Editing Switzerland (section)

== Education and science ==<!--Please consider adding other information into relevant articles of the series-->
{{Main|Education in Switzerland|Science and technology in Switzerland}}

[[File:11-11-24-basel-by-ralfr-035.jpg|thumb|The [[University of Basel]] is Switzerland's oldest university (1460).]]
[[File:Swiss scientists.jpg|thumb|upright|220px|Some Swiss scientists who played a key role in their discipline (clockwise):<br />[[Leonhard Euler]] (mathematics)<br />[[Louis Agassiz]] (glaciology)<br />[[Auguste Piccard]] (aeronautics)<br />[[Albert Einstein]] (physics)]]

Education in Switzerland is diverse, because the [[constitution of Switzerland]] delegates the operation for the school system to the [[Canton of Switzerland|cantons]].<ref name="Education">{{Cite web |title=Education |url=https://www.eda.admin.ch/aboutswitzerland/en/home/bildung-wissenschaft/bildung.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322171159/https://www.eda.admin.ch/aboutswitzerland/en/home/bildung-wissenschaft/bildung.html |archive-date=22 March 2023 |access-date=17 March 2023 |website=Federal Department of Foreign Affairs |language=en}}</ref> Public and private schools are available, including many private international schools.

=== Primary education ===
The minimum age for primary school is about six years, but most cantons provide a free "children's school" starting at age four or five.<ref name="Education" /> Primary school continues until grade four, five or six, depending on the school. Traditionally, the first foreign language in school was one of the other Swiss languages, although in 2000, English was elevated in a few cantons.<ref name="Education" /> At the end of primary school or at the beginning of secondary school, pupils are assigned according to their capacities into one of several sections (often three). The fastest learners are taught advanced classes to prepare for further studies and the [[matura]],<ref name="Education" /> while other students receive an education adapted to their needs.

=== Tertiary education ===
Switzerland hosts [[List of universities in Switzerland|12 universities]], ten of which are maintained at [[Cantons of Switzerland|cantonal]] level and usually offer non-technical subjects. It ranked 87th on the 2019 [[Academic Ranking of World Universities]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=University of Basel {{pipe}} Academic Ranking of World Universities – 2020 {{pipe}} Shanghai Ranking – 2020 |url=http://www.shanghairanking.com/World-University-Rankings/University-of-Basel.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150523190117/http://www.shanghairanking.com/World-University-Rankings/University-of-Basel.html |archive-date=23 May 2015 |access-date=25 May 2020 |website=www.shanghairanking.com}}</ref> The largest is the [[University of Zurich]] with nearly 25,000 students.<ref>{{Cite web |title=University of Zurich in Switzerland – US News Best Global Universities |url=https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/university-of-zurich-505287 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501211536/https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/university-of-zurich-505287 |archive-date=1 May 2021 |access-date=30 March 2023 |website=[[U.S. News & World Report]]}}</ref> The [[Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich]] (ETHZ) and the [[University of Zurich]] are listed 20th and 54th respectively, on the 2015 [[Academic Ranking of World Universities]].<ref>[http://www.shanghairanking.com/ARWU2015.html Academic Ranking of World Universities 2015] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151030134046/http://www.shanghairanking.com/ARWU2015.html |date=30 October 2015}} Academic Ranking of World Universities. ShanghaiRanking Consultancy. 2015. Retrieved 25 July 2016.</ref>

The federal government sponsors two institutes: the [[Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich]] (ETHZ) in [[Zurich]], founded in 1855 and the {{Lang|fr|[[École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne]]|italic=no}} (EPFL) in [[Lausanne]], founded in 1969, formerly associated with the [[University of Lausanne]].{{efn|name=ETH ranking|In 2008, the ETH Zurich was ranked 15th in the field ''Natural Sciences and Mathematics'' by the [[Academic Ranking of World Universities|Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities]] and the EPFL in Lausanne was ranked 18th in the field ''Engineering/Technology and Computer Sciences'' by the same ranking.}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shanghai Ranking 2008 Top 100 world universities in Natural Sciences and Mathematics |url=http://ed.sjtu.edu.cn/ARWU-FIELD2008/SCI2008.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091012051101/http://ed.sjtu.edu.cn/ARWU-FIELD2008/SCI2008.htm |archive-date=12 October 2009 |access-date=2 November 2010 |publisher=Ed.sjtu.edu.cn}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Thomas |first=Kim |date=1 October 2014 |title=Why does Switzerland do so well in university rankings? |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/oct/01/switzerland-university-rankings-invest-research-science |url-status=live |access-date=12 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141003070806/http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/oct/01/switzerland-university-rankings-invest-research-science |archive-date=3 October 2014}}</ref>

