Geneva
- For other uses, see Geneva (disambiguation).
| Genève | ||||||||||
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| Population | 185,526 (2004) | |||||||||
| - Density | 11,698 /km² (30,297 /sq.mi.) | |||||||||
| Area | 15.86 km² (6.1 sq mi) | |||||||||
| Elevation | 375 m (1,230 ft) | |||||||||
| Postal code | 1200 | |||||||||
| SFOS number | 6621 | |||||||||
| Mayor (list) | Patrice Mugny (as of July 2007) | |||||||||
| Demonym | Les Genevois | |||||||||
| Surrounded by (view map) |
Carouge, Chêne-Bougeries, Cologny, Lancy, Grand-Saconnex, Pregny-Chambésy, Vernier, Veyrier | |||||||||
| Website | www.ville-ge.ch | |||||||||
![Genève [zoom] (Switzerland)](/entry/File:Karte_Schweiz.png) ![Genève [zoom]](/entry/File:Red_pog2.svg){kind=small} Genève [zoom] | ||||||||||
Geneva (pronunciation /dʒənivə/; French: Genève /ʒənɛv/, German: Genf ▶ /gɛnf/, Italian: Ginevra /dʒi'neːvra/, Romansh: Genevra) is the second most populous city in Switzerland (after Zürich), and is the most populous city of Romandy (the French-speaking part of Switzerland). It is situated where the Rhône River exits Lake Geneva (French Lac Léman) and is the capital of the Republic and Canton of Geneva. In 2004, the population of the canton was 441,000, that of the commune within the traditional city limits 185,526, and that of the metropolitan area—which extends into neighboring France and the Swiss Canton of Vaud—about 960,000. Geneva is widely regarded as a global city, mainly due to the presence of numerous international organizations, including the headquarters of many of the agencies of the United Nations. A 2006 survey found Geneva to have the second highest quality of living in the world (after Zürich).[1]
See Names of European cities in different languages for a list of the name of this city in other languages.
History
- For the Catholic ecclesiastical history, see Lausanne and Geneva bishopric(s)
Geneva (Genava of Geneva, also Janua and Genua), capital of the Swiss canton of the same name situated where the Rhône issues from the Lake of Geneva (Lacus Lemanus), first appears in history as a border town, fortified against the Celto-Germanic Helvetii, which the Romans took in 120 B.C.E. In A.D. 443 it was taken by Burgundy, and with the latter fell to the Franks in 534. In 888 the town was part of the new Kingdom of Burgundy, and with it was taken over in 1033 by the German Emperor. According to legendary accounts found in the works of Gregorio Leti ("Historia Genevrena," Amsterdam, 1686) and Besson ("Memoires pour l'histoire ecclésiastique des diocèses de Genève, Tantaise, Aoste et Maurienne," Nancy, 1739; new ed. Moutiers, 1871), Geneva was Christianised by Dionysius Areopagita and Paracodus, two of the seventy-two disciples, in the time of Domitian; Dionysius went thence to Paris and Paracodus became the first Bishop of Geneva but the legend is fictitious, as is that which makes St. Lazarus the first Bishop of Geneva, an error arising out of the similarity between the Latin names Genara (Geneva) and Genua (Genoa, in northern Italy). The so-called "Catalogue de St. Pierre," which gives St. Diogenus (Diogenes) as the first Bishop of Geneva, is untrustworthy.
A letter of St. Eucherius to Salvius makes it almost certain that St. Isaac (c. 400) was the first bishop. In 440 St. Salonius appears as Bishop of Geneva; he was a son of St. Eucherius, to whom the latter dedicated his Instructiones'; he took part in the Councils of Orange (441), Vaison (442) and Arles (about 455), and is supposed to be the author of two small commentaries, In parabolas Salomonis and on Ecclesisastis (published in P. L., LII, 967 sqq., 993 sqq. as works of an otherwise unknown bishop, Salonius of Vienne). Little is known about the following Bishops Theoplastus (about 475), to whom St. Sidonius Apollinaris addressed a letter; Dormitianus (before 500), under whom the Burgundian Princess Sedeleuba, a sister of Queen Clotilde, had the remains of the martyr and St. Victor of Soleure transferred to Geneva, where she built a basilica in his honor; St. Maximus (about 512-41), a friend of Avitus, Archbishop of Vienne and Cyprian of Toulon, with whom he was in correspondence (Wawra in "Tubinger Theolog. Quartalschrift," LXXXV, 1905, 576-594). Bishop Pappulus sent the priest Thoribiusas his substitute to the Synod of Orléans (541). Bishop Salonius II is only known from the signatures of the Synods of Lyons (570) and Paris (573) and Bishop Cariatto, installed by King Guntram in 584, was present at the two Synods of Valence and Macon in 585.
