Also known as Swiss Confederation, Swiss, Confoederatio Helvetica
歐洲國家
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A landlocked country with an area of 41,285 km², Switzerland is a land of picture-perfect Alpine ranges and verdant greenery. The country offers a range of old towns, diverse cultures and outdoor adventure-related activities.
It sits at the confluence of Western, Central and Southern Europe. It has borders with France, Italy, Germany, Austria, and Liechtenstein.
It is officially known as the Swiss Confederation in English. Its abbreviation "CH" comes from Latin, Confoederatio Helvetica, which is often used internally to avoid giving preference to any of the country's official languages.
Getting around Switzerland is quick and easy albeit sometimes on the expensive side, no matter which mode you choose. The country has had a love affair with railways for over a century now, despite having been something of a late bloomer in railway construction. The few places not served by trains are served by the "Postauto" bus system and everything is seamlessly integrated, meaning you'll never have to wait long. Should you wish to drive a car, there are excellent highways throughout the country and many mountains are bypassed with tunnels. Hiking paths across the Alps have existed for centuries and are usually well blazed and maintained. Switzerland is also making an effort of marketing itself as bicycle friendly under the slogan "Veloland Schweiz".
thumbnail|The road crossing the Furka mountain pass between the cantons of Uri and Valais
Switzerland is renowned the world over for downhill skiing, and the country is also great for many other outdoor activities, including hiking and mountain biking. Mountain climbing from easy to very hard can also be found in Switzerland and there is hardly a place with a longer tradition for it. Some routes, like the North face of the Eiger ("Eiger-Nordwand" in German) have become near-mythical due to the hardships, sacrifice and even deaths suffered by the first people to climb them. And because of the breathtaking views, travelling from one place to another by car, bus, train or bike along Alpine roads and railroads is often an experience in itself.
Tour de Suisse is an on-road cycle race over nine days, regarded as a proving event for the Tour de France. The next is 12-19 July 2022 visiting Aesch, Quinto, Brunnen, Moosalp, Novazzano, Visp and Vaduz.
瑞士聯邦(德語:Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft;法語:Confédération suisse;義大利語:Confederazione Svizzera;羅曼什語:Confederaziun svizra;拉丁語:Confœderatio Helvetica)簡稱「瑞士」(德語:Schweiz;法語:Suisse;義大利語:Svizzera;羅曼什語:Svizra;拉丁語:Helvetia),為中歐國家,由26個州組成。瑞士為典型的分權自治型聯邦委員會制國家,組成聯邦的各州擁有廣泛的地方自治權力,而且瑞士的國家元首為瑞士聯邦委員會全體成員,並非聯邦主席或其他特定的人。伯恩是联邦政府所在地兼事實上的首都,日內瓦、蘇黎世也是該國的重要城市,並且是多個國際組織的總部駐地。瑞士北靠德国,西邻法国,南接意大利,东临奥地利和列支敦士登。 作為一個內陸國家,瑞士在地理上被劃分成阿爾卑斯山、瑞士高原及侏羅山脈三部份,其山地總面積達41,285平方公里,當中以阿爾卑斯山最為廣闊。瑞士高原不僅是瑞士800萬人口的集中區域,也是該國主要城市日內瓦及經濟中心蘇黎世的所在地。瑞士的自然風光及氣候條件十分優越,因而素有「世界公園」或「世界花園」之美譽。 瑞士曾是世界上歷史悠久的中立國之一。瑞士的中立政策開始於1815年,由當年的《巴黎條約》上提出,並在同年的維也納會議上為各國所承認。瑞士曾經存在僱傭兵制度,後因确立「永久中立國」地位而改為採用武裝中立,自1815年維也納會議後從未再捲入过國際戰爭。瑞士自2002年起才成為聯合國正式會員國,但瑞士實行積極外交政策且頻繁參與世界各地的重建和平活動;瑞士為红十字国际委员会的發源地且為许多国际性组织总部所在地,如联合国日内瓦办事处。在歐洲區域組織方面,瑞士僅為歐洲自由貿易聯盟創始國及申根區會員國,而非歐盟與歐洲經濟區成員。依照人均国民生产总值,瑞士是世界富裕国家,同時瑞士人均財富也居(除摩纳哥之外的)世界首位。依國際匯率計算,瑞士為世界第19大經濟體;以购买力平价計算則為世界第39大經濟體;出口額及進口額分別居世界第15位及第17位。瑞士由3個主要語言及文化區所組成,分別為德语区、法语区及意大利语区,而後加入了罗曼什语區。雖然瑞士人中德語人口居多數,但瑞士並未形成單一民族及語言的國家,而且其國民中外國出生的比例相當高。對國家強烈的歸屬感則來自於共同的歷史背景及價值觀,例如:联邦主义及直接民主制等。傳統上以瑞士永久同盟於1291年8月初締結來作為建國之初始,因而每年的8月1日被立為瑞士國慶日。
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thumbnail|A pot of Fondue, pieces of bread and fondue forks
While Switzerland has had long culinary exchange with the cuisine of its neighbours, it has several iconic dishes of its own.
