Capital of Switzerland: Bern — Facts & 5-Question Quiz
The capital of Switzerland is Bern. Switzerland sits in Europe, has a population of 8,740,471, and uses the CHF. Official languages include German, French, Italian, Romansh.
Quick facts
- Capital: Bern
- Continent: Europe
- Population: ~8,740,471
- Area: 41,285 km²
- Population density: 212 people per km²
- Official languages: German, French, Italian, Romansh
- Currency: CHF
- ISO code: CH
How big is Switzerland?
By population, Switzerland ranks 101st in the world, holding roughly 0.11% of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 132nd.
Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. Switzerland has 212 people per square kilometre, which is about 3.6 times the world average of 59.4. It is more crowded than its size alone would suggest.
Within Europe, Switzerland is the 19th most populous country of 46.
Countries of a similar size
The two countries closest to Switzerland in population are Togo (8,848,699) and Sierra Leone (8,605,718).
By land area, its closest counterparts are Netherlands (41,850 km²) and Denmark (43,094 km²).
Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.
Language and currency
German is spoken officially in 6 countries in this dataset, including Austria, Belgium, Germany, Liechtenstein and Luxembourg.
The CHF is not unique to Switzerland — it is also used by Liechtenstein. Shared currencies usually mark a monetary union or a long-standing peg, and they are a useful shortcut in quizzes: get one country's currency and you often get several.
How to remember Switzerland
Swiss law does not name a capital: Bern is called the 'federal city', and it is the quiz answer. For the flag, think of the Red Cross emblem, which is the Swiss flag with its colours switched.
The flag of Switzerland: red and white
🇨🇭 The flag is a square red flag with a white cross in the centre whose arms do not reach the edges. The origin of the flag is unclear, but a white cross was used to identify Swiss troops at the Battle of Laupen in 1339. It is one of only two square national flags; the other is Vatican City's.
Region and neighbours
Switzerland is a mountainous, landlocked country in Central Europe, divided between the Swiss Alps, the Swiss Plateau and the Jura Mountains. It shares land borders with 5 countries: Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, Italy and France. Switzerland is landlocked, with no coast on the open ocean.
- Germany 🇩🇪 — capital Berlin
- Austria 🇦🇹 — capital Vienna
- Liechtenstein 🇱🇮 — capital Vaduz
- Italy 🇮🇹 — capital Rome
- France 🇫🇷 — capital Paris
Three facts about Switzerland
- Switzerland has four main language regions: German, French, Italian and Romansh.
- The Dufourspitze on Monte Rosa, 4,634 m, is the highest point in Switzerland.
- Switzerland has kept a policy of armed neutrality since the 16th century.
Sources: Wikipedia: Switzerland, Wikipedia: Flag of Switzerland, Wikipedia: Bern, CIA World Factbook.
Quiz yourself on Switzerland
- European capitals quiz — match Switzerland to Bern
- European flags quiz — spot the Switzerland flag among its neighbours
- Landlocked countries quiz — Switzerland has no sea coast
Switzerland capital quiz
What is the capital of Switzerland 🇨🇭?
- Bern
- Skopje
- Budapest
- Ljubljana
Show answer
Bern
What is the capital of Austria 🇦🇹?
- Vatican City
- Sofia
- Vienna
- Nicosia
Show answer
Vienna
What is the capital of Belarus 🇧🇾?
- Sarajevo
- Ljubljana
- Minsk
- Helsinki
Show answer
Minsk
What is the capital of Hungary 🇭🇺?
- Budapest
- Oslo
- Podgorica
- Madrid
Show answer
Budapest
What is the capital of Portugal 🇵🇹?
- Amsterdam
- Andorra la Vella
- Lisbon
- Nicosia
Show answer
Lisbon
Switzerland in Europe
The largest countries by population sharing this continent are Russia, Germany, United Kingdom and France.
If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — Europe is the block Switzerland belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.
Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for Switzerland.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Switzerland?
The capital of Switzerland is Bern.
What is the population of Switzerland?
About 8,740,471, making it the 101st most populous country in the world.
How big is Switzerland?
41,285 square kilometres, ranking 132nd by land area, at a density of 212 people per square kilometre.
What currency does Switzerland use?
The CHF, shared with 1 other country.
What are the colours of the Switzerland flag?
The flag of Switzerland is a square red flag with a white cross in the centre whose arms do not reach the edges. The origin of the flag is unclear, but a white cross was used to identify Swiss troops at the Battle of Laupen in 1339. It is one of only two square national flags; the other is Vatican City's.
Which countries border Switzerland?
Switzerland shares land borders with Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, Italy and France.
How can I remember the capital of Switzerland?
Swiss law does not name a capital: Bern is called the 'federal city', and it is the quiz answer. For the flag, think of the Red Cross emblem, which is the Swiss flag with its colours switched.
More capitals to learn
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