Geneva

Geneva, known in French as Genève and in German as Genf, is a city and the capital of the canton of Geneva in western Switzerland. It lies at the western end of Lake Geneva (Lac Léman), where the Rhône River exits the lake, near the border with France. The city has about 200,000 residents; the broader metropolitan area accommodates roughly one million people.

Geneva developed as a medieval settlement and grew into a major center of the Protestant Reformation under John Calvin in the 16th century. It became an autonomous republic and later joined the Swiss Confederation as the canton of Geneva in 1815. The city preserves a historic core with the old town around St. Pierre Cathedral and a tradition of diplomacy and humanitarianism.

Geneva is internationally oriented, hosting the United Nations Office at Geneva and many other organizations, including the World Trade Organization, the World Health Organization, the International Labour Organization, and the International Committee of the Red Cross. Its international environment has given it a diversified economy focused on diplomacy, services, finance, and logistics, alongside a prominent watchmaking sector.

Prominent sights include the Jet d'Eau fountain, the St. Pierre Cathedral, the Reformation Wall in Parc des Bastions, and the Palais des Nations. The city center blends medieval streets with modern institutions, and the nearby countryside offers vineyards and lakefront promenades. The University of Geneva is among the leading research universities in the Francophone world, and the area hosts numerous research institutes and museums.

Geneva has a temperate climate with mild summers and cold winters. It is served by Geneva Cointrin International Airport and a tram and rail network that connects with the surrounding region. French is the predominant language, and many residents and institutions operate in multiple languages due to the international character of the city.