Basel is a major and important Swiss city directly at the border to Germany and France. The University of Basel is Switzerland's oldest (established 1460) and the worthy Erasmus and Paracelsus taught here. Today, with nearly 200'000 citizens, it is especially renowned for its leading international pharmaceutical and chemical cluster.

The presence of these two major entities very much characterises the city today. It is both a university city and a high-tech research and production centre - and often the two work closely together.

Basel is also the stage for some internationally famous events and places: the carnival (Basler Fastnacht/Morgestraich) on a pitch black wintry dawn attracts tens of thousands each year, as does the ATP tennis tournament (Basel is the home of tennis' Nr 1 Roger Federer), or the Tinguely Museum or the major exhibitions. Basel also hosts major open-air rock concerts and has recently enjoyed UEFA prominence with its football club.

The Basel tourist office provides further information.

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