Switzerland is famous for many kinds of cheese like Gruyère, Emmentaler (known simply as "Swiss cheese" in the U.S.), and Appenzeller, just to name a very few of the about 450 kinds of cheese of Swiss origin. Two of the best known Swiss dishes, fondue and raclette, are cheese based. Fondue is a pot of melted cheese that you dip pieces of bread into using long forks. Usually fondue is not made of one single type of cheese, but instead two or three different cheeses are blended together with white wine, garlic and kirsch liqueur with regional variations. The most popular blend of cheese varieties is called moitié-moitié and consists of equal parts Gruyère AOP and Vacherin Fribourgeois AOP. Traditionally fondue is eaten during cold periods at altitude with one pot for the whole table, served with hot black tea and hardly any additional side dishes - not surprising, since it used to be a cheap and often the only dish for a herdsman high up in the mountains far away from civilization with only basic equipment. However you can now get fondue for one person during the summer time in tourist-oriented restaurants. Another cheese dish, raclette, is made by heating a large piece of cheese and scraping off the melted cheese, which is then eaten together with boiled potatoes and pickled vegetables. Chees…
thumb|Absinthe, the long-banned "Green Fairy" of Switzerland
Virtually all tap water – including that in households or hotel rooms – is perfectly drinkable, thoroughly and frequently monitored, and of excellent quality. About 85% of Swiss residents drink tap water daily; there is no need to buy drinking water. There are many drinking water fountains to be found, especially in towns and villages, e.g. in Zurich more than 1200, or in Basel about 170. The few exceptions, such as in train toilets, are clearly signed with "Kein Trinkwasser" (German), "Non potable" (French), or "Non potabile" (Italian). Temporarily installed troughs on mountain meadows used to water the cattle are also not suitable for drinking.
Soft drinks in supermarkets are one of the few things that aren't notably more expensive than elsewhere in Central Europe. Local specialties are the lactose-based soft drink Rivella and the lemon-flavoured Elmer Citro.
The drinking age for beer, wine and cider is 16, except in Ticino where the age is 18, while the age for any other alcohol (e.g. spirits, "alcopops", etc.) is 18. The public consumption of alcohol in Switzerland is legal, so do not be alarmed if you see a group of teenagers drinking a six-pack on public property or on public transport; this is by no means out of the ordinary and should not be interpreted as threatening.
Switzerland produces a surprisingly large amount of wine, with the climate and soil well-suited to many grape types. Very little of this …
thumbnail|Stern und Post in Amsteg, a typical Swiss town hotel
Most accommodation in Switzerland can now be found and booked through the major internet booking sites, even hotels and huts in remote areas. Even so, most tourist areas in Switzerland have a tourist office where you can call and have them book a hotel for you for a small fee. Each town usually has a comprehensive list of hotels on their web site, and it is often easier and cheaper to simply book directly with the hotel. Some hotels will request that you fax or email them your credit card information in order to secure a reservation. In general, hotel staff are helpful and competent, and speak English quite well.
As in most European countries, Switzerland offers a wide range of accommodation possibilities. These go from 5-star hotels to campgrounds, youth hostels or sleeping in the hay. Types of hotels in Switzerland include historic hotels, traditional hotels, inns located in the country, spas and bed and breakfasts.
Compared to other European countries, accommodation in Switzerland is in general amongst the more expensive. Hotel rates in Switzerland can get quite expensive, especially in popular ski resort areas and major cities.
