Switzerland
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Capital
Bern
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Local time
22:01
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Population
8.48 m
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Driving side
Right
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Calling code
+41
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Currency
Fr CHF (franc)
Switzerland
-
Capital
Bern
-
Local time
22:01
-
Population
8.48 m
-
Driving side
Right
-
Calling code
+41
-
Currency
Fr CHF (franc)
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Average Salary
$ 6 989
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Petrol price
€ 1.74 pl
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Precipitation
1 537mm /year
Geography & travel
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Country Area
41 290 km2
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Protected Area
10%
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Forest Area
32%
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Agricultural area
38%
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Railways
3976km
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Annual air passengers
25.86 m
Population
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Ethnicity
German - 65 %
French - 18 %
Italian - 10 %
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Religion
Roman Catholic - 42 %
Protestant - 35 %
Orthodox - 2 %
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Languages
German
French
Italian
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Armed Forces
20 950
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Murders
1 per 100k
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Alcohol consumption
10.4 l/person
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Smoking
26.9%
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Diabetes
6.1%
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Tuberculosis
7 per 100k
Economy
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Industries
machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments, tourism, banking, insurance
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Agriculture
grains, fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs
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Natural Resources
hydropower potential, timber, salt
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Energy Import
47%
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Natural Resources
hydropower potential, timber, salt
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Renewable Energy
23%
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CO2 Emissions
35 306kt
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Ease of Business
33 (Best=1, Worst=200)
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ATMs per 100k people
99
What not to do when visiting Switzerland
Switzerland Don't be late for meetings.
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Switzerland Don't ask personal questions about salary, age or religion. Swiss people respect privacy.
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Switzerland Don't forget to eat everything off your plate and put your knife and fork side by side at the 5:25 position when finished.
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Did you know?
In Switzerland, there is a 500-year-old statue eating children - the Kinderlifresserbrunnen.
Switzerland Don't do anything loud on Sundays - people might just call the police for that.
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Switzerland Don't rest your elbows on the table during a meal, but keep your hands always visible.
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Switzerland Don't drink until the first toast of the host.
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Switzerland Don't give expensive gifts which can be viewed as tacky or bribery. Don't give sharp objects. Wine, good chocolate and flowers are good gifts, but watch out on chrysanthemums and white lilies, which are for funerals.
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Switzerland Don't assume Swiss-German language is the same as regular German - it's not. It's a dialect even Germans don't understand.
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Did you know?
Switzerland eats the most chocolate equating to 10 kilos per person per year.
Switzerland Don't speak loudly (especially while on your mobile phone), make big noise or show a lot of emotion in public - the Swiss appreciate peace and quiet.
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Switzerland Don't say Switzerland is basically the same as Germany or France to Swiss people. It's not true and Swiss are proud of their country.
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Switzerland Don't address the person by the first name until invited to do so. Use surnames and titles instead.
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Switzerland Don't forget to dress conservatively and neatly.
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Switzerland Don't speak about how much cheaper (better, faster, bigger...) stuff is in your country.
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Did you know?
It was once illegal to slam your car door in Switzerland.
Switzerland Don't expect anything to be open on Sundays or on bank holidays.
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Tell us your experience
We love to hear from people who have travelled the world and know ‘what not to do’. Why not help other people on their travels?
Switzerland Don't forget Swiss people usually greet each other with three kisses on the cheeks, however a handshake is the norm when meeting people for the first time.
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Switzerland Don't forget to use a fork to cut food as salad or potatoes instead of a knife, break bread with your hand. Most other food is eaten with utensils.
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Switzerland Don't forget to send flowers along with a thank you note to your hosts before or after the party.
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Switzerland Don't point your index finger to your head - it's insulting gesture.
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Did you know?
Switzerland is home to the world’s longest tunnel.
Switzerland Don't put your hands in pockets while talking to people, don't chew chewing gum, litter or clean your nails in public.
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Switzerland Don’t litter or leave rubbish lying around.
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Western Europe Don't block the bike lanes and don't step into it.
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Europe Don’t forget to handshake when greeting (men). Women usually greet with light kisses on both cheeks (”air kisses” where you just touch cheeks and kiss the air), a handshake is common on first meeting. Eye contact is important.
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Canton of Bern Don't interrupt people from Bern during the conversation - they tend to speak a bit slower, interrupting them is seen as impolite.
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Europe Don't smack or slurp - it's not appreciated.
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Europe Don't avoid eye contact business and personal conversations. It's a sign of courtesy.
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Europe Don't enter buses, trains or similar before everyone who wants to get out has done so.
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Tell us your experience
We love to hear from people who have travelled the world and know ‘what not to do’. Why not help other people on their travels?
Europe Don't forget to wear reflectors when riding a bike or walking at dark.
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