Travel guide
Switzerland

The 12 keywords Switzerland

1. #Banks and Secrets

With as many as 250 banks represented, banking secrecy has been stale since 2015. In the name of transparency, the European Union and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development have decided that Swiss banks must disclose the names of their clients to avoid being accused of complicity in tax evasion.

2. #Chocolate

The oldest brand is that of François-Louis Cailler, who opened in 1819, in Corsier-sur-Vevey. Philippe Suchard opened one in Serrières. Charles-Amédée Kohler in Lausanne. As for milk chocolate, it appeared in 1875, in Vevey, thanks to Daniel Peter. The reputation of chocolate is well established and continues with innovations.

3. #Swiss Knife

An indispensable tool of the Swiss army since 1961 (Victorinox ® brand), at the time silver-coloured, the famous little red knife with a white cross has become an emblem of Switzerland. Constantly improved, it does more than cut and can also include a magnifying glass, a toothpick, a cigar cutter, a ballpoint pen, a lamp, a barometer.

4. #RedCross

Based in Geneva, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), an organization that aims to be impartial, neutral and independent, was founded in 1863 by Henri Dunant. It was founded in 1863 by Henri Dunant, who witnessed many injuries during the Battle of Solferino. Today, the ICRC is one of the most important institutions for humanitarian action.

5. #Ecology

The environment is a key issue in the Swiss economy. The country has done real research around ecology in order to find solutions in recycling, energy. Thus, the Swiss are often cited as examples to follow in terms of recycling, as in 2018 in the energy performance index.

6. #Multilingualism

With four official languages, Switzerland is a multilingual country par excellence. German is the official language in 17 of the 26 cantons. Four cantons, Geneva, Vaud, Neuchâtel and Jura, are exclusively French-speaking. Crossing the country requires adapting to languages such as German, French, Italian and Romansh.

7. #Neutrality

The only time Switzerland attempted a military alliance, with the Milanese at the battle of Marignan in 1515 against the troops of Francis I, it was a failure. Otherwise, it signed a peace treaty with France, which gave rise to the status of neutrality, which was recognised under international law in 1815 with the Treaty of Vienna

8. #UNO

Although the second largest UN headquarters after New York is in Geneva, Switzerland only became a full member of the United Nations on 10 September 2002. It has also contributed logistically and financially to various UN peacekeeping activities.

9. #Train-Funiculars

The Swiss network has an average of 122 km of track per 1,000 km2. The EU average is 46 km of track per 1,000 km2. If the terrain is steep, a funicular is built! It is almost self-evident that mechanics and mountains go hand in hand, so it was a Swiss man by the name of Egben who perfected the principle of the funicular railway in 1879.

10. #Bikes

Many Swiss people living in large cities travel by bicycle. There is often a real circuit of cycle paths. Mountain biking is also very popular: most tourist offices have detailed routes. Bicycles can be hired at all railway stations or borrowed in some cities.

11. #Vineyards

Switzerland was once a European hub for the geographical distribution of grape varieties in Roman times, and now occupies a prominent place in the history of contemporary wine. Today, Switzerland produces a number of internationally renowned wines. The terraced vineyards of Lavaux are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

12. #Vote

"Voting" rather than voting! In Switzerland, we vote all the time, it's called direct democracy. The right to vote was only granted to women in 1971. And it took another twenty years for this measure to be applied in the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden. The majority of votes are cast by digital means and all issues are discussed.