From the beginning the bishopric of Geneva was a suffragan of the archbishopric of Vienne. The bishops of Geneva had the status of prince of the Holy Roman Empire since 1154, but had to maintain a long struggle for their independence against the guardians (advocati) of the see, the counts of Geneva and later the counts of Savoy. In 1290 the latter obtained the right of installing the vice-dominus of the diocese, the title of Vidame of Geneva was granted to the family of count François de Candie of Chambery-Le-Vieux a Chatellaine of the Savoy, this official exercised minor jurisdiction in the town in the bishop's. In 1387 Bishop Adhémar Fabry granted the town its great charter, the basis of its communal self-government, which every bishop on his accession was expected to confirm. When the line of the counts of Geneva became extinct in 1394, and the House of Savoy came into possession of their territory, assuming after 1416 the title of Duke, the new dynasty sought by every means to bring the city of Geneva under their power, particularly by elevating members of their own family to the episcopal see. The city protected itself by union with the Swiss Federation (Eidgenossenschaft), uniting itself in 1526 with Berne and Fribourg.
The Reformation plunged Geneva into new entanglements: while Berne favored the introduction of the new teaching and demanded liberty of preaching for the Reformers Guillaume Farel and Antoine Froment, Catholic Fibourg renounced in 1511 its allegiance with Geneva. Calvin went to Geneva in 1536 and began systematically to preach his doctrine there. By his theocratic "Reign of Terror" he succeeded in forcing himself upon Geneva as absolute ruler, and converted the city into a 'Protestant Rome'. As early as 1532 the bishop had been obliged to leave his residence, never to return; in 1536 he fixed his see at Gex, in 1535 at Annecy. The Apostolic zeal and devotion of St. Francis de Sales, who was Bishop of Geneva from 1602 to 1621, restored to Catholicism a large part of the diocese.
Formerly the Diocese of Geneva extended well into Savoy, as far as Mont Cenis and the Great St. Bernard. Nyon, also often erroneously considered a separate diocese, belonged to Geneva. Under Charlemagne Tarantaise was detached from Geneva and became a separate diocese. Before the Reformation the bishops of Geneva ruled over 8 chapters, 423 parishes, 9 abbeys and 68 priories.
In 1802 the diocese was united with that of Chambéry. At the Congress of Vienna (1814-15) the territory of Geneva was extended to cover 15 Savoyard and 6 French parishes, with more than 16,000 Catholics; at the same time it was admitted to the Swiss Confederation. The Congress expressly provided—and the same proviso was included in the Treaty of Turin (16 March, 1816)—that in these territories transferred to Geneva the Catholic religion was to be protected, and that no changes were to he made in existing conditions without agreement with the Holy See. Pius VII in 1819 united the city of Geneva and 20 parishes with the Diocese of Lausanne, while the rest of the ancient Diocese of Geneva (outside of Switzerland) was reconstituted, in 1822, as the French Diocese of Annecy. The Great Council of Geneva (cantonal council) afterwards ignored the responsibilities thus undertaken; in imitation of Napoleon's "Organic Articles," it insisted upon the Placet, or previous approval of publication, for all papal documents. Catholic indignation ran high at the civil measures taken against Marilley, the parish priest of Geneva and later bishop of the see. Still greater indignation was aroused among the Catholics by the injustice created by the Kulturkampf, which obliged them to contribute to the budget of the Protestant Church and to that of the Old Catholic Church, while for their own religious needs they did not receive the smallest pecuniary aid from the public treasury. On 30 June, 1907, most of the Catholics of Geneva voted for the separation of Church and State. By this act of separation they were assured at least a negative equality with the Protestants and Old Catholics. Since then the Canton of Geneva has given aid to no creed out of either the state or the municipal revenues. The Protestants have been favored, for to them a lump compensation of 800,000 Swiss francs (about $160,000 then) was paid at the outset, whereas the Catholics, in spite of the international agreements assuring financial support to their religion—either from the public funds or from other sources—received nothing.
Geography
Geneva is located at 46°12 North, 6°09' East, at the south-western end of Lake Geneva, where the lake flows into the Rhône River. It is surrounded by two mountain chains, the Alps and the Jura.
The city of Geneva has an area of 15.86 km², while the area of the Canton of Geneva is 282 km², including the two small enclaves of Céligny in Vaud. The part of the lake that is attached to Geneva has an area of 38 km² and is sometimes referred to as Petit lac (small lake). The Canton has only a 4.5 km border with the rest of Switzerland; out of a total of 107.5 km of borders, the remaining 103 are shared with France, with the Départment de l'Ain to the North and the Département de la Haute-Savoie to the South.
The altitude of Geneva is 373.6 m, and corresponds to the altitude of the largest of the Pierres du Niton, two large rocks emerging from the lake which date from the last ice age. This rock was chosen by General Guillaume Henri Dufour as the reference point for all surveying in Switzerland.[2] The second main river of Geneva is the Arve River which flows into the Rhône River just west of the city centre.
