What Switzerland is famous for is what they produce and do here best. Famous people and stars living in Geneva, Switzerland. Famous people of Zurich. Modern architectural structures Favorite dishes of the Swiss

There are still many things in the world that can surprise even the most unimpressive people. A selection of random facts about different countries of the world.

The area of ​​the Australian Alps that is covered with snow every year is larger than Switzerland. That's right, Australian Alps!

The town of Baarle-Hertog is divided into 24 separate sections between Belgium and the Netherlands. The boundaries run through the streets and even divide the houses into two parts!

There is a government-funded UFO research organization in Chile.

In Denmark you are never more than 50 kilometers from the sea.

A girl in Egypt was named Facebook because her parents wanted to celebrate her significance in the 2011 Egyptian revolution.

When Hitler traveled to France to visit newly captured Paris, citizens cut the elevator cables to Eiffel Tower, so he had to walk to the very top.

Greece is the only country in the world where the number of tourists is twice the population.

Budapest made Elvis Presley an honorary citizen of Hungary in 2011 because he brought the 1957 Hungarian uprising to the attention of the American public.

Indian troops have contributed more to UN peacekeeping missions than any other country.

The average train delay in Japan is 18 seconds.

The chimney of the Kazakhstan State District Power Plant-2 in Ekibastuz is the highest in the world - 419.7 meters.

Throughout its history, Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, has been destroyed and rebuilt at least seven times.

Despite the fact that Monaco is famous for its casinos, citizens of the country are prohibited from gambling.

The best-selling drink in Oman is Mountain Dew.

Poland is the world's largest exporter of amber.

In Qatar, it is illegal to show the soles of your feet or the soles of your shoes.

Timisoara in Romania was the first to be entirely illuminated by electric lamps. They were installed in 1884.

The national animal of Scotland is the unicorn.

One in eight people in the United States has worked for McDonald's at some point in their life.

There are four sacred animals in Vietnam. Three of them, the dragon, phoenix and unicorn, are mythical, and the real one is the turtle.

Wales has more castles per square mile than any other European country.

Following hyperinflation in 2008, Zimbabwe began issuing one hundred trillion dollar banknotes. They have since abandoned their currency.

Yes, you probably know that Switzerland has the Alps, reliable banks and lots of chocolate. But you probably didn't know other - sometimes strange and crazy - facts about this country. For example, that this is the only direct democracy in the world, that it has the most liberal laws on weapons and yes, that even palm trees grow in it! Anyway, let's get down to business and read the most incredible and amazing facts about one of the richest countries in the world.

1. You probably would never think that Switzerland has some of the most liberal gun laws (there are 2.3-4.5 million guns for a population of 8 million).

2. This country also has one of the lowest crime rates in the world.

3. Foreigners make up 23% of Switzerland's 8 million population.

4. Switzerland has more than just mountains! In the south of the country, for example, palm trees grow - you will find them in the area of ​​​​Lake Lugano.

5. Switzerland has 4 national languages ​​- German, French, Italian and Romansh.

6. According to the Quality of Life Index developed by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Switzerland - the best place, in which you can be born. This index includes employment indicators, crime rates, quality of life, healthcare system, sense of life satisfaction, etc.

9. In the event of a nuclear war, the Swiss built bunkers capable of accommodating the entire population of the country.

10. Also, in case of war, they can easily turn their roads into landing strips, removing junctions and intersections.

12. Swiss fines for speeding depend on the citizen’s income. Recently, a Swiss man who was speeding in a Ferrari was fined almost a quarter of a million dollars because he earned about a million dollars a year.

13. The Swiss live in the only country in the world with direct democracy. This means that any citizen can question any law and propose changes to the constitution.

14. Have you ever wondered why the Swiss domain is designated by the letters CH? Well, let's reveal a secret: because the name of the country in Latin (which, by the way, is often used in other areas) sounds like this - Confoederatio Helvetica.

16. In 2010, the average annual salary of a Swiss teacher was $120,000, while teachers in the United States earn an average of $35,000 per year.

17. Military service for men is compulsory from the age of 18. Due to the fact that a large part of the adult male population is in the army reserve, all men must have weapons and the necessary ammunition at home to be ready for action at a moment's notice. Did you think the Swiss were a bunch of pacifists?

18. In Bern there is a 500-year-old statue of a man eating babies from a bag. Nobody knows why this eerie monument was erected.

