The city of Bern is politically important. Why?
Die Stadt Bern ist politisch wichtig. Warum?
Correct answer: B
- A It is the seat of FIFA.Sie ist Sitz der FIFA.
- B It is the capital of Switzerland.Sie ist die Hauptstadt der Schweiz.
- C It is the seat of the UN (United Nations).Sie ist der Sitz der UNO (Vereinte Nationen).
- D It is the seat of the Council of Europe.Sie ist der Sitz des Europarats.
Why
The Federal Council and Parliament have their seat in Bern, in the Federal Palace. That is why Bern is considered the capital of Switzerland.
Exam answer: «Bern ist die Hauptstadt» (Bern is the capital). More precisely: the Constitution does not name a capital; Bern is officially the «Bundesstadt» (federal city) (Federal Constitution, as of 2026).
Common mistakes
- A: It is the seat of FIFA.
- FIFA has its seat in Zurich, not in Bern.
- C: It is the seat of the UN (United Nations).
- The UN has its European seat in Geneva, not in Bern.
- D: It is the seat of the Council of Europe.
- The Council of Europe has its seat in Strasbourg in France.
Topic
Bern, Zurich and the large cities
The largest city in Switzerland is Zurich. About 450'000 people live there. It is followed by Geneva, Basel, Lausanne and Bern. Zurich is the most important centre for business and banks. The large cities all lie in the Plateau. Basel is on the Rhine on the border with Germany and France, Geneva on Lake Geneva.
- 1Zurich
- 2Geneva
- 3Basel
- 4Lausanne
- 5Bern
- Federal city
Map data: BFS, BAFU, swisstopo
Switzerland at a glance
Size, neighbours and population
Sources
Last checked: September 2026
Question 323 of the official question list of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.