2018 World Cup: Check out 15 facts about Switzerland

1. Square Flag

Switzerland is one of two countries in the world to have a square flag, the other being the Vatican. The white cross on the red background was defined as a country symbol in 1848, but was already used to symbolize the canton of Schwytz, one of the regions that make up Switzerland - the difference being that the cross was in the upper right corner of the flag. Another curiosity is that the Red Cross was founded by a Swiss, who used a red cross on a white background to compose his flag.

2. Nuclear War

In the event of a nuclear war, Switzerland has shelter for all its inhabitants - we are talking about over 8 million people! Laws in the country require that underground shelters exist near each building, some of which are disguised as country houses.

3. Explosion in case of invasion

Still predicting a war, Switzerland has 3, 000 points ready to explode at any moment. They are on roads and railways that give access to the country, making it difficult for a possible land invasion.

4. Laws? It depends on the population

If a citizen does not agree with any law sanctioned by Parliament, he has up to 100 days to collect 50, 000 signatures and contest it. In this case, a vote will be taken throughout the Swiss territory to know the opinion of the population.

5. Inventions

Want to know what was already invented there? In addition to the obvious Swiss army knife, there are various things like cellophane, velcro, LSD, absinthe, Helvetica fountain, milk chocolate and potato peeler!

6. Pets in pairs only

If you think about having a puppy or kitten to keep you company, it is important to think about who will keep the pet company. In Switzerland it is prohibited by law to have only one pet, as animal welfare is taken seriously there. To have any animal, it must have a partner. And if one of them dies, you can rent a temporary one until you can fall into the law again.

7. Low Crime

In 2015, Switzerland registered 0.5 murders per 100, 000 inhabitants - approximately 40 deaths in the YEAR ALL! This places the country as one of the lowest crime rates in the world in industrialized countries. For comparative purposes, Brazil recorded 25.8 deaths per 100, 000 inhabitants in 2013.

8. Holy Sundays

Many people leave to do housework on Sundays, but this is prohibited by law in Switzerland. In fact, Sundays are there for rest, being forbidden, for example, to wash the car, extend clothes, mow the lawn and clean the bathroom! Even silence is valued on Sundays, and men can't even pee standing after 10 pm so as not to disturb their neighbor.

9. Larger tunnel

The São Gotardo tunnel, which connects Erstfeld with Bodio, is 57 km long and is the longest in the world! It opened in 2016, breaking the record that belonged to a Japanese building. The Swiss tunnel took 17 years to complete.

10. Women in politics? Not quite ...

Swiss women were not allowed to vote until 1971. And so far, there are very few representatives in the country's parliament, known to be one of the largest models of democracy in the world.

11. Absence of Head of State

Switzerland is governed by a Federal Council, in which 7 people head the federal departments, which would be equivalent to the Brazilian ministries. Each year, one member of this group is elected Chairman of the Board, and there is a rotation of office between each department.

12. Country of foreigners

In 2014, 1 out of every 4 inhabitants of Switzerland did not originate there, making the 25% immigrant rate one of the highest in the world! This caused the population to demand anti-immigration laws to impose limits on foreigners.

13. Marijuana

It is estimated that there are 600, 000 recreational marijuana users in the country. This is one of the highest rates in the world! More than 100 tons of weed is consumed annually, and it was decriminalized in 2013 - in practice, if you are caught with up to 10 grams of marijuana, the most you have to do is pay a fine equivalent to $ 375.

14. Cheese

Swiss cheese is one of the best known in the country, but did you know that over 450 different types of cheese are made there? And they are great! In the last cheese world championship, which featured 2615 varieties from 22 countries, the best one was from Switzerland, of course!

15. Football and World Cup

The Switzerland national team has participated in 11 World Cups since 1934 in Italy. To date, they have never passed the quarter-finals, having fallen at this stage of the tournament in 1934, 1938 and 1954. The best place was in 1950, in the Brazilian Cup, where they were in 6th place. At the 2006 World Cup, she became the first unbeaten side to be eliminated from a World Cup - they lost on penalties to Colombia during the round of 16. Switzerland has also hosted the World Cup in 1954.

In the history of clashes, Brazil and Switzerland have faced each other 8 times, being the only match in World Cups in 1950, with a bitter draw 2-2, in a match that took place in Sao Paulo. In all, there are 3 Brazilian wins, 3 draws and 2 Swiss wins in head-to-head matches.

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