City Information

Zurich has four distinct seasons and a fairly cool climate. Average high temperatures in the summer are in the low twenties, with only a couple days each year above 30C. Average highs in the winter are just above freezing (2C in January, the coldest month).

Location: Zurich canton, North Central Switzerland; situated at the tip of Lake Zurich. Dialling code: 41 Emergency numbers Police: 117 Ambulance: 144 Fire brigade: 118 Population: 350,200 (city); 1.2 million (Zurich canton). Languages: The official language is Swiss German (Schweizerdeutsch) Time zone: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from March to October). Average January temperatures: -0.5°C (31°F) Average July temperatures: 18°C (64°F) Annual rainfall: 1,142mm (45 inches)

The currency used is Swiss Franc.

• January 1, 2010: New Year’s Day • January 2, 2010: Saint Berchtold (New Year Shopping, Stores are open) • April 2, 2010: Good Friday • April 5, 2010: Easter Monday • May 1, 2010: Labor Day • May 13, 2010: Ascension Day • May 24, 2010: Whit Monday • August 1, 2010: Swiss National Day • December 25, 2010: Christmas Day • December 26, 2010: Boxing Day

January: 9°C (high); -11°C (low) February: 11°C (high); -8°C (low) March: 16°C (high); -6°C (low) April: 21°C (high); -2°C (low) May: 25°C (high); 2°C (low) June: 28°C (high); 6°C (low) July: 29°C (high); 8°C (low) August: 29°C (high); 7°C (low) September: 24°C (high); 4°C (low) October: 20°C (high); 0°C (low) November: 16°C (high); -4°C (low) December: 11°C (high); -9°C (low)

With a population of over 300,000 in the main city, the people of Zurich are surprisingly diverse. Over 30 per cent of the population consists of Germans who do not hold Swiss citizenship. 22 per cent are Italians who do not hold Swiss passports either. There are over one million people living in the suburbs of the city. The people are generally friendly but one must be on the look-out for pickpockets and drunken brawls.

Though Zurich isn't the capital of Switzerland, it is the country's largest and most important city. It is the economic hub of Switzerland and a center of international banking and finance. The friendly business climate has also attracted many of the world's top corporations and lots of high-tech industries. Consequently, Zurich is one of the most expensive cities in the world, but it is also consistently ranked as the most livable.

Zurich has been consistently settled since the Roman Empire, though humans have lived in the area since prehistoric times. The first historical reference is from 15BC, when a military base was established. The nearby town was called Turicum. Little is known about Zurich's history throughout the early middle ages. The area was controlled by a succession of Germanic tribes.

Start your day at Bahnhofstrasse, Zurich's answer to the Champs Elysees. This is one of the most expensive shopping streets in the world, but even if you're on a budget, the window shopping is a sight to behold. When you're finished here, walk a few blocks to Fraumunster. This is one of Zurich's signature landmarks. It shouldn't take more than a half hour to explore this wonderful old church. Stop for lunch at Swiss Chuchi. Be sure to try their famous fondue, which comes at a surprisingly reasonable cost.