Famous people in switzerland. What Switzerland is famous for: the most famous sights, cultural objects and interesting facts. Open-air museum

TO famous people who were born or lived in Zurich, are a very large number of famous scientists, writers and artists. Thanks to their creativity, this city became famous throughout the world.

Notable Scientists

Felix Bloch (1905 - 1983) is a Swiss physicist who was born in Zurich and later worked in the United States. In 1952 he won the Nobel Prize in the field. Bloch studied in Zurich, at the technical school... Then he continued his education at the University of Leipzig, where he received his doctorate in 1928. For a long time he was engaged in science in Germany, together with Pauli, Heisenberg, Fermi and Bohr. In 1933 he emigrated to the United States, where he began working at Stanford University. During the Second World War, Bloch took part in an atomic project in the Los Alamos laboratory. Subsequently, he worked in the field of nuclear magnetic resonance and nuclear induction - the basic principles of magnetic tomography. He was awarded the Nobel Prize "for the discovery of new measurement methods in nuclear physics." Have worked director general at CERN. Received the title of professor of physics in 1961.

Famous writers

Johann Jacob Meyer - born in Zurich in 1798, worked as a newspaper editor in the besieged city of Mesolongion during the 1821-1829 War of Independence. in Greece. He died in 1826 during the breakthrough of the besieged.

Artists

Augusto Giacometti (1877 - 1947) is a Swiss artist. Giacometti is a major representative of post-symbolism and postmodernism, a master of monumental wall painting and stained glass. He was born into a family of sculptors, painters and architects. From 1894 to 1897 he studied painting at the School of Applied Arts in Zurich, later he studied in Florence and Paris. The artist created beautiful colored stained glass windows for the Cathedral in Frauenfeld, for the church windows of the choir in Adelboden. Giacometti became one of the first artists of the 20th century to work in the style of abstract art.

There are many more things in the world that can surprise even the most unimpressed people. A selection of random facts about different countries of the world.

The area of ​​the Australian Alps, which is covered with snow every year, is larger than Switzerland. That's right, Australian Alps!

The city of Barle-Hertog is divided into 24 separate sections between Belgium and the Netherlands. Borders run across streets and even divide houses in two!

Chile has a government-funded UFO research organization.

In Denmark, you are never more than 50 kilometers from the sea.

The girl in Egypt was named Facebook because her parents wanted to celebrate her role in the 2011 Egyptian revolution.

When Hitler traveled to France to visit the recently captured Paris, citizens cut the cables of the Eiffel Tower elevator, so he had to walk to the very top.

Greece is the only country in the world with twice the population of tourists.

Budapest made Elvis Presley an Honorary Citizen of Hungary in 2011 because he drew the attention of the American public to the Hungarian uprising in 1957.

Indian troops have contributed more to UN peacekeeping missions than any other country.

The average train delay in Japan is 18 seconds.

The chimney of the Kazakh GRES-2 in Ekibastuz is the highest in the world - 419.7 meters.

Throughout its history, Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, has been destroyed and rebuilt at least seven times.

Despite the fact that Monaco is famous for its casinos, the citizens of the country are prohibited from gambling.

The best-selling drink in Oman is Mountain Dew.

Poland is the world's largest exporter of amber.

In Qatar, it is forbidden to show feet or the soles of shoes.

Timisoara in Romania was the first to be fully illuminated with electric lanterns. They were installed in 1884.

The national animal of Scotland is the unicorn.

One in eight people in the United States has worked at McDonald's at some point in their lives.

There are four sacred animals in Vietnam. Three of them, the dragon, the phoenix and the unicorn, are mythical, and the turtle is real.

Wales has more castles per square mile than any other European country.

After hyperinflation in 2008, Zimbabwe began issuing $ 100 trillion notes. Since then, they have given up their currency.

A small alpine state is located in the very center of Europe. It is often called "the land of lakes", but charming Switzerland can boast not only picturesque nature. What else is famous for? Travelers who fell in love at first sight with a tourist paradise remember the delightful historical and architectural monuments, luxury ski resorts, famous watches and delicious chocolate.

In this article, we have collected Interesting Facts about a wonderful European country, and for both young and adult readers, this information will be fascinating and informative. Natural and man-made masterpieces of a picturesque country are studied at school, on the subject " The world"(Grade 3). What is Switzerland famous for all over the world? Now we will tell you!

