The Swiss consume 11kg of chocolate per head per year, narrowly beaten into second place by the Germans on 11.5kg per head. The main industries are banking, inter- and non-governmental administration, technology, and tourism. Prepare to be astounded by these 50 weird facts that you won't believe are true. Their habits can seem weird to the rest of the world, eccentric even. Switzerland is one of only two countries that have a square flag; the other is the Vatican. Three cantons sign a common defense treaty and found the Swiss Confederation, birth of the Swiss nation. Legal requirements in the country enforce the building of shelters so that every inhabitant can have access to a nearby protected place during an emergency. Handshakes are also expected when leaving. Switzerland does not belong to the EU. Bern had 26 towns and villages named after it in the U.S., and Lucerne has 16. One of the contests in the herdsmen’s (Schwingen) festival in Switzerland is the throwing of a 185-lb, egg-shaped granite boulder called the Unspunnen stone. “Switzerland Invades Lichtenstein.” New York Times. 3Bachmann, Helena. There’s a lot more unique things about this country, though. By 2006, Switzerland had 300,000 such shelters in hospitals, institutions, and private dwellings. 123. First names are usually used with close friends and family. Jean Henri Dunant founds the International Red Cross in Geneva. Even the most seasoned traveller will love our fun Italy facts. Factors like health, safety, economic security, life expectancy, political freedoms, climate, gender equality, etc., were taken into account. Some of the most interesting facts associated with this fascinating country have been mentioned below. Under Napoleon Bonaparte, France invades Switzerland and replaces the Confederation with the Helvetic Republic. The success of these solar-powered airplanes opens the door to innovations and the use of solar energy to fuel aircraft of the future. You can’t ruin the life of your child with a ridiculous name The Swiss are intent on forcing you to care about your child’s future and the authorities apparently have to approve baby names. Not only is Switzerland famous for its top quality and delectable Swiss chocolates of all kinds, but it is also the birthplace of the milk chocolate. It is located beneath the Switzerland-France border in a tunnel that is 27 km long. No.” The famous bikini she wore became the most expensive in the world when it was auctioned in, Of the 800 or so films produced each year by. September 5, 2014. Switzerland has more than 1,500 lakes, and one is never more than 10 miles (16 km) from a lake within the country’s borders. 123. They are recruited from the Catholic cantons of Switzerland. The Swiss government has mandated a program to provide every Swiss citizen a bomb shelter. Founded in 1219, Switzerland was a union of 3 districts resisting Habsburg rule. Trains of the Jungfrau railway serve the station. Switzerland ranked number one in this index making it the world’s best place to be born. “How the Job of a Teacher Compares Around the World.” The Guardian US. One weird rule about the country is not to ski down a mountain while reciting poetry as it is illegal. It is the worldwide center for diplomacy. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, LLC., 2011. 20 Interesting Facts About Switzerland Country of little Mountains and efficiency, Switzerland is one of Europe’s most appealing destinations. They are synonymous with luxury. The Swiss flag is a red square with a white cross in the center. 10. These are some Switzerland culture facts, their quirks, inventions, and more. At an altitude of 2,126 m, the Swiss village of Juf is the highest permanently inhabited village in Europe. Foreigners account for around 23% of the Swiss population. Most buildings in the country constructed since the 1960s have a fallout shelter. You got to have them in pairs. Swiss scientist Bertrand Piccard and British co-pilot Brian Jones become the first balloonists to circumnavigate the globe. The Swiss Aletsch Glacier is the longest glacier in Europe. The Solar Impulse, an experimental solar-powered aircraft project, produced the world’s first and only solar-powered aircraft in Switzerland. Switzerland, after all, is firmly anchored in the Western world. Switzerland is the birthplace of many inventions like the first solar-powered airplane and milk chocolates. Lantal Textiles in Switzerland make the fabrics and window coverings for Air Force One and the carpets in the official plane flown by, In Switzerland, it is legal to use and grow, In Zurich, there are big, yellow vending machines that sell safe, government-subsidized syringes to. The Eisriesenwelt was formed by the erosive action of the Salzach River. Lonely Planet Switzerland. