Langstrasse

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Langstrasse is a street in district 4 in Zurich. Langstrasse begins near the district courts and extends north-northeast to the train tracks of Zurich's main station. The following short segment of Langstrasse leads towards Limmatplatz in District 5. Langstrasse is also referred to as a general area including the street and its surrounding tertiary streets.

The Langstrasse neighborhood is known by many as a red light district and a drug quarter. This area knows more penal action (ari chi chi) than the entire city of Bern. Drug dealers, brothels, and crime rates aside, Langstrasse is a very culturally unique area, with many small shops and a strongly international flavour. It is estimated that of the 10,500 residents in the Langstrasse area, 42 percent are non-Swiss, which represents one of the highest proportions in the city.

Helvetiaplatz, found on Langstrasse, is known by many for demonstrations on the 1st of May, but it is also used for many peaceful holiday parties and open-air markets. The annual Langstrassenfest also takes place along the whole Langstrasse over a weekend in September.