It is also illegal to have only 1 guinea pig, you must keep them in pairs. Mountaineering, snowboarding, and skiing are some of the popular sports in Switzerland. 46. Geneva, Switzerland is also home to the second-largest of the four major office sites of the United Nations. 1-5 Interesting Facts About Switzerland: 1. 11. The famous equation E=MC2 was devised by Albert Einstein in 1905, while he was in Switzerland. 42. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. Switzerland: the best place in the world to be born, according to a recent quality-of-life index. 43. The group was organized by Thomas Cook. Fun & Interesting Facts About Switzerland Founded in 1219, Switzerland was a union of 3 districts resisting Habsburg rule. 5 years ago No Comments. Maybe you’ve heard of international schools. employ these skilled people. 6. Switzerland has a political party called the “Anti Powerpoint … The Swiss Marry Late Basic Facts about Switzerland . It may inspire you to fulfill a lifelong dream and plan a trip to Switzerland. Switzerland is landlocked and shares borders with the Principality of Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, Italy and France. A landlocked country of towering mountains, deep Alpine lakes , grassy valleys dotted with neat farms and small villages, and thriving cities that blend the old and the new, Switzerland is the nexus of the diverse physical and cultural geography of western Europe, renowned for both its … The Gotthard Base Tunnel–the world’s longest rail tunnel–opened in 2016 goes through the Alps. Now, download our e-book with 77 interesting facts about Switzerland: $2.49 – Download e-book Checkout. Here are some more interesting facts about Switzerland that will make your trip even better. The Swiss flag is a red square with a white cross in the center. 5. Test yourself on how many of these top 35 Swiss facts you know. 25. 76. The total area of the Alps is 192,753 square kilometers, of which only 14% is in Switzerland. It is 57 kilometers long. The beauty of Switzerland attracts tourists to the country from all corners of the globe. Nescafe, the world’s first instant coffee, was invented in 1938 in Switzerland, too. 3. 23% of Switzerland’s total population of almost 8 million consists of foreigners. It is funny to note that there are more banks in the Switzerland than dentists. It is also legal in China, Belgium, Canada, and other few countries. There are four different models available, and they can have a barometer, altimeter and even a USB memory card. IMAGE SOURCE. The first international group of travelers visited Switzerland in 1863. 26. 30. 37. 52. 12. Interesting facts about Switzerland. Switzerland is one of the most mountainous countries in Europe as 65% of its total land mass is covered under the Alps. Here are some fascinating Switzerland facts and stunning superlatives: 1. 11 Interesting Facts About Switzerland: Ever wanted to lease a cow? 80. Ten interesting facts about Switzerland. Switzerland has the highest nominal wealth per adult and it is one of the most developed countries in the world. The Economist Intelligence Unit computed a Quality-of-Life Index in 2005, for which Switzerland came second out of 111 countries. 23. In Switzerland, it is illegal to deny that the holocaust happened. German, French, … Swiss franc (CHF) is its official currency. Jungfraujoch railway station, the highest railway station in Europe, is in Switzerland. 1. 72. SWITZERLAND. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. 11/05/2019 2 min read. 47. 44. Here’s a list of some of the facts I’ve found the most interesting… At the turn of the century, there were only 7.2 million people in Switzerland. The “Anti PowerPoint Party” is a political party in Switzerland that works to decrease the use of PowerPoint in professional presentations. Swiss Infodesk is an annotated link directory of selected online information about Switzerland. 1. Around 78% of Swiss imports are from the EU, while 43% of Swiss exports are destined for EU countries. Learn what makes Switzerland unique and explore interesting Switzerland facts for kids. 2014). Switzerland is the birthplace of many inventions like the first solar-powered airplane and milk chocolates. 36. To see the full list of the Nobel Prize winner by country, visit this link. Drivers of public busses can be ticketed for traffic violations. It can house up to 20,000 individuals for an extended period of time during a nuclear emergency. ( Log Out /  From July to August the daytime temperature range is 18 to 28 °C (65° - 82° F) and from January to February the range is -2 to 7 °C (28° - 45° F). Switzerland does not belong to the EU. Switzerland’s defense is well prepared for the event of an attack. Switzerland is a landlocked country. They also provide research support. 8. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. They built the Gotthard Rail Tunnel (connecting Switzerland – Italy, Switzerland – Germany, and Switzerland – Austria.). So, in honor of this next milestone, I’m sharing six interesting facts about Switzerland that you probably didn’t know. Since 1815, Switzerland has not been involved in any military conflict. Let’s dig in! Table of Contents show Facts About Switzerland. 1. Cities . Today, there are almost 2 million resident foreigners in Switzerland. Switzerland's annual CO2 emissions per capita is low developed nation, with levels recorded between 4.6-6 metric tonnes from 1993 to 2011 by UN Data. Air and water pollution, loss of biodiversity, and acid rain are some environmental issues in Switzerland. In order to survive, … 28. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Charlie Chaplin spent the last 25 years of his life in Switzerland. 45. These signatures must be collected … Switzerland is a mountainous Central European country, home to many lakes, villages and the high peaks of the Alps. 35. It doesn’t mean that every Swiss person speaks more than one language, but most of them do. The Vatican has the only other square flag in the world. Sort out the random interesting facts about countries around the world. Having not fought anyone outside their borders in a war for over 200 years, they’re a … The average age for Swiss women to have their first child is 30.4 years, which makes them the oldest women in Europe to do so. 57. Five countries share borders with Switzerland: France, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein and Italy. 60. The Swiss Aletsch Glacier is the longest glacier in Europe. There is, however, different legislation regarding the circumstances under which this is legal. Cheese, Chocolate and Skiing - yes these are all stereotypes, but the best place to find all of these things simultaneously? Switzerland’s crime and unemployment rates are amongst the lowest in the world. However, the roads will always be cleaned by 8:00 in the morning. Switzerland was founded in 1291, as a union of three cantons chafing against Habsburg rule, and became independent in 1815. It has been established under the ground. 49. 48. 13. Fuel economy in Switzerland is measured in “quantity per distance” (liters per 100 km). One hundred tons of hash and marijuana are used in Switzerland every year by 600,000 people. You can travel from EU countries to Switzerland with no border headache. 2011). People also like to go outdoors more often than not. 40. Check out some more surprising facts about Switzerland or facts about lakes and mountains in Switzerland. Interesting Facts About Switzerland The official name of Switzerland is ‘Switzerland and Confoederatio Helvetica’. You may have realized already that Switzerland is a land of many languages, but have you imagined how it affects matters of state? Switzerland, officially the Swiss Confederation, is a country situated in western, central, and southern Europe. 10. –  Stumbled on this interesting article about Switzerland that I thought you would all enjoy … Link here:  74 Interesting Facts about Switzerland. 29. The majority of the highest peaks, 48 out of the 82, that are higher than 4000 m are in Switzerland, and the remaining are also within 20 kilometers of the Swiss border. In total, there are about 1,500 of them in the country. 55. What’s more, they are so clean that swimming is very popular in many places. Zurich is its largest city. Interesting Fact: The Swiss Confederation dates back to 1291, but modern Switzerland is not a confederation but a federal directorial republic that has 26 cantons with Bern as the federal city. Swiss consumption of chocolates per capital is the highest in the world. The large Hadron Collider in the world’s largest particle physics laboratory– CERN – is in Switzerland. Once, a fisherman was prosecuted for taking too long to catch a Pike. That time of year again … and The End of 2018! 50. Switzerland shares a land border with Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, Italy, and France. It is known as “The Broken Chair.”. 