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions © 2021 worldatlas.com, Top 10 Interesting Facts About Switzerland. It serves as the world’s largest nuclear bomb shelter. But as you munch on a piece of brown magic, take a moment to mull over these delicious facts about Swiss chocolate. Everyone recognizes Switzerland as the land of mountains, cheese and happy people. 2. Ikea billionaire Ingvar Kamprad, Europe’s wealthiest man, lived in Switzerland for nearly four decades until he moved back to, The Swiss have the second longest life expectancy in the world after, Swiss chocolatier DeLafée has actually developed. The Swiss Aletsch Glacier is the longest glacier in Europe. Biel is Switzerland’s only official bilingual town because its citizens are more or less evenly distributed between French speakers and German speakers. Explore this dramatic country with our list of interesting Norway facts. “Ikea Head’s Family Listed as Switzerland’s Richest.” TheLocal.ch. You can learn 50 interesting facts about Switzerland in this article. They wear the same particular uniforms that they did the day it was started in the 16th century. Accessed March 30, 2015. 124. Learn what makes Switzerland unique and explore interesting Switzerland facts for kids. Nanterre, FR: Michelin Travel, 2013. The next year, it managed to fly an entire diurnal solar cycle. 14“Lantal Textiles Fly the World.” Swissinfo.ch. Bern or Berne is the capital of Switzerland. It has been estimated that between 1400 and 1848, more than 2 million Swiss mercenaries were employed by foreign powers. From incredibly tall snowpeople to a quirky hair freezing competition, here are 30 uplifting winter facts that will warm your heart this season. 1/10 . In some places in North America, they founded Swiss colonies, often naming them after their place of origin. 2Anti-Powerpoint Party. There are 1,430 islands in Thailand, 35,000 temples and nearly 67 million people comprise of Thailand’s population. I guess you now know everything about Switzerland! “New Swiss Law Protects Rights of ‘Social’ Animals.” Animalliberationfront.org. It is also one of the most expensive places in the world and an ideal destination to indulge in luxuries. If you see something that looks incorrect, please let me know at wanderer [at] wonderfulwanderings.com and I'll look into it. Julius Caesar defeats the Helvetii and establishes a long era of Roman rule over much of present-day Switzerland. Although Switzerland is not a member of the European Union member, the country is a part of the Schengen Area. Switzerland is also the world’s largest exporter of chocolate, and chocolate indulging experiences abound throughout the country. Accessed March 25, 2015. Switzerland accidentally invades Liechtenstein and then apologizes. Nei… In Switzerland, it is illegal to deny that the holocaust happened. When we first arrived Geneva, Switzerland, we heard about some weird (sometimes weirdest) facts about Switzerland. 4Bewes, Diccon. The Swiss like to use family namesrather than the first name when greeting someone. Below is a look at some of these facts: Skiing started in Norway and not in Switzerland Switzerland’s official name is still the “ Swiss Confederation “. Switzerland Facts 10 Geo Superlatives. That’s right, dogs are taxed in Switzerland. Miscellaneous & weird facts No other country has more Nobel Prize winners. Geneva is a city and a canton which was created in 1815. Sure we all know Switzerland as the country of chocolate, watches, and banks, but we bet you had no idea of these 42 unusual facts about Switzerland. Bon Voyage! A series of tunnels connects the railway station to the Top of Europe building. Ticino becomes the first Swiss canton to prohibit smoking in public places. 18“People.” Presence Switzerland.org. Ruth Dreifuss becomes the first female president of Switzerland. 23Steves, Rick. 21 Interesting Facts About Switzerland. It was first used to play tunes at the end of the 18th century. … What is the Difference Between the Vatican City and the Holy See. Switzerland. The Swiss Difference: A Gun Culture That Works, Busingen Stands Out, Surrounded By Switzerland, Cows for Hire – Farmer Milks Global Interest, Ikea Head’s Family Listed as Switzerland’s Richest, Diamond Ring Made Entirely Out of Bling; 150-carat Bauble Could Fetch $68 M, Switzerland’s Military Defenses Involve Blowing Up All Roads into the Country, How the Job of a Teacher Compares Around the World, New Swiss Law Protects Rights of ‘Social’ Animals, An Unlikely Trendsetter Made Earphones a Way of Life, Second Place for Swiss in Life Expectancy Study. 6-10 Interesting Facts About Switzerland 6. 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