La Svizzera che sorprende gli americani

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Property of Embassy of Switzerland in Washington, D.C.

Let Switzerland Surprise You! How much do you know, in USA, about

Switzerland? Take this fun quiz and test your knowledge!

1. Who are the architects of the new Swiss Ambassador’s Residence?

A) Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron (Switzerland)

B) Charles-Eduard Jeanneret “Le Corbusier” (Switzerland)

C) Justin Ruessli (Switzerland) and Steven Holl (USA)

2. How many people in the U.S. have Swiss ancestors?

A) 60,000

B) 1 million

C) 190 million

3. How many jobs do Swiss Companies provide in the U.S.?

A) over 500,000

B) 60,000

C) 5,000

4. What makes the Swiss flag unique?

A) The age: it is the oldest flag in the world

B) The solid red background

C) The square shape

5. Which U.S. state introduced the Swiss democracy tools of initiative and referendum first?

A) California, 1912

B) South Dakota, 1898

C) Hawaii, 1969

6. Which products does Switzerland export most?

A) Machinery and Chemicals

B) Watches and Jewelry

C) Cheese and Chocolate

LET SWITZERLAND SURPRISE YOU ANSWERS

1. Who are the architects of the new Swiss Ambassador’s Residence?

A) Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron (Switzerland)

B) Charles-Eduard Jeanneret “Le Corbusier” (Switzerland)

C) Justin Ruessli (Switzerland) and Steven Holl (USA)

Justin Ruessli (Switzerland) and Steven Holl (USA)

Did you know that some of the United States’ most famous bridges are Swiss- designed? Swiss engineer Othmar Ammann designed the George Washington Bridge in New York and another Swiss, Christian Menn, designed the new Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge over Boston Harbor. Menn might soon build another famous bridge: his concept for Buffalo’s new Peace Bridge connecting the U.S. and Canada is the public’s favorite choice.

But Swiss design contributions to the U.S. don’t end with famous bridges. Swiss architect Justin Ruessli and his American partner, Steven Holl, beat out over 50 other teams with their sleek design of the new Residence for the Swiss Ambassador in Washington, DC.

2. How many people in the U.S. have Swiss ancestors?

A) 60,000

B) 1 million

C) 190 million

1 million

What do actress Renée Zellweger, Chevrolet Automobiles and the Amish Community have in common? They all have Swiss roots! Swiss immigrant Louis Chevrolet started the famous car company, Renée Zellweger has a Swiss passport, and Swiss immigrant Jakob Amman founded the Amish Community.

Evidence of the strong Swiss heritage in the U.S. is found all over the country: whether in Sacramento (California), founded by the famous Swiss “General” Sutter, or in Washington DC, where 26 members of the U.S. Congress have created the “Friends of Switzerland Caucus.”

In New Glarus (Wisconsin) the “Swiss Center for North America” will soon provide in-depth information on Swiss-American heritage for the 1 million U.S. inhabitants with Swiss ancestors.

3. How many jobs do Swiss Companies provide in the U.S.?

A) over 500,000

B) 60,000

C) 5,000

over 500,000

Switzerland may be no larger than West Virginia, but it makes a sizable economic impact in the U.S. The Swiss are the 6th largest foreign direct investors in the U.S. More than 700 Swiss companies including giants like Nestle, ABB, UBS, Credit Suisse and Novartis operate in the U.S. employing

550,000 people.

On the other side of the Atlantic, 650 American companies including Google, IBM, and McDonald’s operate in Switzerland benefiting from the highly skilled Swiss workforce, the excellent infrastructure and the high quality of life. Several more U.S. companies have chosen Switzerland as their European headquarters such as General Motors, Procter & Gamble and Hewlett- Packard.

4. What makes the Swiss flag unique?

A) The age: it is the oldest flag in the world

B) The solid red background

C) The square shape

The square shape

Have you ever noticed that the “red cross” for medical care is the inverse of the Swiss flag? By choosing the shape and color of the Swiss flag as its symbol, the International Red Cross paid tribute to its founder, Swiss citizen Henri Dunant, and to its birthplace, Switzerland, known for its military neutrality and commitment to human rights.

The Swiss flag is also very special for another reason, as one can see visiting the United Nations in New York: Among the display of flags of all member countries, the Swiss flag is the only one in a square shape.

5. Which U.S. state introduced the Swiss democracy tools of initiative and referendum first?

A) California, 1912

B) South Dakota, 1898

C) Hawaii, 1969

South Dakota, 1898

Known as “The Sister Republics,” Switzerland and the United States share a strong mutual influence. The U.S. Articles of Confederation were modeled after the old Swiss alliance of thirteen sovereign states. And the Swiss were inspired by the American Constitution when they formed a federal state in 1848.

The Swiss democratic system also invented initiative and referendum, which allow the people the final say in all important government decisions.

In the early 20th century, many U.S. States began to adopt initiative and referendum, following South Dakota’s lead in 1898. Today, over 30 U.S. States use at least one of these Swiss democratic tools.

6. Which products does Switzerland export most?

A) Machinery and Chemicals

B) Watches and Jewelry

C) Cheese and Chocolate

Machinery and Chemicals

The Swiss invented not only milk chocolate and the famous cheese with holes -but Switzerland, with over 30 Nobel laureates- is also the birthplace of many other innovations that have changed our lives, such as the World Wide Web, the microskate scooter, the Swiss Army knife, instant coffee and others.

Swiss companies are not just world leaders in industries like banking (UBS, Credit Suisse), watches (Swatch), or food (Nestle).

Switzerland also made a name for itself in computer accessories (Logitech), pharmaceuticals (Novartis, Serono, Roche, Ciba), engineering and machinery

(ABB), elevators (Schindler) and even coffee machineries (Starbucks-supplier Thermoplan). So while its tastiest products are undoubtedly chocolates and cheese, Switzerland’s greatest exports are in machinery and chemicals.