Swiss Passport

Question 323 of 350 · Size, neighbours and population

The city of Bern is politically important. Why?

Die Stadt Bern ist politisch wichtig. Warum?

Correct answer: B

  1. AIt is the seat of FIFA.Sie ist Sitz der FIFA.
  2. BIt is the capital of Switzerland.Sie ist die Hauptstadt der Schweiz.
  3. CIt is the seat of the UN (United Nations).Sie ist der Sitz der UNO (Vereinte Nationen).
  4. DIt is the seat of the Council of Europe.Sie ist der Sitz des Europarats.

Why

The Federal Council and Parliament have their seat in Bern, in the Federal Palace. That is why Bern is considered the capital of Switzerland.

Common mistakes

A: It is the seat of FIFA.
FIFA has its seat in Zurich, not in Bern.
C: It is the seat of the UN (United Nations).
The UN has its European seat in Geneva, not in Bern.
D: It is the seat of the Council of Europe.
The Council of Europe has its seat in Strasbourg in France.

Topic

Bern, Zurich and the large cities

The largest city in Switzerland is Zurich. About 450'000 people live there. It is followed by Geneva, Basel, Lausanne and Bern. Zurich is the most important centre for business and banks. The large cities all lie in the Plateau. Basel is on the Rhine on the border with Germany and France, Geneva on Lake Geneva.

Switzerland at a glance · Size, neighbours and population

Sources

Official question of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.