Switzerland is proud of this. Russians in Switzerland Swiss Encyclopedia of the most famous people in the world
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.
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.
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 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.
21. The country also does not have a capital, because it is not specified in the constitution (Bern is the de facto capital).
On the Internet there are often topics “The country through the eyes of a Russian”, “Curious facts about the country”, etc. I have accumulated a certain amount of material on different countries, I will collect it in a heap and show you as much as possible. It may be useful to someone, but many will just be interested.
So, the first country is Switzerland.
1. In Switzerland, one of the 7 members of the federal council is appointed in turn to the position of president. In 2011, this post was occupied by a woman, Mechelle Calmy Rey (before that, there was also a woman). Theoretically, each minister can be president many times; there have also been cases when it was not possible to become president. Appointments occur every year.
2. In Switzerland there are no cities with a population of one million, not even a city with a population of half a million.
3. Switzerland is home to one of the tallest concrete dams in the world, the Grand Dixence.
4. In Switzerland, the election system (or rather referendums) allows for a referendum to be held every Sunday. In practice, this happens less often - several times a year, and without much fuss.
5. One of these referendums banned the construction of new minarets.
6. There are 6 minarets in total in the country, but they do not fulfill their main function (gathering for prayer) due to the law on silence. Switzerland has a ban on building mosques
7. Coins in denominations from 5 centimes to 5 francs, banknotes from 10 to 1000 francs. There are 100 centimes (French) or rapens (German) in a franc; 1 franc is approximately 0.8 euros or 1 US dollar.
8. Switzerland is the only confederation in the world.
9. Switzerland has 4 official languages. The rarest is Romansh - it is owned by 0.7% of the country's population.
10. In Switzerland, school starts at 4 years old, 4 days a day (Wednesday-day off).
11. In Switzerland, shops close at 7 pm and are closed on Sundays. Exceptions: Thursdays open until 9, and small shops open as they please.
12. Switzerland has no access to the sea or the ocean, which did not prevent it from once winning the Cup of America ocean regatta.
13. Over the past few years, banking secrecy has been eroded. Swiss banks were forced under pressure to hand over some customer data to US and German authorities.
14. In Switzerland, alcohol is not sold in stores after 9 pm.
15. In Switzerland, only one city has a metro (Lausanne) and it is above ground and without a driver.
16. They serve in the Swiss army almost their entire lives, regularly undergoing weekly training sessions (about a year in total). The employer pays the usual salary during the training camp.
17. You can officially opt out of the army if you donate 3% of all money earned before the age of 30 to the budget.
18. You can keep the weapon after service and the state encourages this. You can often meet people with a gun at their advantage even on public transport.
19. Only citizens can have weapons and serve in law enforcement agencies.
20. Citizenship can be obtained after 12 years of residence in the country.
21. Switzerland consists of 26 cantons (territorial unit), the canton consists of communes.
22. Accordingly, laws (and taxes) are at the communal, cantonal and federal levels.
23. Switzerland began with 4 cantons, one of which (Schwyz) gave the country its name. As a result of the accession of various states to the confederation, the number increased to 25 (Geneva was the last to join). And in 1979, one canton split into two as a result of a referendum.
24. Inflation in Switzerland does not exceed 1% per year.
25. In Switzerland, half of the electricity is generated from hydroelectric power plants.
26. In Switzerland there is the longest tunnel in the world - the Gotthard Base Tunnel, 57 km. However, commissioning is scheduled only for 2017. Among those built there is St. Gotthard, which ranks 3rd in the world among automobile roads - 17 km. Unlike the famous Mont Blanc tunnel (which is also shorter), the Swiss one is free (more precisely, it is included in the annual fee for using the entire autobahn system of the country). In the meantime, there is such a tunnel - Lötschberg. Its length is 34,700 meters.
27. In Switzerland, education is free, including for foreigners. Private schools cost from 25 thousand francs per year.
28. Medicine is paid, insurance is compulsory.
29. Geneva Airport is located on Swiss territory, but there is a road leading to France that bypasses the land border (formally, the border passes at the airport).
30. And in Basel (Mulhouse), on the contrary, there is an airport on French territory and a road to Switzerland, which is considered Swiss territory.
31. In the movie GoldenEye, James Bond jumps from the 4th highest dam in Switzerland (Versasca or Contra), where the highest banjo jumping point in the world is located.
32. Switzerland is home to the highest railway station in Europe - Jungfraujoch.
33. According to the Legatum Prosperity Index, Switzerland has been ranked first in the world in terms of governance quality for the last 3 years.