Eight of the world's ten best hotel schools are located in Switzerland.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 March 2021 |title=Swiss hospitality schools top global ranking |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/sci-tech/swiss-hospitality-schools-top-global-ranking/46421170 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309025416/https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/sci-tech/swiss-hospitality-schools-top-global-ranking/46421170 |archive-date=9 March 2021 |access-date=9 March 2021 |website=SWI swissinfo.ch}}</ref> In addition, various [[Universities of Applied Sciences|universities of applied sciences]] are available. In business and management studies, the [[University of St. Gallen]], (HSG) is ranked 329th in the world according to [[QS World University Rankings]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 July 2015 |title=University of St.Gallen (HSG) |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/university-stgallen-hsg |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160729184518/http://www.topuniversities.com/universities/university-stgallen-hsg |archive-date=29 July 2016 |website=Top Universities}}</ref> and the [[International Institute for Management Development]] (IMD), was ranked first in open programmes worldwide''.''<ref>[http://rankings.ft.com/businessschoolrankings/executive-education-open-2015 Financial Times Executive Education Rankings – Open Programs – 2015] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816061403/http://rankings.ft.com/businessschoolrankings/executive-education-open-2015 |date=16 August 2016}} Retrieved 8 July 2015</ref> Switzerland has the second highest rate (almost 18% in 2003) of foreign students in tertiary education, after Australia (slightly over 18%).<ref>{{Cite web |year=2005 |title=Chart C3.1. Percentage of foreign students in tertiary education (1998, 2003) in Education at a Glance, OECD indicators 2005 – Executive Summary |url=http://www.oecd.org/education/skills-beyond-school/35345692.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611100744/http://www.oecd.org/education/skills-beyond-school/35345692.pdf |archive-date=11 June 2016 |access-date=22 December 2013 |website=www.oecd.org/edu/eag2005 |publisher=OECD |page=44 |type=Study}}</ref><ref>[http://www.ecs.org/html/offsite.asp?document=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eoecd%2Eorg%2Fdataoecd%2F20%2F25%2F35345692%2Epdf Education at Glance 2005] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130723201800/http://www.ecs.org/html/offsite.asp?document=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.oecd.org%2Fdataoecd%2F20%2F25%2F35345692.pdf |date=23 July 2013}} by the [[OECD]]: Percentage of foreign students in tertiary education.</ref>

The [[Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies]], located in [[Geneva]], is continental Europe's oldest graduate school of international and development studies. It is widely held to be one of its most prestigious.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 September 2010 |title=Graduate Institute of International Studies Geneva Overview {{pipe}} Study Abroad Programs |url=http://www.studyihub.com/the-graduate-institute-of-international-studies-geneva/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502042931/http://www.studyihub.com/the-graduate-institute-of-international-studies-geneva/ |archive-date=2 May 2013 |access-date=28 April 2013 |publisher=Studyihub.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=e-Perspectives, Kendra Magraw ('10) Accepted at Geneva's Prestigious IHEID – U of MN Law School |url=http://www.law.umn.edu/eperspectives/summer2010/news-and-events/kendra-magraw-10-accepted-at-genevas-prestigious-iheid/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100709041656/http://www.law.umn.edu/eperspectives/summer2010/news-and-events/kendra-magraw-10-accepted-at-genevas-prestigious-iheid |archive-date=9 July 2010 |access-date=28 April 2013 |publisher=Law.umn.edu}}</ref>