19. The Swiss army prepared every potential Mountain pass and a tunnel to a possible explosion. For what? In case of war, Switzerland will close all routes of attack to the enemy.

20. Switzerland has no head of state. Instead, there is a board of 7 people who do all the work.

21. The country also does not have a capital, because it is not specified in the constitution (Bern is the de facto capital).

Z Velcro- this wonderful accessory was invented by the Swiss engineer George de Mestral in the mid-40s of the last century. The idea came to him after a hunt: he returned home covered in seeds that stuck to his shoes, clothes and dog. After he looked at them under a microscope to figure out what was what, he created Velcro. This material is heterogeneous in composition, consists of velvet and hooks, and resembles small hooks that use seeds.

Cellophane- another complex material combining cellulose and French diaphane, created in 1908 by Jacques Brandenberger, who saw a client spill wine on a tablecloth in a restaurant. After this, Brandenberger began looking into waterproof fabric, but then he discovered that the cellulose material he sprayed onto the fabric could easily be peeled off into thin sheets. Then he realized that he had discovered something more.

Swiss army knife- invented by Karl Elsener and named after his mother Victoria Victorinox (Victoria plus inox - stainless steel). The Swiss officer's knife, since its inception in the 1890s, has evolved from a simple knife to one that includes a rich arsenal - from a simple corkscrew to such very modern additions as LED lights and MP3 players.

Direct democracy- Although the ancient Greeks are considered the founders of the concept of democracy, it was founded by the Swiss Confederation in 1291, which introduced the principles of direct democracy at a time when monarchs still ruled everywhere in Europe. Today, popular initiatives and the referendums they generate are a special part of the Swiss heritage.

Helvetica font is one of the most popular fonts ever created. It was developed in 1957 by Max Miedinger and Eduard Hoffmann. Classic Helvetica and its many variations are known for their crisp, chopped outlines. By the way, due to the popularity of the font, the New York Museum of Modern Art even organized a 50th anniversary of Helvetica in 2001. And not many fonts have their own exhibitions in art museums,

Absinthe- Although most of the drink was drunk by the French, the aniseed spirit of absinthe originated in the Swiss canton of Neuchâtel. The Green Fairy was at one time all the rage in drinking establishments across Europe until its consumption was eventually banned in a number of countries due to the narcotic nature and accompanying antisocial behavior that was blamed on the drink. But in last years Absinthe is experiencing a rebirth.

LSD- Hippies, artists and other psychedelic adventurers can thank Albert Hofmann of Talence for creating yet another psychotropic substance - lysergic acid diethylamide, better known as LSD (or simply acid). She was born in the Sandoz laboratory in 1938. By the way, Bicycle Day (April 19, 1943) is also celebrated annually as the day when a doctor first experimented with LSD on a person - on himself.

Muesli. Not many people can boast of having a porridge named after them. Muesli, known in Switzerland as Birchermüesli, was created by Swiss doctor Maximilian Bircher-Benner for patients at his sanatorium in Zurich. The original version includes much more fruit and is topped with orange juice, unlike today's heavy boxes of cereal that are served with milk. During the health food craze of the 1970s, muesli became a worldwide sensation.

Internet time. When distributing time zones, the Swiss company Swatch divided the day into 1000 .beats (beats), each .beats equal to 1 minute 24.6 seconds. But even though it's not exactly mainstream, we have to recognize the logic and ingenuity of a Swiss firm that has brought change to the world as we know it.

And, of course, - milk chocolate. In the late 1800s, Swiss Daniel Piet solved a problem that had long plagued chocolate makers by using condensed milk instead of regular milk. This gave dark chocolate a sweet taste and made it popular in Europe. Dairy farmers are still very grateful to him.

Famous people born or lived in Zurich are considered very a large number of famous scientists, writers and artists. Thanks to their creativity, this city became famous throughout the world.

Famous scientists

Felix Bloch (1905 - 1983) was a Swiss physicist who was born in Zurich and subsequently worked in the USA. In 1952 he won the Nobel Prize in the field. Bloch studied in Zurich, at the Higher Technical School. He then continued his education at the University of Leipzig, where he received his doctorate in 1928. He was engaged in science for a long time in Germany, together with Pauli, Heisenberg, Fermi and Bohr. In 1933 he emigrated to the USA, where he began working at Stanford University. During the Second World War, Bloch took part in nuclear project at the Los Alamos laboratory. He subsequently worked in the field of nuclear magnetic resonance and nuclear induction - the basic principles of magnetic tomography. He was awarded the Nobel Prize "for the discovery of new measurement methods in nuclear physics." Have worked general director at CERN. Received the title of professor of physics in 1961.