34. Suvorov made his crossing of the Alps through the territory of Switzerland.
35. Switzerland is home to a huge number of headquarters of international organizations, such as the UN, Red Cross, WHO, WTO, CERN, etc. Sports: FIFA, FIBA, IOC, commercial ones are also catching up: Nestlé, Philip-Morris, Novartis, etc. d.
36. Under the government program, drug addicts are given a free dose, food and a place to sleep. It is believed that this is cheaper than countering violations on their part.
37. The most famous Swiss athlete is tennis player Roger Federer, the former first racket of the world, and even now he is among the top players.
38. Christmas trees In Switzerland you can throw away only 1 day a year - at the very beginning of January.
39. Small donations to officials are actually legalized - for any certificate you need to pay a minimum of 25 francs, they do it quickly.
40. To cut down a tree, you must obtain permission from the authorities, even if you planted it yourself on your own land.
41. Swiss wine is almost unknown in the world, since everyone drinks it domestically.
42. Swiss fondue and raclette dishes are very easy to prepare and are literally prepared on the table in the presence of guests.
43. In the Swiss city of Zermatt, petrol and diesel cars are completely banned, only electric cars are allowed.
44. For an address In Switzerland, they number the entrances (front doors) rather than houses. There are no apartment numbers - instead there are nameplates.
45. There are no stray dogs or cats on the streets.
46. At some point in time, every new house was required to have a bomb shelter, then the obligation was replaced by the payment of a tax, then this law was completely repealed, but bomb shelters remained.
47. Apartment buildings usually have a laundry room in the basement. Access to it is strictly on schedule for residents of the house.
48. Any company in Switzerland must have a Swiss director. There is even such a profession as a nominal hired director. Holders of Swiss passports can earn decent money without doing anything, but simply being listed as a director in several companies.
49. The world's first zero-star hotel opened in an anti-nuclear bunker in Switzerland.
50. Rapidshare file hosting servers are located in an underground anti-nuclear bunker in Switzerland.
51. The country is located so conveniently that you can go to Germany to fill your refrigerator, dine on sea creatures in Paris, or go to Milan for a sale.
52. “Owls” have a hard time because all institutions and shops close and open early.
53. 4 official languages: German, French, Italian and Romansh. So far I have only seen Romansh people on TV; they are given an hour a day to watch programs. Many Swiss speak two or three foreign languages.
54. Currently, a quarter of the country’s population consists of newcomers; in the canton of Zurich, every third person is a foreigner, and in Geneva, almost every second person is a foreigner. And in 1940, there were only 5% of those who came in large numbers. In total, 8 million people live permanently in the country.
55. The most numerous nations (thousands of people): Italians (287), Germans (263), Portuguese (213), Serbs (122), French (96). There are 12 Russians, 5 Ukrainians, 1 Belarusians, which in total is comparable to the number of East Asians (18).
56. At the same time, the country is still one of the most difficult in Europe for the average non-European to obtain a residence permit and citizenship. You need to stay on type B for 10 years, renewing it every year for 100 CHF, then they finally give you C (indefinite), and after 12 years you have the right to begin the naturalization procedure. There are exceptions, but generally this is true.
57. Russians here are divided mainly into three groups: “marriage to the country”, self-employed and rich. They don't like each other and have little overlap.
58. “I flew to Zurich and thought: there are so many foreigners! Then it turned out that they were just talking in Swiss German.” German dialects are a challenge for foreigners living in the German part. But if you want, you can learn the dialect. The method is simple: (1) listen a lot, (2) understand the basic principles from a book, (3) try to speak, despite the fact that at first, of course, hearing yourself is very funny.
59. It is important to at least learn to understand the dialect. Yes, polite Swiss will speak standard German to you, but you need to see the joy on their faces when you tell them you understand the dialect. According to them, ordinary German is still like a foreign language for them.
60. But even with a dialect, the way to the heart of a Swiss is not easy to find. Most of them have few friends, and only those from school.
61. One article once called Switzerland “the ashtray of Europe.” There really are a lot of people who smoke here, despite the ban on smoking indoors and constantly rising prices for cigarettes. Now a pack costs about 7.5 CHF.
62. The Swiss are big fans of smoking weed, and it’s very strong here.
63. The country has an ideal public transport system: you can get to any locality without a car. In this case, you can calculate your path with an accuracy of up to a minute, and in 95% of cases it will be so. This saves a lot of time. The train must have a toilet and a place/car for bicycles.
64. The transport network in cities is very dense, for example, in the city of Zurich with a population of 400,000, there are as many as 15 tram routes; over the last 4 years, 2 new ones have been introduced.
