Switzerland

The climate in Switzerland varies depending where you are.

In the lowlands, where the cities are, expect temperatures of 5-10°C by day and down to 0°C overnight in November.

In the lowlands a light coat would be needed to go outside.

Up in the mountains it will be cooler and the first snow will have fallen. Most of the high alpine passes are closed by snow from November to May. This week (mid October) there has already been a ½ metre of snow in the high passes.

In the mountains you would need clothes (and shoes) for snow and wind.

Depends where you are mailing it from.

If it is from somewhere else in Switzerland, you need a 2nd class stamp, which currently costs 85 Rappen.

It is Dargeeling, the city that was occupied by Britishers who wanted to escape the heat of India while there.

Kolkata

The currency of Switzerland is not the Euro.

The currency of Switzerland is the Swiss frank (or franc), divided into 100 Rappen (or centimes).

Switzerland is surrounded by countries which use the Euro. The Euro is accepted in many border areas and tourist areas in Switzerland.

In general if you pay by Euros, you will be given change in Franks, and you will get an inferior exchange rate to that in banks or cash machines.

The Euro is accepted by SBB (Swiss Federal Railways), all their ticket machines are programmed to accept either Franks or Euros.

The two major supermarket chains, Cooperative and Migros, both accept Euros and the exchange rate is programmed into their tills.

Other than that, it depends where you are. It is best to check before trying to pay in Euros.

Technology

The people of Switzerland value their technology and science, and they have ethnocentrism for their achieved advancements. Switzerland is one of the most highly developed countries in technology; it is known as an international research center, as the Swiss are constantly developing new technological and scientific innovations. Forty-five percent of the nation is involved in the science and technology production, propagation, and application because these fields are vital to Swiss economics and society. Some of their most urbanized research has been in nanotechnology, micro technology, biotechnology, hi-tech, aerospace, defense, pharmaceutical and engineering technologies and sciences.

Symbols

Switzerland's symbols strive to achieve unity, but they also try to show how diversified the country really is. Switzerland has three main symbols that the Swiss value the most. They include the Swiss flag, the story of William Tell, and Helvetia.

The Swiss flag is one of the national symbols. This flag, which was officially created in 1848, was made by the first confederate canton armies so that they could be identified. The design resembles the coat of arms of canton Schwyz, which was one of the three original members of the Swiss confederation in 1291. The white cross on the red background represents Switzerland's past union with the "Christian Occident," and the red and white colors are Switzerland's national colors.

Although the Swiss aren't certain of his existence, William Tell is the national hero in Switzerland. As told, in the fourteenth century Tell refused to bow to the Hapsburg power symbol, so he was forced to shoot an apple at the top at his son's head with an arrow. He did so with success, but he was arrested for rebellion. This story is a symbol of the bravery of the alpine people, who strived for independence from foreign judges. The story of William Tell is a national symbol because the Swiss value their independence and bravery.

Helvetia is the feminine national symbol of unity and harmony of the federal state uniting the cantons. Although Helvetia isn't a real person, she personifies Switzerland's unity and is pictured on coins and postage stamps as a mother creating harmony amongst her children.

Language

Switzerland's languages are multicultural because the country is locked between many European nations. There is no official Swiss language. The three main languages spoken in Switzerland, however, are German, French, and Italian. As seen in the map, the country is touching Germany, France, Italy, and part of Austria, so the languages spoken in Switzerland are appropriate. Other minor languages spoken in Switzerland include Romansh, Spanish, Serbo-Croatian, Portuguese, Turkish, English, and Albanese.

Culture Shock!

Although those living in Switzerland aren't hostile or standoffish, they definitely aren't sociable or affable. Many tourists have a hard time making friends with the Swiss because they tend to be very reserved and conservative. One of the reasons for their behavior is the trivial laws restricting certain behaviors. Some of these laws include: you cannot kiss or embrace those who you do not know that well, you need to be introduced to someone by someone else, you cannot make loud noises on Saturday nights, you cannot wash your car or mow your lawn on Sunday mornings, and tipping is unnecessary. If you ever travel to Switzerland, don't be shocked if you can't make a friend at first!

Good Websites:

http://www.everyculture.com/Sa-Th/Switzerland.html

http://www.myswitzerland.com/en.cfm/destinations/culture/

http://www.culturecrossing.net/basics_business_student.php?id=198

As far as I can see on Google Earth - Audincourt is the closest French town to the border with Switzerland

There are a number of different towns along the French-Swiss border. At some places the border runs through built-up areas. Examples are:

- St. Gingolph. Town is on both sides of the border.

- Annemasse, near Geneva.

- Ferney-Voltaire, near Geneva.

- Delle.

- Saint-Louis and Hunigue, which are suburbs of Basel.