Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zürich. It is located in north-central Switzerland at the north western tip of Lake Zürich. The municipality has approximately 400,028 inhabitants, the urban agglomeration 1.315 million, and the Zurich metropolitan area 1.83 million. Zürich is a hub for railways, roads, and air traffic. Both Zürich Airport and railway station are the largest and busiest in the country. Permanently settled for around 2000 years, Zürich has a history that goes back to its founding by the Romans, who, in 15 BC, called it Turicum. However, early settlements have been found dating back more than 6400 years ago. During the Middle Ages, Zürich gained the independent and privileged status of imperial immediacy and, in 1519, became a primary centre of the Protestant Reformation in Europe under the leadership of Ulrich Zwingli. The official language of Zürich is (the Swiss variety of Standard) German, but the main spoken language is the local variant of the Alemannic Swiss German dialect.
The Uetliberg with its summit at the Uto Kulmo 871 metres above sea level towers above the roofs of Zurich. From the top you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the city of Zurich, Lake Zurich and the Limmat Valley up as far as the Alps. The highest concentration of clubs in Switzerland, one of the most famous shopping miles, and a plethora of cultural offerings. And all of this against a medieval background. Zurich Old Town is a cultural, social and historical melting pot. Museums, galleries, art publishers - the Löwenbräu Areal is a much loved venue for art enthusiasts. The changing exhibitions of contemporary art have transformed this former brewery into a landmark cultural centre. The bent, almost banana-shaped Lake Zurich is framed on the southern side by the Albis and Zimmerberg hills and on the north by the Pfannenstiel chain of hills. The lake is bordered by the cantons of Zurich, St.Gallen and Schwyz. At the western end lies Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city.
