United Nations open to visitors

The European base of the United Nations is open for visitors to Switzerland.

It is based in Geneva but from the gates of the Palais des Nations visitors are walking on international land.

The Palais welcomes 20,000 delegates every year and is the workplace of 3,000 civil servants who work towards "peace, security and dignity for all mankind".

Visitors are permitted to enter a number of rooms within the Palais including the Counsel room, decorated with spectacular frescoes and the Assembly Room, which is bigger than the Paris Opera house.

The UN has a number of goals including promoting respect for human rights, the environment, fighting disease and reducing poverty.

It was established following the Second World War, in an effort to help create a platform for negotiations between countries and prevent future conflicts.

There are currently 192 member states of the UN and its headquarters is in New York.