Fact or fiction: Switzerland is a picturesque country in Europe that consistently ranks among the most developed countries in the world. In addition to its picturesque sites and high standard of living, Switzerland also has a rich cultural history.
Switzerland is a landlocked country surrounded by France to the west, Germany to the north, Italy to the south, and Austria and Liechtenstein to the east. Switzerland is a hotbed of various cultures and therefore played a key strategic role in medieval times. It has a population of 8.7 million and is a member of the UN. Switzerland also has the famous cities of Zurich, Geneva and Bern, also called the federal city.
But do you know which city is the capital of Switzerland? If your answer is Bern, Geneva or Zurich, congratulations! You are among the majority. Most people believe that Bern is the capital of Switzerland. Read on to find out if this is fact or fiction.
What is a capital city?
The capital of a nation is the city that serves as the seat of government. It houses the country’s top leaders, offices and courts. Even in history, kingdoms often had a capital that was the center of political or religious power. A capital city symbolizes the strength of a country and is often also the most famous or culturally significant city. There are some countries in the world that do not have capitals or have several. Some countries have even changed their capital over time.
History and politics of Switzerland
Switzerland is a confederation of states or cantons. In Switzerland there are 26 cantons, each of which was an autonomous state with its own borders, army and currency. Even today the country is called the Swiss Confederation. Each canton has its own capital and constitution. Therefore, the Swiss government has always had to exercise caution when making decisions to maintain unity.
What is the capital of Switzerland?
Switzerland does not have an official capital. Bern is the de facto capital (in fact, but not formally recognized) and is known as the federal city. It is the home of the president and the federal palace, which serves as the seat of government and parliament.
Zurich, on the other hand, is the financial capital of Switzerland. An economic powerhouse with one of the highest cost of living indexes in the world, Zurich is the most populous and famous city in Switzerland.
Another city that is often confused with the capital of Switzerland is Geneva. Geneva is the second most populous city in Switzerland and is home to the headquarters of the United Nations (UN), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). However, Geneva is not the capital of Switzerland either.
Why is Bern not the official capital?
The most famous or largest cities are usually declared capitals of countries. But in the case of Switzerland, which is a mix of French, German and Italian cultures, diplomacy was important when choosing the seat of parliament.
When Switzerland became a federal state in 1848, Bern was chosen as the capital due to its tactical location between the German- and French-speaking parts of the country. Berna also promised to donate the land for the administrative buildings free of charge.
Furthermore, when choosing the capital of Switzerland, politicians did not want to give weight to Zurich, so as not to produce too much concentration of power in a single city. Bern offered a privileged location and free land, which is why it was chosen as a federal city. The Swiss parliament was built in Bern. However, nowhere in the Swiss constitution does it state that Bern or any other city is the capital of Switzerland.
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Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: ptivs2.edu.vn