cottage cheese, cheese made in mountain chalets, cheese made in valley factories, cheese shaved into rosettes, cheese boxed in red pine, cheese melted in wine to make fondue, hot cheese dribbled over potatoes to make raclette...

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  • Swiss Specials
  • Swiss Watches
  • Watches – principles
  • The parts of a watch
  • Swiss quality – “Swiss made”
  • Fabrication
  • The early years
  • From the 19th century to the present day
  • Exporte
  • Watch Valley
  • Swatch
  • Remarkable clocks and watches: Bern’s Zytglogge
  • Remarkable clocks and watches: timepieces in Geneva
  • Remarkable clocks and watches: the carillon at La Chaux-de-Fonds
  • Remarkable clocks and watches: the Swiss railway clock
  • Remarkable clocks and watches: the first – and only – watch on the moon
  • Remarkable clocks and watches: Switzerland’s most accurate clock
  • Swiss cuckoo clocks – an example of Switzerland's spirit of innovation
  • Watchmaking schools
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Suche & Themen A - Z

  • Discover Switzerland
  • Swiss Specials
  • Swiss Watches
  • Swiss Specials
    • Swiss Watches
    • Watches – principles
    • The parts of a watch
    • Swiss quality – “Swiss made”
    • Fabrication
    • The early years
    • From the 19th century to the present day
    • Exporte
    • Watch Valley
    • Swatch
    • Remarkable clocks and watches: Bern’s Zytglogge
    • Remarkable clocks and watches: timepieces in Geneva
    • Remarkable clocks and watches: the carillon at La Chaux-de-Fonds
    • Remarkable clocks and watches: the Swiss railway clock
    • Remarkable clocks and watches: the first – and only – watch on the moon
    • Remarkable clocks and watches: Switzerland’s most accurate clock
    • Swiss cuckoo clocks – an example of Switzerland's spirit of innovation
    • Watchmaking schools



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Presence Switzerland

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CH-3003 Bern

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Last update 27.11.2017

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