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Introduction
Swiss[1], is a country located in the center of Europe, surrounded by Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, Italy Y France. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains and crossed by plains and valleys, Switzerland presents a variety of landscapes that delight travelers. Its population is also one of its great attractions: in little Switzerland multiple language and religious communities converge, making multiculturalism and tolerance one of the pillars of this country. The country is divided into 26 cantons with great autonomy and its own identity that is reflected in each of its localities.
Understand
With one of the highest levels of quality of life and human development, Switzerland presents great tourist attractions. It is possible to visit the main cities along its incredible railway network and thus spend hours from the modern Zurich to the medieval streets of Lucerne. Geneva Y Lausanne, on the shores of Lake Geneva, are world-class economic and political epicenters, while Basel it is famous for its museums. The Swiss countryside provides indelible images of small quiet towns and an enviable natural environment. Switzerland is more than chocolates, cheeses and ski resorts; It is an invitation to explore every corner and be surprised by what this country hides
Geography
Switzerland is an eminently mountainous country, whose mountain ranges are aligned in the southwest-northeast direction. The main one, the Alps, crosses the entire southern part of the country, occupying 62.5% of the Swiss surface and reaches its peak in the Monte Rosa (4,636 m). Along the western border with France is the Cordillera del Swear, lower than the Alps. Between both chains is the Mittelland, a plains corridor that crosses the country and where the main cities of this are located.
Multiple lakes and rivers stand out on the surface of Switzerland, most of which are part of three of the main European river basins: that of the Rhone river (in the southwest of the country), that of Rin (to the north) and that of Po (in the extreme south). Within the lakes, the three largest are the Leman, the of Constanza and the Higher; all three are shared with neighboring countries.
In much of the central Swiss plain, the climate is temperate continental in character. The four seasons are perfectly marked, with a dry summer and a cold, rainy winter. Snowfalls are common during winter, especially in alpine areas, so in the Mittelland livestock and agriculture are possible, mainly cereals such as wheat, the rye and the barley. In the more inland areas there is a more diverse fauna, including Brown bears, Wolves, deer Y alpine goats,
Context
Over 150,000 years old they have the earliest traces of human presence in Switzerland, but they only entered world history after the victory of Julius Caesar over the tribes helvetia in 58 BC C. and that would allow incorporating the territory into Roman empire. After the fall of the Empire, Switzerland was divided by various feudal states until it was unified again under the Holy Roman German Empire towards the eleventh century.
In 1291, an alliance was made between three rural communities in the central valleys of the Alps. The Federal Charter signed by Uri, Schwyz Y Unterwalden would give rise to the first Swiss Confederation. In subsequent years, the cantons of Glarus Y Zug, in addition to the city-states of Lucerne, Zurich Y Bern. Behind the Swabian War By 1499, the cantons obtained de facto independence from the Holy Empire, which would be officially recognized in 1648. The Old Confederacy continued its expansion, covering much of the territory between the Rhine and the Alps. The Protestant Reformation (led in Switzerland by Ulrich Zwingli) would increase the differences between the cantons and cause various internal wars between Catholics and Protestants.
At the end of the 18th century, the conflicts generated by the French Revolution and the rise of Napoleon they affected Switzerland. The cantons were abolished, but the new Helvetic Republic it was resisted by the Swiss. Napoleon finally restores the autonomy of the cantons in the Mediation Act 1812. Three years later, the territories of Geneva, the Valais Y Neuchatel they are incorporated and in 1848 the territory is reorganized, giving rise to the current Swiss Confederation. The cantons enter a new federal model with a degree of centralism, making Bern the de facto capital, but each canton maintains its autonomy.
