Switzerland history Language and culture Switzerland weather

History of Switzerland

A popular winter and summer holiday destination for its numerous ski resorts and breathtaking alpine scenery, Switzerland like many other European countries welcomes tourism to a large degree. A fact that was underlined when it agreed to be part of the passport-free Schengen treaty in 2005. For independently minded Switzerland this was a big deal, since it hasn’t yet joined the European Union (EU) and only decided to join the United Nations (UN) as recently as 2002.

Switzerland shares borders with Germany, France, Italy and Austria, and though German is the predominant language, the population has strong representation from all four countries. In order for all the cultural ethnicities to coexist in harmony, the political system is based on direct democracy. So whenever a federal law needs to be decided upon a national referendum is held; hence why the EU issue has yet to have a clear verdict.

Quick fact!

French revolutionary troops occupied the country in 1798 and named it the Helvetic Republic.

Any proposed laws can be challenged with a petition of 50,000 signatures and with new issues it needs 100,000 signatures to instigate a public referendum. The Swiss system has been around since the early 19th century when the Congress of Vienna officially recognised Switzerland’s autonomy and permanent neutrality after Napoleon’s defeat.

This neutrality has worked well in the past with Switzerland avoiding the worst effects of both World Wars to a large extent, though its location meant it was always involved. During the time of conflict it acted as a mediator for communications, hosted refugees (some 300,000) and provided Red Cross services. It has also been used as a base for espionage and for those needing money protection.

In the late 20th century Swiss banks were much criticised for their financial involvement with the Germans, as well as failing to declare the bank accounts of deceased Jews. Reparations have been made since. Despite these hiccups, Switzerland’s refusal to get politically involved in other countries affairs has served it well economically.

Quick fact!

The Papal Swiss Guard was founded in 1506 and is made up entirely of Swiss soldiers.

It has gone from a country based on cottage industries and guilds for much of the Middle Ages, to one of the richest countries in the world. Today the capital of Zurich is a banking and insurance powerhouse and home to many international corporations. But perhaps Switzerland’s famous most well-known organisation is that of the Red Cross which was set up by Henri Dunant in 1863.

As well as being the iconic emblem of the Swiss flag, the Red Cross remains Switzerland’s most important contribution in terms of providing global aid and peacekeeping missions for countries devastated by natural disasters and armed conflict. It has societies in nearly every country in the world and is based in Geneva along with many other international organisations such as World Health, World Nature and World Trade.

Swiss language and culture

Culture of Switzerland

The Swiss Confederation is a landlocked country with two global economic centers, Geneva and Zürich. The latter is also the largest city, with a population of approximately 400,000 people, and was deemed as “the city with the best quality of life” from 2006 to 2008.

Cuisine

The Swiss cuisine is different from one region to another, although there are quite a number of common dishes that are present anywhere in the country (e.g. fondue, rösti and raclette).

Switzerland is famous for producing its own quality dairy products such as Emmental and Gruyère. As you probably know, the most delicious chocolate comes from Switzerland, and the Swiss are the largest chocolate consumers in the world (who would have guessed?).

Art and architecture

Gothic and Romanesque buildings can be found everywhere around the country. The Romanesque cathedrals of Sion, Geneva and Lausanne are representative for their architectural style, in the same way the Gothic cathedrals of Schaffhausen and Zürich are for their own.

Despite the French and Italian Renaissance being in bloom, the 16th century brought the influence of Protestantism in the evolution of Swiss visual arts – Jean Tinguely designed and constructed moving sculptures with very intricate mechanisms. In the early 20th century, Switzerland became the origin of the Dada movement.

Festivals and traditions

Fastnacht (“The Carnival”) is a traditional celebration taking place 46 days before Easter, in the small city of Basel.

People gather in the city center and wait for all lights to go out at four o’clock sharp in the morning, when more drummers, fifers and people with terrifying masks and costumes arrive into the square. Some of them attach a lantern to the end of a long pole, which they carry around the square. All marching and noise cease at five o’clock, and awards are given for the best costumes or participation.

Sport

Even if the majority of the Swiss territory is occupied by the Alps, about 25% of Swiss people have a sport club membership and enjoy engaging in a variety of winter sports. However, football remains the most popular sport in Switzerland, followed up by ice hockey, skiing and mountaineering.

Languages of Switzerland

Switzerland has four official languages: German (Mostly Swiss German dialect with 65% of native speakers), French (20%), Italian (7%) and Romansh (0.6%).

The languages of Switzerland are distributed over four different geographic locations. The German part (Deutschschweiz) is roughly in the east, centre and north; the French area (la Romandie) in the west and the Italian region (Svizzera italiana) in the south. There remains a small Romansh speaking population in Graubünden in the east.

Basic German and French words and phrases

German

Hello – Hallo (Informal) / Guten Tag (Formal greeting in daytime)

Goodbye – Auf Wiedersehen

Please – Bitte

Thank-you – Danke

My name is… – Ich heisse…

Where is…? – Wo ist…?

I would like – Ich möchte

I don’t speak German – Ich spreche kein Deutsch

Do you speak English / Spanish / French – Sie sprechen Englisch / spanisch / Französisch

French

Hello – Bonjour

Goodbye – au revoir

Please – S’il vous plaît

Yes – Oui

No – Non

Thank-you – Merci

My name is… – Je m’appelle…

Where is…? – Où est…?

I would like – Je voudrais

I don’t speak French – Je ne parle pas français

Do you speak English / Spanish / German – parlez-vous anglais / espagnol / allemande

Switzerland weather

The clearly defined Swiss seasons have a bit something for everyone. Seasonal temperatures and conditions are defined by region and altitude, the Alps being the major contributing factor. A wall of mountains often creates weather barriers, making a warmer climate in the south than found in the north.

Spring in Switzerland

Temperatures in the high single-digits to the mid-teens begin the slow Swiss warm-up. The snow-peaked caps of the mountains remain, making for an extended season for any winter sports. With the lowlands warming up, crops are planted and the Swiss people begin to rise from their winter abodes. Long sleeves and a jacket will keep you comfortable in these chilly yet warming conditions.

Summer in Switzerland

Blossoming trees and greening meadows marks the beginning of summer in Switzerland. Daytime temperatures during the summer near 25C, while nights cool down into the mid teens. Temperatures at higher altitudes can remain quite chilly, while the lower valleys can be almost hot. Short sleeves and long trousers are acceptable with a jacket in case temperatures take a sudden dip.

Autumn in Switzerland

Snow begins to fall in the higher regions as fields are harvested and the leaves turn brown in the valleys below. The average temperature ranges from 8C to 15C, with temperatures occasionally reaching 20C, going below freezing in the higher elevations. Long sleeves and a coat are advisable as things tend to get quite chilly as winter rounds the corner.

Winter in Switzerland

Winters in Switzerland are generally cold and snowy, with the occasional warm-up in the lowlands. Heavy snow in higher altitudes cover mountain peaks with fresh powder and is sought out feverishly by snowboarders and skiers throughout the world. With temperatures generally ranging from -2C to 7C, it is a good idea to wear many layers and bundle yourself in your heavy winter coat.

Average temperatures in Zurich, Geneva and Basel

Average rainfall in Zurich, Geneva and Basel