A #thread about some interesting facts about Switzerland.
1. The national flag of Switzerland is square.
1. The national flag of Switzerland is square.
2. It is illegal to keep only one pet. The reasoning is that animals are social creatures, so keeping one might make it feel lonely.
3. The Swiss are very concerned about Sunday, and many shops will close on this day, so friends may not be able to buy things on Sunday in Switzerland.
On Sundays, you must not mow lawns, wash clothes to dry clothes, or wash cars, because too much noise will disturb others.
On Sundays, you must not mow lawns, wash clothes to dry clothes, or wash cars, because too much noise will disturb others.
4. The Swiss love Cheese very much and their daily life is essential.
They have Cheese vending machines, traditional Cheese hot pots, and even such hot pots can be bought on vending machines.
They have Cheese vending machines, traditional Cheese hot pots, and even such hot pots can be bought on vending machines.
5. Switzerland is the world's favorite country for eating chocolate. On average, everyone can eat 172 bars of chocolate a year.
Walking into the supermarket, you will find many rows full of chocolate.
Free chocolates will also be distributed at the station.
Walking into the supermarket, you will find many rows full of chocolate.
Free chocolates will also be distributed at the station.
6. Pedestrian crossings in Bern are lined with Swarovski crystals
In order to increase visibility during the night, Bern officials are blending the yellow color of pedestrian crossings with tiny Swarovski crystal beads.
According to one engineer, optimal visibility occurs if two thirds of crystals are blended on, and one third is sticking out!
Per square meter, it needs about 500 grams of glass beads.
Per square meter, it needs about 500 grams of glass beads.
7. Geneva has a pretty amazing river confluence
The Rhône river and Arve rivers collide in Geneva, as seen in this incredible photograph.
The river on the left is the Rhône, which is leaving Lac Leman.
The river on the left is the Rhône, which is leaving Lac Leman.
The river on the right is the Arve, which receives water from the many glaciers of the Chamonix valley before flowing north-west into the Rhône on the west side of Geneva.
The much higher levels of silt bring forth a striking contrast between the two rivers.
The much higher levels of silt bring forth a striking contrast between the two rivers.
8. Switzerland is considered the most democratic country ever existed and the only semi-direct democracy to date.
E.g. 100,000 Swiss demand that the Constitution be revised via referendum.
E.g. 100,000 Swiss demand that the Constitution be revised via referendum.
Any Swiss citizen or a party may challenge a law that has been passed by both chambers of parliament.
If they are able to gather 50'000 signatures against a particular law within 100 days,
If they are able to gather 50'000 signatures against a particular law within 100 days,
...a national vote has to be scheduled where voters decide by a simple majority whether to accept or reject the law.
This is possibly for every law the parliamant want to pass.
This is possibly for every law the parliamant want to pass.
9. The Swiss marry late
The average marriage age for Swiss men is 31.8 and 29.5 for women.
The average marriage age for Swiss men is 31.8 and 29.5 for women.
On the other hand, the divorce rate in Switzerland is about 43%, and the average age for Swiss women to have their first child is 30.4 years, which makes them the oldest women in Europe to do so.
10. CERN is located within its borders.
The world’s leading particle physics laboratory CERN is located within Switzerland’s borders.
The world’s leading particle physics laboratory CERN is located within Switzerland’s borders.
Finding universities in Switzerland for international students will be an excellent and easy choice because Swiss degrees in STEM are prestigious and they offer many scholarships.
11. Switzerland has 7000 lakes
Oeschinen Lake, Bernese Oberland, Switzerland With an area of 580.03 km2 (224 sq mi), Lake Geneva is the largest lake in Switzerland.
It is shared with France (40.47% is within French territory) where it’s known as Lac Léman.
It is shared with France (40.47% is within French territory) where it’s known as Lac Léman.
The largest lake completely within Switzerland is Lake Neuchâtel with a surface area of 218.3 km2 (84 sq mi).
For the most part, the water is so clear that you can drink out of rivers and lakes. If you cannot see the bottom of a lake is it considered dirty.
For the most part, the water is so clear that you can drink out of rivers and lakes. If you cannot see the bottom of a lake is it considered dirty.
12. Owns lots of guns, but has the lowest crime rates
Amongst industrialized nations, Switzerland has one of the highest rates of gun ownership.