Famous writers

Johann Jakob Meyer - born in Zurich in 1798, worked as a newspaper editor in the besieged city of Mesolongion during the War of Liberation of 1821-1829. in Greece. He died in 1826 during the breakthrough of the besieged.

Artists

Augusto Giacometti (1877 - 1947) - Swiss artist. Giacometti is a major representative of post-symbolism and postmodernism, a master of monumental wall painting and stained glass. He was born into a family of sculptors, artists and architects. From 1894 to 1897 he studied painting at the School of Applied Arts in Zurich, and subsequently studied in Florence and Paris. The artist created beautiful stained glass windows for the cathedral in Frauenfeld, for the church windows of the choir in Adelboden. Giacometti became one of the first artists of the 20th century to work in the style of abstract art.

Famous people born or lived in Zurich include a very large number of famous scientists, writers and artists. Thanks to their creativity, this city became famous throughout the world.

Famous scientists

Felix Bloch (1905 - 1983) was a Swiss physicist who was born in Zurich and subsequently worked in the USA. In 1952 he won the Nobel Prize in the field. Bloch studied in Zurich, at the Higher Technical School. He then continued his education at the University of Leipzig, where he received his doctorate in 1928. He was engaged in science for a long time in Germany, together with Pauli, Heisenberg, Fermi and Bohr. In 1933 he emigrated to the USA, where he began working at Stanford University. During World War II, Bloch took part in the atomic project at the Los Alamos laboratory. He subsequently worked in the field of nuclear magnetic resonance and nuclear induction - the basic principles of magnetic tomography. He was awarded the Nobel Prize "for the discovery of new measurement methods in nuclear physics." Worked as director general at CERN. Received the title of professor of physics in 1961.

Famous writers

Johann Jacob Meyer - born in Zurich in 1798, worked as a newspaper editor in the besieged city of Mesolongion during the War of Liberation of 1821-1829. in Greece. He died in 1826 during the breakthrough of the besieged.

Artists

Augusto Giacometti (1877 - 1947) - Swiss artist. Giacometti is a major representative of post-symbolism and postmodernism, a master of monumental wall painting and stained glass. He was born into a family of sculptors, artists and architects. From 1894 to 1897 he studied painting at the School of Applied Arts in Zurich, and subsequently studied in Florence and Paris. The artist created beautiful stained glass windows for the cathedral in Frauenfeld, for the church windows of the choir in Adelboden. Giacometti became one of the first artists of the 20th century to work in the style of abstract art.

Switzerland is a country of mountains and lakes.

Switzerland is a country where peace and tranquility reign in a very small area. Here are the most stable and indestructible banks in the world, the most accurate watch, the strongest education system for both students and employers. Calm cows graze in the meadows, eating organic grass, and produce delicious milk, which is subsequently used to make the most delicious cheese and chocolate in the world.

Switzerland - ideal purity of nature.

In such a small area there are four simultaneously state languages: French, German, Italian, Romansh (Swiss Romansh). Living in this country is calm and comfortable. In the case of immigration, after a not very calm life in other European countries, the calm Switzerland may even make you a little bored. Here the state of peace never leaves. The people live amicably and calmly. This is what Switzerland is famous for all over the world.

Article about:

Map of attractions in Switzerland.

Top 10 safest countries in the world.

Switzerland is famous for its safety. According to the study, Geneva, Bern and Zurich are among the calmest and safest cities in the world. Although at the present time the expenditure on the country's defense industry is increasing every year, the export of weapons per capita is also increasing.

Switzerland has the highest rate among countries. Western Europe. Accordingly, we can conclude that access to weapons in the country is quite easy. But at the same time, it has the lowest level of crime and political terrorism.

Fifth place in the Top 20 most peaceful nations.

View of Zermatt valley and Matterhorn peak at sunrise, Switzerland

The people here are good, kind, peaceful and very hospitable. But I would like to note that it was in 2013, after arms exports to the country were significantly increased, that it dropped to fifth place. Before this, starting in 1815, it consistently occupied fourth position.

It is thanks to its peacefulness and hospitality that Switzerland is one of the most attractive countries for immigration. It is here that they can live peacefully on the same territory different peoples peace. This is what makes Switzerland so good for visitors. There are no quarters for Russians, no quarters for Ukrainians or citizens of other countries. You, being a native of any country, can absolutely safely live on the same landing with the Swedes. And, believe me, no one will look at you “crookedly”.

