Switzerland is a country located in Europe with name that begins with letter S. Switzerland is a small country that is both economically and scenically big. At 41,000 km², the Swiss Confederation is only half the size of Austria, but with 8.5 million people it has almost the same number of residents. And they live mainly in the Swiss plateau, which stretches between the main Alpine ridge and the Jura mountains. The largest cities in this densely populated part of the country are Zurich (415,000 residents) and Geneva (200,000 residents), the capital Bern has 115,000 residents.
When you say Switzerland, you think of mountains: Almost two thirds of the country’s territory is in the Alps. The highest mountain in Switzerland is the 4,643 m high Dufourspitze in Valais; the most famous peak is the 4,478 m high Matterhorn on the border with Italy. Switzerland is also a land of lakes: over 1,200 lakes, mostly created by glaciers, cover 4 percent of the country’s area. Switzerland shares the largest bodies of water with neighboring countries: Lake Geneva with France, Lake Constance with Germany and Austria and Lake Maggiore with Italy. Check Countryaah to find more countries that begin with letter S.
Entry
Switzerland is a member of the Schengen Agreement. This means that EU citizens can enter and leave the EU freely.
Climate
Due to the high proportion of mountains, Switzerland’s climate is heavily dependent on the altitude of the respective location. In principle, the Mittelland and the Jura region are characterized by a Central European climate characterized by Atlantic winds with a relatively high number of foggy days in winter, while Mediterranean influences already predominate south of the main Alpine ridge, for example in Ticino. In the Alps, the climate is very small.
Food and drink
Chocolate, of course! And fondue! And the intersection of it: chocolate fondue. But Swiss cuisine offers even more, whereby the cheese should be mentioned first and foremost: Emmentaler and Appenzeller and those that you need for raclette. Depending on the language area, sausages and meat (Zürcher Geschnetzeltes, Bündner meat!) And hearty stews with hash browns for work in the mountains are also served. And in the morning – of course: muesli! With a glass of milk or the whey national drink Rivella, the Swiss meal is ready.
Health
No special vaccinations are required for Italy. The health system is considered to be very good. However, it is recommended to bring your own pharmacy with you to your own pharmacy.
Cultural characteristics
If you hear the peculiarities of the Swiss dialects and look at the unbelievable variety of costumes – around 700 are counted here – it becomes clear that the country and its people have retained their regional peculiarities. In addition to the proverbial Swiss precision that establishes the good reputation of Swiss watches and other products, it is the mixture of stubbornness and cosmopolitanism that defines Switzerland’s cultural fascination. The country is located between the alphorn and high-tech products, between humanitarian ideas (Red Cross, Geneva Convention on Human Rights), between mountain seclusion and the world’s top 20 economic nation. And Switzerland brings these apparent contradictions to a common denominator with great serenity.
Security
Switzerland is a very safe country. You can move freely and safely anywhere. When staying in the mountainous regions and on the large lakes, however, the dangers that can arise from sudden changes in weather or extreme weather events should be taken into account as usual.
All about money
currency
1 Swiss franc (CHF) = 100 cents
General
Unrestricted import and export of local and foreign currency. From CHF 10,000, there is an obligation to report on request.
Euros can be changed easily. Credit cards are generally accepted. Fees may be charged for withdrawing cash from ATMs.
Personal items and travel goods up to a total value of CHF 300 per person can be imported duty-free.
Other essential information
Language:
German, French, Italian, Romansh
Time difference:
no time difference
Electrical current
230 volts / 50 Hertz alternating current, mostly three-pin plugs (adapter plug required)
Equipment for hiking:
As with all hikes, you should have these things with you: daypack, ankle-high hiking boots, hiking sticks, (rain) jacket, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, water.
