The capital of Switzerland - Geneva - is the most popular cultural center of the country. The city, surrounded by picturesque mountains, has its own symbol, which is an image of a fountain, personifying the aspiration upwards, towards the sky, towards the realm of spirits.
The capital of Switzerland is also the administrative center of the state federal unit of the same name. It is located on the western shore of Lake Geneva, the largest in the country.
The capital of Switzerland is a real crossroads of human life and thought. It is a place that has been visited by many great people. It is worth saying that on the territory of the modern city in 58 BC. the great Julius Caesar founded a frontier post to guard the Empire.
History
Geneva (Switzerland) until 534 was part of the Burgundian kingdom. After it was conquered by the French. By the end of the ninth century, Geneva became the capital of the newly created Burgundian kingdom.
The heyday of the current capital of Switzerland fell on the period from 1290 to 1290.until 1536. Then the Dukes of Savoy were the rulers of the city. In these historical times, Protestantism found a warm response in the hearts of Genevans.
In the seventeenth century, the city received great development in the economic sphere. During this period, it became the world capital of watchmakers and jewelers. In the eighteenth century, Voltaire and Rousseau worked in Geneva.
At the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Geneva (Switzerland) became the seat of the League of Nations and the international organization "Red Cross". After the end of World War II, the European headquarters of the UN was located here.
Geneva (Switzerland) has a reputation as a city that hosts various conferences and international conventions. More than one hundred and twenty banks operate here. That is why Geneva is also called a major center of finance and business.
Nature
Geneva (Switzerland) is a city whose landscapes are simply breathtaking. Parks and bays, alleys and rivers - the surrounding nature is striking in its virgin beauty. To the north of the city is the famous wine region. In this area, landscapes delight the eye with beautiful centuries-old oaks and peaceful little villages.
There are magnificent parks along Lake Geneva. There are many small settlements on its banks. The magnificent Alps adorn the landscape of the city. It seems that you can reach them with your hand.
The very location of the city of Geneva (Switzerland) is quite interesting. The intersection of two rivers whose waters meet atterritory of the capital, is an amazing sight. In this place, a bright contrast of colors is visually observed. Why are Rhona and Arva so different? Geneva (Switzerland) is a meeting place for rivers that differ in the amount and type of suspended solids they contain.
The source of the Rhone is Lake Leman. Approaching Geneva, the river enriches its waters with a high level of silty masses. The food of the Arva, on the contrary, comes from the glaciers located in the Chamonix valley. Meeting together, the light and dark waters of the two rivers flow in parallel for some time. This is where the amazing contrast of the two colors comes in.
Citizens of the capital
The city of Geneva (Switzerland) until 1870 was considered the most densely populated in the country. Currently, Zurich ranks first in this indicator. Somewhat ahead of Geneva and Basel. The population of this city is several thousand more than the capital. Today, one hundred and eighty thousand inhabitants live in Geneva.
This is the population of the city. However, the entire Geneva territory includes seven other small settlements. Their list includes the following:
- Vernier, with a population of thirty thousand;
- Lancy, with a population of twenty-six thousand;
- Meran, with a population of twenty thousand;
- Carouge with eighteen thousand inhabitants;
- Onet with a population of 16,500;
- Tone with thirteen thousand inhabitants;- Versoix, with a population of 11,000.
The capital of Switzerlandranks first in the number of foreigners living in the city. Forty percent of the population is represented by more than one hundred and eighty nationalities.
Climate
The weather in Geneva is typical for the Central European territory. In spring, the average air temperature ranges from three to thirteen degrees. Summer is cool. During the warmest period, the air warms up to sixteen or eighteen degrees. In winter, there may be a slight frost. The average air temperature during this period ranges from minus four to plus four degrees. Geneva autumn is also cool. It is characterized by an average temperature of six to twelve degrees Celsius.
