Most of us know Switzerland for chocolate, watches and postcard scenery. But while researching our documentary, we saw just how unusual this small country’s way of doing things is. In this article we picked the 15 most interesting facts from the video and added what each one means for you as a traveler. If you’re planning a trip, check out our Switzerland travel guide too.
State and society
1. There’s no official capital. The government sits in Bern, but the constitution defines Bern as the “federal city.” The Swiss deliberately avoid elevating any one center above the rest.
2. There’s no single head of state. The country is run by the seven-member Federal Council, and the title of “President of the Confederation” rotates among its members every year.
3. Direct democracy is part of everyday life. The Swiss vote in national referendums several times a year, and even more often at the local level. In some cantons, people still vote by raising their hands in the town square.
4. Women won the federal vote in 1971. That’s one of the latest examples in Europe. One canton, Appenzell Innerrhoden, only recognized the right in 1990, when a court ordered it to.
5. The tradition of neutrality is two centuries old. Swiss neutrality was internationally recognized at the Congress of Vienna in 1815. The Red Cross was founded in Geneva in 1863; it’s no coincidence that its flag is the Swiss flag with the colors reversed.
Four languages, four cultures
6. There are four official languages. German, French, Italian and Romansh. Only a tiny share of the population speaks Romansh, but the language is protected by the constitution.
For travelers: On a one-hour train ride, the language of the announcements, signs and menus can change. You’ll hear “merci” in Geneva, “merci vielmal” in Zurich and “grazie” in Lugano.
7. A square flag. The Swiss flag is one of only two square national flags in the world; the other belongs to Vatican City.
Engineering and mountains
8. The world’s longest railway tunnel is in Switzerland. The Gotthard Base Tunnel, running beneath the Alps, is 57 kilometers long.
9. Europe’s highest train station is here. Jungfraujoch station sits at about 3,450 meters. The journey itself is an experience, but these trains usually aren’t fully covered by standard rail passes; see the transportation notes in our Switzerland guide.
10. A bunker law for everyone. For decades, Switzerland has had rules requiring enough shelter capacity for its entire population. Many homes have a bunker room in the basement; some are used for storage.
11. A valley of waterfalls. The Lauterbrunnen Valley has dozens of waterfalls, which is where the “72 waterfalls” story in the documentary comes from. Staubbach Falls plunges right above the village.
Quirky everyday rules
12. Keeping a single guinea pig is illegal. Swiss animal welfare law bans keeping guinea pigs, considered social animals, on their own. Similar rules apply to other social animals.
13. Sundays are quiet. Making noise, mowing the lawn or tossing glass bottles into recycling bins on Sundays and late at night is frowned upon in some places and even restricted by rules.
For travelers: If you’re staying in a rental apartment, read the house rules before running the washing machine late in the evening.
14. Among the world’s top chocolate eaters. The Swiss are among the biggest per-capita chocolate consumers in the world. Factory visits and tasting tours are available in many cities.
15. Birthplace of the web. The idea for the World Wide Web was proposed at CERN, near Geneva, in 1989. Today you can visit CERN’s visitor center.
Why these facts matter for you
Switzerland’s punctual, rule-minded and multicultural character directly shapes your trip: trains leave to the second, people expect you to follow the rules and you may use several languages in a single day. Knowing this helps you travel comfortably and connect more easily with locals. You’ll find all 41 facts in the full video.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Switzerland?
The government and parliament sit in Bern, but the constitution calls Bern the “federal city” rather than the “capital.”
What language is spoken in Switzerland?
German, French, Italian and Romansh are the official languages. English is widely spoken in tourist areas.