What should we know about an amazing state, every corner of which remembers an eventful history? You can travel around colorful Switzerland all year round, and every time it brings pleasant surprises. Since most of its territory is occupied by the majestic Alps, the powerful mountain range is what Switzerland is famous for all over the world. It is no coincidence that a small state evokes associations with all kinds of ski holidays.

There are resorts for every taste, and a huge selection of steep slopes and comfortable slopes will bring incredible pleasure to both professionals and beginners. The beauty of the mountain peaks, covered with snow-white blankets, fascinates and forever remains in the memory of those who have ever visited these places. If the Alps disappear with geographic map world, then the fabulous country will immediately lose half of its attractiveness in the eyes of vacationers.

Powerful glaciers

Many travel lovers, when asked what the country Switzerland is famous for, will remember the age-old glaciers - the largest in Europe. In total, there are about 140 miraculous attractions that keep the ideal temperature on the slopes. It is thanks to them that tourists can ski all year round. So, in the south of the state there is a genuine masterpiece that attracts the eyes with bizarre forms.

The most famous Aletsch glacier is an unusual sight: thousands of tons of ice have formed a unique canyon, which is recognized as one of the main gems of the region. It seems as if an ice river flows along the bottom of a deep valley with a total area of ​​more than 80 kilometers along the mountain peaks near the most beautiful ski resort of Zermatt. The stillness and amazing silence of Aletsch is deceiving, because miraculous monument, famous for its special cleanliness, lives its own life. It moves slowly, and the speed of smooth movement is 200 meters per year.

Unfortunately, global warming does not pass without a trace for the glacier: the natural miracle is decreasing in size, and it is not known what will happen to it in a hundred years.

Land of lakes

What will local residents answer to the question: "What is Switzerland famous for - a country where six percent of the world's fresh water reserves are concentrated?" Many will not hesitate to talk about the beauty of the picturesque lakes, which are the same "trademark" as the Alps. Transparent bodies of water, formed during the melting of giant glaciers, are recognized as a visiting card of the country and are considered one of the main places of attraction for tourists from different countries. They borrow important place in the landscape of the state, and each of them is a wonderful corner, a visit to which will be remembered forever.

Therefore, speaking about what Switzerland is famous for, it is definitely worth mentioning the shining water surface, surrounded by a powerful mountain range and at all times attracting great poets and artists. Now thousands of guests are in a hurry to relax on the lakes, the number of which exceeds 1500. All routes of the proposed tours, one way or another, pass in the immediate vicinity of them.

Mother nature's fabulous creations are compared to mirrors because their waters are perfectly calm. The largest lake is Geneva, and its northern shore with the most famous resorts is called the "Swiss Riviera". Tourists adore the ancient city of Lucerne, which can be found on the coast of the reservoir of the same name. In the west of the country there is a balneological resort that appeared on the shores of Lake Neuchâtel, framed by high mountains. It is not only useful to have a rest here, but also prestigious.

Europe in miniature

But this is not all that Switzerland is famous for. Despite its modest size, the country of contrasts will allow you to visit Germany, Austria, France and Italy in a few days without crossing borders. Depending on which part the tourists are in, the language, landscape and even cuisine are strikingly different from each other. State bordering different countries, combined the characteristics of the cultures of several peoples. "Europe in miniature" beckons not only with wonderful landscapes, but also with ancient buildings that leave no one indifferent. The country cares about the heritage, and modern architects make a significant contribution to the development of architecture.

Open-air museum

It will be fair to say that much of what Switzerland is known for throughout the world was created by human hands. The traditions of four nations at once influenced the architecture of a small state, famous for its advantageous location. And on its territory you can see buildings made in the most famous styles (baroque, classical, gothic, modern).

It is for this reason that the country is compared to an open-air museum. There are a huge number of medieval castles located everywhere - high in the mountains and on the lake. The oldest is the Spiez citadel, the Montebello castle complex is recognized as the most popular among tourists, and with its fabulous charm, Oberhofen is the most beautifully preserved.

Modern architectural structures

Among the modern buildings, it is worth highlighting the Sphinx Observatory, which is located at an altitude of more than three thousand meters, not far from Bern. Although it looks very unusual, it was intended only for scientists, but enterprising locals made the fairytale corner accessible to tourists viewing the amazing views from the observation deck.

