Switzerland
Geography
Switzerland is a small mountainous country located in central Europe. This
landlocked country is about the size of New Jersey and is between France and
Italy. It is also bordered by Austria, Germany, and Liechtenstein.
Most of the population lives in the plateau which is between the high Alps in
the south and the Jura mountains in the north. The mountainous area in the south
is sparsely populated.
Nature
The Swiss Alps are high, snow-covered mountains most of which are over
13,000 feet (4,000 meters). The most famous peak is the Matterhorn which
is 14,692 feet (4,478 meters) tall, but the highest peak is Dufourspitze at
15,203 feet (4,634 meters).
Scientists are concerned that glaciers in the Swiss Alps have lost a lot of ice
coverage in the past 40 years. This may be related to global climate change.
Rapid melting of the glaciers could cause flooding to the villages below.
History
Switzerland was formed in 1291 as a union of three states and became
an independent country in 1815. The constitution, adopted in 1848, does not
allow for troops to be sent to serve in foreign wars. The country has remained
neutral in conflicts around the world, including both world wars.
Switzerland did not become a member of the United Nations until 2002, and is not
a member of the European Union.
People and Culture
Switzerland is one of the world’s wealthiest countries.
The Swiss are well known for their watches and clocks.There is not a single official language in Switzerland. People speak one of
several languages, including Swiss German, French, and Italian.
Government
The country is made up of 26 cantons or states, which form the
confederation. The leader of the government is the president. Both the president
and vice president are elected by the Federal Assembly from the Federal Council.
They serve a one-year term. Elections are usually held in December.Representatives of the cantons are elected to the assembly for four-year terms. Fast Facts
Official Name: The Swiss Confederation
Population: 7,446,000
Capital: Bern
Area: 41,284 square kilometers (15,940 square miles)
Language: German, French, Italian, Romansh
Currency: Swiss franc
Switzerland is a small mountainous country located in central Europe. This
landlocked country is about the size of New Jersey and is between France and
Italy. It is also bordered by Austria, Germany, and Liechtenstein.
Most of the population lives in the plateau which is between the high Alps in
the south and the Jura mountains in the north. The mountainous area in the south
is sparsely populated.
Nature
The Swiss Alps are high, snow-covered mountains most of which are over
13,000 feet (4,000 meters). The most famous peak is the Matterhorn which
is 14,692 feet (4,478 meters) tall, but the highest peak is Dufourspitze at
15,203 feet (4,634 meters).
Scientists are concerned that glaciers in the Swiss Alps have lost a lot of ice
coverage in the past 40 years. This may be related to global climate change.
Rapid melting of the glaciers could cause flooding to the villages below.
History
Switzerland was formed in 1291 as a union of three states and became
an independent country in 1815. The constitution, adopted in 1848, does not
allow for troops to be sent to serve in foreign wars. The country has remained
neutral in conflicts around the world, including both world wars.
Switzerland did not become a member of the United Nations until 2002, and is not
a member of the European Union.
People and Culture
Switzerland is one of the world’s wealthiest countries.
The Swiss are well known for their watches and clocks.There is not a single official language in Switzerland. People speak one of
several languages, including Swiss German, French, and Italian.
Government
The country is made up of 26 cantons or states, which form the
confederation. The leader of the government is the president. Both the president
and vice president are elected by the Federal Assembly from the Federal Council.
They serve a one-year term. Elections are usually held in December.Representatives of the cantons are elected to the assembly for four-year terms. Fast Facts
Official Name: The Swiss Confederation
Population: 7,446,000
Capital: Bern
Area: 41,284 square kilometers (15,940 square miles)
Language: German, French, Italian, Romansh
Currency: Swiss franc