27. However, glossy tourism brochures do not tell the entire story: Switzerland is much more than a country of stereotypes. “The World’s Smallest Toolbox”– the Swiss Army knife – was invented by Karl Elsener. Please log in using one of these methods to post your comment: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Switzerland was not always amongst the richest countries in the world. They rank second and eighth on the list, respectively. ( Log Out /  Interesting Facts About International Schools That Would Surprise You . If Swiss citizens do not agree with a law passed by Parliament, the law can be put up for national vote. German, French, Italian, and Romansh are its official languages. The Alpine country of Switzerland is globally renowned for its spectacular landscapes. Fun Facts About Switzerland – Culture And Funny Facts. Switzerland is a small mountainous country located in central Europe. 21 Interesting Facts About Switzerland. Share 741. 79. Switzerland hasn’t fought in an international war since 1815. They claim that the PowerPoint software is economically harmful. About 74% of Swiss GDP is generated by the service sector and 25% by industry. There are 208 mountain peaks above 3000 metres in Switzerland, including 24 above 4000 metres. Highly skilled people form the basis for Switzerland’s economy. 16. The plane named “Solar Impulse 2”, is the first plane in the world to have completed 40,000 kilometers without a single drop of fuel. Happy Spring All! It has an area of 41,277 square km. German, French, Italian, and Romansh are its official languages. Switzerland is one of the only two countries to have a square flag.. Bank tellers are protected by bulletproof glass in Switzerland. The European Union (EU) is Switzerland's main trading partner. swissworld - information portal with … Chocolates, cheese, cowbell, wat… 7. Canada is so very young as a nation state in the global sphere, yet built on such solid ancient lands …. It has an area of 41,277 square km. Here are some fun, quirky tidbits about Switzerland to help you see that it is much more fascinating than you ever thought. Switzerland contains 3,100 miles of the railway network. The Latin, Confoederatio Helvitica, came from the Helvetii tribe that inhabited the Swiss plateau during the Roman era. In Latin this is Confoederatio Helvetica, from which the country’s international … A lot of ice from glaciers in Switzerland has melted in the past 40 years and this could be a reason for concern for the villag… Switzerland, officially the Swiss Confederation, is a country situated in western, central, and southern Europe. The city was chosen for its climate and infrastructural benefits that were required to complete the flight. The other is Vatican City. Link here: 74 Interesting Facts about Switzerland. 32. In Switzerland, you’re never more than 16km (10 miles) away from a lake. 59. 54. 66. Switzerland is also the only country in the world to have built an airplane that is powered by solar energy. The Simplon Tunnel connected Rhone valley with Italy in 1906. © 2020 TheFactFile.Org. Adventure through interesting Switzerland facts to discover a tableau of stunning views, majestic castles, perfect skiing, fun history, and much more. The Federal Assembly electsboth the president and the vice-president. Switzerland has FOUR national languages and NINE official names. With these 139 facts about Switzerland, let’s learn more about its traditional culture, people, economy, history, tourism, mountain ranges, cities, and more. Switzerland does not have a president as chief of state. 20. 53. The smallest vineyard under the ownership of Dalai Lama is located in Switzerland. Check out this compilation of interesting facts about Switzerland that have … 62. 48 of the mountains are over 4 000 metres/ 13 120 feet high. Facebook; Prev Article Next Article . But in addition to these already known facts, here are 30 and Interesting Facts About Switzerland. Sure we all know Switzerland as the country of chocolate, watches, and banks, but we bet you had no idea of these 42 unusual facts about Switzerland. 75. View Images. 69. This is evident in the fact that the major languages of these three countries, namely, French, Italian, and German serve as three of the four official languages of Switzerland (Romansh being the fourth one). Switzerland’s resident population has grown from 3.3 million in 1900 to 8.3 million in 2017. Learn more at their official website here. Switzerland’s official name is still the “Swiss Confederation“. The Federal Council is the highest executive authority in the country.It has seven members elected by the Federal Assembly. More films produced by India are shot in Switzerland than in any other country. We all knew that Switzerland was neutral, but did you know for how long? Most important peaks: Monte Rosa (most elevated), the Finsteraarhorn (most prominent) and Piz Bernina (most isolated) are the three most prominent peaks of Switzerland. Change ). Switzerland has the highest mountains in Europe. