Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland, it is located in the north of the country, on the shores of the lake of the same name. Interestingly, it occupies a leading position both in terms of people's living standards and safety, and in terms of prices for goods and services.
Today Zurich has the status of a world financial center. It is here that the main centers of cultural life in Switzerland are concentrated, as well as trade, industrial, insurance companies (including their head offices) and numerous banks are located.
The city is characterized by a low population density, well-developed infrastructure and an organized entertainment industry.
The population of Zurich is about 400 thousand people, 31 percent of whom are foreigners. The bulk of the population speaks German.
History of the city
The first mention of the area in which the city is located dates back to the end of the 2nd century AD. At the same time, the first changes to the name of the geographical area were made only in the 6th century. Finally, only in the 10th century the territory acquires its modern name - Zurich. At the same time, the first mention of it as a city appeared.
The history of Zurich is rather ambiguous. From the beginning of the 13th century, the city had a privilege from the emperor and did not obey the feudal lords, like other territories. However, already in the middle of the next century, he lost the war and was expelled from the confederation, subsequently restoring his membership. From the middle of the 17th century, Zurich even had the status of a republic. The saddest page in the history of the city is the mistaken bombing by American troops at the end of World War II.
Zurich today
Today, Zurich combines tradition and modernity: many industrial buildings are adjacent to cramped streets and houses made in the Gothic style. The city contains part of the history of Europe associated with the reformation of the church. One of the important traditions is the holding of farmers' fairs in some areas. In modern Zurich, the guild parade and the Zurich Film Festival are held annually.
Zurich is the headquarters of the International Federation of Football Associations, better known as FIFA, and the head offices of famous German publications. In addition, in total there are about 50 museums, more than 100 small galleries and several hundred cafes of various types.
The most important pride of the city is its developed transport system: no traffic jams, strict adherence to the schedule, one of the largest passenger flows in the world. The most common are the bicycle as a personal transport, trams, buses and funiculars as a public form.