Old City Tours
Sights of Geneva (Switzerland) will not leave indifferent any tourist. An unforgettable impression will certainly leave the Jet d'O fountain. It is the main attraction of the city. The fountain throws out five hundred liters of water within a second. At the same time, the jets reach a height of 147 m. You can always determine the direction of the wind from the water plume of the fountain.
A unique and curious landmark of the city is the flower clock. Located on the Promenade du Lac, they have the world's largest seconds hand. Its length is two and a half meters. The total diameter of the watch is 5 m. The Rhone River divides the capital of Switzerland into two parts. On the left bank is the old center of Geneva with the town hall, cathedral and narrow streets. In this part of the city there are many cafeterias, shops, as well asinteresting museums. The right bank is occupied by international Geneva. In this part of the city is the UN Palace, as well as the buildings of world-famous organizations.
The main attraction of the left bank of Geneva is St. Peter's Cathedral. Not far from this Protestant temple is the house of Tavel. By visiting it, you can learn the detailed history of the city. A little further away is the square with the Town Hall. In one of the halls of this historic building, the signing of the Geneva Convention of the Red Cross took place in 1864.
A tour of the old part of the city will certainly lead any tourist to the park of bastions. This is a beautiful place, located on the remains of the former city fortifications. The park borders the university on one side and the so-called Reform Wall on the other.
The monument erected to General Dufour can be seen in the very center of New Square. This commander at one time united Switzerland. On the same square is the Rath Museum, which hosts the largest art exhibitions. Nearby is the ancient Plenaple cemetery. On its territory is the grave of Jorge Luis Borges. On an island in the middle of the river Rhone, there is an Arts Center, opened in the premises where the slaughterhouses were located in the past. There you can also admire the ancient tower, which was once built by bishops.
Walking around the New City
The right bank of the Rhone is notable for the UN Palace. There are also buildings of many famousinternational organizations. The UN Palace was built in a huge beautiful park.
This is a kind of state within a state, as well as the largest exhibition center in Europe. This place is worth a visit to see the famous Hall of the Lost Steps, as well as the Assembly Hall. An unforgettable impression will be left by the park itself, which is the habitat of more than the first generation of peacocks, once presented as a gift to the League of Nations.
Transportation
The most practical and cheapest way to get around the Swiss capital is on foot. Only they will allow tourists to feel the measured rhythm of city life and enjoy its views. For those who wish to save time, there is public transport. Traveling on it is quite affordable. A large number of bus and tram lines in Geneva start in front of the entrance to the main railway station, at Place Cornavin. Bus line 8 takes you directly to the Palais des Nations.
Urban transport operates from 5 am to midnight. You can buy tickets either from vending machines installed at stops, or at the central station in the offices of transport companies, where you will be offered maps of local routes for free.
Trolleybuses and electric trains also run in Geneva. In order to use their services, you will need to purchase tickets directly at the stops.
Bicycles can be rented in Geneva. On himit is best to drive around the city. Cycling through the streets of the capital is difficult due to the large traffic flow and cobblestone pavements.
How to get there
The city of Geneva (Switzerland) has a privileged geographical position. From Paris or Milan, you can fly to it in just an hour, and from Rome, London or Madrid - in two. You can get from Moscow in three and a half hours.
So your destination is Switzerland (Geneva). The airport of this city is located on the territory of two states at the same time. In addition to Switzerland, it is also France.
Today, Geneva International Airport is able to receive all existing types of aircraft and serve 12 million passengers a year. In order to get to the capital of Switzerland upon arrival, you need to get a free train ticket from a special machine that runs to the city. The drive from the airport to Geneva takes only six minutes.
Time
Watch hands in Switzerland are two hours behind those in Moscow. This is worth considering when planning your trip.
Hotels
Have you chosen Switzerland (Geneva) for your holiday? Hotels for many tourists will seem not quite cheap. Almost all hotels make an additional mark-up on rather ordinary rooms. Those who intend to save on accommodation will have a hard time. Even accommodation in a hostel will exceed the pan-European prices. On the other hand, Geneva hotels have proven to be the most luxurious in the Old World.
