timeline

Switzerland

Foundation era

1291

The Swiss Confederation is formed, marking the foundation of Switzerland as a nation.

The Peace of Westphalia recognizes Switzerland's independence and neutrality in European conflicts.

1648

The precursor to the current Kunsthaus Zurich was founded, marking the early stages of the Swiss art movement for the future.

1787

The modern Swiss federal state is established with a new constitution.

1848

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is started and inspired by Swiss businessman Henry Dunant.

1863

Industrial Renaissance

19th century

Industrialization period, with the expansion of manufacturing and infrastructure.

Founding of Hoffmann-La Roche, marking Switzerland's entry into the global pharmaceutical industry.

1884

Karl Elsener invents the Swiss Army Knife, becoming an iconic Swiss product.

1891

Global Governance Era

1919

Establishment of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva.

Founding of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Geneva

1971

Invention of the World Wide Web by Tim Berners-Lee at CERN in Geneva.

1989

Roche introduced Invirase® (saquinavir), the world’s first HIV protease inhibitor that marked a seminal change in the treatment of HIV infection.

1995

Switzerland becomes home to the headquarters of major multinational corporations such as Nestlé, Novartis, and ABB.

1996

Global Integration

2001

The Jungfrau UNESCO World Heritage Site was designated, acknowledging its global beauty and significance.

Switzerland becomes the 190th member 
of the UN.

2002

Switzerland becomes a member of the Schengen area.
Switzerland co-hosts the UEFA European Football Championship with Austria.

2008

Innovation & Excellence

2014

Nestlé becomes the largest publicly held food company in the world, solifiying its influence across the globe — a position 
it still maintains till today.

Glencore, a Swiss multinational commodity trading and mining company, ranked tenth in the Fortune Global 500. It has held the position of the world's largest commodity trader since 2022.

2015

The Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world's longest and deepest railway tunnel, opens in Switzerland, enhancing connectivity and transportation efficiency in Europe.

2016

Switzerland launches the “Energy Strategy 2050”, aiming to phase out nuclear power and increase renewable energy sources.

Switzerland ratifies the Paris Agreement, committing to halve its emissions from 1990 levels by 2030.

2017

In the 2018 Michelin Guide, Switzerland ranked first worldwide in terms of Michelin-starred restaurants per capita.

2018

Nestlé AG and Lindt & Sprüngli AG rank among the top chocolate companies globally.

Switzerland’s education system is ranked the best in the world according to the WEF World Competitiveness Reports.

2019

Advancement and Prosperity

2020

Switzerland tops the World Happiness Report as the happiest country in the world, reflecting its high quality of life, social support, and economic prosperity.

Switzerland launches the Swiss National 
AI Strategy 2030, outlining plans for fostering AI research, talent development, and ethical guidelines.

2021

Establishment of the Swiss Innovation Park, a network of innovation hubs across Switzerland aimed at promoting collaboration between research institutions, startups, and industry.

Newsweek magazine from New York lists nine Swiss hospitals among the 250 best hospitals in the world.

2022

Continued Development

2022

Givaudan and Firmenich, two Swiss fragrance and flavor companies, collectively held approximately 30% of the global flavors and fragrances market share.

Rolex crowned king of Swiss watch brands in 2023 With 30% retail market share, with sales reaching approximately $11.5 billion USD.

Launch of the Swiss Digital Health Initiative, a collaborative effort between government, industry, and academia to drive innovation in digital health technologies.

Swiss banks continue to be the highest rated globally, with mostly stable outlooks, demonstrating remarkable resilience. Notably, Zurich Cantonal Bank stands among the elite, being one of only five banks in the world with a triple-A rating, according to Fitch Ratings.

2023

Switzerland hosts the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, focusing 
on sustainability and digital transformation.

2024

The Road Ahead

Today

The story of Switzerland, tracing back to its inception in 1291 with the formation of the confederation, is a testament to continuous evolution towards prosperity and success. This success was enhanced and solidified by a system of values that has proven itself to be efficient, as it adapted to all challenges and obstacles faced throughout history.

Switzerland's strategic location at the heart of Europe has played a pivotal role in its success, complemented by the breathtaking natural landscapes preserved by its inhabitants. In our timeline, we have highlighted Switzerland's brilliance. We mirror its precision and quality in our scoped itineraries, reminiscent of the renowned Swiss watches. In line with this commitment, we are dedicated to delivering our services with timeliness and reliability, just as Swiss trains are revered for their punctuality.

EXPERIENCE SWISS BRILLIANCE TODAY!