Switzerland Presented By: Rachel Thysell

Where is it?

Switzerland Landlocked alpine country in Western Europe Landlocked alpine country in Western Europe Roughly over 7 million people Roughly over 7 million people 4 national languages 4 national languages –Swish German, French, Italian, Romansh

Switzerland Everything printed in three different languages Everything printed in three different languages –German, French, and Italian Religion Religion –Roman Catholic 47.6% –Protestant 44.3% –other 8.1%

Currency 10 francs1 franc 1 franc (reverse) Swiss Franc (CHF) Swiss Franc (CHF) –1 U.S. Dollar = Francs

Economy Strong economy in banking and finance Strong economy in banking and finance –Ranked as most competitive in the world by the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report –Banking, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals are very important industries, however tourism is biggest Tradition of political and military neutrality Tradition of political and military neutrality –Several international institutions  United Nations has second largest center in Geneva  Red Cross founded there in 1863, still has its institutional center in the country

Weather Springtime Springtime –Daytime temperature range 8 to 15° C  (46-59° F)  Bring along a sweater and your hiking shoes!

The Alps

Greatest mountain range system of Europe Greatest mountain range system of Europe Stretching from Austria in the East to France in the West Stretching from Austria in the East to France in the West –Swiss Alps are the central portion of the mountain range

Interlaken

Interlaken Located between Lake Brienz and Lake ThunLocated between Lake Brienz and Lake Thun –Named after its geographical position Jungfrau MountainJungfrau Mountain (4158 M) (4158 M) is main attraction for backpackers is main attraction for backpackers Interlaken lays at the flat area at the end of the Lauterbrunnen ValleyInterlaken lays at the flat area at the end of the Lauterbrunnen Valley

Interlaken Very popular in winter for skiing and snowboarding Very popular in winter for skiing and snowboarding Jungfrau Top Ski Region Jungfrau Top Ski Region –3 ski resorts interconnected Also offers breathtaking views, hiking, mountain biking, and a point of relaxation Also offers breathtaking views, hiking, mountain biking, and a point of relaxation

Hiking in the Alps More than 22,000 miles of well-kept trails More than 22,000 miles of well-kept trails Criss-cross through meadows, forests, glaciers, and magnificent views of towering peaks Criss-cross through meadows, forests, glaciers, and magnificent views of towering peaks At bottom in Interlaken, offers chance for rest and snacks At bottom in Interlaken, offers chance for rest and snacks

Mürren

Mürren Mountain village in middle of Alps, free of public cars, home of highest altitude ski resort Mountain village in middle of Alps, free of public cars, home of highest altitude ski resort Population 450 Population 450 Home of famous revolving Piz Gloria Restaurant, made famous by James Bond movie Home of famous revolving Piz Gloria Restaurant, made famous by James Bond movie

Lauterbrunnen Small town that lies in the Lauterbrunnen Valley Small town that lies in the Lauterbrunnen Valley The Lauterbrunnen valley also provided the pictorial model for J.R.R. Tolkien’s sketches and watercolors of the fictitious valley of Rivendell The Lauterbrunnen valley also provided the pictorial model for J.R.R. Tolkien’s sketches and watercolors of the fictitious valley of Rivendell 300 meter high Staubbach waterfall 300 meter high Staubbach waterfall

Staubbach Waterfall 300 M high (900 ft) 300 M high (900 ft) Has inspired painters, poets, and writers over the centuries Has inspired painters, poets, and writers over the centuries Goethe wrote a poem based on his 1779 visit, making the lake famous in the late 18 th century Goethe wrote a poem based on his 1779 visit, making the lake famous in the late 18 th century

Swiss Food Most commonly known for Most commonly known for –Swiss cheese –Swiss chocolate Also include basic bread, dairy, meat, fruit Also include basic bread, dairy, meat, fruit

Swiss Chocolate Non-tropical climate, with no colonies in cocoa-bean growing countries (South America, Africa) Non-tropical climate, with no colonies in cocoa-bean growing countries (South America, Africa) Heinrich Escher, mayor of Zurich, was introduced to chocolate in Brussels in 1697 and brought it back home, where it was discreetly consumed at the feasts of the various guilds which ruled the city, until the Zurich Council banned it in 1722 as unfit for virtuous citizens. (It had a reputation as an aphrodisiac.) Heinrich Escher, mayor of Zurich, was introduced to chocolate in Brussels in 1697 and brought it back home, where it was discreetly consumed at the feasts of the various guilds which ruled the city, until the Zurich Council banned it in 1722 as unfit for virtuous citizens. (It had a reputation as an aphrodisiac.) The first chocolate shop in Switzerland opened in Bern in 1792 (several decades later) The first chocolate shop in Switzerland opened in Bern in 1792 (several decades later)

Swiss Chocolate – Fun Facts Swiss eat more chocolate than anyone in world Swiss eat more chocolate than anyone in world averaged 12.3 kg per person 80% milk chocolate 80% milk chocolate 10-12% plain chocolate 10-12% plain chocolate 3-4% white chocolate 3-4% white chocolate Dark chocolate is on the rise Dark chocolate is on the rise All production must be in Switzerland to be “Swiss chocolate” (cocoa beans, paste, butter, sugar, milk) All production must be in Switzerland to be “Swiss chocolate” (cocoa beans, paste, butter, sugar, milk) –Otherwise declared on package

Food Breakfast Breakfast –Bread (zopf), butter, marmalade or honey, cheese, cereal, milk, tea Lunch Lunch –Sandwich or birchermüesli (oat flakes, water, cream, honey, sugar, lemon juice, apples) Dinner Dinner –Bread, cheese, dried meat

Food

Swiss Army Every male citizen must do military service Every male citizen must do military service –Starts at age 20 and ends at 42 –Soldiers keep their arms at home  Automatic rifle for simple soldiers  Pistol for officers plus couple of bullets in a sealed box  Must return everything at age 42 Many cave-like buildings have been built in mountains to serve military purposes Many cave-like buildings have been built in mountains to serve military purposes –They hold arms, supplies for crisis, and even fighter planes

Sources Wikipedia Wikipedia World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report Yahoo Finance Yahoo Finance –

THE END!!! Any Questions? Thank You!