Old Town with Rhine

Basel beats differently is the motto with which Basel wants to draw attention to itself at home and abroad.
Special to Basel, in fact different is its position in the so-called Dreiländereck, the triangle formed by the three countries of Switzerland, Germany, and France. The city is known as an open, many-faceted cultural, educational, and economic metropolis.

Basel is at the heart of Europe, borders directly with France and Germany and is Switzerland’s second-strongest commercial region. As an urban hub at the three-countries triangle, the exhibition city is also internationally attractive for business and provides a unique range of cultural attractions. Around thirty museums are available to visitors, including the Fondation Beyeler and the Tinguely Museum. Basel has a vast selection of accommodation on offer in all categories.
Last but not least, the Basel cuisine is highly valued for its variety of combined French, German and regional cuisine.
Basel is the fourth-largest city in Switzerland. Despite its social dynamism and innovative economic strength, Basel is a lively border town, with a strong traditional base rooted in history which can be experienced not only at its carnival, the Basler Fasnacht. Both its historic townscape and modern architecture are part of Basel's living present.
Basel is the centre of north-western Switzerland, on the border with Germany and France, and located at the very core of central Europe. Identification with their city is exceptionally high not only among the city's population, but also among those who live in the city's suburbs and beyond.

Population of the Canton Basel-Stadt at the end of the year 2006
Basle City: 165'529 inhabitants
Riehen: 20'604 inhabitants
Bettingen: 1'199 inhabitants
Canton Basel-Stadt: 187'332 inhabitants

Basel projects, well beyond central Europe, the image of a progressive, environmentally conscious, international, and integrative cultural, educational, and economic metropolis. It successfully combines such small-town features as clarity and intimacy with the advantages of a city: expansiveness, wide choice, and diversity.

Despite its social dynamism and innovative economic strength, Basle is a lively border town, with a strong traditional base rooted in history which can be experienced not only at its carnival, the Basler Fasnacht. Both its historic townscape and modern architecture are part of Basle's living present.