65. The country has 3 international airports: Zurich, Geneva and Basel/Mühlhausen (24, 13 and 5 million passengers in 2011), as well as 11 regional ones. The passenger flow of Zurich Airport is comparable to that of Domodedovo or Sheremetyevo, despite the fact that the population of the entire country is half the population of the Moscow agglomeration. At the airport, among other things, there are many shops (with extended opening hours) and completely normal prices. The journey from Zurich city center to the airport takes 6 minutes by train. This creates certain inconvenience for people living in the neighborhood: at exactly 6 am, airplanes begin to buzz over the houses with a frequency of one or two minutes.
66. There is a whole waste disposal system. (1) Garbage may only be thrown out in special paid bags. (2) You can save on this if you sort your waste: paper, cardboard, garden waste, compost, glass, metal, plastic bottles, batteries, light bulbs... There are different collection containers and collection schedules for everything. You can also donate old clothes and shoes once every three months.
67. For almost all services, be it a doctor or a repairman, the Internet or a cell phone, payment occurs after the service is provided and through an invoice sent to your mailing address. Some accounts can be switched to automatic mode by linking them to a bank account. Even online purchases can often be paid not by credit card, but after receiving the goods. Of course, Swiss mail also works like a Swiss watch: the ordered electrical appliance can be sent to you within a day and sometimes even with free shipping. There are difficulties with orders from Europe: the post office charges a decent customs fee.
68. By the age of 30, an ordinary working Swiss without a higher education can afford to take out a mortgage. Another thing is that there is an opinion that having your own home is quite expensive, responsible, ties you to a certain place and in terms of costs is comparable to renting the same house, which will not give you a headache at all.
69. It is popular to play sports here and almost every Swiss is a semi-pro in some area and is a member of a sports association.
70. There is a private air ambulance, REGA, founded in 1952. 60% of funding comes from voluntary donations. There are almost 11 thousand helicopters in the fleet.
71. Switzerland is a mountainous country; there are about 50 four-thousander peaks on its territory. Mountains occupy almost 70% of the entire territory. At the same time, wonderful roads have been laid in the mountains and tunnels have been drilled. The longest road tunnel is the Gotthard Tunnel, the third longest in the world, 17 kilometers long. Often on one side there are harsh mountain fogs, and on the other there is the bright Italian sun.
72. Two important concepts in Swiss society are Dankbarkeit (gratitude) and Respekt (respect). The first one is easier: if you took something that was done for you for granted, then most likely you were grossly under-thanked. For Russians with a categorical imperative in grammar, adjusting the degree of gratitude can be difficult at first. Respekt means fulfilling certain social norms, which a foreigner, of course, does not know at first. For example, it is disrespectful if you are visiting and in a hurry to simply say goodbye and leave. You need to start saying goodbye at least 15 minutes before you are supposed to leave. It is disrespectful to bring up certain topics in conversation. It can even be disrespectful to spontaneously put horns on a photo.
73. The Swiss make rather caustic jokes, sparing neither relatives nor friends.
74. Apartments rarely have a washing machine: connecting it is expensive. Therefore, the washing room is located in the basement. If the apartment is cheaper, everything is washed in a common machine; if the apartment is more expensive, the machine may be individual. There is a plan for laundry, which, depending on your neighbors, you have to sign up for a month in advance. Also, sometimes it is necessary to write stern warnings to those who do not take out their laundry on time and climb outside the plan; sometimes you just throw wet, soapy clothes into the basket.
75. Products in stores are mostly expensive, especially meat, fish and fruit. German Lidl and Aldi represent the lowest price category, followed by Denner, Migros and Coop. Moreover, the price-quality ratio does not have to be fulfilled; you need to know where it is better to buy what.
76. Everyone must have health insurance, which costs about 250 CHF per month. A visit to a specialist with an examination on devices and tests will cost from 300 to 500 CHF, an appointment is usually a couple of months in advance, if not something critical. Insurance covers almost everything except the dentist; a filling will cost 500 CHF.
And for all diseases there are Aspirin, Neocitran and lozenges for throat and cough.
77. There are about 10 universities in the country, where studying is quite cheap, with an average of 2,000 CHF per year for a foreigner for a bachelor’s or master’s degree. True, they are going to increase the fee for a bachelor's degree, considering that Swiss education is obscenely cheap. The classrooms are well equipped: a computer with Internet and a projector almost everywhere. And of course, many laboratories for science students, huge libraries (mostly free and with free access for everyone).
