Claire Ralston, age 12, of Dayton, Ohio, for her question:
WHY IS GENEVA AN INTERNATIONAL CITY?
Geneva is considered to be one of the world's most famous international cities because it is the headquarters of many important world organizations. Geneva is located at the western end of Lake Geneva at the outlet of the Rhone River in Switzerland.
Switzerland's world neutrality prevents the country from participating in political and military alliances. But it does provide an impartial and neutral meeting ground for other countries, and Geneva has become a favorite international meeting place.
The United Nations has its European headquarters and several service divisions in Geneva. These divisions include the Economic Commission of Europe, the European Organization for Nuclear Research and the Commissions on Narcotic Drugs, Traffic in Opium and Human Rights.
Geneva also serves as world headquarters of the International Red Cross, the International Labor Organization, the International Refugee Organization and the World Health Organization.
Until 1946, the League of Nations had its headquarters in Geneva. The League's Palace of Nations has been enlarged to accommodate the new world organizations that have offices there.
France, Great Britain, Russia and the United States held a Big Four conference in Geneva in 1955.
In addition to having an important political role in world politics, Geneva also serves as a theological and cultural center. It was the home of John Calvin after 1536. Calvin founded the College de Geneve in 1559. Today, scholars from many countries study at the University of Geneva.
The city's buildings include the famous Romanesque Cathedral of Saint Peter, the Town Hall and museums of antiquity, fine arts and natural history.
Geneva is an important world banking city and it is also a producer of fine clocks, jewelry and watches. The Swiss watchmaking industry started in Geneva in the 1500s.
Geneva also produces a wide range of aromatic substances and scent bases used in the perfume and soap industries.
Geneva's history goes back to 58 B.C. At that time, a group of Celtic people called the Helvetians lived there, and they were conquered by Roman armies under Julius Caesar.
Until about A.D. 400, Geneva was part of the Roman Empire when the Burgundians gained control. It was incorporated into the Holy Roman Empire in the 1000s.
In the 1500s, Geneva gained fame as the seat of the Reformation under John Calvin, which helped establish Protestantism in Europe. Today a famous landmark in the city is a monument to the Reformation.
The city came under control of the French during the Napoleonic Wars, and became part of the Swiss Confederation after the Congress of Vienna in 1815.