Another curious structure is the "Hunched House", the asymmetry of which evokes a sense of danger. As tourists admit, from the point of view of aesthetics, the building, almost devoid of sunlight, looks rather strange. The architects who designed the building with an abstract look could not harmoniously fit their creation into environment but attracted attention. And such tricks are very common in a creative environment.

Natural and man-made attractions are not all that Switzerland is famous for. It is rather difficult to briefly talk about everything, but it is impossible not to mention which are produced in the country. Their production goes back several hundred years. Inside the complex mechanism there are up to three hundred smallest details, and some time measuring devices are one-of-a-kind and very expensive goods. One watch takes about two months to assemble, and it is done using manual labor and precision equipment.

Switzerland is considered the world monopoly in the luxury watch segment: it produces approximately 30 million pieces a year. The most famous companies are Rolex, Swatch Group, Richemont.

Favorite Swiss dishes

If we talk about the country's traditional cuisine, then we must admit that it was influenced by German, Italian, French cuisine. Residents of the state give different answers to the question of which dish Switzerland is famous for, but most of them call it fondue. It is based on hard cheeses that are melted in dry white wine. For a delicious dish, croutons and a small fork are served, on which a piece of dried bread is pricked, and then it is dipped into a hot mass. It is believed that fondue first appeared in the city of Neuchâtel, and therefore it is called Neuchâtel. Almost all Swiss recipes use locally produced cheese - fatty and buttery. It is often melted in a frying pan, serving to dear guests, like the main decoration of the table, a hot product.

What else is Switzerland famous for? Different provinces have their own favorites. For example, in Zurich, krepfli (puff pastry pies) and hyuhli (a sweet treat resembling pudding) are very popular. Bern's chefs are renowned for aromatic sausages and a delicious sauerkraut, beans and chips appetizer. And tourists who have visited Basel recall with pleasure the most delicate almond biscuits with the beautiful name "lotus petals".

Wine and chocolate

Few people know, but Switzerland is also famous for its wonderful wines, which have absorbed the aroma of the clean air of picturesque valleys and the light of the gentle sun. Sparkling drinks, offering a full palette of flavors, receive high marks and awards in various competitions.

Also, when you mention Switzerland, chocolate comes to mind. This wonderful country is considered the birthplace of a popular delicacy, to which they began to add milk. It seems that the aroma of confectionery is everywhere, and in the narrow streets here and there there are shops selling sweet aphrodisiac.

The world leader in the production of chocolate does not just breathe it, he lives it. Locals consume an incredible amount of the product that produces the hormone of happiness (about 12 kg per person). The delicacy contains a lot of cocoa butter; only Swiss milk and elite cocoa beans are added to it. Manufacturers carefully store old recipes and strictly monitor the quality of products.

Country of banks

Every businessman knows that Switzerland is a country of banks, whose activities are strictly controlled. If the slightest violation of the law is found, then the organization's license is revoked. Financial institutions that have never compromised customer deposits hold 10 percent of the world's capital. Perhaps that is why the small state is among the richest countries in the world, and the stock exchange in Zurich is ranked third. It is no coincidence that the first private banks emerged in Switzerland, which is the most respectable financial center in Europe.

Capital of the crypto world

More recently, the country that has created all the conditions for doing business has become the capital of the crypto world. Bitcoins are treated here as assets, and cryptocurrency activities are regulated by the provisions of the Criminal Code. Curiously, the authorities are integrating the cryptocurrency they use to buy goods into daily life of people. So, residents of the town of Zug pay for utilities using bitcoin.

The materials given in our article can be used in a lesson on the topic "What Switzerland is famous for" ("The world around", grade 3 of the school curriculum).

Switzerland (German die Schweiz, French la Suisse, Italian Svizzera, Roman Svizra), the official name of the Swiss Confederation (German Schweizerische Eclassgenossenschaft, French Confederation suisse, Italian Confederazione Svizzera, the name comes from Confederazi svizra) the canton of Schwyz, formed from the Old German "burn". The state is landlocked. The capital of Switzerland is Bern. The largest city in this country is Zurich - the center of the canton of the same name.

