Zürich (zē' rĭk), a city of Switzerland, capital of the canton of the same name, is at the point where the Limmat issues from the lake of Zürich and unites with its tributary, the Sihl. It is one of the most prosperous manufacturing and commercial towns of Switzerland. Yet the narrow streets and lofty houses of its older quarters give it the appearance of a medieval city. There are many interesting old buildings, the most remarkable being the cathedral erected in the 11th century. The town's library is an extensive one, and numerous museums of natural history and other similar institutions indicate the intelligence and cultivated tastes of the inhabitants. There is a polytechnic school with 935 students and 455 listeners, and the University of Zürich has 133 instructors and 1,412 students. Population 189,088.