About

Switzerland

Paradise, Heaven on Earth Or just call it Switzerland

Switzerland is a country with an abundance of breathtaking nature, majestic snow-clad mountains, pristine medieval architecture, and home to many renowned museums in the world. Famous for Swiss cheese, Swiss chocolates and Swiss knives, Switzerland is also among the world’s financial hubs and admirably preserves a few awe-inspiring UNESCO World Heritage sites. Switzerland enjoys the top spot as a dream destination for travellers. Switzerland’s offers extensive experiences for families, adventurers, nature lovers or architectural aficionados. There is a mountain of things to discover for everyone. Quite literally.

General Info

Currency

The currency of Switzerland is the Swiss Franc, usually indicated as CHF or SFR. Many prices are nonetheless indicated in EURO because both currencies are accepted equally well. While Switzerland is not part of the European Union and thus is not obliged to convert to the Euro, many prices are nonetheless indicated in euros so that visitors may compare prices.

The Swiss franc comes in the following denominations:

Currency Converter

Coins
5, 10, 20, 50 Cents and 1, 2, 5 Francs
Available coins

Bank notes
10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 1000 Francs
Available notes

Electricity

The voltage in Switzerland, as in most of Europe, is 230V/50 Hz. Switzerland uses type C (2-pin) and Type J (3-pin) plugs. (Type C 2-pin plugs also fit J sockets.)

Most power sockets are designed for three pin round plugs. The standard continental type plug with two round pins, applied for many electrical travel products, may be used without problem. Adaptors are available in most hotels.

Drinking Water

Swiss drinking water – a quality product from natural resources – of which 80 percent stems from natural springs and groundwater, and the rest from lakes.

Strict regulations concerning water and the quality of it have led to such positive development that, in some places, you can drink straight out the lake without second thoughts! Swiss tap water also demonstrates a more balanced ecology as opposed to water purchased in bottles and mineral waters travelling from near and far.

Important Telephone numbers

Emergency Calls:
117- Police
118-Fire
144-Ambulance
1414-Swiss Rescue
112-European emergency number

General inquiries:
1811-General inquiries, e.g. doctors, theatres, etc.
140-Breakdown service
162-Weather report
163-Road report
187-Avalanche Report

Time Zone

During the winter, Central European Time (CET) applies in Switzerland. From the end of March to the end of October, Summer Time applies (CET + 1 hour).

Facts

Climate

The climate is moderate with no excessive heat, cold or humidity.

From July to August the daytime temperature range is 18 to 28 °C (65° - 82° F) and from January to February the range is -2 to 7 °C (28° - 45° F). In spring and autumn, the daytime temperature range is 8 to 15 °C (46° - 59° F).

Depending on the altitude the temperature range may vary. It is highly recommended to visitors to

Customs entry regulations-

Duty- and tax-free imports per person:

Used personal effects
Used personal effects, such as clothing, underwear, toilet articles, sports gear, photo and film cameras, camcorders, mobile phones, portable computers, musical instruments, and other articles for general use.

Provision
Foodstuff ready to eat and non-alcoholic beverages for the day of travelling.

Tobaccos and spirits
These limits apply only to persons older than 17 years
250 units/g cigarettes / cigars / other tobacco products
5 litres of alcohol (up to 18% vol.) and 1 litre of alcohol (over 18% vol.)

Meat and meat products
The following maximum quantity of meat per person (including children) may be imported once a day duty free: 1 kg meat and meat products (with the exception of game).

Cash
Importation and exportation of cash are not subjected to restrictions.

Fuel
Fuel that is in the tank of private vehicles is tax and duty-free. Additional fuel (e.g. in a spare fuel can) up to a maximum of 25 liters is also tax and duty-free. The allowances are granted only once per vehicle per day.

Other goods
For other private goods there is a total value limit of CHF 300.- per person.

Population

There are approximately 8 million people in Switzerland. Demographic trends are being influenced by multilingualism, the rising average age and the high proportion of foreigners living in the country.

Over 22.7% of the country’s approx. 8 million people do not have a Swiss passport. The average age is increasing because people are living longer and having fewer children.

Language Distribution

Switzerland has four unevenly distributed languages and a wealth of dialects.

German (63.5 %)
German is by far the most widely spoken language in Switzerland: 19 of the country’s 26 cantons are predominantly (Swiss) German-speaking.

French (22.5 %)
French is spoken in the western part of the country, the "Suisse Romande." Four cantons are French-speaking: Geneva, Jura, Neuchâtel and Vaud. Three cantons are bilingual: in Bern, Fribourg and Valais both French and German are spoken.

Italian (8.1 %)
Italian is spoken in Ticino and four southern valleys of Canton Graubünden.

Rhaeto-Rumantsch (0.5 %)
Rumantsch is spoken in the only trilingual canton, Graubünden. The other two languages spoken there are German and Italian. Rumantsch, like Italian and French, is a language with Latin roots. It is spoken by just 0.5% of the total Swiss population.

Other languages (6.6 %)
The many foreigners resident in Switzerland have brought with them their own languages, which taken as a whole now outnumber both Rumantsch and Italian. The 2000 census showed that speakers of Serbian/Croatian were the largest foreign language group, with 1.4% of the population. English was the main language for 1%.