Switzerland is located in Central Europe and shares borders with Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, France and Italy. Switzerland is a federal republic and a new constitution was adopted in 1999. The country is subdivided into twenty-three cantons. The federal authorities are in charge of many important issues. The bicameral parliament is the highest legislative body in Switzerland. The president is the head of state.

There are several official languages ​​in Switzerland: German, Italian, French Romansh. As for the latter, it is recognized as official only for communication with native speakers of this language. The monetary unit of Switzerland is the Swiss franc. Catholics are approximately 48% of the total population of the country, 46% identify themselves as Protestants, and another 6% profess other religions. The main river in Switzerland is the Rhine. Switzerland is two hours behind Moscow time.

Most of Switzerland is covered with mountains. The territory of Switzerland is subdivided into 3 natural regions. These are the Jura Mountains (in the north of the country), the Alps (in the south) and the Swiss Plateau (in the center of the state). Interestingly, only the Alps (mountainous area) occupy more than 60% of the country's territory.

Switzerland has a continental climate. True, in accordance with different altitudes above sea level, significant fluctuations are characteristic of it. The average winter temperature in the valleys of Switzerland tends to zero, and in the mountainous regions it can reach -10 ° C and below. The average summer temperature in the valleys is approximately + 18-20 ° C, in the mountainous regions it is slightly lower. A fairly large part of precipitation falls in the form of snow - in the winter season. In the Alps - at an altitude of 1.5 thousand meters and more - precipitation in the form of snow pellets is typical even in May-June. The unusual climate of Switzerland lies in the fact that each region of this country can boast of its own unique landscape and climate. Surprisingly, we can say that in Switzerland, the Arctic lives next to the tropics. In this country, both mosses and lichens grow, as well as mimosas and palms.

The history of Switzerland dates back to the thirteenth century. Or rather, at the end of this century - in 1291. It was then that the cantons of Schwyz, Uri, Unterwalden joined forces to fight the Habsburgs. The "Union for Forever" was intended to counter the Habsburgs' aspirations to completely control the approaches to the St. Gotthard Pass. The latter was the most important land route in Europe in the Middle Ages. By the way, the name of the country - Switzerland - comes from the name of one of the cantons that entered into the above union: from the canton of Schwyz. A little later - in the following years - neighboring lands were annexed to the union. Some joined it voluntarily, some were forced. The first Swiss Constitution was adopted in 1848. She proclaimed Switzerland a federal state. This was reaffirmed once again in the Swiss Constitution of 1874.

Switzerland is a truly amazing country. Occupying such a small area (its area is only 41,293.2 square kilometers, which roughly corresponds to a ninth of the area of ​​Germany), Switzerland has absorbed all the most attractive: stunning natural masterpieces and no less amazing creations of human hands. In this state, traces of different civilizations, their cultural and historical heritage coexist perfectly. For example, an amphitheater for ten thousand visitors will remind tourists of the Romans. In the Swiss cities of Lausanne, Geneva, Basel and some others, the tourist will discover Gothic and Romanesque architectural monuments. A large number of pilgrims from all over the world gathers the fortress of Castello di Montebello, which has survived to this day, which dates back to the Renaissance. The churches of Arlesheim, Kreuzlingen, as well as the Engelberg and Einsiedeln monasteries are presented in the Baroque style. A curious tourist can find a lot of interesting things in this country.

Switzerland is rich in sights. In this regard, it is very interesting to get acquainted with the city of Schaffhausen. Its architectural appearance is mainly represented by the Rococo and Baroque styles. Many old buildings that date back to the late Gothic times have survived to this day. The same city is proud of its ancient fortress Muneau. You can climb to it along a beautiful path paved with stones. In Switzerland, the city of St. Gallen is famous, which is the center of Eastern Switzerland. This city appeared thanks to the Irish monk Gallus. Legend has it that a bear helped the monk to build St. Gallen. The latter became a symbol of the city - its image is captured on the coat of arms of St. Gallen. Architectural monuments (made in the Baroque style) are the famous cathedral of this city and the monastery library.
Lucerne has the appearance of a medieval city. This city appears to be the main city of Central Switzerland. Since 1400, the Muzegmauer fortress wall has stood in Lucerne, with a total length of 870 meters. The same city is famous for the first significant building of the Baroque era in the history of the country - the Jesuitenkirche. History lovers can visit museums in Switzerland, of which there are an incredible 600. The most famous and frequently visited is the Swiss Historical Museum, which is located in the city of Zurich, as well as the art museums of Zurich, Geneva, Bern and Basel.