Switzerland established a condition of neutrality and tolerance that allowed the coexistence of very dissimilar cantons both by religion (Catholics and Protestants) and by language (German, French, Italian and Romansh). This principle allowed Switzerland to also become a refuge for the persecuted and was not directly involved during the two World Wars or joined the European Union. With the rise of international multilateralism, various institutions such as the United Nations, the Red Cross or the International Olympic Committee they settled in Switzerland.
government
Switzerland is a federal state, made up of 26 cantons. Its organization is based on the Constitution promulgated in 1848 and which has been modified successively, establishing a separation of powers as a republic traditional. However, the Executive Power has several differences with respect to what happens in most countries: there is a Federal Council of 7 members that last 4 years each and that acts as Head of State collectively. There is no “President” of Switzerland, there is only a rotating Chairman of the Board and no additional powers over the other directors.
The Federal Council is in charge of national policies, federal administration, and other matters such as the Armed Forces and international relations. The cantons, meanwhile, have their own constitution, legislature and courts, being in charge of education and health, for example. Although each canton has the same powers, some have a different representation from the rest in the Council of States, the upper house of the national parliament: while each canton has 2 senators, the cantons of Appenzell Innerrhoden and Ausserrhoden, Basel-Country and Basel- Town and Nidwalden and Obwalden have only one.
The Swiss cantons are as follows:
 | Aargau (Aargau) | AG |  | Nidwalden | NW |
 | Appenzell Innerrhoden | AI |  | Obwalden | OW |
 | Appenzell Ausserrhoden | AR |  | St. Gallen (Sankt Gallen) | SG |
 | Basel-Countryside (Basel-Landschaft) | BL |  | Schaffhausen | SH |
 | Basel-City (Basel-Stadt) | BS |  | Solothurn | SW |
 | Bern (Bern, Berne) | BE |  | Schwyz | SZ |
 | Freiburg (Friborg) | FR |  | Thurgau | TG |
 | Geneva (Geneve) | GE |  | Ticino (Ticino) | YOU |
 | Glarus (Glarus) | GL |  | Uri | UR |
 | Graubünden (Graubünden, Grigioni, Grischun) | GR |  | Vaud | YOU |
 | Swear | JU |  | Valais (Valais, Wallis) | VS |
 | Lucerne (Luzern) | LU |  | Zug | ZG |
 | Neuchatel | NE |  | Zürich (Zürich) | ZH |
Although it is usually said that in Switzerland there are mechanisms of direct democracy With open assemblies to make collective decisions, these only function at the local level and only 2 cantons maintain this tradition. However, there is a long tradition of participating in referendums to approve proposals, with two or three plebiscites per year being common to decide on different matters.
Regions
| Lake Geneva | |
 | Geneva Lausanne Montreaux Vevey Yverdon-Les-BainsOn the shores of Lake Geneva, there are two of the most beautiful cities in all of Switzerland. In Geneva, home of the persecuted, one can feel history in its streets. Lausanne it stands tall on the hills and stands as the "Olympic Capital." In the surroundings you can visit the fantastic Chillon Castle or go in and get to know smaller towns like Palézieux or the hot springs of Yverdon-Les-Bains. |
| Jura mountains | |
 | Delémont La Chaux-de-Fonds Neuchatel In the hills and mountains of the Jura, it is possible to find charming small villages among the dense and deep forests that cover the area. Tour the valley of clocks in Le Locle Y La Chaux-de-Fonds where the main watchmaking industries are. Get to know the medieval center of Neuchatel and of Delémont and share with the locals in this part of French-speaking Switzerland. |
| Plains of the Rhine | |
 | Basel Aarau Baden Rheinfelden Near the border with Germany is the industrial zone of Switzerland, but not for that with fewer destinations to visit. Basel, crossed by the Rhine, it is one of the most attractive cities in the country and its many galleries and museums will be the delight of art fans. Nearby are the Roman ruins of Augusta Raurica and, in the nearby canton of Aargau, you can visit the hot springs of Baden. |
| Mittelland | |
 | Bern Biel Freiburg Gruyères Solothurn Despite being less known than other more popular cities, Bern It is one of the most charming in the country. Walk the streets of medieval origin and observe the bears that are the symbol of the capital. In the hills of Freiburg you can find the town of Gruyères, famous for its cheese, and the chocolate factory in Broc. |
| Zurich and surroundings | |
