Switzerland area: | 41,290sq km (15,942sq mi) |
population: | 7,258,500 |
capital (population): | Bern (122,484) |
government: | Federal republic |
ethnic groups: | German 64%, French 19%, Italian 8%, Yugoslav 3%, Spanish 2%, Romansch 1% |
languages: | French, German, Italian and Romansch (all official) |
religions: | Christianity (Roman Catholic 46%, Protestant 40%) |
currency: | Swiss franc = 100 centimes |
Small, landlocked republic in central Europe. The Swiss Confederation is a mountainous, landlocked country in central Europe. The
Jura Mountains lie on the
w border with France. The Swiss
Alps make up about 60% of the country. Switzerland's highest peak is Monte Rosa, at 4634m (15,217ft). The plateau contains the cities of
Zürich,
Basel,
Lausanne, and
Bern, and Lakes
Geneva and Constance.
Climate and Vegetation
The climate varies with altitude. The plateau has warm summers and cold, snowy winters.Grassland covers
c.30% of the land and arable land
c.10%. Forests cover
c.32%, and help to reduce the destructiveness of avalanches.
History and Politics
Originally occupied by the Celtic Helvetii, the region was taken by Romans in 58 bc. Ruled by
Franks in the 6th century
ad; it was later divided between Swabia and Burgundy. United within the
Holy Roman Empire, it came under
Habsburg rule in the 13th century. In 1291, the
cantons, Schwyz, Uri, and Unterwalden, united against the Habsburgs. Traditionally led by William
Tell, the Swiss League expanded and defeated the Habsburgs (1386, 1388). In 1499, victory over Emperor
Maximilian I brought partial independence. Defeated by the French in 1515, the Swiss adopted neutrality. The
Reformation caused religious divisions, but the Confederation survived to achieve independence in 1648. The
French Revolutionary Wars led to the overthrow of the oligarchy and the establishment of the Helvetic Republic (1798–1803). In 1815, the Federation was fully re-established. The Congress of
Vienna expanded it to 22 cantons and guaranteed its neutrality. A brief civil war led to the constitution of 1848, turning Switzerland into a federal state. In 1979, Jura became the 23rd canton. A referendum (1986) rejected Swiss membership of the United Nations
(UN) to avoid compromising its neutrality. EU membership was also rejected in 1992. In 1995, the ruling coalition, led by the Christian Democrats, was re-elected. In 1999, Ruth Dreifuss became Switzerland's first woman president. In 2002, Switzerland voted to join the UN.
Economy
Despite lacking natural resources, Switzerland is wealthy and industrialized (2000 GDP per capita, US$28,600). Manufactures include chemicals, electrical equipment, machinery, precision instruments, watches, and textiles. Livestock, notably dairy farming, is the chief agricultural activity. Tourism is important, and Swiss banks attract worldwide investment.
Political map
Physical map
Websites
http://www.gov.ch; http://www.about.ch
