WELCOME TO
ZURICH AND ETH
IN SWITZERLAND

The city of Zurich and the ETH Zurich are happy to welcome you to the International Chemistry Olympiad which will take place from July 16 to 25, 2023.

We can't wait to welcome you at ETH Zurich

D-CHAB has a long tradition of research excellence, recognized by several Nobel prizes.

PREPARE YOUR TRIP

Travel Responsibly

900 people traveling to Zurich will also cause a substantial impact on the CO2 emissions of IChO 2023. For delegations that need to fly in, ETH Zurich gives some advice on how to reduce your emissions when flying (like flying Economy or preferring direct flights).

Additionally, remember the new Remote Translator option enables you to reduce the size of your delegation. Also, we encourage European delegations to check the many available train and bus connections. Switzerland has direct night train connections to Croatia, Slovenia, Czechia, Hungary, Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands, as well as great fast train connections in all directions (4 hours to Paris, 7 hours to Rome, 8 hours to London).

Visa Infos

Please be reminded to check on all requirements for your entry to Switzerland and the Schengen Area well in advance. Switzerland is part of Europe's Schengen Visa Area. Citizens of the EU / EFTA only need to bring a valid passport/ID card and do not need a visa for stays shorter than 3 months.

For all other areas and countries, and for current visa information, please contact the Swiss Consulate General located nearest to you as soon as possible.

Please inquire on the detailed needs of your responsible Consulate, as they may differ from country to country.

All information here: https://www.icho2023.ch/visa-information

If needed, contact us: info@icho2023.ch

ABOUT SWITZERLAND

Switzerland is geographically divided among the Swiss Plateau, the Alps and the Jura. The largest cities and economic centers are located, including Zürich, Geneva and Basel.

Switzerland is a federal republic composed of 26 cantons, with federal authorities based in Bern. It has four main linguistic and cultural regions: German, French, Italian and Romansh. Although most Swiss are German-speaking, national identity is rooted in a common historical background, shared values such as federalism and direct democracy, and Alpine symbolism.

Switzerland is one of the world's most developed countries. It has the highest nominal wealth per adult of any country and the eighth-highest gross domestic product per capita. Switzerland ranks first in the Human Development Index since 2021 and performs highly also on several international metrics, including economic competitiveness and democratic governance. Cities such as Zürich, Geneva and Basel rank among the highest in terms of quality of life, albeit with some of the highest costs of living.

ABOUT ZURICH

Zurich is situated in the very heart of Europe and at the foot of the Swiss Alps, and is the ideal base from which to explore Switzerland. Zurich Airport, which has direct connections to 170 destinations all over the world, is just a 10-minute train ride from the centrally located Zurich Main Station.

Zurich unites creative city life and idyllic scenery within the smallest of areas. Art connoisseurs and culture enthusiasts have over 50 museums and more than 100 galleries to choose from, while inquisitive city explorers can discover the striking contrast between the picturesque Old Town and the modern, constantly changing urban quarters. Nature lovers seeking fresh air and green open spaces will delight in the city’s location directly by the lake, in its abundant expanses of forest and parkland, and in its very own mountain, the Uetliberg. In addition, the vibrant nightlife, offering the widest choice of entertainment facilities in Switzerland, is perfectly suited to night owls and the young at heart.

Download a PDF presentation of Zurich right here:

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KEY NUMBERS ABOUT SWITZERLAND & ZURICH

Area
Switzerland: 41285 km2

Zurich: 87.88 km2

Currency
Switzerland: CHF

Zurich: CHF

Population
Switzerland: 8.7 millions

Zurich: 415'000

Languages
Switzerland: German, French, Italian & Romansh

Zurich: German

ABOUT ETH ZURICH

Founded in 1855

ETH Zurich today

One of the world’s leading universities for technology and the natural sciences
Place of study, research, and employment for 30,000 people from over 120 different countries

Reasons for success

Excellent education
Groundbreaking fundamental research
Knowledge transfer that benefits society

Two main locations in Zurich:

Zentrum campus: City campus in the heart of Zurich,
anchored around the historic Main Building built by Gottfried Semper
Hönggerberg campus: Modern campus linking science,
the business world and the public in an exemplary fashion (where IChO will take place)

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