Switzerland Location:
Berne (federal capital)
46°57'N, 7°27'E
Switzerland Geography:
Geography
Area: 41,290 sq km
Capital: Bern (127,000)
Environmental concerns: air pollution from vehicle emissions and open-air burning; acid rain; water pollution from increased use of agricultural fertilizers; loss of biodiversity
Geographical features: mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes
Climate: temperate (varying with altitude) with cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters and cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers
Switzerland People:
People. More than 7.5 million people live in Switzerland. There are three official languages in use: German (64%), French (20%), and Italian (7%). The population is similarly distributed: German (65%), French (18%), Italian (10%), Romansch (1%), and other (6%). Religions practiced in Switzerland include: Roman Catholic (42%), Protestant (35%), Muslim (4%) and other (1%).
Switzerland Government:
Government. The country is officially known as the Swiss Confederation but structurally it is a federal republic. Its capital, Bern, is located in the northwestern part of the country. Switzerland gained its independence on August 1, 1291 and enacted its constitution on May 29, 1874. Switzerland is a federal republic. The president and the vice president are elected by the Federal Assembly from among members of the Federal Council for one-year terms.
Switzerland Communication:
Communication and transportation
5.3 million (2004) main telephone lines in use
4.9 million (2005) Internet users
71,220 km of roadways
4,527 km railroads
65 (2005) airports
3.64 million motor vehicles (2004)
Switzerland Economy:
Economy. Switzerland is a prosperous and stable modern market economy with low unemployment, a highly skilled labor force, and a per capita GDP larger than that of the big western European economies. The Swiss in recent years have brought their economic practices largely into conformity with the EU's to compete internationally. Switzerland remains a safe haven for investors, because it has maintained a degree of bank secrecy and has kept up the franc's long-term external value. Reflecting the anemic economic conditions of Europe, GDP growth dropped in 2001 to about 0.8% and to about 0% in 2002, although unemployment in Switzerland remained at about half that of other European nations. Switzerland's GDP is comprised of: agriculture (2%), industry (34%), and services (64%).
Switzerland More Information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/switzerland | 
