Basel, the third most populous city in Switzerland, is a distinguished cultural
centre, a stunning city, and widely believed to be one of Europe’s supreme old towns.
Switzerland is known for its affluent and robust modern market economy. The country
boasts little unemployment, low inflation, an exceedingly skilled labour force,
and a per capita GDP that is greater than many of its larger Western European neighbours.
Its low unemployment rate, in fact, remains at less than half that of the average
of the EU nations.
The Swiss economy is deemed to be among the world’s most advanced and flourishing.
In addition, the country continues to be a safe refuge for investors, maintaining
a degree of banking confidentiality.
Often cited as “the EU’s closest neighbour,” geographically, culturally and economically,
Switzerland is the European Union’s second trading partner (the U.S. in number one;
China, number two).
Basel, which is located in northern Switzerland on the Rhine River, functions as
an important industrial centre for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, and
is close to the borders of France and Germany.
Basel is the most thriving economic region in Switzerland, the country's second
largest city and the capital of the ‘half-canton’ of Basel-Stadt, which consists
of the city of Basel and two adjacent communities.
Central Location & Superior Transportation Infrastructure
The city has the advantage of an excellent location in terms of the European transportation
network, and is less than five kilometres from Germany and France. Located at the
junction of major highways, Basel links to northern Germany toward Italy and Spain,
and from France to Austria. Frankfurt and Milan are just about three hours away;
Paris is about a five-hour drive.
Basel boasts a long-held reputation for being an instrumental rail hub. The city
possesses three railway stations, and is where the German, French and Swiss Federal
railway networks converge.
The Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg EuroAirport, which is located northwest of the city,
is one of Europe's chief local airports and features regular daily connections to
several major European destinations. The EuroAirport is operated jointly by France
and Switzerland.
Basel also possesses a considerable public transportation system, which serves the
city and the neighbouring suburbs.
The region also has one of Europe's most significant inner harbours, encompassing
the Rhine ports of Kleinhünigen, St. Johann, Birsfelden and Muttenz. In total, the
ports involve an area of 1.3 million square metres and manage close to nine tons
of goods every year.
Business & Economy
Due to a wide variety of reasons, including being a favourable investment environment,
many sizeable and prestigious international businesses have chosen Basel as their
central hub.
The city is also a significant location for the finance industry, with booming banking,
insurance, financial and IT industries and is a key centre for the production of
various goods, including chemicals, machinery, pharmaceuticals, printed materials
and silk textiles.
Basel is one of the key locations for international biotechnology companies, and
also serves as also Switzerland’s centre for the logistics and transport industry.
In addition, life science businesses are of noteworthy importance to the region,
which hosts an abundance of established and start-up firms in this field.
Cultural & Leisure Pleasures
Basel has a longstanding and well-earned reputation as one of Europe’s most eminent
cultural cities. The city boasts numerous museums, galleries, theatres and gardens
and is also famous for its music festivals. In addition, there are endless leisure
activities available to suit all tastes and inclinations.
Have you ever heard of a church that is a museum? The Barfüsserkirche is exactly
that. It is home to the Historical Museum, which contains the Basel Cathedral Treasury
and offers interesting information about the city’s history. The Pharmaceutical
Museum offers insight about the industry that has been – and continues to be - instrumental
to Basel’s wealth, and features one of the world’s biggest pharmacy-related collections.
Among the city’s other abundant museums:
- Augusta Raurica Roman Open-Air Museum
- Beyeler Museum
- Caricature & Cartoon Museum Basel
- Dollhouse Museum
- Kunsthalle Basel Modern and Contemporary Art Museum
- Monteverdi Automuseum
- Music Museum
- Natural History Museum of Basel
- Schaulager Modern and Contemporary Art Museum
- Swiss Architecture Museum
- Tinguely Museum
- Vitra Design Museum
There’s so much to do in the Basel.
In addition to its museums, the city has a lot to offer. Stroll through numerous
galleries. At night, take in the opera at the Basel Theatre. Take a swim in the
Rhine. Visit Solitude Park for some beautiful views, solitude and/or a peaceful
break. Spend some time in Basel’s Botanical Garden, which is the oldest botanical
garden in Northern Europe and is well-known for its expansive assortment of cacti
and orchids.
For sporting enthusiasts, Basel features the widest choices possible. Numerous individual
and team sports are readily available, including water, ball, combative and running
sports, and a long list of easily accessible gyms, health clubs, and sports clubs.
Take your pick of bicycling, ice skating, inline skating, golfing, horseback riding,
paragliding and much, much more.
If shopping is your passion, Basel has plenty to please and impress you, including
designer labels. Shop ‘til you drop everywhere – from local boutiques and old antique
shops to fashionable department stores.
As one avid enthusiast stated, “Basel whets your appetite in the most varied and
delightful ways. What applies to its remarkable cultural heritage also very much
applies to its culinary scene.”
For further information about Basel we recommend that you visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basel
where you will find many useful links and informative articles to prepare you for
your move.