=== Science ===
{{see also|List of Swiss Nobel laureates}}
Switzerland is among the [[List of Nobel laureates by country|countries with the highest number of Nobel laureates]], both in total and per capita; of the 28 Swiss nationals who have won the [[Nobel Prize]], 23 were recognised in the sciences. Among the most famous is [[Albert Einstein]],<ref>{{Cite book |last=Snygg |first=John |url={{GBurl|id=qlX3CqMUHpUC}} |title=A New Approach to Differential Geometry Using Clifford's Geometric Algebra |publisher=Springer |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-8176-8282-8 |page=38}}</ref> who became a Swiss citizen in 1901 and developed his theory of [[special relativity]] in Bern. Among the Nobel laureates born or nautralised in Switzerland are [[Vladimir Prelog]], [[Heinrich Rohrer]], [[Richard R. Ernst|Richard Ernst]], [[Edmond H. Fischer|Edmond Fischer]], [[Rolf Zinkernagel]], [[Kurt Wüthrich]] and [[Jacques Dubochet]]. Over 100 laureates across all fields have a relationship to Switzerland.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/sci-tech/award-winners_what-s-behind-switzerland-s-star-studded-nobel-success/45286220 |title=What's behind Switzerland's star-studded Nobel success? |last=Stephens |first=Thomas |date=9 October 2019 |website=SWI swissinfo.ch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241030223702/https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/sci-tech/award-winners_what-s-behind-switzerland-s-star-studded-nobel-success/45286220 |archive-date=2024-10-30}}</ref>{{efn|name=nobel prize|Nobel prizes in [[non-science]] categories included}} The [[Nobel Peace Prize]] has been awarded nine times to organisations headquartered in Switzerland.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.muellerscience.com/SPEZIALITAETEN/Schweiz/SchweizerNobelpreistraeger.htm |title=Schweiz: Rund um die Nobelpreisträger |last=Müller |first=Roland |date=<!--No date given.--> |website=Mueller Science |at=Friedenspreis für Organisationen, die in der Schweiz domiziliert sind |language=de |access-date=2024-10-30 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007161907/http://www.muellerscience.com/SPEZIALITAETEN/Schweiz/SchweizerNobelpreistraeger.htm |archive-date=2024-10-07}}</ref>

[[File:LHC, CERN.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Large Hadron Collider|LHC]] tunnel. CERN is the world's largest laboratory and also the birthplace of the [[World Wide Web]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Welcome to info.cern.ch |url=http://info.cern.ch/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100105103513/http://info.cern.ch/ |archive-date=5 January 2010 |website=CERN}}</ref>]]

Geneva and the nearby French department of [[Ain]] co-host the world's largest laboratory, [[CERN]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=CERN – the largest laboratory in the world |url=http://www.swissworld.org/en/switzerland/resources/story_switzerland/cern_the_largest_laboratory_in_the_world/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100429221447/http://www.swissworld.org/en/switzerland/resources/story_switzerland/cern_the_largest_laboratory_in_the_world |archive-date=29 April 2010 |access-date=29 April 2010 |website=Swissworld.org}}</ref> dedicated to [[particle physics]] research. Another important research centre is the [[Paul Scherrer Institute]], which conducts [[Interdisciplinarity|multi-disciplinary]] [[Research institute|research]] in the [[Natural science|natural]] and [[Engineering physics|engineering sciences]]. 

Notable Swiss inventions include [[lysergic acid diethylamide]] (LSD), [[diazepam]] (Valium), [[Velcro]], and the [[scanning tunneling microscope|scanning tunnelling microscope]] (which earned inventors [[Gerd Binnig]] and [[Heinrich Rohrer]] the 1986 [[Nobel Prize in Physics]]. [[Auguste Piccard]] became the first person to enter the [[Stratosphere]] with his pressurised hydrogen ballon, while his son [[Jacques Piccard]] became one of the first people to explore the deepest known part of the world's [[ocean]] (along with American [[Don Walsh]]).