Even many decades ago, Switzerland was already the most attractive refuge for great exiles. The spiritual wounds of the famous philosopher were healed here Jean Jacques Rousseau, when in France he was sentenced to be burned for undermining religious foundations in his books “Emile” and “The Social Contract”.

A famous actor also found shelter in Switzerland Charlie Chaplin, after the FBI banned him from entering the United States. He and his family settled in a small Swiss village, where he lived for 25 years, raised four children, and ended his days here. And who knows who else this will shelter calm country.

Swiss banks

Swiss banks are modern structures equipped with the best security systems in the world. It’s not for nothing that international figures store money here, because they can be calm, because they simply cannot find a more reliable refuge for their funds. Swiss banks can be easily compared to the Swiss Alps; they are just as unshakable and calm.

Even unclaimed deposits will remain here untouchable until the end of days. Who knows whose treasures these immovable walls store and what else Switzerland is rich in. They are never in danger of ruin, because they do not participate in financial transactions, and therefore do not take risks.

High level of education

Among other things, Switzerland is famous for the highest level of education. Swiss universities have produced more than one Nobel laureate. Among them: Albert Einstein, Wilhelm Roentgen, Charles Guillaume, Kofi Annon, Charles Goba and many others. Teaching methods have been developed and strengthened over decades, combining the best features of many European universities.

Many famous personalities from the world of politics, culture, etc. strive to educate their children here. After all, every parent strives to give their child the best education, so to speak, “pave the way to the future,” because with a diploma from a Swiss university unlimited opportunities for a future career open up .

Higher education here you can study in many areas: economics, linguistics, engineering, technology and the humanities. Of course, it is impossible to forget about restaurant, hotel and tourism business. This branch of training in Switzerland has no equal in the world, because this country is considered the birthplace of such business. A number of reference areas in Swiss universities must include finance and banking.

It is not for nothing that the stability of the banks of this country is recognized throughout the world. Medical education is highly valued, but it is quite difficult for a foreign student to enter this faculty. With a diploma from a Swiss university, all doors will open for you, because this education is known and highly valued by employers all over the world.

Swiss chocolate

If you switch from serious conversations to delicious conversations, then you definitely want to talk about Swiss chocolate. This is the national pride of the Swiss. The recipe for this delicious chocolate was finally developed in the 17th century and has been preserved to this day. True, at that time chocolate was sold by the glass and was considered a medicine that could be bought strictly according to a prescription. It began to be produced in the form of tiles only in 1819. Since then, chocolate Switzerland has become famous throughout the world.

Swiss chocolate is made only by hand and exclusively by men. Women are not allowed into such a “sacrament”. “Chocolate tours” are very popular for foreigners, where you can visit the production and be sure to taste the most delicious chocolate in the world.

And another very important natural factor that instills peace in the residents and guests of Switzerland is the silent, inaccessible, quiet and indestructible Alps. Here you can sit in a small “chalet” on the lake or on the Montreux embankment, in the shade of palm trees and admire the snow-capped peaks of the Alps.

The country's tourism infrastructure is very developed, it is expensive and high level service. Well, ski slopes and glaciers attract lovers winter species sports from all over the world. Skiing or boarding in Switzerland is very prestigious. By level ski slopes this country has no equal anywhere in the world.

Switzerland is a country that you definitely need to see and feel the calm in the air.

Picturesque and expensive in all respects, Switzerland can offer tourists several types of recreation. Skiing, medical and recreational or just relaxation - on the cleanest lakes, in ancient cities, in the unknown rural hinterland, in the bosom of pastoral meadows and the magnificent Alps.

The country's numerous mountain peaks have long been explored by climbers, businessmen, and travelers. Cableways and railways are connected to them. On their slopes there are world-famous resorts - St. Moritz, Zermatt, Engelberg. Alpine paths trodden by numerous tourists and guides lead to their peaks. Lake Geneva, Bad Ragaz, Leukerbad and Scuol abound with spas and modern sanatoriums that deal with both the prevention and treatment of all types of diseases.

The historical centers of Zurich, Bern, Lucerne are a combination of various architectural monuments The Middle Ages - temples, towers, fortresses, squares, private houses and fountains. The mild alpine climate, not prone to sudden temperature changes, allows you to endlessly walk along the ancient streets, from time to time visiting local cafes and restaurants.

