4 Fun Facts About Switzerland That Make it One-of-a-Kind

Switzerland stands out among European countries for its killer vistas. Visiting one of Switzerland’s 10,850 mountains offers views of the Swiss Alps and landmarks like Lake Geneva, one of the largest lakes in Western Europe.

Take the train across Switzerland from Europe’s highest railway station and you’ll sit with your nose pressed against the glass looking at these high peaks and wondering how Swiss people can live and act normally with so much beauty around them.

A small, landlocked country in western central Europe, Switzerland borders Italy, Austria, France, Germany and Liechtenstein. But to me, Switzerland borders on heaven.

In this article, you’ll learn 4 more interesting Switzerland facts that highlight its fascinating character and charm.

>> Interested in beautiful landscapes? Discover the Austrian Alps with Rustic Pathways. 

Key Takeaways:

• Switzerland is the world’s most innovative country, holding the top spot in the Global Innovation Index for 14 consecutive years thanks to major investments in research and development.
• The Swiss eat a lot of chocolate—up to 24 pounds a year per person—but still have one of the longest life expectancies in Europe.
• Women in Switzerland couldn’t vote nationally until 1971, and one region didn’t grant women local voting rights until 1991.

1. Switzerland is the world’s most innovative country

Switzerland isn’t just known for its Swiss cheese and chocolates. For 14 consecutive years (2011–2024), it has been crowned the world’s most innovative country by the Global Innovation Index.

This success stems from its commitment to research in its most successful industries, with 3% of GDP allocated to R&D in 2023, powering industries like technology, manufacturing and tourism.

2. 1971 was a turning point for women’s rights

The Swiss Confederation dates back to 1291, but it wasn’t until 1971 that Swiss women gained the right to vote on a national level.

Even more striking, the last canton, Appenzell Innerrhoden, implemented this right locally only in 1991 after a Swiss court ruling.

>> Find out when women gained the right to vote in the United States.

3. The Swiss love chocolate

The average Swiss consumes about 22.7 to 24.25 pounds of chocolate annually, but only about 12% of the Swiss population is obese.

The average life expectancy at birth in Switzerland was 84.2 years in 2023 compared to the European average of 81.5 years in the same year.

I can’t stop thinking about just how much chocolate I would eat if I went to Switzerland! Could their high-quality chocolate and healthy Alpine lifestyle hold the secret?

>> Discover the true origins of chocolate—Hint: it’s not Switzerland

4. Yodeling is Switzerland’s echoing tradition

Yodeling is a melodic call that carries across valleys, used to communicate in the Swiss Mountains. While many claim the tradition has proud Swiss roots, its origin extends throughout the broader Alpine area.