78. In the summer, the most popular way to spend time here is to grill meat outdoors or in the garden. In almost every forest you can find a specially equipped place for fireplaces and tables. There are a ton of different discounts on marinated meat. In winter, everyone goes to the mountains to ski, board or sled. In the last couple of years, winters have been abnormally warm; snow falls poorly on 2,000-meter peaks.
79. Most of the weekends of the year are church holidays.
80. The motto of Switzerland is very musketeer: “One for all, and all for one!”
81. The country is known for its notorious neutrality, which is explained not at all by a love of peace, but by the fact that for this small country, bordering such military-active countries as France, Germany, Italy and Austria, there was simply no other choice. Neutrality means non-interference in any armed conflicts. Neutrality leaves Switzerland no chance to win Eurovision.
82. At the same time, Switzerland has an army that functions according to the principle “Switzerland does not have an army, Switzerland is an army!” Every Swiss male is obliged to repay his debt: military service, alternative service or money. Moreover, if you leave to serve, they will keep your job, and as a reward they will also give you a personal machine gun to take home.
83. There are almost no mineral resources in the country; villagers raise livestock, plant grain, potatoes, carrots and corn, and in some places they grow fruit and make wine. In stores, everything grown, collected and slaughtered in Switzerland stands out especially and is more expensive.
84. Despite the popular belief that Switzerland lives off its banks, this is not the case: the percentage of high-tech products in GDP is at the level of Germany and higher than that of Japan. However, 70% of the population is employed in the service sector: trade, healthcare, education, finance and insurance.
85. There is little tasty and healthy food in traditional Swiss cuisine: they mainly eat cheese dishes, various sausages and potatoes. What everyone knows is Fondue (melted cheese in a pot mixed with wine, dipped bread in it), Raklett (melted cheese on a spatula with jacket potatoes, pickles and fried pieces of meat), Rösti (a type of fried potato), Älplermagronen (fried mixture of pasta, potatoes, cheese, cream and onions with various toppings), Sausisson (healthy sausage with a lot of fatty meat inside, served with red cabbage with chestnuts). They also love to eat asparagus.
86. Elections and other voting are held by mail: an envelope with ballots and information is sent, which must be filled out and sent back before the appointed time. At the same time, political agitation can be very cruel: when they voted for some law on the entry of foreigners, Switzerland was depicted as trampled under the black feet of those who had come in large numbers.
87. There are many bureaucratic institutions; you need to know where to get which certificate. It helps that they work quite quickly and smoothly, for example, changing a residence permit takes a maximum of a couple of hours: sign the form with the secretary at work and go to the regional Kreisbüro office to give the form and pay the fee. The new permit will be sent by registered mail within two weeks.
88. Cities organically coexist with nature: 10 minutes from the center there can be a pasture with cows, the rivers are full of ducks greedy for bread, a fat swan walks on the bridge in the center on a Sunday morning, and herons fly over the houses. Perhaps the most unpleasant animal here is the forest cockroach; it looks exactly like an ordinary red one, but is not afraid of light and flies with all its might.
89. A popular tradition is a carnival procession, in different cities at different times. Everyone makes masks and costumes for themselves and walks through the center, dancing, scaring the kids and playing musical instruments.
90. When you first come to Switzerland from Russia, it seems that everything is so small.
91. Cabaret Voltaire in Zurich was the birthplace of Dadaism, which is why the art gallery features one of Max Ernst's most stunning paintings. Also, the artist Giger, who came up with the screen appearance of “Aliens,” is Swiss; there is his museum in Gruyère.
92. The Swiss are masters at building cable cars and high-altitude trains. The gear train, traveling at an incline of 48 degrees to an altitude of 2000 meters, is located on Mount Pilatus in the canton of Obwalden.
93. The country actively supports scientific research in the fields of nanotechnology, computer science, space and climate. Also recently, the Higgs boson may have been discovered at the Large Hadron Collider. Getting a postgraduate position with a good Russian education and decent English is not difficult. Here they still believe that Russians are very smart and strong in technical disciplines.
94. In general, the level of understanding of mathematical disciplines by students is not high. In exams in mathematics and statistics (the subject is taken voluntarily) in the master's program they write things that would make a first-year bachelor in Russia feel ashamed. The reason, it seems to me, is that students choose their own curriculum and many important areas remain very chaotically mastered. As a rule, the Chinese show the best knowledge.
95. It is common among people to help each other. Someone will definitely help you carry the stroller into and out of the bus (it’s not a shame to ask for this directly), load heavy suitcases, hang the bike on a hook on the ceiling of the train. There are many buses and trams with low floors for disabled people, and if anything happens, the driver will come out and help.