Switzerland boasts a wealth of natural attractions. A tourist traveling to Eastern Switzerland will have the opportunity to see the extraordinarily beautiful Rhine Falls. This waterfall is one of the most mesmerizing beauties in Switzerland. The average flow rate of the Rhine Falls is 1100 m3 per second. Schaffhausen is a city located in the immediate vicinity of this waterfall.
Eastern Switzerland is rich in colorful floral carpets. These are beautiful alpine rose, saxifrage, edelweiss and others. Flowers of perennial shrubs and grasses are brightly colored, they (like the plants themselves) are fragrant.
Central Switzerland is proud of its Pilatus Mountain. Its height is 2120 meters. It is located not far - just ten kilometers - from Lucerne. The city itself, surrounded by mountains, is nestled at Lake Lucerne.
Western Switzerland will amaze the tourist with its famous mountain wonder, which has become a symbol of the whole country. We are talking about the Matterhorn mountain, whose height reaches 4478 meters. This mountain is shaped like a pyramid. Many climbers have chosen the Matterhorn Mountain.
The canton of Wallis, a deep valley (130 kilometers deep), is another natural masterpiece of Western Switzerland. The most beautiful valley is located among the high-mountainous alpine chain.
Switzerland has many world-famous lakes. One of them is the famous Lake Geneva. The city of Lausanne is located next to it. It is also notable for the fact that it whimsically combines the colors of antiquity and modernity. The narrow streets of the historical center organically merge with the modernly furnished quarters. In addition to wonderful views of Lake Geneva, locals and vacationers can contemplate the mountain ranges of the Alps.

Switzerland is attractive for ski tourists. In this country, lovers of extreme recreation will feel comfortable thanks to the wonderful arrangement of the slopes. There are approximately 140 ski centers in Switzerland. Many of them are ranked among the best ski resorts in the world. Some of them are: Saas-Fee, Zermatt, San Moritz, Davos, Villars, Grindelwald and others. Saas-Fee resort is called "the pearl of the Alps". This is one of the highest mountain resorts in the state. The city of Saas-Fee is surrounded by quaint mountains that are covered with glaciers. Natural beauty gives this city an extraordinary flavor. And since Saas-Fee is a fairly young ski resort in the country, the cost of living here is relatively low. Zermatt is a prestigious resort in Switzerland. The city is located at the very foot of the famous Matterhorn mountain. It is also interesting that the only means of transport in this resort are horse-drawn carts and electric vehicles. So Zermatt is freed from the mass congestion of cars.

Switzerland is renowned for its rich cultural life. It is, in fact, very diverse. Absolutely each of the major cities of this country boasts its own theater and symphony orchestra. Popular are the Opera House in Zurich, the Basel City Theater, and the Grand Theater in Geneva.

Switzerland is one of the most developed countries in the world. Switzerland belongs to the highly developed industrial states of the world. Agriculture in this country is highly productive. The competitiveness of the Swiss economy allows this country to be included in the top ten countries in the world for this indicator. This state is economically closely connected with the countries of the European Union (they account for 80 to 85% of all trade) and the rest of the outside world.

Switzerland is one of the richest countries in the world. This country is one of the most significant financial and banking centers in the world. There are about four thousand financial institutions operating in Switzerland. The bulk of the country's population lives well. After all, this state in the economy is oriented not towards the export of raw materials, but towards the production of high-tech products. Switzerland is renowned for its highly educated professionals. Statistics show that the average annual income of one Swiss resident is $ 38,380.

Switzerland provides an excellent education. The glory of the leading role in the system of international education has been entrenched in this country. In private schools in Switzerland, about one hundred thousand pupils and students from the country itself and many other countries are trained. After receiving higher education In Swiss universities, a significant part of graduates are successfully employed in their chosen specialty.

