Switzerland Tourism has released 12 lesser or unknown fun facts about the country that may surprise many travellers.

While it may be a little while yet before Australian and New Zealand travellers can explore the Alpine sublime, we’re keeping the dream alive with some fun, lesser known facts about our favourite chocolate producing European nation.

1. The Swiss consume the most chocolate in the world, averaging about 12kg per person per year. Switzerland is also the world’s largest exporter of chocolate, and chocolate indulging experiences abound throughout the country.

2. Albert Einstein developed his Theory of Relativity, E=mc² while living in capital city of Bern. Visitors can still visit his house located in the city centre today.

3. Switzerland is very small, stretching just 350km from east to west, and 200km from north to south. To put things into perspective, all of Switzerland fits between Sydney and Canberra.

4. Switzerland is home to more than 1500 lakes, all located within no more than 15 minutes by train, car or bus from any given spot.

5. In 2007, about 100 armed Swiss soldiers accidentally “invaded” the neighbouring land of Liechtenstein. The soldiers had unknowingly lost their way, and explained as such, eventually giving everyone concerned a good laugh.

6. The World Wide Web has Swiss roots. A British scientist developed it at CERN (the European organisation for Nuclear Research) in Geneva in 1989.

7. Switzerland has the second highest life expectancy in the world. Swiss citizens’ life expectancy is second only to Japan, with an average of 83.60 years of age.

8. Switzerland is one of only two countries in the world to have a square flag. The only other country is Vatican City.

9. There are more banks than dentists in Switzerland. There is an incredible average of one bank for every 1,400 people.

10. The famous Toblerone chocolate bar features the famous Matterhorn in its logo icon. However, this world-renowned chocolate bar is actually made in Bern – the icon for which is the bear, another icon that’s hidden in the Toblerone visual branding. There’s even a hiking trail named after the chocolate.

11. The two-letter abbreviation for Switzerland is CH, which stands for Confoederatio Helvetica. This is the original Latin name of Switzerland.

12. The personal guards of the Pope are all Swiss Citizens who have served in the Swiss military service. Recruited from the Catholic cantons, Swiss guards have been guarding the Pope since the 16^thcentury. Visitors can learn more at the Museum of the Swiss Guard in Brig.

Related: The world’s happiest country is offering to cheer you up by renting out its citizens.