Switzerland is a country of many quirks, and its capital city is one of the trickiest. Most people assume the capital is Zurich (the largest city) or Geneva (the diplomatic hub). However, Switzerland technically does not have a 'capital' defined by its constitution. Instead, Bern is designated as the 'Federal City' (Bundesstadt), serving as the de facto capital where the federal government and parliament are located. This arrangement was a compromise made in 1848 to prevent power from being too concentrated in the larger cities. To this day, the Swiss often correct those who call Bern the 'capital' by emphasizing its status as the 'Federal City.'