Switzerland is famous for its Alpine landscapes, multi-tool pocketknives, luxury watches, and shady banking practices.
Oh, and Roger Federer.
However, there is, of course, much more to know about this beautiful European country!
Read on to discover 20 incredible facts about Switzerland.
1. Switzerland has four official languages
Switzerland is linguistically very diverse. The official languages are German, French, Italian, and Romansh. According to Google, the latter is a “Rhaeto-Romance language spoken in the Swiss canton of Grisons by fewer than 30,000 people.”
2. Switzerland has something called direct democracy
Direct Democracy is a democratic system whereby citizens can propose changes to the constitution and veto laws through referendums. Essentially, every citizen aged 18 and above can vote on how the country is run.
3. Switzerland has no national capital
While Bern is the de facto capital of the country, Switzerland does not have an official capital city.
4. Switzerland is known for its neutrality
Switzerland has been a neutral country since the Treaty of Paris in 1815 (although there was a civil war in 1847) and is known for its non-involvement in conflicts.
5. It’s famous for the Swiss Army Knife
The iconic multi-tool was first produced by Victorinox in Switzerland in 1897.
6. The Red Cross Was Founded There
The International Red Cross was founded in Geneva in 1863. Swiss businessman Henry Dunant set it up following the Battle of Solferino in 1859 after seeing people on both sides of the conflict suffering.
7. Switzerland is home to the highest railway station in Europe
It’s called the Jungfraujoch railway station and it sits at 3,454 meters (11,332 feet) above sea level.
8. Switzerland invented milk chocolate
Switzerland is famous for its chocolate, with the first milk chocolate being invented by Daniel Peter in 1875.
9. The Alps covers about 60% of Switzerland’s land area.
The landscapes in Switzerland are sublime, with quaint villages nestled among huge mountains, lakes, and river valleys.
10. Switzerland is home to the world’s longest railway tunnel
The Gotthard Base Tunnel is the longest railway and deepest traffic tunnel in the world, stretching 57.1 km (35.5 miles). It’s a whopping 2,300 metres deep.
11. Switzerland has no elected president or prime minister
Switzerland has a Federal Council consisting of seven members who serve as the collective head of state. It does have a sitting president, but they’re seen as “first among equals.”
12. Switzerland is one of the world’s most heavily armed countries
Switzerland has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in the world, but low gun-related crime. The weapons culture is such that shootings are rare.
13. Switzerland has no standing army
Switzerland does have an army, but it operates in a militia system where most able-bodied men must serve in the military. Given its neutrality, the constitution prohibits the maintenance of standing troops.
14. It’s home to one of the largest lakes in Europe
Switzerland (along with France) is home to Lake Geneva, which has an area of 580 square kilometres.
15. Switzerland has the oldest national park in the Alps
It’s called the Swiss National Park, and it was established back in 1914. It’s also the country’s largest area of wilderness.
16. Swiss soldiers guard the Pope
Despite not having a standing army, a corps of Swiss soldiers called the Swiss Guard have protected the Pope in Vatican City since 1506.
17. Switzerland is the 7th richest country on Earth
Switzerland is an affluent place with one of the world’s wealthiest populations. This is partly because it hasn’t been impacted by any conflict since the mid-19th century.
18. Switzerland has the highest mountain in Europe
Perhaps unsurprisingly for a country so covered in them, Switzerland is home to Europe’s highest peak. It’s called the Matterhorn, and it stands 4,478m (14,692 feet) above sea level.
19. Switzerland’s average life expectancy is high, too
On average, Swiss people live to 83.6 years old, over five years more than the European average.
20. Everyone in Switzerland is guaranteed a place in a nuclear shelter
There are approximately 365,000 private and public nuclear shelters in Switzerland, and it’s mandatory to have them in large homes and residential buildings. It’s purposefully designed so everyone in the country has somewhere to shelter in the event of a nuclear disaster.
20 Facts About Switzerland
There you have it, then: 20 fascinating facts about Switzerland.
As you can tell, there’s more to this beautiful place than the stereotypes people associate with it! Hopefully you’ve learned something new about it.
Want more facts about fascinating countries? Read these ones about Mexico.