The national cuisine of Switzerland is based on fermented milk and cheese products, meat flavored with various seasonings and world-famous chocolate. While in Switzerland, try to visit the unique Ice Gorge in Grindelwald, the high-altitude revolving restaurant in Saas-Fee and the Roman colony located nine kilometers from Basel. In addition to edible souvenirs (cheese and chocolate), in Switzerland you should definitely buy local watches and army pocket knives.

The best hotels and inns at affordable prices.

from 500 rubles/day

What to see in Switzerland?

The most interesting and Beautiful places, photographs and brief description.

One of the most recognizable mountains in the world is located on the border of Switzerland and Italy, in the resort area of ​​Zermatt, in the Alps. “Meadow Peak” rises above the ground to a height of four and a half thousand meters and is a favorite climbing site for climbers. The first attempts to conquer the Matterhorn began in the 50s of the 19th century. Today you can get to the Alpine peak along the long-developed Hörnli route.

The Protestant monastery, built in the Romanesque style, was built over two centuries and was opened around 1220. These days, the observation deck of the cathedral offers a wonderful view of the Old Town and Lake Zurich. Every Wednesday evening, organ concerts take place in Grossmünster.

Formed by ancient glaciers descending from the mountains, the lake is the cradle of Switzerland. It was in its vicinity that in 1291 three local cantons – Schwyz, Uri and Unterwalden – concluded a friendly alliance, thereby giving rise to new country. The reservoir, consisting of four basins, is navigable. Its clear and blue water warms up to twenty degrees in summer.

One of the oldest resorts in the world, located in the Engadin Valley, was honored twice to host the Winter Olympic Games - in 1928 and 1948. Throughout the winter, skiing and luge competitions, music and gastronomic festivals are held in the homeland of bobsleigh. St. Moritz is not a cheap resort. There you can meet representatives of royal dynasties and stars of world show business.

The largest waterfall in Europe appeared on the Rhine River about seventeen thousand years ago. With a width of one hundred and fifty meters and a height of twenty-three meters, it throws out from two hundred and fifty to seven hundred cubic meters of water per second! You can look at this miracle from several observation platforms, one of which is located right in the heart of the Rhine Falls.

Located on the border of Switzerland and France, the lake has the shape of a crescent, in whose bend lies the picturesque village of Yvoire. The northern shore of the reservoir is strewn with fashionable resorts and is called the Swiss Riviera. The famous Chillon Castle is located in the area of ​​Lake Geneva. The clean and cool water of the “crescent” allows swimming only in the second half of summer.

Zurich as a city was formed on the site of a former Roman fortification and a medieval Frankish castle. His historical part geographically divided into Small city- standing on the left bank of the Limmat river and Bolshoi - on the right. From an administrative point of view, Old Zurich is divided into four districts - Town Hall, University, City and Lindenhof.

Known from Byron’s poem “The Prisoner of Chillon,” the castle is located on the shores of Lake Geneva. Founded in the 9th century, it was first used as the residence of the Dukes of Savoy, then as a prison, and then as a defensive structure. Since the 19th century, a museum has been located within the walls of Chillon Castle.

The glacier descending along the southern slope of the Bernese Alps is remarkable in that its shape resembles a man-made road. Eighty-six square kilometers of ice stretches twenty-four kilometers in length. The Great Aletsch Glacier is fed by firn ice formations emanating from four adjacent basins, with a total area of ​​thirty square kilometers.

Rural life in 19th-century Switzerland comes alive in the warmer months just above Lake Brienz. Ninety hundred-year-old houses, two hundred and fifty farm animals, “historical” gardens and fields introduce museum visitors to the architectural, everyday and cultural features of different parts of the country.

The oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe is located in Lucerne, on the Reuss River. Built in 1365 as a defensive corridor connecting the old and new parts of the city, today it preserves the historical memory of Switzerland, captured in one hundred and eleven triangular paintings.

Opened in 1891, Switzerland's first electrified railway is named after the three-kilometer mountain spur to which it rises from the resort of Zermatt. Nine kilometers of cogwheel rails shoot upward with a maximum gradient of twenty percent. Since 1942, the Gornergrat railway has operated year-round.

Contrary to popular legend, the Pilatus mountain range is not named after the famous Pontius Pilate, whose grave is supposedly located in the Swiss Alps. The mountains got their name thanks to the dense cap of clouds that envelop their peak (translated from the Latin “pilleatus” - “in a felt hat”). You can climb Pilatus from Kriens by cable car.

