The name of this city can often be heard when it comes to some major international events, sometimes it is even called the capital of the world. But Geneva, which is located in Switzerland, is not even the capital of this state. It is the second largest city in the country after Brussels, the center of political life in Europe.
Capital of the world
Geneva is the capital of the eponymous canton of Switzerland, whose population is about 200 thousand people, about half of which are not Swiss. The main language is French, but most of the city's residents are fluent in English. The city is located not on the shores of a picturesque lake, but its symbol is the famous Jet d'Eau fountain, the jets of which flow directly from this lake, reaching a height of 145 m.
On the political map of the world, this small Swiss town is marked with a large conventional sign - the European headquarters of the UN is located here and the head offices of more than 200 various international organizations are located. Perhaps because for many centuries Switzerland has been observing strict neutrality and does not participate in any wars, a special spirit of peacefulness and humanism is preserved in Geneva - it is not for nothing that the headquarters of the International Red Cross and the museum of the humanist and philosopher Voltaire are located here.
Attractions in Geneva
This is a unique city, the inhabitants of which have managed to preserve its original historical appearance, into which modern buildings have organically blended. This largest European business center remains one of the coziest, greenest and most picturesque cities in the world, while distinguished, at the same time, with some special elegance peculiar only to Geneva. Along the lake and along the banks of the river Rhone, which flows into it, there are magnificent parks and gardens, beautiful at any time of the year. In the center of the city there is the Cathedral of St. Peter, erected in 1160-1232, the building of the Town Hall, the Opera House, the Arsenal and the Conservatory is located.
On the contrary, on the right bank of the Rhone, there is an international business and political center, as well as an area where the world's largest exhibitions, conferences and congresses are held. The building of the UN headquarters is also located here, surrounded by a park. It is a territory of peace and cooperation with an international status, with its own post office, which issues its own postage stamps, as an independent state.
Geneva is a cultural center, where you can see performances of the world's most famous performers in all genres at its concert and theater venues. There are many exhibition halls and museums, other attractions, including the flower clock on the Promenade du Lac, the length of the large arrow of which is 2.5 m. Representatives of all high fashion houses are open in the city, and you can relax between shopping in cozy cafes and restaurants, where you will be offered dishes of any national cuisine.
