Geneva, situated at the SW tip of Switzerland and isolated geographically from the rest of the country and surrounded on 3 sides by France, is wrapped around the west tip of Lake Geneva (also called Lake Leman) where it feeds into the Rhone River. Geneva is the second-most populous city of Switzerland and is one of the world's major centres of international diplomacy, having served as the site of the initial headquarters of the International Committee of the Red Cross. Geneva is also an important banking centre and a gateway to Switzerland's various ski resorts. Geneva is officially a French-speaking city, although with the large international presence English takes a close second. Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, and Arabic speakers abound and of course you will also occasionally hear German and Italian.


The city sits astride the River Rhône, where it feeds into Lake Geneva, and is set against a dramatic backdrop of mountains. At the lake's south end the most powerful founation in Europe (Jet d'Eau) shoots water 460ft (140m) into the sky from the end of a pier which forms the city's main landmark attraction.

The city also boasts a variety of museums and fine galleries together with a lively cultural calendar. Most notable is the celebration of l'Escalade in December.