Swiss Stories

CSEM

Switzerland’s key role in space exploration

Science & Education
The applied research company CSEM – the Swiss Centre for Electronics and Microtechnology – has become an important player in the space exploration community by providing highly precise scientific instrumentation for satellites and telescopes.

by John Durham

Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona

The 13 Swiss sites listed as world heritage

Environment
Within the framework of the United Nations Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value, thirteen Swiss sites have been included by UNESCO – nine for their cultural dimension and four for their natural beauty.
Start-up

Swiss start-ups provide competition for WhatsApp, Gmail and Facebook

Economics
Communications security has become a major social issue. In Switzerland some twenty companies have developed comparable software solutions for chatting, messaging and data storage which respect user privacy.
Gotthard base tunnel

The legend of the Gotthard pass

History
Switzerland's geography is extreme to say the least, ranging from the long and winding to the steep and narrow, with the occasional sheer drop thrown in. And to experience it you don't need to cross the Alps on an elephant like Hannibal did. Or at least that's the way the story goes... The Gotthard pass is truly a living legend.
Gottardo pocket knife

A Story of Swiss Precision

Economics
In celebration of the commitment to precision and the achievements that come with it, Victorinox has created the limited edition Gottardo pocket knife. 91 mm long, its blade shows the Gotthard mountain range and marks the tunnel from Erstfeld to Bodio.
Marc Mussler

Young Swiss tattoo artists

Society
Following up on our article on the pioneers who shaped the world of tattooing before the internet age, we now portray the new generation of tattoo artists who continue to make Switzerland a trend-setter in this field.

by Vanessa Hambaryan

paul grueninger

The police commander who saved hundreds of Jews

History
As Jewish refugees attempted to flee from Austria to Switzerland, Paul Grüninger, commander of the St Gallen police, disobeyed orders in order to help them. He would pay dearly for it.