Grüezi! Welcome to the rooftop of Europe—Switzerland, a landlocked alpine nation famous for its neutrality, precision, and breathtaking scenery. There are around 9 million people living here, and while Bern is the de facto capital, Zurich and Geneva are world-renowned hubs for finance and international diplomacy. The country is a linguistic crossroads with four official languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansh.

Switzerland covers about 41,285 square kilometers (15,940 square miles). That’s roughly the same size as the state of Maryland in the U.S., or about half the size of Austria. It is one of the most mountainous countries in the world, with the Alps occupying about 60% of its territory.

The most popular sports are Skiing, Ice Hockey, and Football, though the nation is globally famous for producing tennis legend Roger Federer. Their national animal is the Blackbird, though the Bernese Mountain Dog and the St. Bernard are the most beloved four-legged icons of the Swiss peaks.

The flag consists of a white Greek cross on a square red field, where the red represents the blood shed to protect the nation and the white cross symbolizes peace and Christianity.

The food is a decadent, comforting reflection of mountain life. You must try Cheese Fondue, a communal pot of melted Gruyère and Emmental cheeses served with cubes of bread for dipping. Another favorite is Rösti, a crispy, buttery golden-brown potato pancake that originated as a farmer’s breakfast. For a sweet treat, Switzerland is world-famous for its Milk Chocolate, perfected by pioneers like Lindt and Nestlé. For a savory snack, look for Bündnerfleisch, thinly sliced air-dried beef.

Switzerland is home to the Matterhorn, the pyramid-shaped peak that is perhaps the most photographed mountain in the world. The country features Interlaken, the adventure capital situated between two emerald lakes and surrounded by the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks. You can visit the Château de Chillon, a stunning medieval island castle on the shores of Lake Geneva. For a high-tech experience, head to CERN near Geneva, home to the world’s largest particle physics laboratory. Interestingly, Switzerland has enough nuclear fallout shelters to accommodate its entire human population!

From the luxury watches of Geneva to the storybook wooden chalets of Zermatt, Switzerland is a land of timeless elegance and rugged natural wonder. Merci! Grazia! Grazie! Danke!