96. Swiss Post is also a financial institution. There you can open an account on more favorable terms than in commercial banks, however, all the goodies apply mainly within the country. You can also pay with their card on Swiss websites.
97. Here they are relaxed about non-traditional orientation. There is a gay and a lesbian member of the city council of Zurich. Every year in August the Love Parade takes place. It’s completely normal to see a guy in a red suit, green platform sandals and a bright manicure in the city center. It’s not that there are many of them, it’s just that no one cares.
98. According to rumors, kindergartens for children are a very expensive thing, so often women after 30 get married, give birth to several children in a row and look after them. Moreover, there are no problems moving around with children; there are changing tables and children's rooms everywhere.
99. Prostitution and downloading from torrents are legal. On TV after 12 they only play advertisements for all sorts of establishments. The state is concerned in every possible way about the conditions of street labor for priestesses of love.
100. Switzerland is recognized as the most mountainous country in Europe. Mountains occupy 2/3 of the entire territory of this country
101. The best and most expensive watches in the world are made in Switzerland. Of course, everyone knows the brands - Rolex, Chopard, Breguet, Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Tissot, Swatch, etc. By the way, the first wristwatch was invented by the dude Patek Philippe in 1868.
102. Switzerland makes the best chocolate in the world. The first chocolate bar was produced in 1819
103. The Swiss knife is also the most famous pocket knife in the world. By the way, they make it red to make it easier to find in the snow or grass if you drop it
104. Yodeling (that kind of lousy singing without words) has long been used by Swiss shepherds as a means of communication.
105. Wherever you are in Switzerland, there will be a body of water suitable for swimming within a maximum of 13 miles from you
106. Switzerland is in second place in Europe in terms of life expectancy (Sweden is first)
107. The most famous Swiss dish in the world is fondue. Initially, fondue was the food of peasants, who thus ate leftover bread and cheese.
108. Switzerland is located in the center of Europe, but is not part of the European Union
109. The world-famous Davidoff company was created in Switzerland by an emigrant from Kyiv
110. Switzerland is one of the richest countries in the world. It is also the largest financial center
111. The country receives 15% of its income from tourism
112. A Swiss Guard must be at least 174 cm tall and must not have a mustache, beard or long hair. And during his service he cannot get married. Exceptions are rarely made and only if the guardsman's bride is a convinced Catholic
113 . Switzerland is a paradise for mushroom pickers. No one collects or eats porcini mushrooms, of which there are a great many there)
114 . The Swiss are the most inventive nation in the world. There are 2,286 patents per million inhabitants in Switzerland. The closest competitors are the Dutch (1,427 patents per million population), South Koreans (1,139) and Japanese (1,118). It is believed that increased ingenuity is due to the lack of mineral resources and access to the sea in Switzerland, which does not allow the development of either serious industry or trade. You have to rely on ingenuity.
Does anyone else know anything interesting about Switzerland? And who can correct anything in these facts?
Switzerland (German die Schweiz, French la Suisse, Italian Svizzera, Roman Svizra), official name Swiss Confederation (German Schweizerische Eclassgenossenschaft, French Confederation suisse, Italian Confederazione Svizzera, Roman Confederaziun svizra) The name comes from the name canton of Schwyz, derived from the Old German "burn". The state has no access to the sea. The capital of Switzerland is the city of Bern. The largest city in this country is Zurich - the center of the canton of the same name.
Switzerland is located in Central Europe and borders Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, France and Italy. Switzerland is a federal republic and a new Constitution was adopted in 1999. The country is divided into twenty-three cantons. The federal authorities are responsible for many important issues. The bicameral parliament is the highest legislative body in Switzerland. The President is the head of state.
There are several official languages in Switzerland: German, Italian, French Romansh. As for the latter, it is recognized as official only for communication with native speakers of this language. The monetary unit of Switzerland is the Swiss franc. Approximately 48% of the country's total population are Catholics, 46% consider themselves Protestants, and another 6% profess other religions. The main river in Switzerland is the Rhine. Time in Switzerland is two hours behind Moscow.
Most of Switzerland is covered with mountains. The territory of Switzerland is divided into 3 natural regions. These are the Jura Mountains (in the north of the country), the Alps Mountains (in the south) and the Swiss Plateau (in the center of the state). Interestingly, the Alps (mountainous area) alone occupy more than 60% of the country's territory.