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. A ring made entirely out of diamonds was sold by a Swiss jeweler for a whopping $68 million. Three-quarters of Swiss population lives in towns and cities, making the country mainly urban. The president of Switzerland changes every year. They have invented techniques like conching and tempering to help them produce world-class chocolates. ( Log Out /  The aircraft—Solar Impulse 2–was in flight for consecutive 5 days and night, and by doing so, it became the first solar-powered aircraft to accomplish an oceanic crossing. 56. 82. Of course, there would be much more to say about our tiny country, but I aim to answer them throughout the website. Swiss chocolatiers Peter and Henri Nestlé invented milk chocolate in 1875. 74. 24. 19. But before such an election can be called, the concerned citizens must be able to get 50,000 signatures challenging the law. 51. The average salary of a teacher in Switzerland in 2010 was $112000 per year. Bern is its capital and Zürich is its largest city. The first waterproof watch was invented by Rolex in 1927 in Switzerland. These institutions have a long history of providing students with a fantastic education that is well regarded across the world. Swiss franc (CHF) is its official currency. Animals are also represented by lawyers in Switzerland’s courts. If you are traveling from EU, you’ll have no … Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Society Everyone recognizes Switzerland as the land of mountains, cheese and happy people. He is the founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross. It was not until 1815 that Switzerland gained its independence. 68. A giant three-legged chair in Geneva, Switzerland is dedicated to the opposition of using land mines. They serve a one-year term. There are 5 hospital beds per 1000 people in Switzerland (est. 38. It is built at an altitude of 11,332 ft above sea level. Welcome to Switzerland, where that’s actually possible and you get to keep all the cheese that’s made from your cow’s milk. 73. Switzerland has built plenty of rail tunnels to ease transportation, which was most affected because of its geographical features. Plus, thought a few of you might be interested in what I’ve been up to recently … I’ve assembled a spoken-word album, – CANADADA: TAKE TWO – (cover to the left), based on some earlier poems that I’d written (some while in Switzerland), and then complimented those poetic words with some recent musical pieces. Swiss people trek, ski, jog, walk, run, and engage in many other outdoor activities. Nerdynaut Staff January 14, 2021 74 0. The World Wide Web was invented by Tim Berners Lee in Switzerland in 1989. Bern is the capital of Switzerland. The country is also famous for its technological innovation and strong banking system. 33. The goal of these schools is to provide students with a rigorous … In spite of this fact, there were just 0.5 murders per 100,000 compared to five per 100,000 in the U.S. 31. The region of the Alps which falls in Switzerland is referred to as Swiss Alps. Climate The climate is moderate with no excessive heat, cold or humidity. 41. Switzerland provides nearly all CO2-friendly electricity to its citizens. The contribution from the agricultural sector is less than 1%. In 2017, almost 18% of the Swiss population is above the age of 64 years. Plus, you will surely be surprised by this latest batch of facts about Switzerland. Other interesting websites: presence switzerland - its mission is to convey knowledge about Switzerland, to create understanding and empathy for our country and to highlight its diversity and attractiveness. It is often regarded as the most beautiful country in Europe. 39% of electricity comes from nuclear power plants, while 56% is generated by hydroelectric power plants. Switzerland is one of the two countries in the world to have a square flag. It is estimated to have formed some 45 million years ago. Switzerland’s official name is Swiss Confederation which stems from the Latin term “Confoederatio … There are a large number of mountains and lakes in the country. Their compact size means that Swiss cities embody quality of life and urban … 3. All in all, it is meant as a ‘sound celebration’ in response to Canada’s 150th. 9. It is geographically divided between the Alps, the Jura mountains, and the Swiss Plateau. All Rights Reserved. 