In contrast to the familiar images of cows grazing in the picturesque Alps, Switzerland is a country also known for its technological innovations, in particular in civil engineering.
The nation in the heart of Europe has recently finished work on the Gotthard Base Tunnel, a 57 km railway tunnel and the world's longest after it surpassed the 53.9-km-long Seikan Tunnel in Japan.
Gotthard Base Tunnel through the Alps opened in June and is expected to launch full-fledge operations in December, serving as a key route connecting northern and southern parts of Europe.