Switzerland has a continental climate. True, in accordance with different altitudes above sea level, it is characterized by significant fluctuations. The average winter temperature in the valleys of Switzerland tends to zero, and in mountainous areas it can reach - 10 °C and below. The average summer temperature in the valleys is approximately +18-20°C, in the mountainous areas slightly lower. Quite a large part of precipitation falls in the form of snow - in the winter season. In the Alps - at an altitude of 1.5 thousand meters or more - precipitation in the form of snow pellets is typical even in May-June. The unusual climate of Switzerland lies in the fact that each region of this country can boast of a landscape and climate unique to it. Surprisingly, we can say that in Switzerland the Arctic lives next to the tropics. Mosses and lichens, as well as mimosa and palm trees, grow in this country.
The history of Switzerland dates back to the thirteenth century. More precisely, at the end of this century - in 1291. It was then that the cantons of Schwyz, Uri, and Unterwalden joined forces to fight the Habsburgs. The "Alliance for Eternity" was intended to counteract the Habsburg aspirations to completely control the approaches to the St. Gotthard Pass. The latter was the most important land route in Europe in the Middle Ages. By the way, the name of the country - Switzerland - comes from the name of one of the cantons that entered into the above union: from the canton of Schwyz. A little later - in subsequent years - neighboring lands were annexed to the union. Some joined it voluntarily, some were forced. The first Swiss Constitution was adopted in 1848. She proclaimed Switzerland a federal state. This was once again confirmed in the Swiss Constitution of 1874.
Switzerland is a truly amazing country. Occupying such a small territory (its area is only 41,293.2 square kilometers, which is approximately one-ninth the size of Germany), Switzerland has absorbed all the most attractive things: stunning natural masterpieces and no less amazing creations of human hands. Traces of different civilizations, their cultural and historical heritage coexist perfectly in this state. For example, an amphitheater for ten thousand visitors will remind tourists of the Romans. In the Swiss cities of Lausanne, Geneva, Basel and some others, tourists will discover Gothic and Romanesque architectural monuments. A large number of pilgrims from all over the world are gathered by the Castello di Montebello fortress, which has survived to this day, which dates back to the Renaissance. The churches of Arlesheim, Kreuzlingen, as well as the monasteries of Engelberg and Einsiedeln are presented in the Baroque style. An inquisitive tourist can find a lot of interesting things in this country.
Switzerland is rich in attractions. In this regard, it is very interesting to get acquainted with the city of Schaffhausen. Its architectural appearance is mainly represented by the Rococo and Baroque styles. Many ancient buildings dating back to late Gothic times have survived to this day. The same city is proud of its ancient fortress Munod. You can climb to it along a beautiful path paved with stones. In Switzerland, the famous city of St. Gallen, which is the center of Eastern Switzerland. This city appeared thanks to the Irish monk Gallus. Legend has it that a bear helped the monk during the construction of St. Gallen. The latter became a symbol of the city - its image is depicted on the coat of arms of St. Gallen. Architectural monuments (made in the Baroque style) are the famous cathedral of this city and the monastery library.
Lucerne has the appearance of a medieval city. This city seems to be the main city of Central Switzerland. Since 1400, the Musegmauer fortress wall has stood in Lucerne, with a total length of 870 meters. The same city is famous for the first significant building of the Baroque era in the history of the country - the Jesuitenkirche. History buffs can visit museums in Switzerland, of which there are an incredible 600. The most famous and frequently visited are the Swiss Historical Museum, which is located in the city of Zurich, as well as the art museums of Zurich, Geneva, Bern and Basel.
Switzerland boasts a wealth of natural attractions. A tourist traveling to Eastern Switzerland will have the opportunity to see the unusually beautiful Rhine Falls. This waterfall is one of the most mesmerizing beauties of Switzerland. The average water flow of the Rhine Falls is 1100 m3 per second. Schaffhausen is a city located in close proximity to this waterfall.
Eastern Switzerland is rich in colorful flower carpets. These are beautiful alpine roses, saxifrage, edelweiss and others. The flowers of perennial shrubs and herbs are brightly colored and (like the plants themselves) fragrant.
Central Switzerland is proud of its Mount Pilatus. Its height is 2120 meters. It is located not far - only ten kilometers - from Lucerne. The city itself, surrounded by mountains, nestles near Lake Firvaldstätt.
Western Switzerland will amaze tourists with its famous mountain miracle, which has become a symbol of the entire country. We are talking about Mount Matterhorn, whose height reaches 4478 meters. This mountain is shaped like a pyramid. Mount Matterhorn has been chosen by many climbers.
