Switzerland | Geneva
Geneva is the capital of the Republic and Canton of Geneva, the second-most-populous city in Switzerland. It is situated where the Rhône River exits Lake Geneva.
The Geneva metropolitan area extends partly over Switzerland and partly over France. Geneva is a worldwide centre for diplomacy and international cooperation, and is widely regarded as a global city, mainly because of the presence of numerous international organisations, including the headquarters of many of the agencies of the United Nations and the Red Cross. It is also the place where the Geneva Conventions were signed, which chiefly concern the treatment of wartime non-combatants and prisoners of war.
Geneva houses over 40 public and private museums, as well as numerous art galleries, many of which are related to international organizations such as the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum or the Microcosm in the CERN area. The Palace of Nations, home of the United Nations headquarters can also be visited.
With a myriad of boutiques and department stores, Geneva offers something for everyone. It is the watch capital of the world, a center for exquisite jewelry, and chocolate.
Main attractions include the European headquarters of the United Nations olcated in the Palace of Nations building which was also the headquarters of the former League of Nations, The Lake, Rousseau Island, Schtrumpfs Building and The Paquis.
Annual events include:
- Geneva Motor Show, March
- Bol d'Or Mirabaud, Europe's largest lake sailing race, June
- Fêtes de Genève , August
- L’Escalade, December