Amongst industrialized nations, Switzerland has one of the highest rates of gun ownership.
However, that does not necessarily have to lead to more crime; Switzerland has nearly half the gun-related deaths the United States has.
Switzerland actually has one of the lowest crime rates of all industrialized countries.
Switzerland actually has one of the lowest crime rates of all industrialized countries.
In 2010, there were only 0.5 gun murders per 100,000 people, compared to 5/100,000 in the U.S.
13. It is a very small country
Switzerland in the world map
Switzerland in the world map
Switzerland is approximately 41,277 sq km and its population is 8.42 million.
Comparing it to U.S. states, California is almost 10 times bigger than Switzerland or nearly the size of Vermont and New Hampshire combined.
Comparing it to U.S. states, California is almost 10 times bigger than Switzerland or nearly the size of Vermont and New Hampshire combined.
14. It’s a Nobel Prize machine
Switzerland is not only known for its banks but also for being a global player in the academic field. Swiss universities have produced 113 Nobel Laureates, and most of these Nobel Prize winners are scientists.
Switzerland is not only known for its banks but also for being a global player in the academic field. Swiss universities have produced 113 Nobel Laureates, and most of these Nobel Prize winners are scientists.
15. They drink a lot
The Swiss population consume 36 litres of wine, 56.5 litres of beer and 8.4 litres of pure alcohol per person per year.
And these are new data which show consumption has actually gone down!
And these are new data which show consumption has actually gone down!
It’s normal for 20% of the Swiss people to engage in binge drinking (4-5 drinks in a sitting) at least once a month.
As a result, there are 1600 alcohol-related deaths in Switzerland each year.
As a result, there are 1600 alcohol-related deaths in Switzerland each year.
Some are the result of booze-fuelled accidents, while others are caused by the long-term effects of alcoholism such as liver problems.
There are about 250,000 alcoholics in Switzerland – or 3% of the population.
There are about 250,000 alcoholics in Switzerland – or 3% of the population.
16. They have four national languages
Their four national languages are French (20.4%), German (64%), Italian (6.5%), and Romansh (just a little over 1%).
Their four national languages are French (20.4%), German (64%), Italian (6.5%), and Romansh (just a little over 1%).
17. Assisted suicide is legal and it attracts ‘suicide tourists’
According to Swiss law, anyone who is of sound mind and who has, over a period of time, voiced a consistent wish to end their life can request a so-called assisted voluntary death or AVD.
According to Swiss law, anyone who is of sound mind and who has, over a period of time, voiced a consistent wish to end their life can request a so-called assisted voluntary death or AVD.
However, people must commit suicide by their own hand, for example by taking the medication themselves.
This has lead to an influx of people called ‘suicide tourists’ who come to Switzerland, mainly to the Canton of Zurich, for the sole purpose of committing suicide.
This has lead to an influx of people called ‘suicide tourists’ who come to Switzerland, mainly to the Canton of Zurich, for the sole purpose of committing suicide.
18. Switzerland is prepared for nuclear war.
There are enough nuclear fallout shelters to accommodate its entire human population, due to laws that require everybody to have access to a shelter in their building or nearby.
There are enough nuclear fallout shelters to accommodate its entire human population, due to laws that require everybody to have access to a shelter in their building or nearby.
19. Place of Watches
You probably know this one thanks too, but here’s the story behind the watche.
When Calvinists banned jewelry from use in 1541, goldsmiths and jewelers in Geneva brainstormed the invention of watches, since a functional timepiece was acceptable.
When Calvinists banned jewelry from use in 1541, goldsmiths and jewelers in Geneva brainstormed the invention of watches, since a functional timepiece was acceptable.
Since then, it has proven to be one of the most successful industries of the country, reaching the present status as Switzerland’s fourth largest exporter.
20. Birthplace of the Red Cross
You might’ve not known but Switzerland’s flag resemblance with The Red Cross is not a coincidence.
Its flag is simply a color-switching of the Flag of Switzerland, showing proud Swiss roots.
Its flag is simply a color-switching of the Flag of Switzerland, showing proud Swiss roots.
The Red Cross has 97 million volunteers and was founded in 1863 in Geneva, Switzerland where its headquarters still remain today.