Located in the Vist Valley, in the southern Alps, the famous Swiss resort all year round ready to receive guests. The slopes of three mountain peaks - Matterhorn, Monte Rosa and Doma - are equipped with everything necessary for a ski holiday: hundreds of kilometers of slopes of any difficulty level and several dozen lifts.

The majestic dying lion, carved into a steep rock overlooking a picturesque oval pond, is a mournful sign of memory of the courage and courage of seven hundred and sixty Swiss guards who gave their lives in 1792 for Louis XVI. The Lucerne sculpture belongs to the chisel of Bertel Thorvaldsen.

Founded at the end of the 12th century, the city was named after the first animal that came out to meet its founder, Duke Berthold V. The historical center of Bern (the Bear) is located on a hilly peninsula surrounded by the Are River. The main attractions of the Old Town are the medieval temples and towers and numerous fountains that appeared here in the 16th century.

A one hundred and thirty kilometer railway line, laid in the tourist part of the south-eastern region of Switzerland - Grisons, connects Tusis and Poschiavo. On its way you will encounter all the local beauties: picturesque landscapes and romantic villages, high mountain passes and “spiral” railway bridges.

A fortress architectural composition of three castles and stone walls connecting them appeared around the city of Bellinzona in the 13th-15th centuries. The first to be built on the site of Roman defensive fortifications was Castelgrande, then Montebello, and the last was the Sasso Corbaro castle. Today, many of the fortress halls are given over to museums and restaurants.

Opened in 1910, the Geneva Museum of Art and History is the owner of rich painting, numismatic, textile, music, ceramic and weapons collections. In the halls of the museum, both objects of Egyptian and Sudanese antiquity are exhibited, as well as works by Renoir, Monet, Veronese, and Vang Gogh.

Part of mountain range The Urnen Alps, the three-kilometer-long Mount Titlis, is ideal for both skiing and tobogganing (at the western foot) and traveling to the top by cable car. The top of Titlis is decorated with a small glacier with an area of ​​one square kilometer and a hundred-meter suspension bridge, passing over an abyss five hundred meters deep.

Z Velcro- this wonderful accessory was invented by the Swiss engineer George de Mestral in the mid-40s of the last century. The idea came to him after a hunt: he returned home covered in seeds that stuck to his shoes, clothes and dog. After he looked at them under a microscope to figure out what was what, he created Velcro. This material is heterogeneous in composition, consists of velvet and hooks, and resembles small hooks that use seeds.

Cellophane- another complex material combining cellulose and French diaphane, created in 1908 by Jacques Brandenberger, who saw a client spill wine on a tablecloth in a restaurant. After this, Brandenberger began looking into waterproof fabric, but then he discovered that the cellulose material he sprayed onto the fabric could easily be peeled off into thin sheets. Then he realized that he had discovered something more.

Swiss army knife- invented by Karl Elsener and named after his mother Victoria Victorinox (Victoria plus inox - stainless steel). The Swiss officer's knife, since its inception in the 1890s, has evolved from a simple knife to one that includes a rich arsenal - from a simple corkscrew to such very modern additions as LED lights and MP3 players.

Direct democracy- Although the ancient Greeks are considered the founders of the concept of democracy, it was founded by the Swiss Confederation in 1291, which introduced the principles of direct democracy at a time when monarchs still ruled everywhere in Europe. Today, popular initiatives and the referendums they generate are a special part of the Swiss heritage.

Helvetica font is one of the most popular fonts ever created. It was developed in 1957 by Max Miedinger and Eduard Hoffmann. Classic Helvetica and its many variations are known for their crisp, chopped outlines. By the way, due to the popularity of the font, the New York Museum of Modern Art even organized a 50th anniversary of Helvetica in 2001. And not many fonts have their own exhibitions in art museums,

Absinthe- Although most of the drink was drunk by the French, the aniseed spirit of absinthe originated in the Swiss canton of Neuchâtel. The Green Fairy was at one time all the rage in drinking establishments across Europe until its consumption was eventually banned in a number of countries due to the narcotic nature and accompanying antisocial behavior that was blamed on the drink. But in recent years, absinthe has experienced a rebirth.