Climate
In Geneva, the winter is cold and generally a little cloudy. During the winter season, it is possible to go several days without thawing, and a day or two with severe freezes where the thermometer displays -10 °C. When winds starts to blow, the cold feeling is accentuated and sometimes can make fairly harsh conditions. The sun is still relatively rare because it can be masked by stratus clouds or fog. There are several days each month when, if anticyclonic conditions are stable, the clouds may stay for several days. From March, temperatures rise and become almost like summer in late May. However, the rain intensifies and often has a stormy character during the month of May. They may be short but strong, and depositing within a few minutes, several tens of millimeters of rain. Summers are often hot and rather humid, although some may be more changeable, the mornings remain relatively fresh. During the summer season, the rains are less frequent but more intense. This is the season where you will exceptionally get thunderstorms with hail. If the climate of early September is still summer, the weather cools down quickly to become almost winter in November. The morning frosts are then reappearing. Fall is also the season of mists, and the month of October is often the month when there is more fog in the year. The fog can be very intense, restricting vision to less than 100 m in the areas outside the city.
Cityscape
Monuments and landmarks
Geneva is one of the greenest cities in Europe with more than 20 parks in the city center offering countless opportunities for rest and relaxation.
No trip to Geneva is complete without a visit to the European Headquarters of the United Nations. The sprawling complex is accessible only via guided tour, offering unique insight into the inner workings of the world’s most important international body. Highlights include the 2,000 seat Assembly Hall and the Council Chamber decorated with gold murals depicting the human struggle for peace.
Geneva ’s world famous lake front is the centerpiece of the city and offers endless opportunities for recreation and relaxation throughout the year. The Jet d’eau spouting 140 meters into the air is the world’s tallest and symbolizes Geneva’s heritage as a leader in the field of hydraulic power. The Promenades along the left and right banks of the lake are filled with cafes, parks, street markets and other diversions from lake cruises to amusement rides to water skiing. The Bains des Paquis on the western shore has been a crowd favorite since its opening in 1932 and continues to draw visitors and locals alike who flock to its saunas and unique bathing areas to see and be seen along this sunny concrete jetty. Dominating the eastern bank, the giant Flower Clock in the English Garden is a tribute to Geneva’s watch industry, harmonizing Swiss ingenuity with the floral bounties of nature. The dial is composed of some 6,500 flowers and is updated with new arrangements several times per year.
- Rousseau Island
This romantic island, named for the Genevan philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, is a bastion of serenity amidst the turbulent waters of Le Rhone River. The island contains a bird sanctuary and a restaurant with stunning views of the surrounding cityscape.
- Batiment Des Forces Motrices
Built in 1886, the Batiment Des Forces Motrices was Geneva’s first hydro-electric power plant providing the city with water and electricity. Today the massive building serves as a 985 seat opera house overlooking the Rhone River.
- Saint Pierre Cathedral
Towering over the Old Town in the heart of the city, Saint Pierre Cathedral is Geneva’s oldest and most impressive architectural treasure. The Cathedral was began in 1160 and took over 400 years to complete, suffering numerous makeovers and fires throughout the years. The north tower offers incredible panoramic views of the city, while the basement houses an Archaeological Museum chronicling the excavation of artifacts found beneath the Cathedral, some dating back as far as 350 C.E.
- The Old Town
Geneva ’s ancient Old Town is a maze of sloping cobblestone streets and alleyways filled with cafes, boutiques and historical landmarks at every turn. A former Roman marketplace, the Bourg-de-Four is the oldest public square in Geneva and remains a hub of activity surrounded by bistros, terraces, bars and other popular meeting spots. The 15th century Hotel De Ville located along Rue de l’Hotel-de-Ville still serves as the seat of government in Geneva and is the site of many political milestones including the first convening of the Geneva Convention in 1864 and the founding of the League of Nations in 1920. Across the street, the Old Arsenal is a former battery, now home to a 1949 mosaic by Alexandre Cingria depicting Caesar’s arrival in the city 58 B.C.E. Finally, The Treille Promenade on the south side of the Old Town was once an artillery post and today offers beautiful views of the city from atop the towns last remaining rampart wall.
- Russian Church
The unexpected Russian Church pierces the skies near the old town with its flaming gilded cupolas and golden spires, offering a unique contrast to the predominantly French and medieval architecture which dominates the rest of the city. The church was completed in 1866 by Russian expatriates living in Geneva with funding from the sister-in-law to Tsar Alexander 1 st. The Byzantine styled exterior and opulent interior, filled with orthodox icons, is an inspiring treat.
- Reformation Wall
Located in beautiful Bastions Park, this monument commemorates the major events and figures of the Protestant Reformation. Larger than life statues of Guillaume Farel, Jean Calvin, Théodore de Bèze and John Knox dominate the central part of the 100 meter wall, eternally guarding over their “City of Refuge.”
- Place Neuve
Bounded by the Conservatory of Music, the Grand Opera Theater, the Rath Museum and the nearby Victory Concert Hall, the square at Place Neuve represents the pinnacle of high culture in Geneva. A statue of the Swiss General Henri Dufour sits in the center of the square adding to the air of sophistication which permeates the plaza. High class cafes and restaurants are also on hand to cater to the theater crowds.
