Switzerland - An Overview
Updated on: Aug 7, 2012
So you have decided to study abroad? Great! But choosing the right host country is probably the most crucial decision you'll ever make, one that will affect the course of your entire life – personal and professional. Soon you'll be leaving your country for a new culture, a new way of life, and new people.The end result is that students emerge from an international education not only with a thorough understanding of their subject but also with analytical abilities and problem-solving skills that are much prized by employers in later life. And if you have chosen Switzerland as your study destination, then definitely you have an eye for beauty and high class education.
Switzerland is a country of incredible beauty: rugged mountain peaks enhanced by delicate, wispy clouds; velvety green meadows tucked high on mountain ledges; dramatic rivers rushing through narrow gorges; tiny blue lakes sparkling like jewels in their mountain pockets; postcard-worthy villages made up of toy-like chalets. The country is almost too perfect to be real. For centuries Switzerland has inspired poets and artists who have advertised her glories on paper and canvas and her reputation has attracted visitors from all over the world.
| Capital: Bern Major Cities:Zurich(Largest), Geneva, Bern, Lucerne, Basel, Winterthur, St. Gallen, Biel Currency: Swiss Francs (CHF) Languages Used: German, French, Italian and Romansh ISD Code: 41 Time zone: Central European Time (Coordinated Universal Time 1) Summer (DST) Central European Summer Time (UTC 2) |
Charm and old-world ambiance are used as the basis for the selection of hotel sites. Switzerland attracts lot of visitors from all over the world and thus has biggest hospitality industry in the world.
History
| 600000 - 30000 B.C. | Ice Age | Human Evolution in Africa. Central Europe more or less covered by glaciers, some warmer intermediate periods allow human activities, however. |
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| 30000 - 1800 B.C. | Stone Age | Hunters using weapons and tools made from stones in Europe. |
| 1800 - 800 B.C. | Bronze Age | Weapons and tools made from bronze. |
| 800 - 58 B.C. | Iron Age Helvetians | Weapons and tools made from iron. Celtic tribes all over Western Europe. The Helvetians, a celtic tribe, give their name to the Swiss territory: hence HELVETIA on Swiss coins and stamps, ch = Confoederatio Helvetica on cars and internet domains. |
| 58 B.C. - 400 A.D. | Roman Period | Helvetians stopped by roman commander C. Julius Cesar when trying to move towards Southern France. Switzerland occupied by roman troops, beginning of written history in this region. |
| 400 - 1500 | Middle Ages | Germanic tribes set an end to the Roman Empire and build new states and empires in Europe. Feudal system. Monasteries keep up roman and greek heritage (reading and writing) and develop new agricultural methods. |
| 1291 - 1515 | Old Swiss Confederacy | Three valleys in Central Switzerland unite against the counts of Habsburg and fight for autonomy. Cities join the confederacy. They conquer territories in northern and southern Switzerland. |
| 1523 - 1536 | Reformation | Swiss Reformers Zwingli and Calvin even more radical than Luther in Germany. Calvin's doctrine has influenced denominations in many other countries. |
| 1536 - 1798 | Ancien Regime | Switzerland is a loose confederacy of 13 cities and small valley communities dominating the rest of the country. A few families control state affairs. Several rebellions put down by military force: repressed aspects of history in a country so proud of it's tradition of democracy. |
| 1798 - 1802 | Helvetic Republic | Revolution in Switzerland. Farmers in occupied territories become free citizens. Centralistic parliamentary republic according to French model. Occupation by French troops and some battles of Napoleon vs. Austria and Russia in Switzerland. |
| 1803 - 1815 | Mediation | Civil war brings Helvetic Republic to an end. French emperor Napoleon enforces a constitution negociated under his "mediation" |
| 1815 - 1830 | Restauration | Confederacy reestablished, however with 22 cantons [member states]. Liberals in minority position. |
| 1830 - 1848 | Regeneration | Second French Revolution (1830) also boosts liberals in Switzerland. Some federal states with liberal governments and new constitutions. The conservative catholic governments of some cantons [federal states] set up a secret Special Alliance ["Sonderbund"] against the liberal governments of other cantons. This leads to a short civil war ["Sonderbundskrieg"] (1847). |
| 1848 | Federal State | New Federal Constitution combining elements of the U.S. constitution (Federal State with central and cantonal [state] governments and parliaments) and of French revolutionary tradition. The Principles of this constitution are still valid today. |
| 1800 - 1900 | Industrialization | Switzerland is one of the first industrialized countries in Europe. |
| 1914 - 1918 | World War I. | Armed neutrality works when surrounded by warfaring nations. |
| 1918 - 1933 | Economic Crisis | Twenties are not so "roaring" in Europe. Inner conflicts, general strike in 1918, 1929 world economic crisis hit this industrialized country severely. |
| 1933 - 1939 | Spiritual Defense | Hitler in Germany is soon seen as a danger to Switzerland's independence. Thousands of German refugees (jews, intellectuals) accepted. Socialists and trade unions seek cooperation with liberal employers against fascist threat. |