 | Zurich Winterthur Zug Zurich is the largest city in the country and is internationally known as one of the best quality of life on the planet. You can walk its streets alongside heritage buildings that now house luxury shops. Around, Winterthur makes its way as an interesting cultural and entertainment destination. |
| Northwest | |
 | St. Gallen Schaffhausen One of the most traditional sectors of the country and dedicated mainly to agriculture and livestock. Among the main attractions is the Abbey of San Galo, which dominated much of the area for centuries. There are also several ski centers that can be visited, in addition to serving as an entry point for the nearby Liechtenstein. |
| Inland Switzerland | |
 | Lucerne Andermatt Brunnen Pfäffikon Schwyz Stans The heart of the country, formed by the original cantons that gave life to the Confederation. LucerneWith its medieval alleys and famous bridge, it takes visitors' breath away but there is more than that in the surrounding area. Each canton has an infinity of small towns that captivate and enchant with their simple life. |
| Bernese alps | |
 | Interlaken Grindenwald Gstaad Spiez Thun The largest canton of Bern extends into the Alps, where the meadows turn into steep, snow-capped mountains in meters and, as in all of Switzerland, ski resorts. Interlaken It is the capital of tourism in the area and from there it is easy to organize expeditions to the Jungfrau and other mountains. |
| Valais | |
 | Brig Zion Verbier Visp Zermatt The valleys of the Valais were for centuries an obligatory step to communicate both sides of the Alps and the contact of cultures is still reflected in the existing bilinguality. Brig Y Zion They are the starting points to experience the mountains to the full; from there you can jump to the winter resorts of Verbier Y Zermatt, and from the latter to the most iconic point of the country, the Matterhorn / Matterhorn. |
| Ticino | |
_View_on_Lake_Lugano_and_Monte_San_Salvatore.jpg/120px-Lugano_(Ticino)_View_on_Lake_Lugano_and_Monte_San_Salvatore.jpg) | Ascona Bellinzona Locarno Lugano By Swiss standards, the center of Italian-speaking Switzerland is “tropical”. The sun predominates, unlike the rest of the country, in the lands of Ticino and Lugano it looks like a Rio de Janeiro in the Alps. From there you can jump to the nearby Ascona Y Locarno, which despite their small size, have a great appeal that give rise to the end of the "Swiss Riviera". |
| Graubünden | |
 | Chur Davos St. Moritz Being the most remote canton, Graubünden maintains a more indigenous culture than in the rest of the country; for example, it is the only place where Romansh is still spoken. Winter tourism is predominant, as in neighboring cantons, but there is much more to discover among the alpine peaks: old forgotten villages, dazzling panoramas and space for adventure sports, among others. |
To get
Entry requirements
Switzerland is part of Schengen Agreement, so it has the same entry requirements as a significant part of Europe. There are no land border controls in Switzerland (except for some exceptional customs controls) and flights between Schengen signatory countries are treated as domestic flights. The entry visa to Switzerland is also valid to travel to other signatory countries and vice versa.
Holders of a passport from one of the member countries of the Schengen Agreement do not require a visa and are free to stay. Certain countries have an agreement to enter without a visa for a maximum of 90 days in a total period of 180 days, counting from when you enter the Schengen zone and leave it. You can review in detail the countries indicated in the respective article.
Airway
There are three major airports serving Swiss destinations: the Zurich International Airport (ZRH), the Geneva International (GVA) and Euro Basel Airport (BSL-MLH). All three cover a large network of routes to the main cities of Europe and North Africa and allow interconnection with flights to the rest of the world. Swiss, the national airline, offers destinations mainly from ZRH to various parts of the world including Bangkok, Chicago, Dar es salaam, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Beijing, New York, São Paulo, Shanghai Y Tokyo, among other.
Seaway
Although Switzerland has no sea, there are some options to get there by waterway. Switzerland shares three lakes with its three main neighbors, making it possible to enter there using boats or ferries. There is a ferry service between Friedrichshafen (Germany) that crosses Lake Constance in 45 minutes and various boats that cross the lake lugano. However, none of these services are really relevant to entering the country. In theory, Basel it is connected to the ocean along the river Rhine, but it is only used by merchant ships and there are no passenger services.
