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___ Switzerland |
![]() Lake Biel (Bieler See) in the Jura region in the west of Switzerland, in background the Bernese Alps. Image: kk nationsonline.org |
A virtual guide to Helvetia, how the country was
called in ancient times, but even today the name is still in use. Switzerland is a landlocked mountainous country in South Central Europe, bordered by Austria, France, Germany, Italy, and Liechtenstein. With an area of 41,285 km2, the country is only slightly smaller than the Netherlands or slightly less than twice the size of the US state of New Jersey. Switzerland has a population of 8.3 million people (in 2015), capital city is Bern, largest city is Zürich. Spoken languages are German, French, Italian and Rumantsch, traditionally spoken in the different regions (cantons) of the country. According to the World Happiness Report 2015, the Swiss Confederation is officially the happiest nation on Earth. Geographically the country is divided between the Alpine region of the Swiss Alps in south, the Swiss Plateau with its rolling hills, plains, and large lakes, and the mountainous Jura in northwest. The country is a famous tourist destination for its ski resorts and hiking trails. Banking and finance are key industries, and Swiss watches and chocolate are world renowned. ![]() |
Switzerland | Suisse | Schweiz | Svizzera | Suiza | Svizra |
Country Profile |
Background: In the 13th century, the Gotthard Pass region in the heart of the Alps became negotiable and rapidly developed into an economically important north-south crossing point. As a result, the valleys of Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden at the north foot of the Gotthard massif suddenly became a focal point of European power politics, and this led their inhabitants to found the core of what was to become Switzerland with a pact of mutual assistance. Today Switzerland is a federal state in Central Europe. It is bordered by Germany, to the north, Austria and the Principality of Liechtenstein, to the east, Italy, to the south and France, to the west. Switzerland's independence and neutrality have long been honored by the major European powers and Switzerland was not involved in either of the two World Wars. The political and economic integration of Europe over the past half century, as well as Switzerland's role in many UN and international organizations, may be rendering obsolete the country's concern for neutrality. |
Official Name: Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft (German) Confederation Suisse (French) Confederazione Svizzera (Italian) short form: Suisse, Schweiz, Svizzera int'l long form: Swiss Confederation int'l short form: Switzerland ISO Country Code: ch Time: Time Zone: Central European Time Local Time = UTC +1h Actual Time: Sun-Nov-8 04:18 Daylight Saving Time (DST) March - October (UTC +2) Country Calling Code: +41 Capital City: Bern (Berne) Berne (pop. 123,000) The Municipality of Berne. Major Cities: Basel, Genève (Genf, Genève, Geneva), Luzern, Lausanne, Lugano, Zürich. Government: Type: Federal republic. Independence: The first Swiss Confederation was founded in August 1291 as a defensive alliance among three cantons (Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden, known as Waldst?tte or Urschweiz). The Swiss Confederation established independence from the Holy Roman Empire in 1499. Constitution: 1848; extensively amended in 1874; fully revised in 2000 Federal Charter of 1291 Document of the Federal Charter. National Day (Bundesfeier/fête nationale/festa nazionale): 1. August (Celebrates the Oath of 1291, which is considered the start of the Swiss Confederation). Geography: Location: Central Europe, south of Germany, east of France and north of Italy. Area: 41,285 km2 (15,941 sq. mi.) Terrain: 60% mountains, the remainder hills and plateau. Switzerland straddles the central ranges of the Alps. Climate: From Central European in the north to Mediterranean in the south, varying with altitude and season. People: Nationality: Noun and adjective--Swiss. Population: 8,3 million (2015) GNI per capita PPP: $ 33,168 Ethnic groups: Mixed European--German 65%, French 18%, Italian 10%, Romansch 1%, other. Religions: Roman Catholic 42%, Protestant 33%, Muslim 4.3%, others 5.4%, no religion 11%. Languages: German 63.7%, French 20.4%, Italian 6.5%, Romansch 0.5%, are official languages, other 9.4%. Literacy: 100%. Natural resources: Waterpower, timber, salt. Agricultural Products: Dairy, livestock, grains, fruit and vegetables, potatoes, wine. Industries: Machinery, chemicals, watch-making, textiles, precision instruments. Exports - commodities: machinery, chemicals, metals, watches, agricultural products. Switzerland is the top exporter of Gold, Base Metal Watches, and Precious Metal Watches. Exports partners: Germany 14.2%, USA 10.6%, Hong Kong 8.7%, India 7.3%, China 6.9%, France 6.1%, Italy 5.4%, UK 4.8% (2015) Imports - commodities: machinery, chemicals, vehicles, metals; agricultural products, textiles Imports partners: Germany 20.7%, UK 12.8%, USA 8.1%, Italy 7.8%, France 6.7%, China 5.1% (2015) Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF) |
