odds & ends item from MAY-JUNE 2008
Country In FocusSwitzerland
Landlocked between Germany, Liechtenstein, France, Austria and Italy, Switzerland has long been considered a skier’s paradise. Just twice the size of the U.S. state of New Jersey, more than 70% of the officially named Swiss Confederation’s land mass is covered by mountains. Although the country is not covered in snow the entire year, the mountain ranges never completely lose their snow, allowing for winter sports throughout the year.
Switzerland is nestled between the jutting peaks of the Alps and Jura mountain ranges and is home to one of the highest peaks in the Alps, Mt. Matterhorn, which rises to 15,780 feet.
Source: RCG photo
Source: RCG photo
Although the country does not have a coastline, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the water due to its many lakes and rivers. Four of its major cities are located on sizable bodies of water: Geneva and Lausanne are located on Lake Geneva; Neuchatel is located on Lac de Neuchatel; and Zurich is situated on the Zurichsee Lake. Its capital city, Bern, is located in the center of the country, facing the Jura Mountain range, but between the Rhine and Rhone rivers.
Switzerland is unique because it has remained an oasis of neutrality for more than a century. With a population of just under eight million, Switzerland refused to take sides throughout both world wars, choosing instead to keep its military within its own territorial borders. Because of Switzerland’s declared impartiality, no nation can invade it or use it as a war base to this day.
Given its neutral reputation, Switzerland is home to some of the world’s most well-known international organizations. According to the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs for Switzerland, “22 organizations have their headquarters in Geneva, two in Bern and one in Basel.” These include the World Health Organization and the World Meteorological Organization.
Switzerland is also unique to other European countries because it has four official languages: German—spoken by 63.7% of the country, French—20.4 %, Italian—6.5% and Romansch—0.5%, according to the CIA World Factbook. This reality is apparent in the mannerisms of its people. It is common to see two people begin a conversation in German and end speaking French, or vice-versa. While German strudel is available in almost every restaurant, Italian spaghetti and French bread are also commonly found.
One of the most pristine areas of Switzerland is around the base of Mt. Matterhorn in the town of Zermatt. Russet chalets look like tiny ring boxes in contrast to the towering Alps, which soar thousands of feet above them. Skiers and snowboarders bundled in bright colored parkas traverse the streets, walking or skiing, sometimes ducking into restaurants for a Swiss cheese fondue sampler or a warm apple cider.
Because Zermatt is positioned in the height of the Alps, the crisp air is more physically edifying than almost any other place in the world. Pollution is non-existent and crystal blue skies give way to spectacular Alpine views. Standing atop the Alps is comparative to a walk in the clouds—not only is one engulfed by nebulae because of the altitude, the only two colors visible are blue and white—the cerulean sky above and sparkling white snow beneath one’s feet.
More than having an incredible view of Mt. Matterhorn’s peak piercing the sky, Zermatt is also a car-less town; only horse drawn carriages and smaller snowmobile-type vehicles are permitted to drive in the streets.
Although Switzerland is a small country, the amount of fascinating information available about it is endless. To learn more about this interior European nation or view pictures of the majestic Alps, try searching it on the Internet!