Exploring Germany, Austria, And Switzerland: Unique Facts And Discoveries

Germany, Austria, and Switzerland are three fascinating countries in the heart of Europe. Germany is the largest of the three, with a population of over 80 million people and a rich history that includes the creation of the first printed book and the Christmas tree tradition. Austria, whose name derives from the Germanic word for 'east', is known for its stunning Alpine landscape, including the tallest waterfall in Europe, and its musical heritage, with composers like Mozart and Schubert calling it home. Switzerland, meanwhile, boasts the world's longest railway tunnel and the highest proportion of millionaires in the world. All three countries are known for their delicious food and drink, from Germany's sausages and beer to Switzerland's cheese and chocolate, and Austria's world-famous energy drink, Red Bull.

Switzerland has 7000 lakes

Switzerland is known for its lakes and rivers, which make up approximately 4% of the country's surface area. There are over 1,500 lakes in Switzerland, with estimates reaching up to 7,000 when including very small bodies of water traditionally referred to as "lakes". Of these, 103 lakes have a surface area of at least 30 hectares, and more than 58 lakes have an area of over one square kilometre. The lakes vary in size and shape and, together with the mountains, constitute a major natural feature of Switzerland. They provide an important source of water and leisure opportunities, as well as a suitable habitat for fish-eating birds.

The two most extensive lakes in Switzerland are Lake Geneva and Lake Constance, which are among the largest in Europe and mark the border of the Swiss Plateau, along with the Alps and the Jura Mountains. Lake Geneva, known as Lac Léman in French, is the largest lake in Switzerland and one of the most massive in Western Europe. It occupies an area of 580.03 square kilometres, with 59.53% within Swiss territory and the remaining 40.47% in France. The lake is located at an elevation of 1,220.5 feet and has a maximum depth of 1,020 feet. Lake Constance, the second-largest lake, has an area of 473 square kilometres and is shared with Germany and Austria. It is located at an altitude of 1,296 feet and has a maximum depth of 827 feet.

The largest lake located entirely within Switzerland is Lake Neuchâtel, with a surface area of 215.20 to 218.3 square kilometres. It is followed by Lake Maggiore and Lake Lucerne, which are the remaining lakes with an area of over 100 square kilometres. Lake Neuchâtel is located at an elevation of 1,407 feet and has a maximum depth of 499 feet. It is fed by several rivers, including L'Orbe, Le Seyon, and L'Areuse.

The lakes in Switzerland are distributed across the four major river basins of the country: the Rhine, Rhone, Po, and Danube. A significant number of the lakes are found in the Rhine basin, with 66 out of the 103 largest lakes located there. The Rhone, Po, and Danube basins host 17, 14, and 6 of these lakes, respectively.

The lakes in Switzerland offer important recreational areas and contribute to the country's tourism revenue. They provide opportunities for various activities such as boating, swimming, and fishing. The surrounding areas also attract tourists with their natural beauty and scenic views.

Austria is home to Europe's tallest waterfall

Austria is home to the tallest waterfall in Europe, the Krimml Falls, which stands at 380 metres (1,246 feet) tall. The waterfall is located in Hohe Tauern National Park in Salzburg, Upper Austria, and is accessible via a non-strenuous hike that takes around 1.5 to 2 hours. The waterfall is free to view, but there is a fee to access the waterfall trail.

The Krimml Falls is just one of the many attractions that make Austria's Alps a paradise for skiers and climbers. Covering nearly two-thirds of the country, the Austrian Alps are a major driver of Austria's tourism revenue, which totalled €18.9 billion in 2022.

Germany has the biggest economy in the EU

Germany has the largest economy in the EU, with a GDP of €3,100bn in 2016, accounting for over a fifth (21.1%) of the EU's GDP. Germany's economy is a highly developed social market economy, and it is the third-largest by nominal GDP in the world. Germany's economy is driven by its service sector, which contributes around 70% of the total GDP, while industry contributes 29.1% and agriculture 0.9%. Germany is a leading exporter, with goods and services worth $1.81 trillion exported in 2019. Germany is also the largest manufacturing economy in Europe and is less likely to be affected by a financial downturn.

Germany's economy is rich in natural resources, including timber, lignite, potash, and salt. The country is also a leading producer of wind turbines and solar-power technology. Germany's top exports include vehicles, machinery, chemical goods, electronic products, electrical equipment, pharmaceuticals, transport equipment, basic metals, food products, and rubber and plastics.

Germany's economic success is also due to its highly qualified labour force, developed infrastructure, large capital stock, low level of corruption, and high level of innovation. Germany is home to many economically important cities, such as Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Cologne, Frankfurt, and Stuttgart. The country is also a leading location for trade fairs, with around two-thirds of the world's leading trade fairs taking place in Germany.

Vienna is home to the world's oldest zoo

The zoo was the brainchild of Francis Stephen of Lorraine, the husband of Maria Theresa, the empress of the Habsburg monarchy. In 1745, Francis Stephen commissioned the architect Jean Nicolas Jadot de Ville-Issey to design a menagerie in the park at the Habsburg-Lorraine's summer residence in Schönbrunn. The menagerie featured twelve enclosures with equally sized structures for the animals, an administration building, a pond, and two yards. After about a year of construction, it was unveiled to guests in the summer of 1752, with the octagonal pavilion at its heart being completed in 1759. This pavilion has served as a restaurant since 1949.

Throughout its history, the zoo has been home to a diverse range of animal species, including Indian elephants, wolves, bears, polar bears, big cats, hyenas, kangaroos, and Asian elephants. It has also been a centre for scientific research and conservation efforts, playing a significant role in the birth of the first elephant sired in a European zoo in 1906 and the first elephant sired using frozen sperm and artificial insemination in 2013.

Today, the Vienna Zoo houses over 700 animal species, some of which are threatened, and welcomes more than 2 million visitors every year. It offers a unique setting where culture and nature blend, allowing visitors to see a variety of animals from giant pandas and Siberian tigers to orangutans and elephants. The zoo also provides insights into nature and species conservation work, making it a valuable educational centre and a partner for many conservation projects.

Switzerland has the highest proportion of millionaires

Switzerland is well-known for its competitive tax system, high salaries, and excellent standard of living. It is no surprise, then, that the country has the fourth-highest number of millionaires in the world. In fact, Switzerland has the highest proportion of millionaires in the world, with 62 out of every 1,000 taxpayers having a net worth of over one million US dollars. This equates to around 810,000 people, or one in every 15 people.

While the whole of Switzerland is attractive to the super-rich, the Cantons of Zug and Schwyz have the most millionaires per capita. In Canton Zug, one in eight people are millionaires. The appeal of these cantons can be attributed to a combination of stunning mountain views and low taxes. Canton Nidwalden, which now has the lowest business tax rates in the world, has also seen a surge in its millionaire population.

Zurich is the Swiss canton with the most millionaires in total, but due to its larger population, it has only 92 millionaires per 1,000 taxpayers. The French-speaking canton with the most millionaires is Geneva, with 62 per 1,000.

Switzerland's proportion of millionaires has been steadily increasing since the 1960s, when there were only 11 millionaires per 1,000.

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