Ge 'City of Bears' Bern in Switzerland !

Bern is the capital of Switzerland, a beautiful country in Central Europe. Aare River flows through the old part of the city. Bern name comes from a German word meaning "bear." The bear is the symbol of the city of Bern. Wild animals have been exhibited in the city of Bern for hundreds of years.

The old part of the city of Bern has many buildings dating from the 1100s until the 1700s. One such building is the Cathedral Bern, Gothic-style cathedral was built in the 1400s. This cathedral is famous for its towering steeple. With a height reaching 328 feet (100 meters), is the highest tower in Switzerland. Visitors can merlihat Alps with either of them.

Other important sites in the city of Bern is the remnants of the old city gates. On top of the gate tower there is a clock that was installed in 1530. Some of the figures will be out of the bells every hour. The main government buildings Bern, Parliament House, built in 1902. Inside this building there are pictures and statues depicting important events in the history of Switzerland.

Many people in the city work for the government or the University of Bern. Tourism is also important for the economy of the city. Many factories in Bern making chocolate milk, condensed milk, machinery, and scientific instruments.

Bern began in 1191 as a military post. This place grew into a town and later became an independent region. Bern became part of Switzerland in 1353. From the 1300s until the 1700s, Bern is very strong. However, this power ended when the French invaded the city in 1798. Powers ended in 1803. France became the Swiss capital Bern in 1848. In 1983, UNESCO declared Bern as a World Heritage site because of the many historic buildings there. The city continues to grow in the 21st century.