Uncover These Switzerland’s Lesser Known Wonders That’ll Leave You Amazed

Switzerland is a small and mountainous country which is landlocked and is located in central Europe; the country is characterized by beautiful landscape scenery, brilliant engineering as well as classical style. It is a country whose scenery has been painted in postcards and then made to come alive, snow-topped Alpine mountains powered through by crystal skies, emerald valleys with chalets that have been implanted out of fairy tales. On each twist of its winding mountain lanes de-corre-some-thing rare, a calm lake, or a clump of wildflowers, or a village bell tower lifting up out of the fog.

Its combination of natural magnificence, culture, and perfection of the world makes the country one of the most interesting places on the planet. It is not just a sightseeing site, but a site to experience the unity of nature and innovation. And despite the fact that the vast majority of the people travelling abroad are aware of the beauty of the Alps, Swiss watches and the inexplicable chocolates, there are numerous other less obvious facts and mysteries that Switzerland carries but that are not seen by all, but serve as its peculiar attraction and its undying appeal.

You have some plans to visit Switzerland, or you just feel like knowing more about this amazing country and have a great time reading this collection of intriguing facts about this great country. You will be astonished after understanding the reasons that make Switzerland so unique and special and leave the more popular tourist routes behind you.

1. Switzerland has four official languages

Switzerland is a linguistic mosaic, which reflects the multi-cultural soul. Officially, there are four languages in the country: German, French, Italian, and the Romansh, and each has its own regions where it is predominant and defines the character of the place.

In the north and central part, you will come across Swiss-German, which is the most spoken language. The west, with Geneva and Lausanne mostly speaking French, has a Parisian touch and Swiss order. Italian is adopted by the south, especially by the Luganese and Ticino, whose warmth is captured in the architecture and food of this land. And some away in the south-eastern corner of Graubunden the old language of the Swiss people, the ancient Romisch, remains, spoken by a small but proud people who are bent on preserving their Latin traditions.

Although this is diverse in language, communication is not a major problem. English is also prevalent particularly in big cities such as Zurich and Geneva. Nevertheless, knowing a few expressions in the local language can be a key to the door, or rather, to the door and get closer to the people.

2. The Alps make up almost 60% of the country

The identity of Switzerland is its topography. The region is almost covered with majestic Alps mountains which appear to embrace the clouds in its arms and this is nearly 60% of the total land area of the nation. The Swiss Alps are not merely a set-piece – they are the blood of the land.

They determine the culture, economy and the life of Switzerland. Since ancient days of Alpine agriculture and wooden lodges, the mountains have had an impact on all spheres of everyday life, such as the ski resorts of Zermatt and St. Moritz. These mountains, with snow on them most of the year, are drawing millions of skiers, hikers and dreamers to come and see their sublime beauty.

The Alps also have a large number of glaciers and clear lakes that supply the major rivers of Europe such as the Rhine and Rhone. They are not only scenic marvels to locals, but also a source of pride and protection, a natural fortification that has long been protecting the neutrality and mystique of Switzerland.

3. Switzerland has 7000 lakes

Besides its mountains, Switzerland is also glittering with more than 7,000 lakes where every lake resembles a mirror of peace and calmness of its neighbors. The scenic beauty and quality of life in much of the country is characterized by these lakes which provide an innumerable number of opportunities in leisure and recreation and inspiration.

The largest of these, which is divided amicably with France, is Lake Geneva (Lac Leman). It has sparkling waters that frame the glamorous cities such as Lausanne and Montreux with castles and vineyards along its shores. The lake, called Lucerne, and the villages about it resembling storybook villages, are such that one enters the picture frame of Mount Pilaus. And Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, which are divided by the lovely little town of Interlaken, is where there is adventure and calmness, where there is turquoise waters and grand mountain scenery.

You can paddle-board at sunrise, sail at sunset, or just use a cafe chair lakeside and enjoy your coffee, but my word, the lakes in Switzerland can provide something that is hard to find in many other locations the sense of serenity in the face of being among all this larger-than-life.

