About the country Switzerland
Switzerland - a small country in Western Europe with the official name of the Swiss Confederation. The name of the country comes from the name of the territory of Schwyz (in drevnenemetskom language - to burn.)
 
Switzerland has no outlet to the sea, but on its territory are the famous Alps, which occupy more than 60% of the territory of the state. The country borders Italy, Switzerland, Austria and Liechtenstein, Germany and France.

Currency
Means of payment and currency of Switzerland and Liechtenstein is the Swiss franc. To date issued banknotes of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 1000 francs. 1 CHF = 0.8 U.S. dollars.
 
Time
Swiss time behind Moscow for 2 hours. All times are GMT +1 countries.

Official language
In Switzerland, the official languages referred - German, French, Italian and Roman.

Flag
Flag of Switzerland - is a red rectangular cloth with a white cross, located in the middle. In the 19th century, this flag became the official flag of the state.
 

State whose territory is divided into three geographical areas - is the Swiss Alps, the Jura Mountains and the Swiss Plateau, located in the center of the country and is the most populated and economically developed region of Switzerland. Area of Switzerland is 41,284 square kilometers.
 
Important cities in Switzerland are Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Lausanne, Winterthur, St. Gallen, Lucerne and Biel. The capital of Switzerland - Bern.

The most interesting sights of the region - castles in Switzerland. This locks in Thun and Nevshtale, Bethlehem in Morges Castle, Castle Chillon. In addition to the castles in the country - a number of medieval fortifications, the town hall, churches (Cathedral of St. Vinzenz and Hall 15. Bern) and monasteries, and the number exceeds 600 museums.

The most famous museums of Switzerland - is a historical museum in Zurich and museums Art Basel, Bern, Geneva and Zurich again.
 
The world-famous natural attractions are the lakes of Switzerland, the most important of which is bordered by the Swiss plateau. This Geneva, Lucerne, Thun in the south, in the east of Zurich, Biel and Neuchâtel in the north. South of the Alps in the canton of Ticino are Lake Maggiore and Lugano. And two large lakes - Lake Constance, which occupies an area of 539 km ² and Tsugskoe lake. Virtually all Swiss lakes are of glacial origin.
 
Major river port located in the Swiss city of Basel. And the largest rivers of the region - is the famous Rhine, Rhone, Aare and Limmat. Such an abundance of rivers and lakes make Switzerland one of the most significant places in Europe, because in addition to the forests and mountains in the territory of this country is 6% of Europe's fresh water.

Switzerland has 14 cities, where you can go skiing, and the most famous ski resorts in Switzerland - is Davos and St. Moritz, Zermatt and Interlaken. Thermal resorts in Switzerland - Bad Ragaz and Yverdon are not as popular with tourists. Do not forget that 15% of the national income accounts for tourism.
  
Major international airports are located in Switzerland, Geneva, Zurich and Basel.

For many tourists interested in shopping in Switzerland. As a rule, buy jewelry, watches and chocolate. /
National cuisine Switzerland
Local Swiss cuisine - a cheese and dairy products, meat and a variety of spices and, of course, hot dogs.
Swiss chocolate and desserts "hyuhli" and "krepfli" is also known around the world. Typical Swiss dish - fondue: There are many recipes for cooking, but the most popular is that the pieces of bread dropped into the melted cheese. It is best to drink white wine fondue. Another famous Swiss dish - Raclette - also served with the use of melted cheese. Worth a try and a specially prepared very strong coffee "ristretto". Swiss wines and beer are great. Among white wines stand out "Yohannioberg", "Ferdan", "Lavyu" among the red - "Lamey", "Crown" and "Dol". Good liquor, "Kirsch", "Pflyumli" and "Williamina", but they are very strong.
Weather Switzerland
Switzerland is characterized by a continental climate, with sharp temperature fluctuations as a function of altitude. Winters are cold, on the plateau and in the valleys of the temperature is zero, and in mountain areas - 10 ° C and below. Average summer temperatures in the lowlands - +18-20 ° C, slightly lower than in the mountains.
Administrative division of Switzerland
The state consists of 23 cantons, three of which - Unterwalden, Basel and Appenzell, are divided into half-cantons Zurich, Bern, Lucerne, Uri, Schwyz, Unterwalden, Glarus, Zug, Fribourg, Solothurn, Basel, Shaffgauzen, Appenzell, St. Gallen, Grisons, Aargau, Thurgau, Ticino, Vaud, Valais, Neuchâtel, Geneva, Jura.