LSD- Hippies, artists and other psychedelic adventurers can thank Albert Hofmann of Talence for creating yet another psychotropic substance - lysergic acid diethylamide, better known as LSD (or simply acid). She was born in the Sandoz laboratory in 1938. By the way, Bicycle Day (April 19, 1943) is also celebrated annually as the day when a doctor first experimented with LSD on a person - on himself.

Muesli. Not many people can boast of having a porridge named after them. Muesli, known in Switzerland as Birchermüesli, was created by Swiss doctor Maximilian Bircher-Benner for patients at his sanatorium in Zurich. The original version includes much more fruit and is topped with orange juice, unlike today's heavy boxes of cereal that are served with milk. During the health food craze of the 1970s, muesli became a worldwide sensation.

Internet time. When distributing time zones, the Swiss company Swatch divided the day into 1000 .beats (beats), each .beats equal to 1 minute 24.6 seconds. But even though it's not exactly mainstream, we have to recognize the logic and ingenuity of a Swiss firm that has brought change to the world as we know it.

And, of course, - milk chocolate. In the late 1800s, Swiss Daniel Piet solved a problem that had long plagued chocolate makers by using condensed milk instead of regular milk. This gave dark chocolate a sweet taste and made it popular in Europe. Dairy farmers are still very grateful to him.

Yes, you probably know that Switzerland has the Alps, reliable banks and lots of chocolate. But you probably didn't know other - sometimes strange and crazy - facts about this country. For example, that this is the only direct democracy in the world, that it has the most liberal laws on weapons and yes, that even palm trees grow in it! Anyway, let's get down to business and read the most incredible and amazing facts about one of the richest countries in the world.

1. You probably would never think that Switzerland has some of the most liberal gun laws (there are 2.3-4.5 million guns for a population of 8 million).

2. This country also has one of the lowest crime rates in the world.

3. Foreigners make up 23% of Switzerland's 8 million population.

4. Switzerland has more than just mountains! In the south of the country, for example, palm trees grow - you will find them in the area of ​​​​Lake Lugano.

5. Switzerland has 4 national languages ​​- German, French, Italian and Romansh.

6. According to the Economist Intelligence Unit's Quality of Life Index, Switzerland is the best place to be born. This index includes employment indicators, crime rates, quality of life, healthcare system, sense of life satisfaction, etc.

7. The country has 208 mountains with a height of more than 3,000 meters and 24 with a height of more than 4,000 meters.

8. The stereotypes were true - chocolate is indeed the largest export product.

9. In the event of a nuclear war, the Swiss built bunkers capable of accommodating the entire population of the country.

10. Also, in case of war, they can easily turn their roads into landing strips by removing junctions and intersections.

11. Let's get back to chocolate... The Swiss came up with edible chocolate gold.

12. Swiss fines for speeding depend on the citizen’s income. Recently, a Swiss man who was speeding in a Ferrari was fined almost a quarter of a million dollars because he earned about a million dollars a year.

13. The Swiss live in the only country in the world with direct democracy. This means that any citizen can question any law and propose changes to the constitution.

14. Have you ever wondered why the Swiss domain is designated by the letters CH? Well, let's reveal a secret: because the name of the country in Latin (which, by the way, is often used in other areas) sounds like this - Confoederatio Helvetica.

15. And back to chocolate... Every year 7 million Toblerone chocolate bars are produced in Bern.

16. In 2010, the average annual salary of a Swiss teacher was $120,000, while teachers in the United States earn an average of $35,000 per year.

17. Military service for men is compulsory from the age of 18. Due to the fact that a large part of the adult male population is in the army reserve, all men must have weapons and the necessary ammunition at home to be ready for action at a moment's notice. Did you think the Swiss were a bunch of pacifists?

18. In Bern there is a 500-year-old statue of a man eating babies from a bag. Nobody knows why this eerie monument was erected.

19. The Swiss army prepared every potential mountain pass and tunnel for possible bombing. For what? In case of war, Switzerland will close all routes of attack to the enemy.

20. Switzerland has no head of state. Instead, there is a board of 7 people who do all the work.

23. In 1802, the Swiss started a war called Stecklikrieg. Do you know what's the craziest thing? They were armed only with sticks because Napoleon had taken their weapons.

24. The only part of a Swiss knife that is not made in Switzerland is the corkscrew. It is made in Japan.

25. Again, we are here to destroy your opinion of Switzerland as a country of pacifists... The army has fully equipped bunkers, disguised as country houses, which are located in the most populated villages. It’s better not to quarrel with Switzerland...