Land route
The easiest way to get to Switzerland from a nearby country is by land. You can visit Switzerland with your own car (or a rented one) from border countries without problems, but you should be aware that border crossings may have delays; Although there is no control of the passage of people, there is for goods (since Switzerland is not part of the customs agreement of the European Union) so it will probably be revised. Although the review is usually quick, it can generate delay at critical points such as tunnels under the Alps from Italy. An important part of the big roads require the use of a sticker (vignette) as a toll payment; they cost Fr. 40They last until January 31 of the following year and can be purchased at service stations, post offices, customs controls and online. You can find out more here.
If you want to avoid these problems (and the difficulty of finding parking in the big cities!) You can use the main transport of the Swiss: the train. The Swiss train company SBB / CFF has a wide rail network which is interconnected with that of its neighboring countries. You can get from practically any European city to a Swiss city using the correct connections. The main routes to consider are the following:
- The TGV Lyria connects with France using high-speed trains. The destinations and estimated times from Paris they are: Geneva (3:05), Lausanne via Dijon (3:45), Bern via Dijon (4:45), Basel (3:03) and Zurich (4:03) via Mulhouse.
- Connections every hour with Milan via Brig-Domodossola and from there to the rest of Italy.
- ICE high-speed trains from Zurich to various cities in Germany (Karlsruhe, Mannheim Y Frankfurt hourly; Stuttgart Y Munich with longer frequencies).
- Night trains from various European cities, cataloged as EuroNight (EN) and CityNightLine (CNL), bound for Basel, Geneva, Zurich and (sometimes) Lausanne.
eye! Try to buy the tickets from the railway company from the country you are departing from. Although you can buy tickets online at the SBB / CFF, on some international routes the SBB / CFF does not deliver tickets online and requires that they be sent to a postal address or picked up at an office ... which is in Swiss territory.
There are some bus services such as EuroLines They reach various destinations in Europe, in addition to some aimed especially at the Bosnian community, but they are not as popular or easy as the train service.
Travel
Travel
In Switzerland, the train is synonymous with transport. Everyone uses it, from the richest to the poorest, and from one corner of the country to another. With a huge network of railways connecting all cities and major towns, an enviable frequency and amazing punctuality, the Swiss train system is a pleasant experience and very useful to be able to travel the country from side to side.
There are several local railway companies (which administer regional services between one or two cantons), but all of them are associated in the national company SBB CFF FFS (Each acronym represents the name in German, French and Italian). On their website, you can review all services, hours and rates and make purchases online. The great punctuality of the system allows tourists to plan their routes in detail and maximize time; since many towns that are worth visiting are small and a couple of hours are enough to go around. You can take advantage of the train service and travel several in the same day easily. The services are easy to identify by their letters: R are regional that usually connect small towns with the main city of the area, the RE (RegioExpress) are similar although a little faster and between two major cities, the GO (InterRegio) make it possible to connect two or three blocks, while IC / ICN they usually take the great distances between the main urban poles of the country.
For smaller towns, there are bus services that run as regular as trains; are iconic the Yellow buses PostBus / CarPostal operated by the Swiss postal service. In the main cities there are bus and tram services. Although you can purchase individual tickets or day passes for metropolitan or PostBus services, they can also be purchased alongside SBB tickets and are often incorporated into the tickets or day passes that SBB sells.
Transport, like almost everything in Switzerland, is expensive, so it is advisable to always look for the best alternatives at the railway stations or on the SBB website. The Swiss tend to have cards with significant discounts or subscriptions for long periods of time; while they are very useful, they are not suitable for a sightseeing stay so you need to look for a few special options for tourists. The best option is usually the SwissPass that provides unlimited travel options in all bus services, common trains, ferries and trams in the country (see map), as well as discounts at museums and some tourist railways. Prices vary according to comfort, period, flexibility and age of the passenger: the SwissPass in second class for 4 consecutive days costs Fr. 272 for adults, Fr. 204 for young people from 16 to 26 years old and Fr. 136 for children 6 to 15.