The following prices can be used as a rule of thumb: 5-star-hotel: from Fr. 350 per person/night 4-star-hotel: from Fr. 180 per person/night 3-star-hotel: from Fr. 120 per person/night 2-star-hotel: from Fr. 80 per person/night Hostel: from Fr. 30 per person/night
The Swiss hotel s…
Switzerland is one of the safest countries in the world as far as crime goes, but any place that attracts Rolex-wearing bankers and crowds of distracted tourists will also bring out a few pickpockets. Keep an eye on belongings, especially in the midst of summer crowds. Generally, you are safe anywhere at any time. If, for any reason, you feel threatened, seek a nearby restaurant. The emergency phone number in Switzerland is 112, and operators generally speak English.
Switzerland has a reputation for orderliness and adherence to rules. If you see a sign or if you encounter an authority figure telling you not to do something, it's in your best interest to comply.
Women travelling alone should have no serious problems. The younger Swiss tend to be very open with public displays of affection – sometimes too open, and some women may find people getting too friendly especially in the wee hours of the club and bar scene. Usually the international language of brush-offs or just walking away is enough.
LGBT+ safety in public space is assumed, though explicit LGBT+ identifiers are not common outside of urban centres and dedicated spaces.
Swiss police take on a relatively unobtrusive air; they prefer to remain behind the scenes as they consider their presence potentially detrimental to the overall environment. Unlike some more highly policed countries, officers will rarely approach civilians to ask if they need help or merely mark their presence by patrolling. However, police are i…
Generally there is no problem with food and water in Switzerland. Restaurants are controlled by strict rules. Water is drinkable everywhere, even out of every tap, especially so of public fountains, unless explicitly marked with "Kein Trinkwasser", "Non potable" or "Non potabile". Do not drink from temporarily installed trough on a meadow in order to water the cattle served by the close-by brook.
Switzerland has a dense network of hospitals and clinics, and public hospitals will admit you in an emergency. There are also some 24 hour "permanence" clinics at major railway stations including Zurich, Basel and Lucerne which can provide treatment for non-urgent illness without an appointment. Treatment costs may quickly mount up, so you will require a travel insurance with a good level of coverage if you cannot pay these fees out of pocket.
thumbnail|Street sign in Geneva asking partygoers to keep their voices down at night
The Swiss adhere to a robust set of values. They value and cherish cleanliness, integrity, world peace, organisation, and responsibility.
Communication styles vary from canton to canton, but generally speaking, the Swiss are comfortable with expressing their thoughts and ideas openly and clearly. German-speaking Swiss people tend to be more direct and formal than their French-speaking, Romansh-speaking, and Italian-speaking counterparts.
The Swiss are known for their privacy and the country has robust privacy laws. They are one of many reasons why many celebrities flock to Switzerland; their right to privacy is guaranteed.
Nosiness is not appreciated in Swiss culture. Do not ask a Swiss person about their background, personal convictions, or both unless you're well acquainted with them. Friendships and relationships are seen as serious affairs and the journey from acquaintanceship to friendship is often a long one.
While Switzerland is brimming with dazzling, majestic sights, it is both impolite and illegal to record or take pictures of someone unless they have given you permission. Be mindful of where you point your camera, always.
The Swiss value transparency and clarity. To them, your word is your bond. Don't say something if you don't mean it. Don't make promises you will not keep. Try not to give evasive answers such as "maybe", "later", "I'll see what I can do", or variations t…
Many of the internet cafes that have emerged in the 1990s have closed because Switzerland has one of the highest rates of high-speed internet connections in homes in the world, but there may be a few internet terminals in some large train stations. The tourist office should be able to direct you to the nearest one. The usual rate is Fr. 5 for 20 minutes.
The Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS) are now offering free Wi-Fi in some of their stations (usually the bigger ones) but you will need to verify your identity by receiving an SMS on your phone, which will then authenticate you for 12 months. Some providers will not work but a local SIM card can be used instead. The access is for 60 minutes and resets every two hours. On long-range trains, there should either be Wi-Fi or an option to connect with an App called SBB FreeSurf, but it requires a data plan compatible only with some Swiss providers (inside trains, the 60 minutes restriction decays).
Also, you can send email, SMS (text messages to cell phones). There are many shopping centers and cities (Lausanne and Vevey for example) that offer free wireless internet access: ask the young locals; maybe they know where to go.
If you stay for some time, it may be advisable to buy a pre-paid cell phone card that you can use in any phone that supports the GSM standard on the 900/1800 MHz bands - they usually cost around Fr. 10-40 and are obtainable in the shops of the mobile service providers Swisscom, Salt or Sunrise in most …
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