- Plainpalais Cemetery
A peaceful oasis in the center of the city, the Plainpalais Cemetery is the final resting place of many of Geneva’s most prominent citizens including John Calvin, James Fazy, Augustin de Candolle, Henri Dufour, and Sergio Vieira de Mello, the late UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The cemetery is filled with interesting gravestones dating back to 1482.
- Schtrumpfs Building
Named after the French word for the “Smurfs,” the Schtrumpfs is a modern architectural landmark located in the funky Les Grottes neighborhood behind the train station. The apartment complex was designed by three architects determined to create the most unconventional building possible. The result is a Gaudi-esque amalgamation of colors and styles that has to be seen to be believed.
- The Paquis
Despite its reputation as Geneva’s unofficial red light district, the Paquis in the heart of the right bank is actually Geneva’s most diverse and colorful neighborhood. The area is filled with authentic ethnic restaurants and numerous interesting shops, bars and nightclubs.
- Carouge
Just over L’Arve River, the neighboring town of Carouge is a Mediterranean style hamlet modeled after the city of Nice in France. The former trading town is today commonly referred to as the ‘Greenwich Village of Geneva’ for its many boutiques and studios where artisans and craftsmen of every ilk can be observed plying their trade. The bohemian vibe carries on into the night in Carouges’ many jazz and night clubs.
- Mount Saleve
Looking over the city like a big brother, Mount Saleve sits in Geneva’s backyard just 5km from the city center. A cable car offers quick access to the peak 1,380 meters above sea level, where breathtaking views of the Alps to the west and the Jura mountains to the east await. Day trippers can enjoy a bird’s eye view of the city from a mountain top cafe or head off on one of the many trails criss-crossing the mountain to find their own slice of heaven.
Parks and gardens
Geneva is often referred to as the “city of parks” due to the fact that over one quarter of the city is covered by public parks. Many of the parks were once grand estates that were later dedicated to the city. Most of the parks are situated along the lake with stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
- English Garden
Situated on the left bank near the Jet d’Eau, the English Garden is home to the infamous “flower clock,” the largest of its kind in the world and a symbol of Geneva’s dedication to integration with nature. Several statues of note inhabit the park including the ‘Monument National,’ and a sculpted bronze fountain by Alexis Andre.
- Bastions Park
A former botanical garden and site of the first university in Geneva, tree lined Bastions Park is popular with students and abuzz with activity most hours of the day. A set of life size chess boards at the north end of the park attracts chess masters both young and old looking for a challenge. Finally, Reformation Wall built along the old rampart wall of the Old Town pays tribute to the founders of the Reformation forever immortalized in statue along the wall.
- Parc La Grange
Geneva’s largest park encompassing 12000 square meters along the lake. The park contains the largest rose garden in the city and a horticultural center. The Verdure Theatre on site hosts free concerts every Wednesday and Friday during the summer months.
- Eaux Vives Park
Located just next door to Parc la Grange, Eaux Vives Park is a sloping hillside park topped by an 18th century castle that now serves as a restaurant. The park is also the location of the headquarters of the Geneva Sports Association.
- La Perle-du-Lac and Parc Moynier
The ‘Pearl of Lake’ and adjoining Park Moynier is arguably the most beautiful area in Geneva with clear views of the Mont Blanc and the lake. The parks are flush with flowers with plenty of shady spots to wile away the afternoon. The History of Science Museum, a former estate home, is located in the center of Park Moynier.
- Batie Woods
Covering some 20 hectares, Batie Woods is a refuge of wildlife near the city center. Several hiking trails criss-cross through the park popular with joggers and hikers a like. A small zoo and several terrace restaurants are also located in the park.
Culture
Museums and Galleries
Geneva is home to more than thirty museums and galleries presenting a wide array of cultural and historical offerings. From the ultra modern Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art to the ancient Maison Tavel, Geneva’s museums capture the full spectrum of the city’s history and major cultural influences. Free admission is offered the first Sunday of every month at most city sponsored museums and new exhibits are constantly updated throughout the year.
- International Museum of the Red Cross and Red Crescent
One of the most popular museums in Geneva, the International Museum of the Red Cross and Red Crescent traces the history of the world’s first humanitarian organization from its humble beginnings through modern day. The museum features a multi-media extravaganza that overwhelms the senses and provides access to the latest news and film footage taken straight from today’s headlines.
- Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MAMCO)
MAMCO, located in an old factory building, is a dynamic museum on the cutting edge of modern art in Europe. Supported by a stable of artists from the nearby Centre of Contemporary Art, MAMCO constantly reinvents itself, updating not only its exhibits, but also its interior construction three times per year. The works of Marcel Duchamp, the inspiration for the museum, are on display year round.