4. Switzerland is one of the happiest countries in the world

Switzerland is one of the happiest countries in the world every year, based on the World Happiness Report. It is not merely the wealth or beautiful scenery, but a blend of equilibrium, steadiness, and civility, which forms a feeling of satisfaction.

The Swiss pride themselves on living in harmony with nature and having access to world level infrastructure and healthcare. Their cities are well-organized and clean, but life is moving at a relaxed rate. Emphasis on work-life balance, civic duty and environmental awareness helps in bringing joy to the masses to a great extent.

Even the architecture of the country is a testament to this harmony – in the trains that run on time without making any noise in the tunnels in between the mountains, to the harmonious living of cows grazing in the outskirts of the luxury resorts. It is a respect-driven society, towards others, time and the planet.

5. Switzerland has one of the lowest crime rates in the world

To visitors, there is hardly a place that is as safe as Switzerland. The country enjoys one of the lowest crime rates in the world and is thus a good destination to solo travelers, family, and even people of all categories who love to explore the country.

The most intriguing fact is that this high rate of safety exists in the company of one of the largest gun ownership rates in the world. It can be explained by the unique civic organization in Switzerland. According to strict rules the citizens are trained on how to use guns in a compulsory military service and have strict control on ownership in line of responsibility.

Violent crime is very infrequent and you will find in the most crowded cities such as Zurich or Geneva, locals leaving bicycles unattended and commuters walking streets during midnight hours. The result? An extra deep-rooted trust and community that makes going to Switzerland as cozy as it is thrilling.

6. Zurich is not the capital city of Switzerland

The popular myth about Switzerland is that the capital of the country is the financial powerhouse of Zurich or the diplomatic center of Geneva. Its capital is in fact Bern, a beautiful medieval town that makes one feel that he is back in time.

Bern is a UNESCO world heritage city, renowned with cobblestone walkways, arcaded walkways and red-roofed houses hanging along the river Aare. It has an Old Town with historical buildings and fountains and the 15th century Zytglogge Clock Tower, which continues to ring out with accuracy. The center of the city is the Federal Palace (Bundeshaus) the headquarters of the Swiss government, elevated high above the city and with panoramic views combining politics and poetry.

Bern is like no other capital because its beauty is tranquil. It represents the subtle beauty of Switzerland, majestic, quiet and very tradition-oriented.

7. Switzerland has the longest railway tunnel in the world

Switzerland is not only good at nature, but this country is an engineering wonder. The longest and deepest in the world, the Gotthard Base Tunnel, which was opened in 2016, is an example of a 57.1 kilometers (35.5 miles) railway tunnel located in the very heart of the Alps.

It is a 17 year tunnel that links northern and southern Switzerland and has cut short the travel time by a long distance between Zurich and Lugano. It is the embodiment of Swiss perfection, a mixture of innovative technology and eco-friendliness.

The Gotthard Tunnel is not only a means of transport, it is also a chord of Swiss genius that unites cultures, the area and human beings without ruining the beauty of mountains above the tunnel. It is almost futuristic to ride it, a silent smooth ride underneath some of the most fearsome mountains of Europe.

Final Thoughts

Switzerland is much more than chocolate, cheese, cuckoo clock, it is a form of country where modernity and tradition live in harmony. Its sceneries talk to the soul, its culture educates harmony, and its citizens portray the example of balance. Is it the snow tops of the Alps, or the winding of the old streets in the medieval city of Bern, or the gliding over the waters of a crystal blue lake in the summer sunshine, Switzerland does not just present eye candy it presents experiences.

The minor realities and marvels of this land remind us of the fact that the magic of this land is in the small things in the stillness and perfection of nature, in its ability to elicit tranquility so easily. Switzerland is not a destination, it is an experience, which stays in your mind long after you are gone. The reason is that you are urged to explore the Swiss beauty once more and once again.