On August 1, Switzerland celebrated Confederation Day, its national holiday. On that day, Switzerland commemorates the founding of the Swiss Confederation in 1291.

Traditional observance includes bonfires on the mountains and celebrations in the communities - occasions for patriotic speeches. Modern observance, fostered by the country's tourist offices, include fireworks or even August 1 parades.

If Swiss people in Bulgaria wanted to pick the perfect street for Confederation Day parades, that would undoubtedly be Geneva Street in Sofia.

Situated in western Switzerland, Geneva is the most popular Swiss city and is therefore often mistaken for the country's capital of Bern.

The city of Geneva is inhabited by about 180,000 people, while the Geneva canton's population is about 400,000.

What makes Geneva so popular internationally is the fact that one in three inhabitants is non-Swiss, which makes Geneva a truly international city, with people from each continent and from almost every nationality living in the canton.

In addition, many important international organisations are based there and several multinational companies have their European headquarters in Geneva as well, which accounts for a large number of the city's foreign population.

Switzerland's famed neutrality had a part to play in encouraging international organisations to locate their headquarters in Geneva, which today boasts over 200. The catalyst for choosing Geneva was the decision in 1919 to set up the headquarters of the League of Nations, predecessor of the United Nations, in the city. Although the UN moved to New York in 1945, Geneva has kept its European office in what is the second largest building on the continent. The largest one is believed to be the Palace of Versailles. Other important organisations based in the city are the International Committee of the Red Cross - founded by the Swiss Henri Dunant in 1864 - and the World Health Organisation.

Geneva belongs to la Suisse romande (French-speaking Switzerland). While French is the official language, English, German, Italian and Spanish are widely spoken. English is the official language of most multinational companies and international groups based in Geneva, where nearly 100,000 English speakers are based.

Apart from its cultural and ethnic diversity, the city also offers numerous sightseeing opportunities.

The city is situated at the southwestern end of Lac Leman, generally called Lake Geneva, which is also the country's largest lake, and astride the Rhone River, which bisects the city. Some refer to the north side as the right bank (Rive Droit) and the south as the left bank (Rive Gauche). The city centre is set on both shores, with the main railway station and the suburbs to the north of the river and the Old Town to the south of the river.

The Saint Peter's Cathedral, situated next to the Auditoire, the church in which Calvin taught and John Knox preached and supervised the production of the Geneva Bible, dominates the Old Town.

Built between 1160 and 1289, Saint Peter's cathedral is a combination of Romanesque, Gothic and neo-classical styles. Under the cathedral is one of Europe's largest underground archaeological sites with some fine 14th-century mosaics, while the top of the north tower offers fine views over the old town and lake.

An attraction in the city centre is the Ile Rousseau, a little island in the Rhone River, with a statue of Jean-Jacques Rousseau and a superb view of the port of Geneva.

Geneva is often referred to as the City of Parks. Many of the city's parks are situated on the shores of the lake. They are the Eaux-Vives and La Grance on the left bank. The latter contains the ruins of a Roman villa and a fine rose garden where the annual International Rose Competition is held. On the right bank, visitors can stroll in the Ariana Park.

The English Garden, dating from 1854, is home of the Monument National, a statue of two young women - the `Republic of Geneva' and `Helvetia' - symbolising Geneva's attachment to the Swiss Confederation on September 12, 1814.

The Water Fountain is often called Geneva's Eiffel Tower. The impressive 140m high fountain can be seen at the Geneva harbour.

Interesting events that can be attended until the end of 2002 include the Fetes de Geneve, a festival of street parades, street theatre and fireworks from August 2-11.

The city will host the music and theatre festival Le Batie from August 29 to September 14.

October marks the annual international film festival Cinema Tout Ecran. During October, there will also be the International Fair of Minerals, Fossils and Gems. In November, the city will host the Geneva Fair and the Antiques Fair.