Top 10 Mind Blowing Facts About Switzerland

Here are the top 10 interesting effects about Switzerland:

1. Four Official Languages: Switzerland is a multilingual country, with four official languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansh. German is the most widely spoken, with about 63% of the population using it as their first language. French is spoken by about 23%, Italian by about 8%, and Romansh by less than 1%. English is also widely spoken, especially among the younger generation and in the urban areas.

2. World’s Longest Tunnel: The Gotthard Base Tunnel is the world’s longest and deepest railway tunnel, stretching for 57 km (35 miles) under the Swiss Alps. It connects the northern and southern parts of Switzerland, reducing the travel time between Zurich and Milan by about an hour. The tunnel was opened in 2016, after 17 years of construction and at a cost of over 12 billion Swiss francs.

3. Over 1,500 lakes: Switzerland is a land of lakes, with more than 1,500 of them covering about 6% of its surface area. The largest and most famous ones are Lake Geneva, Lake Zurich, Lake Constance, and Lake Lugano. The lakes provide not only scenic beauty, but also drinking water, hydroelectric power, and recreational opportunities. You can swim, sail, fish, or just relax by the shore.

4. Swiss Chocolate: Switzerland is a chocolate lover’s paradise, and the origin of one of the world’s most-loved chocolates; Toblerone. According to the International Cocoa Organization, the average Swiss person consumes about 10 kg (22 lbs) of chocolate per year. That’s equivalent to about 111 chocolate bars. Switzerland is also the birthplace of milk chocolate, invented by Daniel Peter in 1875, and the Toblerone, created by Theodor Tobler in 1908.

5. Nominal Wealth Per Adult: The average wealth per adult in Switzerland was $564,653 in 2020, more than twice the global average of $76,984. Switzerland also has the highest proportion of millionaires, with about 14% of its adult population having a net worth of more than $1 million.

6. The Highest Mountain: Switzerland is a mountainous country, with about 70% of its territory covered by the Alps. The highest mountain in not only the country, but also in Europe, is the Matterhorn, which stands at 4,478 m (14,692 ft) above sea level. The Matterhorn is also one of the most iconic and recognizable mountains in the world, thanks to its distinctive pyramidal shape and its appearance in movies, books, and even chocolate wrappers.

7. Coffee: If you’re a coffee drinker, you will love this aspect of Switzerland. The average Swiss person drinks about 7.9 kg (17.4 lbs) of coffee per year, or about three cups per day, more than anywhere else in Europe. Coffee is a part of the Swiss culture, and can be enjoyed in various ways, such as espresso, cappuccino, latte, or mocha. The country is also the home of Nespresso, the popular coffee capsule system.

8. Railways: Switzerland has about 5,132 km (3,188 miles) of railway tracks, one of the highest railway densities in the world..  The Swiss railway system is efficient, punctual, and comfortable, and offers scenic views of the countryside and the mountains. The most famous railway in Switzerland is the Glacier Express, which runs between Zermatt and St. Moritz.

9. Recycling: Switzerland recycles about 53% of its municipal waste, compared to the OECD average of about 35%. The Swiss are also good at composting, incinerating, and reducing their waste. The Swiss government encourages recycling by imposing a fee on garbage bags, and providing separate bins and collection points for different types of waste.

10. Life Expectancy: The average life expectancy at birth in Switzerland was 83.6 years in 2019, compared to the European average of 78.3 years. The Swiss enjoy a high standard of living, a universal health care system, a clean environment, and a low crime rate, all of which contribute to their longevity.