Page 59 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Switzerland

EXPERIENCE

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and secret diplomacy. It also became a safe haven for refugees 1 Artwork depicting
fleeing violence from all across Europe, even as it provided Napoleon at Zürich.
anonymity for Nazi officials seeking to exchange pillaged gold 2 Swiss General Guisan
and other looted assets for hard currency. The postwar years during World War II, 1939.
coincided with a period of unprecedented financial and indus­ 3 Women campaigning
trial growth as the country, unscathed by the ravages of war, for the vote in 1971.
basked in its insular neutrality and political isolationism.
4 People strolling down
Switzerland Today Rennweg in ZÜrich.
Although this small, wealthy alpine nation still enjoys its
political neutrality and its role as a tax haven, it has now
finally become more involved in European matters. The
country joined the United Nations in 2002 and the Schengen Did You Know?
Agreement in 2005 as a result of public voting, and signed
the Paris climate agreement in 2016, although it remains The date of Henri
firmly outside the EU to date. As it looks to redefine itself Dunant’s birthday –
in a changing world, Switzerland’s asylum and immigration 8 May – is celebrated as
laws have become highly contentious. Nonetheless, as host World Red Cross Day.
to the headquarters of several important international
organizations, it continues to play a key role in world affairs.

1996 2018
The “Nazi Gold” scandal The government
reveals Swiss banks initiates “national
had bolstered the empowerment”,
German economy. sponsoring tourism in
Tunisia to try to curb Cross-country skiers on the Zermatt skipass
illegal immigration.

1928
The inaugural 2008
Winter Olympics are The nation scraps routine passport
held in St Moritz. controls at all its borders.
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