Switzerland is a country with impeccable service. And Switzerland is proud of this reputation and values ​​it. Even the simplest cafe or bar is spotlessly clean. The visitor will definitely feel comfortable here, he will really be surrounded by warmth. In Switzerland there are a lot of different sports complexes and equipped recreation facilities. With Swiss precision (as according to the famous clock) trains arrive at the stations, people come to meetings. And climbing to the top of the mountains (of which there are more than enough in Switzerland) will not provide any effort. After all, Switzerland possesses modern mining engineering technology. So the tourist will only have to enjoy the view that will open to them from the highest mountains. It will capture the spirit - that's for sure!

Swiss cuisine has many of its own delicacies. She is recognized by gourmets all over the world. Swiss chocolate is especially popular. It is one of the prides of this small state. Swiss chocolate travels to other countries under the motto "Made in Switzerland". An interesting fact is that Switzerland has the largest consumption of chocolate per capita. It is four times larger than the Russian one and amounts to twelve kilograms per year. The Swiss know a lot about chocolate. The Swiss desserts "huhli" and "krepfli" are also famous all over the world.
In general, Swiss cuisine has absorbed the culinary traditions of many peoples living in Switzerland. These are Italian, French, German traditions. Swiss cuisine is distinguished by an abundance of fermented milk products and cheese. Great importance has meat and various spices here. Bernes platter is very popular. It consists of fried pieces of pork and beef flavored with sauerkraut or green beans. The dish "lyurich leshnetzeltes" is not far behind. It is based on thinly sliced ​​pieces of veal in a sauce.

Switzerland is famous for its cheese production. The variety of this product in Switzerland is simply amazing. But there is a reasonable explanation for this. The fact is that the traditions of cheese production in this state have a long history. The technology for the production of each type of cheese has long been passed down from generation to generation; the quality has improved. A distinguishing feature of the cheeses produced in Switzerland is the fact that each type of cheese is sold under its own brand. This trademark in most cases has a name associated with the place of origin. The most famous cheeses are: Emmental, Appenzell, Gruyère, Tête de Moine, Tilsit, Sbrinz and others. Most of the cheeses in Switzerland are hard or semi-hard. This is due to the long Swiss winters, which are accompanied by the difficulty of communication between the cantons (due to the abundance of snowfall).

The Swiss have a special relationship with cheese. Someone likes hard, someone is semi-hard, and someone is soft. On a festive (or just ordinary) table, one family will have cheese cut into thin slices, another - made in the shape of flowers, and a third - cut into cubes. Even the most traditional dish in Switzerland is "cheese fondue". It is a Gruyere or Emmental cheese that is melted in white wine and seasoned with spices. This popular dish is served hot with slices of white bread. The latter are dipped in cheese. Racclette is another popular Swiss dish. Toasted cheese forms the basis of this dish. It is served with potatoes and cucumbers.

Swiss watches are known all over the world. Swiss watches are renowned for their quality. Swiss wrist watches are both a skillful mechanism and, in many cases, a piece of jewelry. Precision and beauty are organically combined with each other. Exclusive models are made to order only.

Switzerland is made up of customs and traditions. At least, this is the impression one gets after visiting this state. Many traditions are local in nature. For example, in the northeastern part of Switzerland, there is a tradition of celebrating both the New Year and the "old New Year"and quite unusual. On the night of the old new year in the village fields it is easy to find people wandering with rather bizarre structures on their heads. Among them are respectable people who have earned a good reputation for themselves. But what can you do about tradition?"

The Swiss calendar is the rhythm of life. It's not just 365 or 366 days a year. These are 365 or 366 days a year, each of which is assigned either an event (important or not), or a function. For example, the month is February. A month rich in snow. A two-week "sports vacation" begins in schools; many Swiss ski. February is characterized by the following events: Shrovetide, carnival, the eve of Lent. During Shrovetide week you can see the Swiss not only in masks, but also dressed "somehow". The latter, however, defies discussion. Festivities, celebrations, games and the like decorate this week with unique colors. Carnival week is simply not supposed to sleep long. Wake up - 5 o'clock in the morning. If he didn’t get up himself, then someone will come and wake him up: it’s not supposed to, it’s not supposed to be. This whole ceremony is accompanied by noise.
The Swiss holiday "zeksilyute", which is celebrated in Zurich, is very remarkable. The first half of the day, the working population spends at their workplaces, but the second half - crowds of people spend on the streets of the city. This holiday is celebrated on one of the Mondays and is associated with an increase in the length of the day. During the celebrations, paper figures of snowmen are burned in the squares.
During the summer months, none of settlements Switzerland cannot do without holidays. Celebrations are often related to the harvest in some way. But Christmas is a calm holiday. The family gathers at home and spends the evening at the festive table. You are not supposed to make noise and dress up exquisitely.

