THE BEAUTY OF SWITZERLAND
FOOD
The Swiss cheese and chocolate. Two of the most loved things by tourists and locals especially. If you ask a Swiss person how they manage to get along with each other despite their differences the answer is their shared love for cheese.
Fondue is one of the easiest things to make, still, a lot of debate goes into what kind of cheese you should use and other additions for you to achieve the best result. As for chocolate, what makes it so exceptional is how the swiss make it. An amazing opportunity to learn all about the process is The Chocolate Train! However, there are many other to-die-for Swiss specialties worth trying.
Astounding Scenery
The amazing mountains, heaps of lakes and beautiful villages make for the most beautiful scenery in Switzerland. These landscapes are considered to be what makes Switzerland the perfect destination for vacationing and exploring new cultures.
The high-peak Alps and mountains make up to 62% of the country’s territory. Even though Switzerland is relatively small geographically, one can feel practically overwhelmed when it comes to choosing where to go first. If you are particularly interested in winter activities, Switzerland has a lot to offer.
Each city in Switzerland has its own individuality, with different landscapes and their unique city life. Cities like Zurich, Bern, Geneva, and Basel among others, offer a different perspective of Switzerland and its diverse culture. On the other hand, if you want to experience the ultimate tourist attractions a guide on the ultimate must-visit places in Switzerland is your best friend.
WEATHER
According to Orange Smile, the country is distinguished by cold winters in mountainous areas and hot summers in villages. The weather in Switzerland has a mind of its own. Snow in the mountaintops can last up to 6 months and it may even be chilly in summer. The sun could be shining in one valley while on the opposite side there are cloudy skies and rain.
What’s to take into account is that a rainy morning does not necessarily predict the course of the day, it could very well change to warm weather in the afternoon. Switzerland’s climate can be classified as mild. It is strongly affected by the relatively nearby Atlantic. In areas like Lake Geneva and the Rhône valley, the climate in summer is Mediterranean.
There are multiple vineyards on the southern side of Rhône valley where most of the Swiss wine comes from. This versatility of climate contributes greatly to tourism since you have multiple places to visit during wintertime but also in the summer season!
Happy Country
According to the Happy Planet Index, Switzerland ranks 24th in the world. It combines four elements to show how efficiently residents of different countries are using environmental resources to lead long, happy lives. Switzerland is in the Top 10 in three of these categories. The country is also known for being pacifists and always staying neutral to avoid conflicts.
Multiple Languages
Multilingualism is one characteristic that distinguishes Switzerland from other countries. It has four official languages; German, French, Italian, and Romansh. Even though the country is multilingual, the residents themselves do not speak all four languages. The majority of the population speaks Swiss-German, otherwise known as Schwiizertütsch. Immigrants have also influenced language in Switzerland since they have brought their own language with them and as a whole, they have now outnumbered both Rumantsch and Italian.
Diversity and Culture
Switzerland is known to be diverse, and not just geographically. A survey that was conducted in 2018 by the Federal Statistical Office, considers the population to be tolerant in general, where 61% are in favor of family reunification of foreigners who have lived in Switzerland for at least five years. Switzerland is said to be a hub of cultural diversity, influenced by neighbors on all borders while remaining uniquely Swiss. Since English is spoken widely throughout most tourist areas you will not feel excluded when visiting.
With over 600 museums, this country is the perfect place for lovers of everything art. Rich in culture and arts the Swiss are especially known for their talent in crafts like watchmaking. One thing about the Swiss people is they do not forget their old traditions by keeping them alive with pride. If you are interested in more interesting facts about Switzerland check out our list here.
Healthy Lifestyle
Swiss people are known for leading healthy lifestyles and for their great healthcare system. On a daily basis they tend to binge-drink, although according to the Federal Statistics Office, the percentage of adults drinking alcohol every day has nearly halved over the past 25 years.
Even though the Swiss eat cheese, bread, and drink wine they have some principles when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle. The food they consume is generally “light and sugar-free”. You will only occasionally find fast-food joints in Switzerland since they consider dining to be an experience and opt to take their time to cherish every bite. They genuinely enjoy being active and walking as much as possible.
Renowned Education System
In comparison to the United States, education in Switzerland is generally affordable. The higher education system is renowned for its high standards and teaching methods based on active learning. International students make up 20% of students who enroll in Swiss institutes.
Practically all German-Swiss children must learn High German in school, starting in the early primary grades. School is the institution where more High German is spoken than anywhere else.
I think it is safe to say that Switzerland is the best country in the world. Its culture and geography diversity, the hospitable people from all backgrounds, amazing food, and the endless list of possible activities offer something (and more) for everyone.
Credit to studyingSwitzerland.com