The [[Swiss Space Office]] has been involved in various space technologies and programmes. It was one of the 10 founders of the [[European Space Agency]] in 1975 and is the seventh largest contributor to the ESA budget. In the private sector, several companies participate in the space industry, such as [[Oerlikon Space]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 November 2009 |title=Oerlikon Components Space – Oerlikon Space at a Glance |url=http://www.oerlikon.com/ecomaXL/index.php?site=SPACE_EN_company_overview |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091127232253/http://www.oerlikon.com/ecomaXL/index.php?site=SPACE_EN_company_overview |archive-date=27 November 2009 |access-date=8 February 2023}}</ref> and Maxon Motors.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 January 2004 |title=5 Years on Mars |url=http://www.maxonmotor.ch/ch/en/media_releases_5619.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430001717/http://www.maxonmotor.ch/ch/en/media_releases_5619.html |archive-date=30 April 2011 |website=Maxonmotor}}</ref>

=== Energy ===
{{See also|Energy in Switzerland|||}}

[[File:Mauvoisin Dam.jpg|thumb|upright=1.25|Switzerland has the [[List of tallest dams in the world|tallest dams]] in Europe, among which the [[Mauvoisin Dam]], in the Alps. Hydroelectric power is the most important domestic source of energy in the country.]]

Electricity generated in Switzerland is 56% from [[hydroelectricity]] and 39% from [[nuclear power]], producing negligible CO<sub>2</sub>. On 18 May 2003, two [[anti-nuclear]] referendums were defeated: ''Moratorium Plus'', aimed at forbidding the building of new [[nuclear power plants]] (41.6% supported),<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 May 2003 |title=Vorlage Nr. 502: Übersicht: Volksinitiative 'Moratorium Plus – Für die Verlängerung des Atomkraftwerk-Baustopps und die Begrenzung des Atomrisikos (MoratoriumPlus)' |url=http://www.admin.ch/ch/d/pore/va/20030518/det502.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228220425/https://www.admin.ch/ch/d/pore/va/20030518/det502.html |archive-date=28 December 2016 |access-date=6 December 2016 |publisher=Swiss Federal Chancellery |language=de, fr, it |type=official site |location=Bern, Switzerland}}</ref> and Electricity Without Nuclear (33.7% supported) after a moratorium expired in 2000.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 May 2003 |title=Vorlage Nr. 501: Übersicht:Volksinitiative 'Strom ohne Atom – Für eine Energiewende und schrittweise Stilllegung der Atomkraftwerke (Strom ohne Atom)' |url=http://www.admin.ch/ch/d/pore/va/20030518/det501.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228220015/https://www.admin.ch/ch/d/pore/va/20030518/det501.html |archive-date=28 December 2016 |access-date=6 December 2016 |publisher=Swiss Federal Chancellery |language=de, fr, it |type=official site |location=Bern, Switzerland}}</ref> After the [[Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster|Fukushima nuclear disaster]], in 2011 the government announced plans to end the use of nuclear energy in the following 20 to 30 years.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Enserink |first=Martin |date=25 May 2011 |title=Switzerland to Phase Out Nuclear Energy; E.U. Strikes Deal on 'Stress Tests' |work=Science |publisher=American Association for the Advancement of Science |location=Washington DC, U.S. |url=https://www.science.org/content/article/switzerland-phase-out-nuclear-energy-eu-strikes-deal-stress-tests |url-status=live |access-date=6 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201075935/http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2011/05/switzerland-phase-out-nuclear-energy-eu-strikes-deal-stress-tests |archive-date=1 December 2016}}</ref> In November 2016, Swiss voters rejected a [[Green Party of Switzerland|Green Party]] referendum to accelerate the phaseout of nuclear power (45.8% supported).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Geiser |first=Urs |title=Swiss nuclear plants to remain on grid |work=SWI swissinfo.ch – the international service of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) |publisher=Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) |location=Zurich, Switzerland |url=http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/vote-november-27_power-on-or-off-for-swiss-nuclear-plants-/42703330 |url-status=live |access-date=28 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161127231249/http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/vote-november-27_power-on-or-off-for-swiss-nuclear-plants-/42703330 |archive-date=27 November 2016}}</ref> The Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) is responsible for energy supply and energy use within the [[Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications]] (DETEC). The agency supports the [[2000-watt society]] initiative to cut the nation's energy use by more than half by 2050.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 January 2008 |title=Federal government energy research |url=http://www.bfe.admin.ch/forschungnetze/01223/index.html?lang=en |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090224105623/http://www.bfe.admin.ch/forschungnetze/01223/index.html?lang=en |archive-date=24 February 2009}}</ref>

