Basel

Basel is the third largest city in Switzerland, after Zurich and Geneva, and is the capital of the canton of Basel-Stadt. It is located at the tri-border area of northwest Switzerland, bordering Alsace in France to the northwest, and the Black Forest mountain range in Germany to the northeast; the Rhine River flows northeast through the city, dividing Basel into two parts, with the larger territory on the western bank known as Greater Basel and the smaller area on the eastern bank as Lesser Basel. The city center of Basel is formed around the Town Hall and the University of Basel, which was established in the 14th century. Narrow streets and alleys, and the bridges built over the Rhine River due to its division, are characteristic of Basel. Apart from trams that carry passengers, there are no motorized vehicles allowed in the city center.