- Tavel House
This old Geneva residence was destroyed by fire in 1334, but has since been restored by the city. The house contains artifacts of daily life in Geneva from the Middle Ages through the late 1800’s. The attic contains a scale model of pre-1850’s Geneva when walls still surrounded the city. Medieval graffiti in the basement of the house is a highlight for many visitors.
- Botanical Gardens and Conservatory
Open year round, the Botanical Gardens and Conservatory offers an escape from the winter blues or, in summer, a chance to experience one of the most comprehensive botanic collections in the world. The conservatory contains over 16,000 different plant species and is a working natural refuge dedicated to preservation and the advancement of horticulture. There are many areas to discover on the grounds including a rock garden, an animal park and a garden of scent and touch.
- Natural History Museum of Geneva
The Natural History museum presents an educational look at the world of nature with special emphasis on the ecological history of Switzerland. Included is a life size model menagerie of bears, foxes, alligators, aardvarks and other animals from around the globe, as well as a complete collection of every mineral and plant indigenous to Switzerland. There is a special children’s area for kids and a working lab for visiting scientists.
- Patek Philippe Museum
The Patek Philippe Museum traces the evolution of watch making in Geneva from its humble origins through to its current apogee as the world leader in the industry. The museum presents an evocative collection of timepieces dating back as far as the early 16th century, demonstrating the artistic and engineering prowess of Geneva’s past and present masters. Modern masterpieces from Patek Philippe’s latest collections are also on display as well as music boxes, pistols and other historic bibelots spread over the museum’s four floors.
- Rath Museum
Nicknamed “The Temple of the Muses,” the Rath Museum was the first museum dedicated solely to the fine arts in Geneva in 1826. The building itself is an architectural triumph located at the seat of high culture in Geneva at Place Neuve near the city’s only remaining rampart walls. The Rath is an affiliate of the colossal Art and History Museum and contains classic examples of Swiss art, as well as an ongoing rotation of exhibits from all over Europe.
- International Automobile Museum
With over 400 vehicles on display, the International Automobile Museum is a must for car buffs. The museum houses an eclectic mix of mostly German, French and Italian automobiles ranging from prototypes to race cars to antique classic cars and motorcycles. Also included are separate exhibits for rare engines, wheels, drawings and even a section on “Weapons and Cars.” The museum is the site of the largest annual car show in Europe sponsored each March.
- Barbier-Mueller Museum
The Barbier-Mueller Museum is home to the combined collections of two of Switzerland’s best known collectors: Josef Mueller and Jean Paul Barbier. Throughout their lives, both men traveled the globe in search of art from Antiquity, Africa, Asia and Oceania, bringing forth so called “primitive art” into the main stream. The museum is an archeologists dream with over 7,000 masks, tools, statues, ornaments and other singular articles in the permanent collection and numerous itinerant exhibitions on display throughout the year.
- Marionette Museum
Billed for infants from 4 to 104, this joyous museum contains over 200 marionettes from 25 different countries. The museum hosts seminars on marionette construction and puts on weekly spectacles for children in its own Theatre du Reve. The shows are in French but quickly transcend all language barriers through their lively play.
- Art and History Museum
The largest museum in Geneva, The Art and History Museum is veritable catalog of western culture with over one million pieces in its collection organized in three different wings. The Archeology wing contains relics from ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. The Fine Arts wing houses paintings from the Renaissance onward including works by Van Gogh and Renoir. Finally, the Applied Arts wing features furniture, weapons and other articles of daily life from the Middle Ages.
- Ariana Museum
The Ariana Museum or Swiss Museum of Ceramics and Glass is a unique museum located on the grounds adjoining the United Nations. The museum contains all manner of kiln crafts including stoneware, porcelain, pottery, and glass from Europe, the Middle East and Asia. 20,000 different pieces are on display dating back to the 1300’s. The lovely neo-baroque and neo-classical building compliments every visitor experience.
- Olympic Museum
A short distance away from Geneva by car or bike, the Olympic Museum is a tribute to the history of the Olympic Games and the spirit which they embody. The museum is housed in a modern facility on the shores of Lake Geneva surrounded by panoramic views of the nearby Alps. The museum presents the history of the Games beginning with the ancient Greeks and traces the Games’ evolution through a stunning collection of memorabilia, audiovisual clips and other mementos that takes visitors up through today.
Media
The city's main newspaper is the Tribune de Genève, a daily newspaper founded on 1 February 1879 by James T. Bates, with a readership of about 187,000. Le Courrier, founded in 1868, was originally supported by the Roman Catholic Church, but has been completely independent since 1996. Mainly focused on Geneva, Le Courrier is trying to expand into other cantons in Romandy. Both Le Temps (headquartered in Geneva) and Le Matin are widely read in Geneva, but both journals actually cover the whole of Romandy.
