What You Can Learn From License Plates In Switzerland

In Switzerland, license plates are assigned based on experience, thus low number plates usually indicate someone who has been driving a long time (i.e., an old person). Larger cantons (GE, ZH, etc.) have more cars and so the numbers on the plates extend much higher.

Very low numbers (e.g., “GE 3”) usually are assigned to taxis. On government cars have a single letter (instead of the canton): “A” for administration, “M” for military. There are no personalized license plates.

Diplomatic plates are all over Geneva.  They have CD in a blue square on the left of the plate.

Each canton (like a state) has its own abbreviation.  When you are in the parking lot of a ski resort, you are easily able to tell where the other skiers live in Switzerland.  I find looking at them is helpful in learning the coat of arms for each canton.

The abbreviations for the cantons (listed in German, French Italian and English) are:

• AG = Aargau, Argovie, Argovia, Aargau
• AI = Appenzell-Innerrhoden, Appenzell Rhodes-Intérieur, Appenzello Interno, Appenzell Inner Rhodes
• AR = Appenzell-Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Rhodes-Extérieur, Appenzello Externo, Appenzell Outer Rhodes
• BE = Bern, Berne, Berna, Bern
• BL = Basel-Landschaft, Bâle-Campagne, Basilea, Basel
• BS = Basel-Stadt, Bâle-Ville, Basilea Città, Basel City
• FR = Freiburg, Fribourg, Friburgo, Fribourg
• GE = Genf, Genève, Ginevra, Geneva
• GL = Glarus, Glaris, Glarona, Glarus
• GR = Graubünden, Grisons, Grigioni, Grisons
• JU = Jura, Jura, Giura, Jura
• LU = Luzern, Lucerne, Lucerna, Lucerne
• NE = Neuenburg, Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel
• NW = Nidwalden, Nidwald, Nidvaldo, Nidwalden
• OW = Obwalden, Obwald, Obvaldo, Obwalden
• SG = St. Gallen, St-Gall, San Gallo, St. Gall
• SH = Schaffhausen, Schaffhouse, Sciaffusa, Schaffhausen
• SO = Solothurn, Soleure, Soletta, Solothurn
• SZ = Schwyz, Schwytz, Svitto, Schwyz
• TG = Thurgau, Thurgovie, Thurgovia, Thurgau
• TI = Tessin, Tessin, Ticino, Ticino
• UR = Uri, Uri, Uri, Uri
• VD = Waadt, Vaud, Vaud, Vaud
• VS = Wallis, Valais, Vallese, Valais
• ZG = Zug, Zoug, Zugo, Zug
• ZH = Zürich, Zurich, Zurigo, Zurich

Often, you see EU (European Union) plates in Geneva.  It’s understandable given our proximity to France.  Sometimes, you even see foreign plates.

I once saw US plates while I was riding on the bus.  Sorry, I couldn’t get a photo.

 

The Swiss Guard

The Papal Swiss Guard is actually Swiss.  They are mostly from Zurich, Luzern and St. Gallen.  The Swiss Guard has been responsible for the Pope‘s security and the protection of the Vatican for around 500 years.  Back then, Switzerland was a poor country whose citizens worked as mercenaries all over Europe as there weren’t sufficient jobs at home.

The Papal Swiss Guard’s first and deadliest engagement was on May 6, 1527 fighting the forces of Charles V during the sack of Rome.  Their efforts enabled Pope Clement VII to escape the Vatican.

To be a Papal Swiss Guard, you must:

• Be Swiss
• Be Catholic
• Be a man (they aren’t opening it up to women anytime soon)
• Be at least 185 cm (5 ft 8.5 inches) tall
• Be between 17 and 30
• Have a high school diploma or professional degree
• Have completed basic training in the Swiss army
• Apply
• As you can see from the first photo above, you must also be able to rock a uniform