Switzerland is a mountainous Central European country, home to numerous lakes, villages and the high peaks of the Alps. Its cities contain medieval quarters, with landmarks like capital Bern’s Zytglogge clock tower and Lucerne’s wooden chapel bridge.
The country is also known for its ski resorts and hiking trails. Banking and finance are key industries, and Swiss watches and chocolate are world renowned.
Hiking is one of the main sport activities in Switzerland and is often referred to as the “national sport”. About one third of the population practices hiking on a regular basis with a total of 520 million kilometers (in 130 million hours) being traveled every year by the Swiss. Along with cycling, walking in general is the preferred form of mobility, regardless of social origins. The total hiking trail network is about 65’000 kilometers.