Geneva is covered by the various French language radio networks of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, in particular the Radio Suisse Romande. While these networks cover the whole of Romandy, special programs related to Geneva are sometimes broadcast on some of the local frequencies in the case of special events such as elections. Other local station broadcast from the city, including RadioLac (FM 91.8 MHz), Radio Cité (Non-commercial radio, FM 92.2 MHz), OneFM (FM 107.0 MHz, also broadcast in Vaud), and World Radio Geneva (FM 88.4 MHz), Switzerland's only English-language radio station.
The main television channel covering Geneva is the Télévision Suisse Romande; while its headquarters are located in Geneva, the programs cover the whole of Romandy and are not specific to Geneva. Léman Bleu is a local TV channel, founded in 1996 and distributed by cable.
Entertainment
Theatre
Most theater in Geneva is in French, however there are several companies that stage regular English productions. Many French spectacles are worth a look even if you don’t speak the language for their experiment and avant-garde visual style.
Cinema
Movie going is a favorite activity in Geneva and there are plenty of theaters throughout the city. Most movies are dubbed into French so look for films marked V.O. for “Version Original.” Many cinemas still observe the tradition of a ten minute intermission so it isn't uncommon if the lights go up halfway through.
Restaurants
In Geneva food is serious. With over 1,000 restaurants, the city is the undisputed capital of cuisine in Switzerland. Local specialties include fondue, raclette, lake fish dishes, smoked sausage and a variety of casseroles. As an international city, Geneva also offers visitors the chance to sample food from around the world. Although many of Geneva’s most refined gourmet restaurants are quite pricey and formal, diners can enjoy Geneva’s more relaxed café culture at a reasonable price.
Geneva hotels
As an international center, Geneva is a master of hospitality ready to cater to the highest of tastes to the lowest of budgets. There are over 14,000 beds in the city center ranging from student hostels to luxury five star resorts. Despite having the largest hotel capacity in Switzerland, reservations are recommended as hotels do fill up quickly, especially during the summer months and holidays. Major conferences and city exhibitions during the year may also make finding a room difficult if you don’t plan ahead
Traditions and customs
Since 1818, a particular chestnut tree is used as the official "herald of the spring" in Geneva. The sautier (secretary of the Parliament of the Canton of Geneva) observes the tree and notes the day of arrival of the first bud. While this event has no practical impact, the sautier issues a formal press release and the local newspaper will usually mention the news. In 2007, the first bud appeared on 2 March.
Geneva celebrates Jeune genevois on the first Thursday following a Sunday in September. By local tradition, this commemorates when the news of the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre of Huguenots reached Geneva. The Genevois joke that the federal equivalent holiday, Jeune fédéral, is celebrated two weeks later on account of the rest of the country being a bit slow on the uptake.
Sports
The main sport team in Geneva is Servette FC, a football club founded in 1890 and named after a borough on the right bank of the Rhône River. Servette was the only club to have remained in the top league in Switzerland since its creation in the 1930s; however, in 2005, management problems caused the bankruptcy of the club's parent company, causing the club to be demoted two divisions lower. It is now playing in second division. Geneva is also home of the Genève-Servette Hockey Club, who play in the Swiss Nationalliga A.
Administrative Divisions
The city of Geneva is divided into 8 "quartiers" or districts, often made up of several conglomerated neighborhoods([1]). On the Left Bank (Rive Gauche) these include Jonction, Centre / Plainpalais / Acacias, Eaux-Vives and Champel while the Right Bank includes Saint-Jean / Charmilles, Servette / Petit-Saconnex, Grottes / Saint-Gervais and Paquis / Nations.
Demographics
As of 2005, the population of the Commune (city) of Geneva was 185,028, while 441,000 people lived in the Canton of Geneva; around 960,000 people live in the Geneva urban community, which extends into Vaud Canton and neighboring France.
The population of the Canton is split between 148,500 people originally from Geneva (33.7%), 122,400 Swiss from other cantons (27.6%) and 170,500 foreigners (38.7%), from 180 different countries.</ref> Including people holding multiple citizenship, 54.4% of people living in Geneva hold a foreign passport.
While Geneva is usually considered as a Protestant city, there are now more Roman Catholics (39.5%) than Protestants (17.4%) living in the Canton. 22% of the inhabitants indicate that they are not part of any religion, the rest being shared between Islam (4.4%), Judaism (1.1%), other religions and people who did not respond.
Economy
Geneva's economy is mainly services oriented. The city has an important and old finance sector, which is specialized in private banking (managing assets of about 1 trillion USD) and financing of international trade. It is also an important centre of commodity trade.
Geneva hosts the international headquarters of companies like JT International (JTI), Mediterranean Shipping Company, Serono, SITA, Société Générale de Surveillance and STMicroelectronics. Many other multinational companies like Caterpillar, DuPont, Electronic Arts, Hewlett-Packard, INVISTA, Procter & Gamble and Sun Microsystems have their European headquarters in the city too.
There is a long tradition of watchmaking (Baume et Mercier, Chopard, Franck Muller, Patek Philippe, Rolex, Raymond Weil, Omega, etc.). Two major international producers of flavors and fragrances, Firmenich and Givaudan, have their headquarters and main production facilities in Geneva.
