Switzerland

Destination overview

About this destination

Switzerland is a landlocked country in Central Europe. Bern is its federal city and the seat of national government. The Alps occupy much of the south, while the Jura Mountains rise in the northwest.

Lakes and valleys connect many of its towns. German, French, Italian and Romansh are national languages. Geneva and Zürich provide different urban and cultural perspectives.

Railways, tunnels and mountain engineering have an important place in its landscape. Regional food traditions, historic centres and multilingual communities reflect a country whose identity brings together several European cultural influences within a distinctive mountain setting.