=== Transport ===
{{Main|Transport in Switzerland}}
[[File:Lötschberg Tunnel.jpg|thumb|left|Entrance of the new [[Lötschberg Base Tunnel]], the third-longest railway tunnel in the world, under the old [[Lötschberg railway line]]. It was the first completed tunnel of the greater project [[NRLA]].]]
The densest [[Rail transport in Switzerland|rail network]] in Europe spans {{convert|5250|km}} and carried 614 million passengers in 2023.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://w3.unece.org/PXWeb/en/CountryRanking?IndicatorCode=47 |title=Railway density |year=2022 |website=UNECE Data Portal |publisher=United Nations Economic Commission for Europe |location=Geneva, Switzerland |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706180506/https://w3.unece.org/PXWeb/en/CountryRanking?IndicatorCode=47 |archive-date=2024-07-06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/en/home/statistics/mobility-transport/cross-sectional-topics/public-transport.assetdetail.32252559.html |title=Public transport traffic volume by transport means |date=11 September 2024 |website=<!--Website name is the same as publisher name.--> |publisher=Federal Statistical Office |location=Neuchâtel, Switzerland |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241106040146/https://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/en/home/statistics/mobility-transport/cross-sectional-topics/public-transport.assetdetail.32252559.html |archive-date=2024-11-06}}</ref> In 2015, each Swiss resident travelled on average {{convert|2550|km}} by rail, more than any other European country.<ref name="FSO-2016">{{cite web |url=https://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/en/home/statistics/mobility-transport/cross-sectional-topics/public-transport-rail-freight.assetdetail.su-d-11-TP-ZR.html |title=Öffentlicher Verkehr (inkl. Schienengüterverkehr) - detaillierte Zeitreihen |date=15 December 2016 |website=<!--Website name is the same as publisher name.--> |publisher=Federal Statistical Office |location=Neuchâtel, Switzerland |language=de |trans-title=Public transportation (incl. rail freight) – detailed time series |format=XLS |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220074207/https://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/en/home/statistics/mobility-transport/cross-sectional-topics/public-transport-rail-freight.assetdetail.su-d-11-TP-ZR.html |archive-date=20 December 2016}}</ref>{{Verify source|date=November 2024|reason=Cited XLS document is a workbook with many sheets; need more exact location for data on kilometres travelled via rail per resident in 2015.}} Virtually 100% of the network is electrified. 60% of the network is operated by the [[Swiss Federal Railways]] (SBB&nbsp;CFF&nbsp;FFS). Besides the second largest [[standard gauge]] railway company, [[BLS AG]], two railways companies operate on [[narrow gauge]] networks: the [[Rhaetian Railway]] (RhB) in Graubünden, which includes some World Heritage lines,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Landscapes |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1276/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170503140944/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1276 |archive-date=3 May 2017 |access-date=8 February 2023 |website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |language=en}}</ref> and the [[Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn]] (MGB), which co-operates with RhB the [[Glacier Express]] between [[Zermatt]] and [[St. Moritz]]/[[Davos]]. Switzerland operates the [[List of longest tunnels|world's longest and deepest railway tunnel]] and the first flat, low-level route through the Alps, the {{convert|57.1|km|mi|adj=mid|-long}} [[Gotthard Base Tunnel]], the largest part of the [[NRLA|New Railway Link through the Alps (NRLA)]] project.

