Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. Zurich was founded by the Romans, who in 15 BC called it Turicum. It is located in north-central Switzerland at the north-western tip of Lake Zurich. The official language of Zurich is German but the main spoken language is the local variant of the Alemannic Swiss German dialect. Zurich is a hub for railways, roads, and air traffic. Both Zürich Airport and railway station are the largest and busiest in the country.

Zurich is a leading global city and among the world's largest financial centers despite having a relatively small population.  The city is home to a large number of financial institutions and banking giants. Most of Switzerland's research and development centers are concentrated in Zurich and the low tax rates attract overseas companies to set up their headquarters there.

Many museums and art galleries can be found in the city, including the Swiss National Museum and the Kunsthaus. Schauspielhaus Zurich is one of the most important theatres in the German-speaking world.

Monocle's 2012 "Quality of Life Survey" ranked Zurich first on a list of the top 25 cities in the world "to make a base within". According to several surveys from 2006 to 2008, Zurich was named the city with the best quality of life in the world as well as the wealthiest city in Europe. The Economist Intelligence Unit's Global Liveability Ranking sees Zurich rank among the top ten most liveable cities in the world.