The canton of Wallis, which is a deep valley (depth - 130 kilometers), is another natural masterpiece of Western Switzerland. The beautiful valley is located among the high alpine range.
There are many lakes in Switzerland that are famous throughout the world. One of them is the famous Lake Geneva. Next to it is the city of Lausanne. It is also notable for the fact that it intricately combines the colors of antiquity and modernity. The narrow streets of the historical center organically merge with modernly furnished neighborhoods. In addition to wonderful views of Lake Geneva, local residents and vacationers can see the mountain ranges of the Alps.
Switzerland is attractive for ski tourists. In this country, lovers of extreme recreation will feel comfortable thanks to the wonderful arrangement of the slopes. There are approximately 140 ski centers in Switzerland. Many of them are ranked among the best ski resorts in the world. Here are some of them: Saas-Fee, Zermatt, San Moritz, Davos, Villars, Grindenwald and others. The resort of Saas-Fee is called the “pearl of the Alps”. This is one of the highest mountain resorts in the state. The city of Saas-Fee is surrounded by quaint mountains that are covered with glaciers. Natural beauty gives this city an extraordinary flavor. And since Saas-Fee is a fairly young ski resort in the country, the cost of living here is relatively low. Zermatt is a prestigious resort in Switzerland. The city is located at the very foot of the famous Matterhorn mountain. It is also interesting that the only modes of transport at this resort are horse-drawn carts and electric cars. So Zermatt is freed from the mass accumulation of cars.
Switzerland is famous for its rich cultural life. It is, in fact, very diverse. Absolutely every major city in this country can boast its own theater and symphony orchestra. The Opera House in Zurich, the Basel City Theater, and the Grand Theater in Geneva are popular.
Switzerland is one of the most developed countries in the world. Switzerland is one of the highly developed industrial countries of the world. Agriculture in this country is highly productive. The competitiveness of the Swiss economy allows this country to be included in the top ten countries in the world for this indicator. This state is economically closely connected with the countries of the European Union (they account for 80 to 85% of total trade turnover) and the rest of the outside world.
Switzerland is one of the richest countries in the world. This country is one of the most significant financial and banking centers in the world. There are approximately four thousand financial institutions in Switzerland. The bulk of the country's population lives prosperously. After all, this state’s economic focus is not on the export of raw materials, but on the production of high-tech products. Switzerland is famous for its highly educated specialists. Statistics show that the average annual income of one resident of Switzerland is $38,380.
Switzerland provides excellent education. This country has gained a reputation for its leading role in the international education system. Approximately one hundred thousand pupils and students from the country itself and many other countries study in private schools in Switzerland. After receiving higher education at universities in Switzerland, a significant part of graduates are successfully employed in their chosen specialty.
Switzerland is a country with impeccable service. And Switzerland is proud of and values this reputation. Even the simplest cafe or bar is impeccably clean. The visitor will definitely feel comfortable here, he will really be surrounded by warmth. There are a lot of different sports complexes and recreational facilities in Switzerland. With Swiss precision (like a famous clock), trains arrive at stations and people come to meetings. And climbing to the top of the mountains (of which there are more than enough in Switzerland) will not require any effort. After all, Switzerland has modern mining engineering technology. So the tourist will only have to enjoy the view that will open to them from the highest mountains. It will take your breath away - that's for sure!
Swiss cuisine has many of its own delicacies. It is recognized by gourmets all over the world. Swiss chocolate is especially popular. It represents one of the pride of this small state. Swiss chocolate reaches other countries under the motto “Made in Switzerland”. An interesting fact is that Switzerland has the highest per capita consumption of chocolate. It is four times larger than the Russian one and amounts to twelve kilograms per year. The Swiss know a lot about chocolate. The Swiss desserts “Hühli” and “Krefli” are also famous throughout the world.
In general, Swiss cuisine has absorbed the culinary traditions of many peoples living in Switzerland. These are Italian, French, German traditions. Swiss cuisine is distinguished by an abundance of fermented milk products and cheese. Meat and various seasonings are of great importance here. The Bernes Platter dish is very popular. It consists of fried pieces of pork and beef, seasoned with sauerkraut or green beans. The dish “Lurich Leschnetzeltes” is not far behind it. It is based on thinly sliced pieces of veal in sauce.
