By Kaukab Jhumra Smith
The city of Geneva, with a population of about 186,000, is located 1,200 feet above sea level in Switzerland. Contrary to popular belief, it is not the Swiss capital.
Climate
The climate of Geneva is mild, with temperatures averaging 35 degrees Fahrenheit in winter and 64 degrees Fahrenheit in summer.
Currency
The currency is the Swiss franc (CHF). Each franc has 100 centimes.
Languages
Although French is the official language in Geneva, German and English are spoken widely. Two out of every five people living in Geneva are foreign citizens and you will hear languages from all around the world on the streets.
International Hub
More than 200 permanent missions from around the world and about 300 international organizations are located in Geneva, including the United Nations, the World Health Organization and the International Committee of the Red Cross headquarters.
Heart of Europe
You can travel from Geneva to most major European cities--Barcelona, Frankfurt, London, Milan, Munich, Paris, Rome and Vienna--in less than two hours.
Things to See
Famous city sights include the Jet d'Eau, a water fountain in Lake Geneva that shoots 450 feet into the air, the International Red Crescent and Red Cross Museum, the Palais des Nations, which houses the U.N. in Europe and the Patek Philippe Museum, which showcases fine watches from the 16th century to the present.
Quality of Life
Geneva is consistently named one of the top cities in the world for overall quality of life, according to annual surveys conducted by a major firm, Mercer Human Resource Consulting.
Resources
About the Author:
Kaukab Jhumra Smith is a journalist and media consultant based in the Washington, D.C., area. Her work has appeared in international and national publications since 1995 and earned several chapter awards from the Society of Professional Journalists. She graduated from Brandeis University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and received a Master of Journalism from the University of Maryland, College Park.
