Zurich Vacation

- Country: Switzerland
- Language: Swiss German
- Currency: Swiss franc (CHF)
- Country Code: +41
- Area code: 044
- Time zone: CET, CEST
- Airport code: ZRHWorld Travel Guide: Zurich Airport Guide (ZRH)
- Romans settled in the area in 15 BCZurich Tourism: History
- City population: 376,815 (2007)Official Site: Population Statistics - Key Figures
- Climate: Transitional Zurich Tourism: Climate
- Best worldwide quality of living: 2006, 2007Mercer: Quality of Living global city rankings - Mercer survey (June 10, 2008) Bloomberg: Zurich, Geneva Have Highest Quality of Living; Baghdad Is Last (April 10, 2006)
- James Joyce buried hereFind a Grave Memorial - James Joyce (1882 - 1941)

Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the country’s commercial and cultural center. Over 30 percent of the population of Zurich are non-Swiss citizens.Statistical Office of Zurich: Zurich Population PDF File The majority of foreigners come from Germany, followed by Kosovo, Albania and Italy. Zürich serves as the headquarters for many financial institutions from around the world and is one of the largest centers of offshore banking. The city has repeatedly been ranked as having the best quality of life in the world.City Mayors: Best Cities
Attractions
1. Botanischer Garten (Botanic Garden): These botanical gardens, which are owned by the University of Zurich, contain 15,000 plant species, including rare plants from New Caledonia and Southwest Africa.Frommers: Zurich Botanical Garden
2. Friedhof Fluntern (Fluntern Cemetery): Visit the grave of James Joyce, the author of Ulysses, who lived in Zurich from 1915 to 1919. Johanna Spiri, who wrote Heidi, is also buried there.Frommers: Fluntern Cemetery
3. Kunsthaus Zürich (Fine Arts Museum): This is one of the best fine arts museums in Europe and one of the most modern. Paintings and sculptures at the museum go back to ancient times, but focus mainly on 19th and 20th centuries.Frommers: Fine Arts Museum
4. St. Peter Kirche (St. Peter's Church): This is the oldest church in Zurich and it has the largest clock face in Europe.Frommers: St. Peter's Church
5. Zoologischer Garten (Zoological Garden): One of the best-known zoos in Europe, it is home to approximately 2,200 animals. It also has an aquarium, an aviary and a man-made rainforest.Frommers: Zoological Garden
6. Zürcher Spielzeugmuseum (Zurich Toy Museum): This museum has over 1,200 antique European toys on display.Frommers: Zurich Toy Museum
7. Grossmünster: According to legend, this cathedral was founded by Charlemagne, whose horse bowed down on the spot marking the graves of three Christian martyrs: Saint Felix, Saint Regula and Saint Exuperantius.Frommers: Grossmünster The third century martyrs were beheaded because they refused to renounce their faith.
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If planning a trip, please see Zurich Hotels, Zurich Restaurants and Zurich Tours.
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