Country Overview

Switzerland is almost too perfect: spectacular Alpine scenery, cozy mountain chalets, dazzling ski runs, flower boxes spilling over with geraniums, tidy cities set on serene lakes, elegant grand hotels, punctual trains and people. If you're going for the scenery or for the skiing, there are few places that can equal it (in quality or prices). And there are few places as clean, safe and orderly as Switzerland.

Today Switzerland is one of Europe's most visited countries, but one of its least understood. Pass through for a day or two, as most people do, and you'll get the quaint stereotype of Switzerland that the locals deem suitable for public consumption – the Alpine idyll of cheese and chocolate, Heidi and the Matterhorn. Stay longer though and another Switzerland will emerge, the one which the Swiss inhabit, and one which can be an infinitely more rewarding place to explore. Sights are breathtaking, transport links are excellent, costs are no higher than in Britain or Germany, and the locals are unfailingly courteous. Almost everyone speaks some English along with at least one of the official Swiss languages (German, French, Italian, and, in the southeast, Romansh).

Switzerland encompasses four cultures: French (Geneva and surrounding western area), Italian (Lugano and surrounding southern area), Swiss-German (Zurich and surrounding eastern area) and Romansh (St. Moritz and surrounding southeastern region). In general, the French and Italian areas are more lively and cosmopolitan and the German area more conservative and sedate. The Romansh area is the least known and developed.

Despite all this cultural diversity, Switzerland is one of the most politically stable countries in Europe. The country's strength lies in its wealth, its generally conservative nature and, perhaps most important, the citizens' common belief in a policy of armed neutrality. Notoriously placid these days, Switzerland nonetheless spent the first 500 years of its existence rent by conflict, and fought a civil war as recently as 1847. The Swiss Confederation (abbreviated to "CH") dates back to 1291, when Alpine peasants formed an alliance to defend themselves against the Habsburgs. By the early 1500s, the Confederation had grown into a military superpower feared throughout Europe. It was only with the Reformation that the Swiss began to earn their reputation for neutrality, a reputation which served them well right through to the boom years after World War II.

Switzerland was one of the earliest democracies. It was formed in 1291 when three cantons—Schwyz, Uri and Unterwalden—joined together to protect their borders. Since then, the number of united cantons has risen to 26. Each retains broad, autonomous powers. The federal government is led by a seven-member council; the members rotate the presidency for one-year terms. Each of the 26 cantons also sends two representatives to serve in the capital city, Bern, on the Council of States. This body and a National Council (200 deputies elected by the people) constitute the two chambers of legislative authority.

Switzerland has three distinct geographical areas, each running east-west: the Jura (rolling hills with forests), in the north near France; the Plateau (forests, farmland, cities and lakes), in the center; and the Alps (high mountains), in the south.

As for where to go, Switzerland invented tourism: the country's breathtaking scenery has drawn travellers since the early 1800s. The most visited Alpine area is the central Bernese Oberland, which has the highest concentration of picturesque peaks and mountainside villages, although the loftiest Alps are further south, where the small but crowded resort of Zermatt provides access to the country's most distinctive mountain, the Toblerone-peaked Matterhorn. In the southeastern corner of the country, wild, thickly forested mountain slopes provide the setting for the world-famous resort of St Moritz. Of the northern German-speaking cities, Zürich has a wealth of sightseeing and nightlife possibilities and provides easy access to the tiny independent principality of Liechtenstein overlooking the Rhine. Basel and especially the capital Bern are quieter, each with an attractive historic core, while Luzern is in an appealing setting close to lakes and mountains. In the French-speaking west, the cities lining the northern shore of Lake Geneva –notably Geneva itself, and Lausanne –make up the heart of Suisse-Romande. South of the Alps, sunny, Italian-speaking Ticino can seem a world apart from the rest of the country, particularly the palm-fringed lakeside resorts of Lugano and Locarno, with their Mediterranean, riviera atmosphere.

With its population of seven million people spread over 4 linguistic areas, Switzerland offers a totally unique range of cultures and landscapes. This vibrant crossroads at the very heart of Europe will amaze you with the surprisingly rich variety of activities, excursions and discoveries to be made in such a relatively small territory.

Back to the Top