Cultural Impact #1 of the Alps on Switzerland: Cultural Diversity

A huge cultural impact of the Alps on Switzerland is how they helped shape Switzerland’s unique, diverse identity. Unlike a country that is united over ethnicity or religion, Switzerland has been called a “nation of will”, signifying how Switzerland is made up out of many different types of people (Willensnation). And the Alps played a factor into that. Switzerland is bordered by Germany, France, Italy, Austria, and Liechtenstein, all of which have the Alpine range running through. And Switzerland’s identity has been shaped by these surrounding Alpine countries. According to a study conducted in 2023 by the Swiss Federal Statistics Office, 61% of the population was found to speak German or Swiss German, 23% spoke French, 8% Italian, and 1% Romansh (Federal). And looking into Switzerland's cuisine, it features staples from its neighbours. Foods like cheese and sausages and dishes like polenta all originated from nearby countries but are now famous in Switzerland (Foreign). The Alps helped connect these different cultures together in the melting pot that is Switzerland, leading to a culture that is rich and iconic.