FAST FACTS

Area: 15,941 square miles (twice the size of New Jersey). Population: 7,249,000 
(Zurich, 342,900; Basel, 175,600; Geneva, 172,700). Language: German, French, Italian and Romansh. 

If Mountains had a Home, it would be Switzerland!
With 48 peaks soaring over 4000 meters high, Switzerland enjoys top position in the European high summit league. Hasn't alpine tourism been invented in Switzerland? Country of the mountains - Switzerland.

Zurich is Switzerland’s largest city. Though not its capital, Zurich is the country’s leading business and financial center. It is considered one of Europe’s trendiest destinations. Sophisticated Bahnhofstrasse is one of the world’s most elegant and attractive shopping delights.

The French-speaking city of Geneva at Lake Geneva is home to the United Nations European headquarters, as well as a host of other major international organisations. Also on the lake are Lausanne, known for its cathedral and Olympic Museum, and Montreux, home of the summer jazz festival. The Castle of Chillon is nearby.

Lucerne, on an idyllic lake surrounded by the Alps, is known for its medieval wooden bridge and its Water Tower.

Basel is the northern gateway to Switzerland and borders on both France and Germany. Basel is known as the cultural heart of Switzerland, with nearly 30 museums, a vibrant art scene, and a marvelously preserved old town.

Bern, the capital of Switzerland, is the home of the Swiss federal government and parliament. Its wonderfully preserved old town has been designated a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO. The Bernese Oberland is dominated by the Jungfrau, which rises more than 13’000 feet. The gateway town is lovely Interlaken.

The famous Abbey of the university city St. Gallen is listed as a World Cultural Heritage site with one of the oldest libraries in the Western world, housing thousands of rare books and manuscripts.

Ticino is the Italian-speaking area; major towns include Locarno and Lugano, sun-blessed cities on the shores of mountain-backed lakes. Graubuenden region to the east is the center of the distinctive Romansh culture and language. Popular resort areas include St. Moritz, Davos, Arosa and Flims.