If you have enough money, you can get on one of the tourist trains that run through the country and which focus mainly on the Alpine sector. The Glacier express, which goes from St. Moritz to Zermatt crossing the Alps in 8 hours, it is one of the most breathtaking experiences that you can take advantage of in the country, as in the Bernina Express what about Davos Y Chur to Tyrant. By train you can also “climb”: from Interlaken until the Jungfraujoch (3450 masl) in two hours or until Gornergrat from Zermatt. The journey to Mount Pilate in Lucerne It is considered the steepest on the planet. These tours are outside the public transport system and are charged separately, but in some cases you may have discounts if you have the SwissPass.
By car
Switzerland also has a system of highways and roads that allow you to move more easily and without the restrictions that a public transport system can put. But, between the cost of fuel, the difficulty of finding parking spaces and the requirement to have vignette to use the highways, it is not recommended in front of the public transport system.
Talk
If there is something that probably characterizes Switzerland, and that sets it apart from its neighbors, it is its language diversity. Product of its birth as a confederation of diverse cantons, in Switzerland four languages coexist:
- The German It is the native language of 64% of the population, concentrated in the northern, central and eastern cantons. However the swiss dialect it is very particular; Although formally they write in standard German, in day-to-day use they use idioms and pronunciations that in many cases make it unintelligible to a native German.
- The French It is spoken in the eastern part of the country, by about 21% of the population. Cantons of Geneva, Vaud, Neuchatel and from Swear have it as an official language, in addition to a large part of Freiburg, western Valais and the Bernese Jura (northwest of said canton).
- The Italian is concentrated in the canton of Ticino and some valleys of Graubünden, with less than 7% of the total Swiss.
- The Romansh or retro-Roman it is the only native language of Switzerland, spoken by less than 0.5% of its population. Only some localities in Grisons speak this language.
The Swiss Constitution establishes these four languages as national, although only the first three have the same legal status as official. Romansh is used only in official relations between the State and the speakers of that language, while the other three are present in all the activities of the national State. At the cantonal level, each one has its official language, which is reflected, for example, in traffic signs. Bern, Freiburg and Valais are officially bilingual and Grisons is trilingual.
Despite this confusion, don't worry. Much of the population speaks English quite fluently and there is enough signage in that language. Local trains usually include notices in English, in addition to the official languages of the region; in the case of long-distance trains, the notices are in the three official languages and in English. There is an important community of Spanish speakers, considering immigrants and Swiss who learned it.
Sleep
Almost all cities and tourist areas have a tourist office from where you can book a hotel. Most hotels have good service and can usually speak English, if not in the local languages.
As in most of Europe, Switzerland offers a wide range of accommodation options, from lavish hotels and ski resorts to simpler hostels. However, you should consider that prices in Switzerland are among the highest on the continent, even for the lowest-ranking hotels. Some reference prices are the following:
- Hostel: from Fr. 30 every night per person.
- 2-star hotel: from Fr. 80 every night per person.
- 3-star hotel: from Fr. 120 every night per person.
- 4-star hotel: from Fr. 180 every night per person.
- 5-star hotel: from Fr. 350 every night per person.
Outside of the classic lodging sites, you can find a comprehensive hotel guide at swisshotels.com, which are regularly certified by the Swiss Hotel Association. If you are looking for hostels or youth residences, Swiss Youth Hostels has a guide to various cheaper options to stay. If you are looking for group hosting, you can search in groups.ch.
Eat and drink
In Switzerland there is a wide variety of places to eat. You can easily find prestigious restaurants in major cities and major international fast food chains in city centers and train stations. But, like everything in Switzerland, food is expensive. Switzerland is, for example, the country with the highest value of the famous Big Mac index, with an estimated cost of Fr. 6.5 in 2012. In large train stations it is possible to find cheaper convenience food outlets, such as sandwiches.