| 1939 - 1945 | World War II. | Neutral Switzerland surrounded by fascist troops (Germany, Austria, Italy) or collaborating regimes (Vichy-France). Some trade with Hitler was inevitable for sheer survival (and the survival of more than 150,000 refugees). Other, not inevitable aspects were: (Too) rigid refugee politics (25,000 sent back), uncritical collaboration in case of looted assets and accepting stolen gold. |
| Since 1945 | Prosperity | Recent history is characterized by political stability, economic progress, increased social security and a new openness and tolerance. |
Climate: The climate in Switzerland is moderate through the year though winters will seem severe to tourists from warmer climes. The weather is not excessively hot, cold or humid. The temperature ranges from 18 to 28 ?C (65? - 82? F) during the day in the summer months of July to August. The Autumn and Spring day temperature is between 8 to 15 ?C (46? - 59? F) and the winter is colder with temperatures from -2 to 7 ?C (28? - 45? F) during January and February. If you're on a walking tour of Switzerland, remember to wear comfortable shoes and weatherproof clothing. Carrying sunglasses to protect your eyes against the glare, from light reflecting off the snow and a raincoat are also advisable.
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Comments (20)
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Hi,I completed my bachelors degree in ece department, MBA hospitality management has good future?swiszerland is good for hospitality management course.please reply to my mail id rak_esh1234@yahoo.com - Comment #20
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Hi...........I have completed graduation in Language now i want to do post graduate..........tell me can i do post graduate in Persian language...........thanking u - Comment #19
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hi Sam! is ETH Zurich a free university? please help me. - Comment #18
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Hi,I had just completed my bachelors degree in an Information Technology department,but wants to make career in a Hospitality industry.So,which course is most applicable for me,should I do post graduation in hospitality or MBA in hospitality in Switzerlan - Comment #17
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hi i want to do m.tech in civil engg from ETH zurich ........i am from india ......what i do ? - Comment #16
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Sir,I would like spend my time for post graduation(master graduation) in switzerland,so i wanted to know about scholarship for international student.If you don't mind please feel free contact to meThank you - Comment #15
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Tell me About iim university of switzerland who tia-up with gyan vihar school of hotel management of jaipur - Comment #14
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Hi! I want to study in ETH zurich as civil engineer - Comment #13
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When would be the actual date for the entrance exams because Iam A LEVEL HOLDER in Cameroon I wish to study medecine. - Comment #12
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Hi. you are article is very helpful. actually i am doing diploma now and next year i will complete my diploma after that i want take admission for bachelors..just tell me when should i apply for visa process.how much time this will take.reply soon.. - Comment #11
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.I completed HSC in 2012.I want to admission in bachelor degree in your business institution....please help me.. - Comment #10
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Hello. Can anybody of you give me information about some German language courses in Zurich? Thanking you in advance. - Comment #9
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Hi, please let me know how good is switzerland for masters in computer science - Comment #8
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GESTO Hotel Management Institute Offers: Degree, Diploma and International Certificates with 100% Placement Assistance. For More Details visit: http//:www.gestoacademy.com - Comment #7
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is there any stay back option for study visa program? i am a nurse by profession. - Comment #6
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i am indian i completed my graduation and i want to admission in master degree in abroad please help me. - Comment #5
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I've been to Switzerland recently for some shopping and it was really nice! I bought lots of stuff including some marina de bourbon perfume for my loved one. It was really expensive the trip plus the shopping but in my opinion it was really worth it! I re - Comment #4
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Switzerland is in generally expensive but there are also free offers for museums available. For a list of docens of free museums please check the following web-site: www.baden-bremgarten-wohlen-zurich-schweiz-stetten-lodge-bnb.ch/gratis.html - Comment #3
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nice article. yahoo - Comment #2
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I am Bangladeshi.I completed HSC in 2004.I want to admission in bachelor degree in your institutions.Please help me. - Comment #1
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