Switzerland has a publicly managed, toll-free road network financed by highway permits as well as vehicle and petrol taxes. The Swiss autobahn/autoroute system requires the annual purchase of a [[vignette (road tax)|vignette]] (toll sticker)—for 40 [[Swiss franc]]s—to use its roadways, including passenger cars and trucks. The Swiss autobahn/autoroute network stretches for {{convert|1638|km|mi|abbr=on}} and has one of the highest motorway densities in the world.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 April 2003 |title=Switzerland |work=Xinhua |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2003-04/01/content_809596.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129073327/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2003-04/01/content_809596.htm |archive-date=29 January 2017}}</ref>

[[Zurich Airport]] is Switzerland's largest international flight gateway; it handled 22.8&nbsp;million passengers in 2012.<ref>{{Cite news |title=European Airport Traffic Trends |url=http://www.anna.aero/european-airport-traffic-trends/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209041654/http://www.anna.aero/european-airport-traffic-trends/ |archive-date=9 February 2014 |access-date=12 July 2013 |website=anna.aero |date=24 October 2008 |language=en-GB}}</ref> The other international airports are [[Geneva Airport]] (13.9&nbsp;million passengers in 2012),<ref>[http://www.gva.ch/en/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-244/ Geneva Airport statistics] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160714130905/http://www.gva.ch/en/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-244/ |date=14 July 2016}} accessed 12 July 2013</ref> [[EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg]] (located in France), [[Bern Airport]], [[Lugano Airport]], [[St. Gallen-Altenrhein Airport]] and [[Sion Airport]]. [[Swiss International Air Lines]] is the flag carrier. Its main hub is Zurich, but it is legally domiciled in Basel.

=== Environment ===
{{Main|Environment of Switzerland|Waste management in Switzerland}}
Switzerland has one of the best environmental records among developed nations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 January 2008 |title=Swiss sit atop ranking of greenest nations |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna22802081 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180525122322/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/22802081 |archive-date=25 May 2018 |access-date=2 December 2009 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> It is a signatory to the [[Kyoto Protocol]]. With Mexico and South Korea, it forms the [[Environmental Integrity Group]] (EIG).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Party Groupings |url=http://unfccc.int/parties_and_observers/parties/negotiating_groups/items/2714.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605182740/http://unfccc.int/parties_and_observers/parties/negotiating_groups/items/2714.php |archive-date=5 June 2013 |access-date=2 December 2009 |website=UNFCCC}}</ref>

The country is active in recycling and anti-littering programs and is one of the world's top recyclers, recovering 66% to 96% of recyclable materials, varying across the country.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sammelregeln und Recyclingzahlen |url=http://www.swissrecycling.ch/deutsch/wregel.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100423183826/http://swissrecycling.ch/deutsch/wregel.htm |archive-date=23 April 2010 |access-date=29 April 2010 |website=Swiss Recycling |language=de}}</ref> The 2014 Global Green Economy Index placed Switzerland among the top 10 green economies.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2014 Global Green Economy Index |url=http://dualcitizeninc.com/GGEI-Report2014.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028201432/http://dualcitizeninc.com/GGEI-Report2014.pdf |archive-date=28 October 2014 |access-date=20 October 2014 |publisher=Dual Citizen LLC}}</ref>

Switzerland has an economic system for garbage disposal, which is based mostly on recycling and energy-producing [[incinerator]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Topic Waste |url=https://www.bafu.admin.ch/bafu/de/home/themen/abfall.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180429155125/https://www.bafu.admin.ch/bafu/de/home/themen/abfall.html |archive-date=29 April 2018 |access-date=29 April 2018 |publisher=Federal Office for the Environment FOEN |language=de, fr, it, en |type=official site |location=Ittigen, Switzerland}}</ref> As in other European countries, the illegal disposal of garbage is heavily fined. In almost all Swiss municipalities, mandatory stickers or dedicated garbage bags allow the identification of disposable garbage.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Abfall – Déchets – Rifiuti |url=https://www.preisueberwacher.admin.ch/pue/de/home/themen/infrastruktur/abfall.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180429092904/https://www.preisueberwacher.admin.ch/pue/de/home/themen/infrastruktur/abfall.html |archive-date=29 April 2018 |access-date=29 April 2018 |publisher=Preisüberwachung, Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research |language=de, fr, it |type=official site |location=Bern, Switzerland}}</ref>