Facts about Switzerland
Click here for a compilation of facts and things you need to know before visiting
Land and people
Area: 41,290 sq km
Population (July 2006 est.): 7.52 million
Capital: Bern
Languages: German, French, Italian and Romansch
Per capita GDP (2006 est.): $33,600
Switzerland, in central Europe, is located east of France and north of Italy. It is bordered in the north by Germany and in the east by Austria and the principality of Liechtenstein.
A small, landlocked country in the heart of Europe, Switzerland has a strategic location at the crossroads of central Europe with many easily traversable passes, which are important pathways between the northern and southern parts of Europe.
The country has three main types of landscape, which include the Swiss Alps, the hilly Swiss Mittelland that extends from Lake Constance to Lake Geneva, and the Swiss Jura which is a long line of rugged fold mountains.
The largest lakes include Lake Geneva, Lake Constance, Lake Neuchâtel, Lake Maggiore, Lake Lucerne and Lake Zurich. The country's highest peaks - Dufourspitze, Dom, Weisshorn and Matterhorn - are in Valais.
Switzerland is divided into 26 cantons: Aargau, Appenzell Ausser-Rhoden, Appenzell Inner-Rhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Bern, Fribourg, Geneve, Glarus, Graubunden, Jura, Luzern, Neuchatel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Sankt Gallen, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Vaud, Zug, and Zurich. Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lausanne, Lugano, Lucerne, Sion, St. Gallen and Zurich are some of the major cities.
The diversity of the landlocked, mountainous country is the essence of Switzerland and gives the country its unique identity. Still, it is best known for its financial institutions, fine cheeses and chocolate, watch-making industry, for its scenery and an excellent network of public traffic.
Switzerland has something special for you whether your idea of the perfect vacation is hiking in a world of breathtaking vistas or pampering yourself in the lap of luxury.
Useful addresses
- Switzerland Embassy,
Dhabi Tower, 4th floor,
Hamdan Street, P.O. Box 46116, Abu Dhabi. Tel: 02-6274636; Fax: 02-6269627 - Consulate of Switzerland, Dubai World Trade Centre,
P.O. Box 9300, Dubai. Tel:
04-3290999; Fax: 04-3313679 - Swiss Business Hub Dubai, Dubai World Trade Centre. Tel: 3290999; Fax: 04-3313679;
e-mail: sbhdubai@dai.rep.admin.ch - Switzerland Tourism, CH-8027 Zurich. web site: www.myswitzerland.com
- Osec Business Network Switzerland, Service Centre, Stampfenbachstrasse 85,
P.O. Box 492, CH-8035 Zurich.
e-mail: info@osec.ch
Passport/Visa
Visitors need a valid passport and visa to enter the country, though citizens from some countries are exempted from the visa requirement.
For more information on entry requirements, please contact the nearest Swiss consulate or embassy.
Credit cards/cash
All major credit cards are accepted in fine shops and most department stores. Cash advances with credit cards are offered through ATM machines by many banks in the country.
Money can be exchanged at banks, airport, main railway stations (western union) and major hotels. Banks offer the best exchange rates for traveller's cheques and cash.
Business hours
Offices are open 8am to noon and 2 to 5pm on weekdays and closed on weekends.
Banks are usually open Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, and closed Saturdays, Sundays and on public holidays.
Shops are usually open from 9am to 6.30pm on weekdays and from 9am to 4pm on Saturdays.