Many people also work in the numerous offices of international organizations located in Geneva (about 24,000 in 2001).
Geneva Motor Show is one of the most important international auto-shows. The show is held at Palexpo, a giant convention center located next to the International Airport
Infrastructure
Transport
The city is served by the Geneva Cointrin International Airport. It is connected to both the Swiss railway network SBB-CFF-FFS, and the French SNCF network, including direct connections to Paris, Marseille and Montpellier by TGV. Geneva is also connected to the motorway systems of both Switzerland (A1 motorway) and France.
Public transport by bus, trolleybus or tram is provided by Transports Publics Genevois (TPG). In addition to an extensive coverage of the city centre, the network covers most of the municipalities of the Canton, with a few lines extending into France. Public transport by boat is provided by the Mouettes Genevoises, which link the two banks of the lake within the city, and by the Compagnie Générale de Navigation sur le lac Léman (CGN) which serves more distant destinations such as Nyon, Yvoire, Thonon, Evian, Lausanne and Montreux using both modern diesel vessels and vintage paddle steamers.
Trains operated by SBB-CFF-FFS connect the airport to the main station of Cornavin in a mere six minutes, and carry on to towns such as Nyon, Lausanne, Fribourg, Montreux, Neuchâtel, Berne, Sion, Sierre, etc. Regional train services are being increasingly developed, towards Coppet and Bellegarde. At the city limits, two new stations have been created since 2002: Genève-Sécheron (close to the UN and the Botanical Gardens) and Lancy-Pont-Rouge.
In 2005, work started on the CEVA (Cornavin - Eaux-Vives - Annemasse) project, first planned in 1884, which will connect Cornavin with the Cantonal hospital, the Eaux-Vives station and Annemasse, in France. The link between the main station and the classification yard of La Praille already exists; from there, the line will go mostly underground to the Hospital and the Eaux-Vives, where it will link up to the existing line to France. Support for this project was obtained from all parties in the local parliament. [2]
Taxis in Geneva can be difficult to find, and may need to be booked in advance especially in the early morning or at peak hours. In addition, which may be surprising in a modern country like Switzerland, taxis often refuse to take babies and children.
Utilities
Water, natural gas and electricity are provided to the municipalities of the Canton of Geneva by the state-owned Services Industriels de Genève (or SIG). Most of the drinkable water (80%) is extracted from the lake; the remaining 20% is provided by groundwater originally formed by infiltration from the Arve River. 30% of the Canton's needs in electricity are locally produced, mainly by three hydroelectric dams on the Rhone River (Seujet, Verbois and Chancy-Pougny). In addition, 13% of the electricity produced in the Canton is made from the heat induced by the burning of waste at the waste incineration facility of Les Cheneviers. The remaining needs (57%) are covered by imports from other cantons in Switzerland or other European countries; SIG buys only electricity produced by renewable methods, and in particular does not use electricity produced using nuclear reactors or fossil fuels. Natural gas is available in the City of Geneva, as well as in about two-thirds of the municipalities of the canton, and is imported from western Europe by the Swiss company Gaznat. SIG also provides telecommunication facilities to carriers, service providers and large enterprises. From 2003 to 2005 "Voisin, voisine" a Fibre to the Home pilot project with a Triple play offering was launched to test the end-user market in the Charmilles district.
Education
Geneva is home to the University of Geneva, founded by John Calvin in 1559. Also, the oldest international school in the world is located in Geneva, the International School of Geneva, founded in 1924 along with the League of Nations. Webster University, an accredited American university, has a campus in Geneva.
The city is also home to one of the most prestigious graduate schools of international relations, the Graduate Institute of International Studies. Other international schools include the International School of Geneva and Institut International de Lancy (founded in 1903).
The Geneva School of Diplomacy and International Relations is a private university located on the grounds of the Château de Penthes, an old manor with a park and view of Lac Leman.
The Canton of Geneva's public school system has "écoles primaires" (4-12), "cycles d'orientation" (12-15), and the post-obligatory "collèges" (15-19), the oldest of which is the Collège Calvin. It is housed in the ancient buildings of the University of Geneva, and could be considered one of the oldest public schools in the world. [3]
Geneva also has a wide choice of reputed private schools. (see Geneva Association of Private Schools)
Communities
As the Geneva authorities say, the history of the city is closely related to that of the foreign communities. Ever since the migration of foreigners to Geneva, these communities have found refuge, bringing their know-how, their customs and hope of a new life. They have widely participated in the international influence of Geneva, to its economic prosperity, and also to the spreading of views and of science.
LGBT community
Many other communities or minorities are also very well represented in Geneva, including sexual minorities, with no less than three organizations: Dialogai, a gay organization; Lestime, a lesbian organization; and association 360, an LGBT organization. The Gay International Group (Geneva, Switzerland) is a good resource for gay foreigners, tourists or expatriates. Also, a new LGBT group has debuted within the University of Geneva itself, called "Think Out." This group addresses students and Professors linked directly or indirectly with the matter of sexual diversity.
