Basel is the third-largest city in Switzerland, situated at the intersection of the French, German, and Swiss borders. Basel is among the oldest of the world’s great cities and one of the most culturally diverse. It is the country’s pharmaceutical, transportation, and cultural centre. Since the Middle Ages, Basel is renowned for influencing other cities around the world. It is famous for its astounding medieval buildings and modern structures that stand side by side to complement each other. Some of the places that make it famous include the amazing ancient buildings, Basel Minster, Marktplatz, Art Museums, Kunstmuseum, Tinguely Museum, and the University of Basel.

Switzerland conducts population and household statistics every year. According to the 2020 statistics, Basel had a population of 174,984. Compared to other cities in Switzerland, Basel is considered to be more diverse. Basel has a diverse religious landscape with residents identifying as Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, and other religions. As one of the most diverse cities in Switzerland, Basel houses over 170,000 residents, who collectively speak various languages, including German, French, Italian, English, and others. The University of Basel is the oldest university in Switzerland and has been a major contributor to the city's reputation as a city of knowledge and innovation.

Basel has always been a commercial city and today enjoys the status of having one of the largest city economies in Switzerland. The city thrives in trade and commerce and has a vibrant culture steeped in commerce. It has a GDP of over CHF 33 billion, which is a significant portion of Switzerland's total GDP. The size of its economy is larger than that of many European cities. The Port of Basel handles a significant amount of cargo every year.

Basel has taken positive steps with its infrastructural plans. The city identifies a range of infrastructure priorities, from new energy, water and sewerage infrastructure, to enhanced digital connectivity and new public transport and road schemes. Some of the investment is provided by the private sector, through the privatized utilities. This has generally worked well in Basel, although businesses are particularly concerned about the lack of capacity in digital infrastructure.