Swiss gastronomy is somewhat varied, with a diversity of flavors that come from the different cultural areas of the country. In general, the food is quite caloric, including meats, cured meats, cheeses, potatoes and other products. The cheese should be the product with which the country is most often identified (together with the chocolate) and various dishes are prepared based on this. The fondue It is the best known, in which food is dipped (from bread to meat) with a skewer in a pot with melted cheese and which stands out as a community dish; a similar dish is the raclette. The rösti It is a popular dish on the Swiss-German side and consists of a fried potato omelette, originally intended as a breakfast for farmers in the Alps and now often served as an accompaniment to meats and vegetables.
Among non-alcoholic beverages the most common is apple juice. Rivella is a lactose-based gas, originally from Switzerland and very popular there, while Ovomaltine it is popular with young people. Similar to its nearby countries, in Switzerland the most common alcoholic beverages are beer and wine (produced mainly in the Valais, Vaud and Ticino valleys). To acquire them, it is necessary to be over 16 years of age, while for liquors it is necessary to be over 18. The absinthe It is originally from Switzerland and was prohibited until 2005, when the Constitution was changed to do so, which has led to the appearance again of various artisan factories.
To buy
Switzerland is expensive, probably one of the most expensive countries in the world, which you will notice every time you try to buy something. The national currency, unlike all its neighboring countries, is the Swiss franc (Fr., SFr. Or CHF). Most stores and vending machines also accept banknotes. euros (and sometimes also currencies) and take into account the official exchange rate. Despite this, it is recommended that you always carry some cash in francs. You can change at banks and railway stations. Although credit cards are widely accepted, people often prefer cash; to avoid problems, check in advance if you can pay with cards.
There are four products that are Swiss classics and that you must consider if you visit the lands of William Tell:
- Chocolate: While the cocoa with which the chocolate It is native to Central America, its production has been perfected in the Swiss valleys. It was here that the milk chocolate in 1870 and the White chocolate in the 1930s. Being the country with the highest per capita consumption in the world, it is easy to find chocolate shops that have a wonderful variety of products; Even the lowest value ones for sale in supermarkets tend to be of good quality compared to those you might find in another country. The most famous brands are Toblerone, Lindt, Cailler Y Frey.
- Cheeses: More of 450 varieties of Swiss cheeses They are produced to satisfy domestic consumption (being one of the central products of their diet) as well as for export. What is usually sold as "Swiss cheese" is emmental, from the Emmen Valley in Bern, and characterized by its holes and its mild flavor. Another famous cheese is gruyer, originally from the city of Gruyère, where it is still possible to visit traditional factories.
- Pocket knives: The knives owned by the country's Army have become a symbol of Switzerland. Composed of a main knife and a series of other tools (such as screwdrivers, scissors, file and bottle opener) that are stored in the handle or pocket, they are famous for their resistance, usefulness and portability. There are two official brands, Victorinox Y Wenger, although the former acquired the latter a few years ago. It is easy to find armories in large cities that offer an infinite collection of knives and pocket knives with characteristics that adapt to all needs, although the most popular versions are probably available in any store that boasts of such. The prices are usually standard in all stores, so there is little point in looking for cheaper options.
- Clocks: Switzerland is famous for being the center of the world watchmaking industry, especially that of luxury. Although it has lost ground to electronic advances, brands such as Rolex, TAG Heuer or Tissot they remain emblems of the industry and signs of elegance. SwatchOn the other hand, it is much more open to fashion and has options in a wider range. The Jura and Neuchâtel area concentrates the main watch factories, although all cities will have premises where you can buy a gift that more than someone will appreciate when you return home.
Security
It is difficult to have problems in Switzerland. Most of its cities are small (Zurich, the largest, does not even reach 400,000 inhabitants), spacious and crime is very low. No es difícil encontrar historias de turistas asombrados al recuperar algún elemento valioso que dejó abandonado en lugares públicos como un tren. Sin embargo, nunca está de más estar atento, en especial en los lugares más concurridos.
