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Location
Kanton Zürich (Zurich canton), north central Switzerland.

Dialling code
41.

Population
350,200 (city); 1.2 million (Zurich canton).

Time zone
GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).

Electricity
230 volts AC, 50Hz; round three-pin plugs are standard.

Average January temperatures
- 0.5°C (31°F).

Average July temperatures
18°C (64°F).

Annual rainfall
1,142mm (45 inches).

Language
Introduction
Although French, Italian and Romansch are spoken in other parts of Switzerland, the official language in Zurich is German. Schweizerdeutsch (Swiss German) varies considerably from Hochdeutsch (High German), to the extent that Swiss films are often shown with subtitles in Germany. There are cantonal variations, so Zürideutsch (Zurich Swiss German) is a different dialect to one in Berne, for instance. It can be difficult to pick up – there is no real written version of the dialect and it can change rather quickly, so even other Swiss people will have difficulty passing as a true Zürcher. The way language is used is also important – Swiss-Germans tend to speak fairly quietly and are known for being direct.

Gruezi is the most common greeting, and ‘thank you’ can be either Merci vielmal or Danke (pronounced ‘dankre’). English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants, shops and business settings.

Phrases

Yes - Ja
No - Nei
Hello - Grüezi / Grüezi mitenand
Goodbye - Uf wiederluege
Please - Bitte schön
Thank you - Danke / Merci vielmal
My name is … - Min Name isch …
How are you? - Wie gaht’s Ihne? / Wie gaht’s?
I’m very well - Es gaht mir guet
I feel ill - Es gaht mir schlächt
How much does it cost? - Wieviel choschtet’s?
Do you speak English? - Redet Sie Änglisch?
I don’t understand - Ich verstah nöd
Where is …? - Wo isch …?
Entrance - Igang / Ifahrt
Exit - Usgang / Usfahrt
Danger - Achtung
Open - Offe
Closed - Gschlosse
Toilets - Toilette
Doctor - Arzt / Ärztin
Hotel - Hotel
Restaurant - Restaurant
Beer - Bier
Wine - Wii
Menu - Menü
Today - Hüt
Tomorrow - Morn
Monday - Mäntig
Tuesday - Zischtig
Wednesday - Mittwuch
Thursday - Dunnschtig
Friday - Fritig
Saturday - Samschtig
Sunday - Sunntig
One - Eis
Two - Zwei
Three - Drü
Four - Vier
Five - Foif
Six - Sächs
Seven -Siebe
Eight - Acht
Nine - Nün
Ten - Zäh
Twenty - Zwänzg
Thirty - Driesg
Forty - Vierzg
Fifty - Füfzg
Sixty - Sächzg
Seventy - Siebezg
Eighty - Achzg
Ninety - Nünzg
One Hundred - Hundert
One Thousand - Tusig

Cost of Living:

1 Swiss Franc (SFr1) = £0.60; US$0.89; C$1.05; A$1.24; €0.66
Currency conversion rates as of January 2009

Special Events:

ZüriCarneval
February/March
Fancy dress, fireworks and festivities throughout the city.
Website: www.zuerichcarneval.ch

Sechseläuten
April
The ’Six o’clock Bells’ Zurich Spring Festival climaxes with the Procession of the Guilds and the burning of the Böögg snowman at 1800 on the Sechseläuten field near the Opera.
Website: www.sechselaeuten.ch

International Zurich Marathon
April
Landiwiese
Website: www.zurichmarathon.ch

Zürcher Festspiele
June-July
Program of international theater, opera and concert events.
Various venues
Website: www.zuercher-festspiele.ch

Street Parade
August
Flamboyant house and techno music parade.
Throughout the city
Website: www.streetparade.ch

Knabenschiessen Festival
September
Annual shooting competition for teenagers followed by a three-day market and funfair.
Albisgütli
Website: www.knabenschiessen.ch

Expovina
October-November
A floating wine exhibition aboard twelve lake cruisers.
Bürkliplatz
Website: www.expovina.ch

Silvesterlauf (New Year’s Eve Race)
December
10,000 runners participate in a race through the old city along Bahnhofstrasse in mid December. 
Website: www.silvesterlauf.ch

Silvesterzauber
December
The new year is heralded by parties and fireworks by the lake in Switzerland’s largest New Year’s Eve party.
Website: www.silvesterzauber.ch

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