Religious communities
There are quite many communities in Geneva. Religious communities are very diverse. Even if Geneva is supposed to be the Protestant Rome, many religions meet in Geneva. The Plymouth Brethren have a thriving assembly there, established since the days of John Nelson Darby. Beside the Protestants, the Catholics have been more and more numerous thanks to immigration from Latin countries. The Jewish community is one of the oldest of Switzerland, and the more recent Muslim community is emerging in this city which respects all communities.
International organizations
Geneva is the seat of the European headquarters of the United Nations and of many other inter-governmental organizations, including:
- The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN)
- The International Civil Defence Organization (ICDO)
- The International Labour Organization (ILO)
- The International Organization for Migration (IOM)
- The International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
- The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)
- The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR)
- The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
- The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
- The World Health Organization (WHO)
- The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
- The World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
- The World Trade Organization (WTO)
Geneva was the seat of the League of Nations between 1919 and the league's dissolution in 1946. It was first housed in the Palais Wilson, and then in the Palais des Nations, which now hosts the United Nations. Numerous international non-governmental organizations have also elected Geneva as their headquarters, including:
- The Aga Khan Foundation
- The Airports Council International
- The Conference of European Churches (CEC)
- The International AIDS Society
- The International Air Transport Association (IATA)
- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
- The International Baccalaureate program
- The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
- The International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
- The International Road Transport Union (IRU)
- The International Union Against Cancer (UICC)
- Mandat International (MI)
- The International Committee of Committees (ICC)
- The UN Watch
- The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
- The World Council of Churches (WCC)
- The World Heart Federation (WHF)
- The World Economic Forum (WEF)
- the World Organization of the Scout Movement
- The World Wide Web Virtual Library
- The International Association for the Study of Insurance Economics (also known as The Geneva Association)
- CARE International[4]
- Youth With A Mission (YWAM)
- The international board of directors for Médecins Sans Frontières
The Geneva Environment Network (GEN) publishes the Geneva Green Guide, and extensive listing of Geneva-based global organizations working on environment and sustainable development. Partnerships for the Planet - Stories from Geneva (by the Swiss Government, WBCSD, UNEP and IUCN) includes stories about how NGOs, business, government and the UN cooperate. By doing so, it attempts to explain why Geneva has been picked by so many NGOs and UN as their headquarter location.
Famous literature involving Geneva
- Belle du Seigneur by Albert Cohen, ISBN 2070404021
- Eleven Minutes by Paulo Coelho
- Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
- Geneva Nights by Clint Borgen, ISBN 0595273017
- Politics and the Arts by Jean-Jacques Rousseau
- Angels and Demons by Dan Brown
- Comic books
- Asterix in Switzerland by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo
- The Calculus Affair by Hergé
- Film and television
- The final part of Krzysztof Kieślowski's film trilogy, Three Colors called Three Colors: Red (1994), is set in Geneva
- The sequence The Ozerov Inheritance (1972) of the television series The Persuaders! is set in Geneva
- In 2005 Academy Award-winning Syriana (2005) Matt Damon plays an energy analyst based in Geneva.
- In the television series Babylon 5, the capital of the Earth Alliance is located in Geneva.
- The final scene of the movie F/X takes place in Geneva as the characters played by Bryan Brown and Brian Dennehy go there to recover a fortune from a bank.
- In the television series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, the original Red, Yellow, and Black Rangers (Jason, Trini, and Zack) were sent to a peace conference in Geneva when their actors left the show mid-season.
- Scenes from Sean Connery's James Bond Film Goldfinger (1964) are set in Geneva
See also
- French language
- Franco-Provençal language
- Calvin Auditory
- Geneva Motor Show
- Lausanne and Geneva bishopric(s)
- List of mayors of Geneva
Notes
- ↑ Mercer Human Resource Consulting World-wide quality of living survey. London, April 10, 2006. Retrieved December 4, 2007.
- ↑ "Height reference for Switzerland". Swisstopo. Retrieved December 4, 2007.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Geneva (municipality) in German, French or Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland.
- Jean de Senarclens, "Geneva: Historic Guide," Editions du Tricorne, 1995. ISBN 2829301447
External links
All links retrieved December 4, 2007
- Official
- Geneva - Welcome to Networld
- Official website of the City of Geneva
- Official website of the Canton of Geneva (French)
- The official Chestnut Tree
- Geneva Palexpo, exhibitions and congresses center, owned by the State of Geneva.
- International Geneva Motor-Show.
- Tourism
- Geneva Tourism
- Geneva public transport
- Geneva Maps and Interactive Blogs for every street of the city
- International Geneva Welcome Centre
- Brief history of Geneva
- Geneva information
- Some pictures
- Organizations
- Geneva Genealogical Society, featuring a genealogical tree of more than 170'000 people (all linked together), a forum, and much more
- Study
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