La policía juega un rol bastante menor, prefiriendo mantenerse en segundo plano y así evitar interferir en el normal desarrollo de las actividades. Pero no es difícil encontrar alguno si lo necesita... y tampoco si es que usted viola alguna norma como, por ejemplo, las de tránsito. Si necesita ayuda, acérquese a un policía, llame al 117 o solicite ayuda a alguna persona cercana. A diferencia de otros países desarrollados, en Suiza se ha reforzado el concepto de ayudar al ciudadano como un deber cívico, y la mayoría de las personas le prestará apoyo si se ve en una emergencia; recuerde que esto es recíproco y se espera que usted también apoye a los demás si es que hay alguna situación que lo amerite. Si usted se niega a involucrarse, podría ser acusado de “negación de ayuda” (Verweigerung der Hilfeleistung en alemán).
Suiza suele ser un país tolerante respecto a las minorías, ya sean étnicas, sexuales o de cualquier tipo. La discriminación hacia las mujeres es casi inexistente y no hay ningún problema para que ellas puedan viajar solas. La homosexualidad es legal desde 1942 y existe poca discriminación hacia minorías sexuales, aunque la aceptación varía bastante entre las grandes ciudades (como Zúrich o Ginebra, con una vibrante comunidad LGBT) y las localidades pequeñas del interior, donde el tema es invisible o imperceptible. Aunque Suiza se caracterizó por años como un espacio de tolerancia para los perseguidos y refugiados, el aumento del número de inmigrantes en las últimas décadas (principalmente de la ex Yugoslavia, Portugal y Turquía) ha comenzado a generar algo de xenofobia y es posible que personas, que puedan ser caracterizadas como inmigrantes, sufran algún tipo de discriminación, pero usualmente menor a lo que podría vivir en otros países cercanos.
No debe preocuparse por comer o beber algo en Suiza; todo producto tiene una serie de medidas sanitarias que hacen muy difícil que algo pueda enfermarlo. Es común encontrar pilones y fuentes de agua en la vía pública que vienen de épocas medievales y, a menos que diga expresamente que está prohibido, puede beber de ellas con naturalidad. El mayor peligro está cuando se aventure en zonas alejadas y usualmente escarpadas. Revise con anticipación el pronóstico metereológico y consulte con las autoridades si existe alguna alerta en dichas zonas.
Respect
- Suiza es un país multicultural y sus habitantes se sienten orgullosos tanto de su país como de su particular cultura local. No minimice las diferencias lingüísticas: un suizo no es un alemán ni un francés, y un ítaloparlante en el Tesino no se sentirá cómodo si asumen de buenas a primeras que habla alemán. Intente comunicarse inicialmente en el idioma local, aunque sea sólo un ¡Buenos días!; los suizos están acostumbrados a buscar un idioma en que ambos se sientan cómodos, así que no tenga miedo de que no pueda comunicarse. Tampoco asuma que la vida rural es menos valiosa que una en las ciudades; muchos suizos adoran la tranquilidad de la vida en un pequeño pueblo, con sus tradiciones centenarias y un trabajo sencillo.
- Las reglas están por algo y deben respetarse, especialmente respecto al tránsito y las señales de precaución. Cruzar una calle en luz roja o conducir a exceso de velocidad puede significar una cuantiosa multa, además del riesgo que genera a usted mismo y a los demás. Muchas señales de «Prohibido nadar» en calmos lagos o ríos son ignoradas por muchos turistas, sin saber que existe la posibilidad de descarga de aguas desde las centrales hidroeléctricas situadas más arriba del cauce.
- Sea puntual. Los suizos no perfeccionaron el arte de la relojería por nada. Y, además, no tiene la excusa de que el tren se demoró...
Grades
- ↑El nombre oficial de Swiss it is Confederación Suiza (en latín, Confœderatio Helvetica). En los cuatro idiomas nacionales, el nombre es el siguiente:
external links
Wikipedia has an article on Swiss.w:Suiza
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