What associations primarily arise in a person who has heard the word "Switzerland"? Watches, cheese, chocolate, penknives, banks, mountains, alpine meadows ... and perhaps that's all. But this country is very curious and unusual. In this article we will look at some interesting facts about Switzerland.
A little bit about the country
Switzerland is a very unique state, small even by European standards, which, however, contains a lot of interesting and unusual. According to the inhabitants of this country, its main asset is nature: eternal glaciers, mountain ranges, alpine meadows, blue lakes and waterfalls. Here in a relatively small area there are 1484 lakes. Many of them are of glacial origin - these are bodies of unique beauty and transparency. This can be judged even by the photo given in the article. Switzerland is unusual in that no matter where in the country you are, a beautiful lake suitable for swimming will be located at a maximum of twenty kilometers from you. Mountains occupy two thirds of its territory. In this regard, the state under consideration is recognized as the most mountainous in Europe. About 14 percent of the country’s area is occupied by nature reserves and parks in which pristine nature has been preserved.
Political structure
Even considering the political structure of this country, one can find interesting facts about Switzerland. It turns out that it is the only confederation state in the world. This has been a common practice for a long time. In the Middle Ages, it actually possessed a confederate device. Modern Switzerland is actually a federal republic. An interesting fact is that this country does not officially have a capital. However, this function is performed by the city of Bern. In Switzerland, the president is elected for one year. And, most interestingly, he is appointed in turn from seven members of the federal council.
Socio-political situation
There are four official languages in this country: French, German, Italian and Romansh (Romansh). The rarest language in Switzerland is Romansh; less than one percent of the country's population speaks it. Despite the fact that this state is located in the center of Europe and has not joined the European Union, there are a huge number of offices and headquarters of various international organizations, including the Red Cross, UN, WHO, WTO, FIFA, FIBA, CERN, IOC and others.
Referenda in Switzerland
Another interesting fact is that the legislation of the country is allowed to hold a referendum every Sunday. However, in practice they are carried out only several times a year. According to the results of one such referendum, the construction of new minarets was prohibited in the state. In Switzerland there are only six such architectural structures. However, they cannot perform their main function (the announcement of the prayer), as this will lead to a violation of the law on silence.
Interesting facts about Switzerland
Consider some interesting information about this country.
1. Switzerland is located in the middle of Western Europe and has no access to the sea, but has a very large fleet. The main navigation company of Lake Geneva is the owner of the largest number of inland watercraft in Europe.
2. Military service is compulsory for all men of the country under the age of thirty. Its duration is 260 days, but they are distributed over ten years. According to the law, one can “dismiss” the service, for this it will be necessary to transfer three percent of all its income to the state fund within 30 years.
3. In Switzerland, before the advent of mobile phones, singing without words was used as a means of communication - yodel.
4. In Geneva, on the embankment of the English Garden are the largest floral clock on the planet. Their dial has a diameter of five meters, it consists of 6.5 thousand fresh flowers.
5. In order to cut a tree in Switzerland, you must obtain special permission, even if the plant grows on your own plot of land.
6. Porcini mushrooms grow in abundance in this country, but no one collects or eats them.
There is much to learn
Gathering interesting facts about Switzerland, one can note its achievements.
1. In this state were built: the world's highest concrete dam (285 meters), the longest tunnel on the planet (57 kilometers) and the highest mountain cableway on the continent (3820 meters).
2. Despite the fact that the country of Switzerland consists of two-thirds of the mountains, it is known for its export of milk and cheese. It is a primordially peasant state, but it produces the best watch movements in the world. One hundred and fifty years ago, Switzerland was one of the poorest countries in Europe, and today it is the kingdom of world banking corporations.
3. The citizens of this country are considered the most inventive in the world. Indeed, there are 2286 patents per million inhabitants of Switzerland. The closest competitors are the Dutch - 1,427 patents; South Koreans - 1,139 patents; and Japanese - 1,118 patents.
4. The average salary here is 5,000 francs (3,900 US dollars), and the minimum - 3,500 francs (2,700 dollars). Inflation in this country does not exceed one percent per year.
5. Medicine in Switzerland is very modern and very high quality, but paid, includes compulsory insurance. According to citizens of this country who have visited the United States, the American level of medical care is at the Stone Age level in comparison with the “homeland of cheese”.
Switzerland: interesting facts for children
Children in Switzerland start attending school at the age of four, but study only four days a week. An interesting fact is free higher education not only for citizens of the country, but also for foreigners. Swiss private schools are considered the best in the world. Education here costs from 25 thousand a year (800 thousand rubles).
A bit about the lakes
1. Lake Leman (Geneva) is the second largest in Europe.
2. Lucerne, or Firwaldstettersee. This lake, without a doubt, is the most picturesque in the country. It is surrounded by mountain peaks covered with a white veil, and magnificent emerald forests stretch along its banks.
3. Lugansk lake is located in the south of the country, on the border with Italy.
4. Maggiore Locarno. This lake is characterized by a mild Mediterranean climate, as well as lush vegetation and Italian landscape.
5. Murten - a small calm pond of regular oval shape. It is a favorite vacation spot for residents of the surrounding towns.
6. Lakes Brienz and Thun. These beautifull ponds are located in the very center of Switzerland, in the foothills of the Alps. There are all conditions for active sports: skiing, windsurfing, sailing. The stunning Gissbach waterfall is located on Lake Brienz, it falls from the glaciers directly into the body of water.
7. Neuchatel's pond. This beautiful mountain lake, framed by the low peaks of the Jura, is located in the western part of the country, in the Valley of Hours, near the French border.
8. Zurich reservoir. This is not the largest lake, but on its shore is the largest city in Switzerland, which is the financial and economic capital of the country.
This amazing Switzerland
1. The mountains. The geographical map of Switzerland shows 48 peaks that rise to a height of 4000 meters - most of all among all alpine countries. Many monumental records are associated with these monumental natural structures. For example, here is the highest mountain railway station in Europe - Jungfraujoch (3454 meters); the coolest funiculars, mountain trains and, of course, the longest glacier in Europe - Aletch (23 kilometers).
2. The slowest train on Earth. Panoramic “Glacier Express” overcomes 291 kilometers in eight hours. Its average speed is 42 kilometers per hour. Despite this, passengers hardly manage to capture the beauty of a marvelous country. On its way, the express rises to a height of 2033 meters, overcomes 91 tunnels and 291 bridges.
3. Sparkling holiday. Zurich annually operates the largest indoor Christmas market in Europe. Here is a Christmas tree, which is decorated with more than seven thousand Swarovski crystals. On the market you can buy original gifts, handmade souvenirs, as well as delicious treats.
4. There is no smog. Switzerland has twelve ski resorts. They are strictly prohibited the movement of vehicles. Here, even city services use electric vehicles.
5. Hotter. Switzerland has the highest and largest thermal spa resort - Leukerbad. Every day, more than 3.9 million liters of water are pumped into thirty local pools, the temperature of which is 51 degrees Celsius.