Switzerland is famous for its cheese production. The variety of this product in Switzerland is simply amazing. But there is a reasonable explanation for this. The fact is that the traditions of cheese production in this state have a long history. The technology for producing each type of cheese has long been passed down from generation to generation; quality has improved. A distinctive feature of cheeses produced in Switzerland is the fact that each type of cheese is sold under its own brand. This brand in most cases has a name associated with the place of origin. The most famous cheeses are: Emmental, Appenzell, Gruyère, Tête de Moine, Tilsit, Sbrinz and others. Most Swiss cheeses are hard or semi-hard. This is due to the long Swiss winters, which are accompanied by difficulties in communication between the cantons (due to the abundance of snow).
The Swiss have a special relationship with cheese. Some people like it hard, some like it semi-hard, and some like it soft. On the festive (or just everyday) table, one family will have cheese cut into thin slices, another will have cheese made in the shape of flowers, and a third will have cheese cut into cubes. Even the most traditional dish in Switzerland is “cheese fondue”. It consists of Gruyère or Emmental cheese, which is melted in white wine and seasoned with spices. This popular dish is served hot with pieces of white bread. The latter are dipped in cheese. Raclette is another Swiss dish that is extremely popular. The base of this dish is fried cheese. It is served with potatoes and cucumbers.
Swiss watches are known throughout the world. Swiss watches are famous for their quality. A Swiss wristwatch is both a sophisticated mechanism and, in many cases, a piece of jewelry. Precision and beauty are organically combined in them. Exclusive models are made only to order.
Switzerland is made up of customs and traditions. At least, this is the impression one gets after visiting this state. Many traditions are local in nature. For example, in the north-eastern part of Switzerland there is a tradition of celebrating both the New Year and the “old new year”, and in a rather unusual way. On the night of the old New Year, it is easy to spot people wandering around the village fields with rather bizarre structures on their heads. Among them are respectable people who have earned a good reputation for themselves. But what can you do with tradition?
The Swiss calendar is the rhythm of life. It's not just 365 or 366 days a year. These are 365 or 366 days a year, each of which is assigned either an event (important or not) or a function. For example, the month is February. A month rich in snow. Schools begin a two-week “sports holiday”; many Swiss take up skiing. The following events are typical for February: Maslenitsa, carnival, the eve of Lent. During Maslenitsa week you can see the Swiss not only wearing masks, but also dressed “somehow”. However, the latter is not negotiable. festivities, celebrations, games and the like decorate this week with unique colors. During the week of the carnival you are simply not supposed to sleep for long. Rise - 5 o'clock in the morning. If you don’t get up yourself, then someone will come and wake you up: it’s not supposed to be like that, it’s not supposed to be like that. This whole ceremony is accompanied by noise.
The Swiss holiday “Zexilute”, which is celebrated in Zurich, is very noteworthy. The working population spends the first half of the day at work, but the second half is spent by crowds of people on the streets of the city. This holiday is celebrated on one of the Mondays and is associated with an increase in the length of the day. During the fun, paper figurines of snowmen are burned in the squares.
During the summer months, none of the towns in Switzerland can do without holidays. Celebrations are often associated in some way with the harvest. But Christmas is a quiet holiday. The family gathers at home and spends the evening at the festive table. You are not supposed to make noise or dress up elegantly.
Swiss folk music did not spread worldwide. The musical folklore of this country is mainly of the "Hudigegeller" style. His tunes are most often performed by a trio using double bass, clarinet and accordion. An interesting fact is that the “hudigegeller” genre is represented by only three melodies. But this does not bother the Swiss themselves at all. After all, this music is our own, national, and not alien, not foreign.
The Swiss are hospitable people. He is also very calm, hardworking, and respects the traditions and laws of his country. Therefore, when coming to Switzerland, a tourist must remember that he is a guest in this country, not a host.
Switzerland is a country of mountains and lakes.
Switzerland is a country where peace and tranquility reign in a very small area. Here the most stable and indestructible banks in the world, the most accurate clocks, the strongest education system for both students and employers. Calm cows graze in the meadows, eating organic grass, and produce delicious milk, from which they are subsequently made The most delicious cheese and chocolate in the world.
Switzerland is the ideal purity of nature.
In such a small territory there are four official languages at the same time: 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.
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.
This figure in Switzerland is the highest among Western European countries. 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 different peoples of the world can live peacefully on the same territory. 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 calm country will shelter.
Swiss banks
Swiss banks are modern structures equipped with the best security systems in the world. It’s not for nothing that international figures keep their 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 can be obtained in many areas: economics, linguistics, engineering and the humanities. Of course, it is impossible to forget about the 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, with expensive hotels and a high level of service. Well, ski slopes and glaciers attract winter sports lovers from all over the globe. Skiing or boarding in Switzerland is very prestigious. In terms of the level of 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.