Swiss folk music has not spread worldwide. The musical folklore of this country is mainly of the "hoodiggegeller" style. His melodies are most often performed by a trio using double bass, clarinet and accordion. An interesting fact is that the "hoodiegeller" genre is represented by only three melodies. But this does not in the least bother the Swiss themselves. After all, this music is its own, national, and not alien, not foreign.

The Swiss are hospitable people. He is also very calm, hardworking, respecting the traditions and laws of his country. Therefore, when arriving in Switzerland, a tourist should remember that he is a guest in this country, not a host.

Z Velcro fastener- this beautiful accessory was invented by the Swiss engineer George de Mestral in the mid 40s of the last century. The idea came to him after the hunt: he returned home all strewn with seeds that adhered to his shoes, clothes and dog. After he examined them under a microscope to figure out what was what, he created a Velcro fastener. This material is heterogeneous in composition, composed of velvet and hooks, and resembles the small hooks that the seeds use.

Cellophane- Another complex material that combines cellulose and French diaphan, created in 1908 by Jacques Brandenberger, who saw a client pour wine on a tablecloth in a restaurant. After that, Brandenberger began to look closely at waterproof fabric, but then he found that the cellulosic material that he sprayed on the fabric can be easily separated from it in the form of thin sheets. Then he realized that he had discovered something more.

Swiss army knife- invented by Carl Elsener and named after his mother Victoria Victorinox (Victoria plus inox is stainless steel). Since its inception in the 1890s, the Swiss officer's knife has evolved from a simple knife to one that includes a rich arsenal - from a simple corkscrew to very modern additions such as LED lights and MP3 players.

Direct Democracy- despite the fact that the ancient Greeks are considered the founders of the concept of democracy, it was founded by the Swiss Confederation in 1291, which put the foundations of direct democracy into action at a time when monarchs still ruled everywhere in Europe. Today, popular initiatives and the referendums they generate are a special part of the Swiss heritage.

Helvetica font is one of the most popular fonts ever created. It was developed in 1957 by Max Miedinger and Eduard Hoffmann. The classic Helvetica and its many variations are known for their crisp, chopped lines. By the way, for the popularity of the typeface, the New York Museum of Modern Art in 2001 even arranged the 50th anniversary of Helvetica. And not so many typefaces have their own exhibitions in art museums,

Absinthe- although most of the drink is drunk by the French, the aniseed spirit of absinthe originated in the Swiss canton of Neuchâtel. The Green Fairy was at one time all the rage in drinking establishments across Europe, until eventually it was banned in several countries due to its narcotic nature and the accompanying antisocial behavior in which the drink was blamed. But in last years absinthe is experiencing a rebirth.

LSD- hippies, artists and other psychedelic adventurers can thank Albert Hofmann of Talans for the creation of another psychotropic substance - lysergic acid diethylamide, better known as LSD (or simply acid). She was born in the Sandoz laboratory in 1938. By the way, Bicycle Day (April 19, 1943) is also celebrated annually as the day when a doctor first performed an LSD experiment on a person - on himself.

Muesli... Not many people can boast of having porridge named after them. Muesli, known in Switzerland as Birchermüesli, was created by Swiss doctor Maximilian Bercher-Benner for patients at his sanatorium in Zurich. The original version includes a lot more fruit and is filled with orange juice, unlike today's heavy cereal boxes served with milk. During the cult healthy eating in the 1970s, muesli became a worldwide sensation.

Internet time... By allocating time zones, the Swiss company Swatch divided the day into 1000 .beats (beats), each .beats is equal to 1 minute 24.6 seconds. But even though this is not entirely mainstream, we have to acknowledge the logic and ingenuity of the Swiss firm that has brought change to the world as we know it.

And of course - milk chocolate... In the late 1800s, the Swiss Daniel Peet solved a long-standing problem for chocolate makers by using condensed milk instead of regular milk. This gave a sweet taste to bitter chocolate, and made it popular in Europe. Milk farmers are very grateful to him for the time being.