Political System Swiss politics is played out at three levels, the Confederation, the cantons and the communes. Each has the autonomy to decide on certain matters, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity: a decision is made at a higher level only when it is beyond the powers of the lower level to do so. [1] The Swiss Confederation, is a federal republic made up of 26 cantons (member states). Each canton has its own constitution, legislature (parliament), government and courts. The federal government of Switzerland consists of the legislative power of a bicameral Federal Assembly (parliament) with the National Council (lower house) and the Council of States (upper house). A seven-member executive Federal Council serves as the collective head of the government and the state, the judiciary power is represented by the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland. Official Sites of SwitzerlandNote: External links will open in a new browser window. Confoederatio Helvetica The Federal Authorities of the Swiss Confederation, with access to the Internet Sites of the Parliament, the Chancellery and the federal Departments. The Swiss Parliament Official site of Switzerland's parliament. Swiss Government Online Register of the official Internet sites of the Helvetic Administration and Public Services. www.ch.ch www.ch.ch will guide you to Swiss administrative services at the federal level and in the cantons and communes. Eidgenössisches Departement für auswärtige Angelegenheiten (EDA) Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. Diplomatic Missions Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations The website introduces Switzerland's positions on important UN related issues. Embassy of Switzerland Washington D.C. Swiss Embassies, Consulates and other Missions abroad Address list of Swiss representations worldwide. Foreign Representations in Switzerland Address list of Foreign Representations in Switzerland. Statistics Statistik Schweiz - Bundesamt für Statistik Swiss Statistics. Weather MeteoSwiss Swiss Meteorological Institute. Maps![]() Political Map of Switzerland. ![]() Map showing Switzerland and the surrounding countries with international borders, Canton boundaries, Canton capitals, major cities and towns, expressways, main roads, and major airports. ![]() Searchable map and satellite view of Switzerland. ![]() Searchable map and satellite view of Switzerland's capital city. ![]() Searchable map and satellite view of Geneva. ![]() Searchable map and satellite view of Zurich. ![]() Political Map of Europe. ![]() Lake Geneva (lac Léman) with Swiss Alps in background, view from the Lavaux region in the canton of Vaud. The Lavaux Vineyard Terraces ![]() Image: CalistaZ |
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Switzerland NewsLe Matin National and international news (in French). Neue Zürcher Zeitung A leading Swiss newspaper with an international reputation (in German). ![]() National and international news in 9 languages by swissinfo an enterprise of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC). Tribune de Genève National and international news (in French, has an English corner). Die Weltwoche A well-known Swiss weekly magazine. |
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Arts & CultureVisual Arts Art Brut Dubuffet's collection of "Art Brut". Kunstmuseum Basel Museum for contemporary art. Museum Jean Tinguely Méta-Matics and more. swissart Network Portal for art lovers and art professionals in Switzerland and around the world. Museums International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum History of the world's first humanitarian organisation. Schweizerisches Landesmuseum The Swiss national museum. Technorama An interactive science museum (German). Verkehrshaus The Swiss Museum of Transport and Communication. Museums of Switzerland A guide to Swiss museums (in German, French, and Italian). Literatur Friedrich Dürrenmatt About the Swiss playwright and essayist. Friedrich Dürrenmatt Informationen zu Leben und Werk (in German). Music Montreux Jazz Festival International Festival of Jazz since 1967. music.ch A guide to popular Swiss music. Paléo Festival Biggest open-air music event in Switzerland, includes rock, French chanson, world music, reggae, hip hop, classical music and street theatre. Yello Contemporary Swiss music. Theater Schauspielhaus Zürich One of the most renowned theaters in Switzerland. |
![]() Clock Tower - Bern, the Swiss Capital Image: Daniel Schwen |
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Business & EconomySwitzerland is a prosperous, and modern market economy with low unemployment, a highly skilled labor force, and its GDP per capita is among the highest in the world. The country's economy benefits from a highly developed service sector, led by financial services, and a manufacturing industry that specializes in high-technology, and knowledge-based production.Swiss National Bank Central Bank of Switzerland. The Swiss National Bank conducts Switzerland’s monetary policy as an independent central bank. SWX Swiss Exchange The Swiss Stock Exchange. Die schweizerischen Industrie- und Handelskammern Chambers of commerce and industry of Switzerland. On the website you will find all the relevant details and contact information of the cantonal Chambers of Commerce and Industry that are part of the network. Swiss Products Lindt Swiss chocolate. Nestlé Home of Nescafé. Swiss Alpine Cheese Choose your Switzerland cheese. Swiss Red Cross Henry Dunant's dream come true in 1866, the foundation of the Red Cross in Switzerland. Victorinox The Swiss Army Knive. List of Swiss WatchmakersAudemars Piguet The master of watchmaking since 1875. Ultra-luxury Swiss watches made in Le Brassus. Breitling SA Swiss watchmaker based in Grenchen. Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry All the Swiss watch makers. F.P. Journe Chronometer - Invenit et Fecit. Girard-Perregaux High-end Swiss watch manufacture based in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Longines Luxury watch company based in Saint-Imier. Omega Swiss luxury watchmaker based in Biel/Bienne. Patek Philippe Swiss made timepieces. Rolex Swiss luxury watchmaker based in Geneva. Swatch Modern times Swiss watches for collectors. Swisstime The Wonderful World of Swiss Watches. Tissot Swiss luxury watchmaker. Universal Genève Swiss luxury watch company based in Geneva. __Transportation Airlines Edelweiss Air The leisure airline serves various destinations in the Mediterranean, in the Caribbean, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, and the Maldives. Helvetic Airways Focuses on non-stop flights from Zurich to attractive destinations in Southern Europe. Swiss International Air Lines The Swiss Flag Carrier - its site provides intercontinental flights schedules, time tables, special offers and frequent flyer program. Airports Flughafen Basel Mulhouse EuroAirport is one of the few airports in the world operated jointly by two countries, France and Switzerland. Geneva International Airport Official website of Geneva Cointrin International Airport. Zurich Airport Official website of Switzerland's principal airport. Railroad AlpTransit Gotthard The new Gotthard railway. Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn The Matterhorn Gotthard train runs from Zermatt to G?schenen. Along its way the train overcomes a total of 3300 m difference in altitude. Glacier Express Famous Swiss mountain railways from St.Moritz to Zermatt and the slowest express train in the world. Gornergrat Bahn The Gornergrat Bahn takes you from Zermatt up the 3089 m high Gornergrat. Rhätische Bahn Arosa Railway, Bernina Express and other railways. The Swiss Railway - SBB Swiss Federal Railways. Online Timetable Swiss Railways Timetable and tickets. |
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![]() Bachalpsee (lake) and Schreckhorn mountain (center 4,078 m (13,379 ft)) in the Bernese Alps near the town of Grindelwald in the Canton of Bern. Image: Chnebelh?x Travel and Tour Consumer Information
Destination Switzerland - Travel and Tour GuidesDiscover Switzerland: St. Moritz, Davos, Lausanne, Zermatt, Lugano, Geneva, the Matterhorn, the Swiss cantons. Find hotel, accommodation, attractions, festivals, events, tourist boards, the alps, wellness, health resorts and spas skiing, climbing, tours and much more by following the links below. Switzerland Tourism Information for the travel destination Switzerland. swissworld.org Switzerland's official portal. Comprehensive information about Switzerland in its diversity: geography, economy, science, people, culture, government and history. traveling.ch Commercial Swiss portal with extensive travel and tourism information. Cantons and Regions Graubünden Tourism guide to the largest and easternmost canton of Switzerland. Grindelwald Tourism Travel and tourism in the Grindelwald region. Jura Tourisme Official website of Jura Tourism. Lake Geneva Region The Lake Geneva Region offers Alpine panorama and an almost Mediterranean climate. Montreux-Vevey Tourisme The official tourist guide for the Pearl of the "Swiss Riviera". Neuchâtel Official tourism website of the canton Neuchâtel. Jura & Three-Lakes Official website of Jura & Three-Lakes. Ticino Tourismus Official tourism guide of Ticino canton in the southernmost corner of Switzerland. Thurgau Tourism in the canton at Lake of Constance. Valais Canton Wallis Tourism. Hotels Beau-Rivage Hotels have their anecdotes, grand hotels sometimes a history, but only certain palatial establishments can claim to embody a legend. Swiss Deluxe Hotels Leading hotels in Switzerland. |
![]() Aletsch Glacier Photo: Didier Baertschiger ![]() Lake Thun, the Alpine lake in the Bernese Oberland. © swiss-image.ch/Photo: Stephan Engler |
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Education & ResearchUni Basel The University of Basel (in German). Universität Bern Université de Genéve University of Geneva, founded in 1559. Université de Lausanne Foundation of the Academy in 1537. Universität Zürich University of Zurich, founded in 1833. Science European Laboratory for Particle Physics "Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire" - Some of the experiments of CERN leads to a communication tool called the internet |
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Environment - Environmental organizations SwitzerlandGovernmental OrganizationsFederal Office for the Environment FOEN FOEN is the federal government's centre of environmental expertise. Swisstopo Federal Office of Topography. NGOs Greenpeace Switzerland Swiss section of Greenpeace. Pro Natura - Friends of the Earth Switzerland Pro Natura is a private non-profit organization founded in 1909. It's the largest conservation organization in Switzerland. WWF Schweiz The Swiss section of WWF (in German, French, and Italian.) Nature biosphaere.ch UNESCO Biosphäre Entlebuch. |
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History![]() Outline of the history of Switzerland and links to additional information about Swiss history. Map Map of the Swiss Confederation, 1291-1513 The Origin of the Swiss Flag |
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Searchsear.chSwiss search engine (German). Sources and additional Information on SwitzerlandBBC
Country Profile: Switzerland |
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