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Switzerland
Switzerland [1] is a landlocked country in Central
Europe. It has borders with France to the west, Italy to the
south, Austria and Liechtenstein to the east and Germany to
the north.
The climate is temperate, but varies with altitude.
Switzerland has cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters and cool to
warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers.
Switzerland is known for its mountains (Alps in
south, Jura in northwest) but it also has a central plateau
of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes. The highest point
is Dufourspitze at 4,634 m while Lake Maggiore is only 195 m
above sea level.
Regions
- Lake Geneva - A tourist region surrounding
Lac L?man
- Jura Mountains and Fribourg - Hiking,
lakes, watch-making
- Bernese Lowlands - The core region
of Traditional Bernese influence
- Bernese Highlands - The Bern alps
- Central Switzerland - The Swiss homeland,
William Tell, etc.
- Basel -- Industrial city, with countryside
- Zurich -- A tourist region in its
own right
- Northeastern Switzerland -- Extending
east from Aarau in Aargau canton. Generally not mountainous.
- Valais -- A skiing/hiking oriented
tourist region
- Graubunden -- region which is the
same as canton Graubunden, very mountainous, lightly populated
and home to many of the greatest tourist cities
- Ticino -- region which is the same
as canton Ticino
Cities
- Zurich - Switzerland's biggest city
and a major center of banking also has a thriving nightlife.
- Geneva - This center of arts and
culture, the second-largest city in Switzerland, is by far
the international capital-- home to around 200 governmental
and non-governmental organisations. Geneva was the home of
John Calvin during the Reformation, elevating the city to
the rank of "Protestant Rome," the effects of which
drive Geneva today.
- Bern - The Swiss capital features
an amazingly well preserved old-town with arcades along almost
every street. Great restaurants abound, as do bars and clubs.
Check out the Einstein sites as well.
- Basel - Slightly smaller than Geneva,
Switzerland's third city is the traveller's gateway to the
Rhineland and Alsace.
- Lausanne - While Geneva is busy being
the international capital, Lausanne fills the role in most
of the rest of French-speaking Switzerland. Scenery, dining,
dancing, boating and the Swiss wine-country are the draws.
- Lugano - Italian-speaking Switzerland's
top destination, with a gorgeous old-town and a pretty lake.
The food is simply amazing.
- Lucerne - Central Switzerland's main
city with direct water links to all of the early Swiss historic
sights. It's pretty too, and though it is heavily touristed
the views and museums make putting up with the crowds well
worthwhile.
- Zermatt - There are a lot of mountain
resorts in Switzerland, but only one of them has the Matterhorn.
- Solothurn - Solothurn, situated on
the river Aare and ont he foot of the Jura mountain range
is referred to as 'Switzerland's Finest Baroque town'.
Understand
Switzerland's independence and neutrality have long been honored
by the major European powers and Switzerland was not involved
in either of the two World Wars. The political and economic integration
of Europe over the past half century, as well as Switzerland's
role in many UN and international organizations has strengthened
Switzerland's ties with its neighbors. However, the country did
not officially become a UN member until 2002. Switzerland remains
active in many UN and international organizations, but retains
a strong commitment to neutrality.
France might have the real Magic Kingdom, but the
true Disneyland of Europe belongs to the Swiss. Switzerland is
a natural theme park showcasing three of Europe's most distinct
cultures. To the northeast is the beer-drinking, sausage-eating
German-speaking Switzerland; to the south-west the wine drinking
and shopping spills effortlessly into France; in the south-east
the sun warms cappuccino-sippers loitering in Italian-style plazas;
and in the center: classic Swiss flugelhorns and mountain landscapes.
Binding it all together is a distinct Swiss mentality.
Switzerland can be a glorious whirlwind trip whether
you've packed your hiking boots, snowboard, or just a good book
and a pair of sunglasses. A country that looks on a map like it
could comfortably fit into a National Park, Switzerland packs
into it a continent worth of natural wonders and a culture and
history rich enough to provide five museums for every rainy day
of the year.
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