The beautiful country named 'smartest in Europe' where one third go to university
Switzerland is the continent's intellectual powerhouse.
One beautiful country has been named as the “smartest in Europe” by education experts.
Though its renowned for its gorgeous mountain landscapes, this study has proven that Switzerland is not just a pretty face.
Online tutoring school TutorSpace put 44 European countries to the test, assessing their citizens’ intelligence across 17 different areas and giving them a score out of 100.
Other countries put up a good fight. The Nordic countries swept half of the top-ten spots, whilst the UK ranked tenth with an impressive score of 67.83.
However, it was Switzerland that nabbed the coveted “smartest” title, pulling ahead of the pack with 81.1.
According to the report, this chocolate-and-cheese-producing country is remarkable in the higher education realm, as one third of adults have a university degree.
Switzerland is famous for its scientists, with the tradition of Swiss science stretching back at least 500 years. Home to 30 Nobel Prize winners, the country houses a cutting-edge particle physics research lab, located under the mountains.
Another merit highlighted by the study was Switzerland’s mathematic ability, scoring the highest across Europe, and the near-fourteen year length of its schooling – most of which the Swiss receive for free.
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If moving across the continent is off the cards for you, however, why not settle for a holiday in Switzerland instead? Brainpower isn’t their only strength, and the country is an idyllic place for a weekend break.
Truly an alpine wonderland, Switzerland is famous for its skiing industry, worth up to 10 per cent of GDP in some regions.
Whilst Verbier and Davos might be the most popular ski resorts there, Crans Montana is really the place to go. With slopes for every ability during the winter, and a patchwork of tennis and squash courts, the resort is a picture-perfect luxury destination.
Plus, you can sleep in style inside one of their catered ski chalets, indulge in a cheesy feast at a local tavern, or dine out at a Michelin-star establishment.
For the less sporty tourist, Switzerland’s chalets are nevertheless a haven for a bit of much-needed R&R.
However, if a bustling urban holiday appeals to you, Switzerland is also a fabulous destination. And, as all Swiss cities have a different charm, you’ll find something to suit any taste.
Food lovers should head for Lausanne, dubbed “Lake Geneva’s Gourmet City” by Swiss travel experts. As the moniker suggests, delicious delights are around every corner here, but Durig Chocolatiere is a must-visit, offering rare and local chocolate treats.
Another city worth your time is Zurich, also home to a chocolate haven: the Lindt Chocolate Museum. For more cultured guests, it’s also where you’ll find art galleries as well as museums celebrating the wonderful world of finance. Finally, its Zoological Museum is said to rival the Natural History Museum in London, and houses an astonishing collection of ancient fossils.