Zurich, Switzerland — City Information
City Facts
- Location
- Kanton Zürich (Zurich canton), north central Switzerland.
- 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).
- Average Annual Rainfall
- 1,142mm (45 inches).
- Language
- 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 - JaNo - NeiHello - Grüezi / Grüezi mitenandGoodbye - Uf wiederluegePlease - Bitte schönThank you - Danke / Merci vielmalMy name is … - Min Name isch …How are you? - Wie gaht’s Ihne? / Wie gaht’s?I’m very well - Es gaht mir guetI feel ill - Es gaht mir schlächtHow much does it cost? - Wieviel choschtet’s?Do you speak English? - Redet Sie Änglisch? I don’t understand - Ich verstah nödWhere is …? - Wo isch …?Entrance - Igang / IfahrtExit - Usgang / UsfahrtDanger - AchtungOpen - Offe Closed - GschlosseToilets - Toilette Doctor - Arzt / Ärztin Hotel - Hotel Restaurant - Restaurant Beer - Bier Wine - WiiMenu - MenüToday - HütTomorrow - MornMonday - MäntigTuesday - ZischtigWednesday - MittwuchThursday - DunnschtigFriday - FritigSaturday - SamschtigSunday - SunntigOne - EisTwo - ZweiThree - DrüFour - VierFive - FoifSix - SächsSeven -SiebeEight - AchtNine - NünTen - Zäh Twenty - ZwänzgThirty - DriesgForty - VierzgFifty - FüfzgSixty - SächzgSeventy - SiebezgEighty - AchzgNinety - NünzgOne Hundred - HundertOne Thousand - Tusig
Cost of Living
| 1.00 GBP = 1.31 CHF |
| 1.00 USD = 0.81 CHF |
| 1.00 EUR = 1.15 CHF |
| Currency conversion rates as of 19 July 2011 |
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
The city marathon winds a serpentine route around some of the most picturesque parts of Zurich.
Throughout the city
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
Around 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
