What is the capital of Switzerland?

The capital of Switzerland is Bern. More precisely, Bern is Switzerland’s federal city and the seat of its national government.

Switzerland does not officially designate a de jure capital in its constitution, but Bern has performed that role since 1848. The Federal Assembly selected it as the seat of the new federal government after the creation of the modern Swiss federal state. Bern’s central location helped it defeat larger rivals such as Zurich and politically sensitive alternatives such as Lucerne.

The city was founded in the late 12th century, traditionally in 1191 by Berthold V, Duke of Zähringen. It later became a free imperial city and joined the Swiss Confederacy in 1353. Its medieval old town, built around a peninsula enclosed by the Aare River, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Zurich is Switzerland’s largest city and a major financial center, while Geneva hosts many international organizations. Basel is another important economic and cultural center. None of these cities is the country’s federal seat, making Bern the standard answer in geography quizzes.