Page 581 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

SWITZERLAND  579

International Red Cross. In the 20th KEY DATES IN SWISS HISTORY
century, Switzerland remained neutral
during the two world wars, and 58 BC–AD 400 Roman occupation
concentrated on furthering its economic AD 400–1100 Germanic peoples inhabit the area
development, notably in the sectors of 12th century Holy Roman Empire extends feudal law
over much of present-day Switzerland
finance and pharmaceuticals. 1291 Oath of Allegiance marks beginning of the
Swiss Confederation
Language and Culture 1351 Zürich joins the Confederation
Switzerland is a quadrilingual nation. 1477 Charles the Bold of Burgundy defeated by Swiss
German, French, Italian, and Romansch troops at Battle of Nancy
(the language of a few valleys in the 16th century Reformation; Protestantism takes firm
canton of Graubünden) are spoken in hold in Swiss cities
different parts of the country, though 1798 Napoleon creates the Helvetic Republic
1815 Power of cantons re-established
German is the language of the majority. 1830–48 Federal constitution drawn up
For many centuries, Swiss culture had a 1864 International Red Cross set up
predominantly rural tradition, and wine 1914–18 & 1939–45 Switzerland remains neutral
festivals are still a feature of village life. during two world wars
Great pride is taken in traditional crafts and 1946 UN offices established in Geneva
regional specialties, such as the famous 1990 Swiss women granted right to vote in
Emmental cheese. Swiss chocolate is also every canton
renowned for its high quality. Switzerland 2002 Switzerland declared member of the UN
is now an outward-looking country, keen 2008 Switzerland joins EU Schengen Area, removing
to export its expertise in finance and road and rail border checks
watchmaking worldwide. 2014 Controversial referendum limiting “mass
immigration” narrowly approved
2014 Swiss voters reject minimum wage law, noting 90
Stuttgart percent of all workers earn CHF 50,000
GERMANY
Strasbourg Freiburg Schaffhausen
Stein-
am-Rhein
14
Basel Rhein Thur 13 Munich
A3 Bodensee
6 Baden A1 Arbon am
18 Winterthur Bodensee
Aarau
Zürich St Gallen
6 Balsthal 8
FRANCE Solothurn Olten Reuss Zürichsee Appenzell
Biel A2
La Chaux- Langenthal A14 Zug
de-Fonds A6 Walensee VADUZ
A1 Lucerne
Neuchâtel (Luzern) Schwyz Glarus LIECHTENSTEIN AUSTRIA
Emmental
Boudry BERN Langnau im A3 Innsbruck Sidewalk cafés surrounding the Place du
Lac de Stans
Neuchâtel 10 Altdorf 17 28 Bourg-du-Four, Geneva
Yverdon SWITZERLAND
Fribourg 19 Chur Klosters Scuol
Vallorbe 1 Thun 11 Rhein 3 Davos
A1 A12 Bulle Interlaken and A2 Disentis Swiss 28
the Jungfrau
Morges Lausanne Gruyères Grindelwald 9 National Park 27 Bolzano
A1 Vevey 11 A13 St. Moritz
Nyon Lake Geneva Montreux 19
(Lac Léman) Leukerbad A2 3
Rhône KEY
Geneva (Genève) A9 Sion Sierre Motorway
A9
Chamonix Locarno Bellinzona Major road
Lyon Railroad
Annecy Martigny Ticino IT AL Y
Zermatt International border
Lugano
21
IT AL Y A2
Turin
For keys to symbols see back flap
Milan
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