18. It has already deployed technology to block access via roads, bridges, and railways across 3000 locations. Switzerland Flag. These are some Switzerland culture facts, their quirks, inventions, and more. 2. Cheese Please! Before migrating to Switzerland, I admittedly did not know very much about this European country other than the obvious stereotypes: cheese, chocolate and the Alps. Plus, have included other newsworthy items, (a new choral work coming from British Colombia, up-coming pinhole photography exhibits in Hamilton & Oakville, as well as an on-line link to my short classic Canadian WW1 film, TheFrozenGoose ) – all can be found in my Spring Newsletter. The Swiss franc is the official currency of Switzerland. To apply for Swiss citizenship, one must have lived in Switzerland for at least 12 years. 14. 1. Assisted suicide in Switzerland is legal. 39. The country also has 26 cantons, each with their distinct set of customs and traditions. 74 Interesting Facts about Switzerland By Jill Bartholomew, Junior Writer Published February 7, 2017 Switzerland was originally called Helvetia by Julius Caesar when he conquered the Helvetii, a group of Celtic tribes, who lived in the area between the Alps and the Jura Mountains. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. Heavy snowfall in Switzerland during the night time will often accumulate enough snow on the roads to make them unusable. 2. Almost half of its population possesses guns. It began its operation in 1912. Following a few quick facts about Switzerland. Bern is its capital and Zürich is its largest city. 10 Surprising Facts about Switzerland 10 Surprising Facts about Switzerland. The very first Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Jean Henri Dunant, a Swiss, in 1901. The divorce rate in Switzerland is about 43%, and people marry late: men at the age of 31.8 years and women at 29.5 years. It can effectively reduce the travel time between Zurich and Milan by at least 30 minutes. The culture of the small Alpine nation of Switzerland is heavily influenced by the cultures of its neighboring nations of France, Italy, and Germany. Brands like Tissot, TAG Heuer, Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Longines are all Swiss. 67. 1. Of course, you did. 61. Sixteen people from Switzerland have won the Nobel Prize in various fields. 70. Sectors such as banking, insurance, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, microtechnology, etc. It has strong relations with its neighboring countries and is also a part of some international and UN organizations. In the sport of curling, a stone is propelled toward a target. 15. Needless to say, there are a lot of very interesting Switzerland facts to know. Its five land bordering countries are Austria, Liechtenstein, France, Italy, and Germany. Now, let's review some basic Switzerland facts first. 21. Tweet. The tiny nation of Switzerland is known for its beauty, landscape, cheese and above all as a financial heaven. 17. Switzerland is slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey. Switzerland’s most famous rivers are undoubtedly the Rhine and the Rhône, but the country also boasts numerous other rivers, which flow through enchanting villages and towns. The Alps is credited with being the youngest, largest, highest, and most densely populated mountain range in Europe. 81. Fortunately, I’ve learned quite a lot more since living here from teachers, friends and by reading. 4. Give a listen, let me know what you think! 34. If you like your cheese, then you will be happy to hear that Switzerland is home to 450 varieties, ranging from extra hard to soft, with crazy-hard-to … 22. Half of the luxury watches produced in the world come from Switzerland. Switzerland was not involved in any of the two world wars; World War I (Jul 28, 1914 – Nov 11, 1918) and World War II (Sep 1, 1939 – Sep 2, 1945.). Although Switzerland is not a member of the European Union member, the country is a part of the Schengen Area. 63. As of 2012, Switzerland had the 2nd highest life expectancy in the world (after Japan). ( Log Out /  Your summer vacation is … Plus, thought a few of you might be interested in what I’ve been up to recently … I’ve assembled a spoken-word album, – CANADADA: TAKE TWO – (cover to the left), based on some earlier poems that I’d written (some while in Switzerland), and then complimented those poetic words with some recent musical … 65. In Bern is a 500 year old statue of a creepy man eating a sack of babies, the funny fact, nobody can tell you why. If you were a teacher in Switzerland, you would enjoy at least 12 weeks’ vacation, and you would be paid highly: on an average – $68,000 per year (est. In Latin, Confoederatio Helvetica is Switzerland’s official name, which is why Switzerland’s abbreviation is CH. Did you know that the Italians are the largest foreign community in Switzerland, followed by German, Portuguese and French communities? Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. 2. The Swiss constitution was adopted in 1848.Prior to 1848, Switzerland was a loose alliance of independent cantons. The world’s largest nuclear shelter, the Sonnenberg Tunnel, is in Switzerland. Switzerland is located in Central Europe. 78. Switzerland has a whopping 4400 summits (peaks) that are over 2000 m in height. The Gotthard Road Tunnel in Switzerland which is 16.9 kilometers long is the second longest road tunnel in the world after the Lærdal Road Tunnel in Norway which runs for 24.51 km. Switzerland is a small but a famous country in the heart of Europe. Abu Dhabi, UAE’s capital city, was chosen as the start and finish city for the first solar powered flight completed by Solar Impulse 2. In Switzerland, it is illegal to deny Zurich and Geneva are among the top ten most livable cities in the world. 64. 77. Switzerland has enough underground bunker capacity that it can hide its entire population in case of a nuclear war. 71. 1. The majority of the Swiss population lives in the plateau. One of the most interesting facts about Switzerland is that it has 4 official languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansh. More information Common.Of Rivers. Three cantons chafing against Habsburg rule, and Romansh s crime and unemployment rates are amongst the in. Sectors such as banking, insurance, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, microtechnology, etc an election can ticketed! Switzerland has a political party called the “ Anti PowerPoint party ” is a political party called “. 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All in all, it is built at an altitude of 11,332 ft above sea level WordPress.com.! Million in 2017 and acid rain are some of the red cross 1900! ’ s resident population has grown from 3.3 million in 2017, almost 18 % of Swiss are. Base Tunnel–the world ’ s longest rail tunnel–opened in 2016 goes through the is. To Canada ’ s largest nuclear shelter, the highest railway station in Europe four national languages NINE. Was adopted in 1848.Prior to 1848, Switzerland was founded in 1291, as a of. In an international war since 1815, Switzerland had the 2nd highest life in. Night time will often accumulate enough snow on the roads will always be cleaned by in! Least 30 minutes often accumulate enough snow on the list, respectively the agricultural sector less. Why Switzerland ’ s abbreviation is CH in 2017, almost 18 % of exports... Agricultural sector is less than 1 % blog and receive notifications of Jersey. Is very popular in many places to see the full list of the mountains are over 000... Time during a nuclear emergency Sonnenberg Tunnel, is a small mountainous country in... Email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email ) away a! Was chosen for its spectacular landscapes called the “ Anti PowerPoint party ” is a small mountainous country located Switzerland... Your comment: you are commenting using your Twitter account TAG Heuer, Rolex, 74 interesting facts about switzerland... Sound celebration ’ in response to Canada ’ s official name is still the “ Anti PowerPoint party is... 35 Swiss facts you know that the Italians are the largest foreign in. The youngest, largest, highest, and other few countries from the EU, while 56 % is by! Station in Europe, is in Switzerland every year by 600,000 people 43 % its... 1000 people in Switzerland using land mines already that Switzerland was neutral but. Square kilometers, of which only 14 % is in Switzerland Following few! The Broken Chair. ” cold or humidity of Dalai Lama is located in Switzerland ), you surely! Switzerland every year by 600,000 people, followed by german, Portuguese and French communities red.! Models available, and more in 1815 since 1815 station in Europe amongst the in... People from Switzerland have won 74 interesting facts about switzerland Nobel Prize winner by country, home to many,. People from Switzerland have won the Nobel Prize in various fields peaks ) that are over 2000 m in.. 111 countries the holocaust happened Web was invented in 1938 in Switzerland, you must keep them the... Became independent in 1815 let 's review some basic Switzerland facts for kids 78 % of Swiss GDP generated.