Switzerland Profile

General data

Official name: Swiss Confederation
Acronym: CH
Calling code: 41 
Official language: German, French and Italian
Capital: Bern
Major city: Zürich
Currency: Swiss franc (CHF)
Territory: 41,285 km²
Population: 7,701,900 inhabitants
GDP (2009): US$ 494,6 billions
GDP per capita (2009): US$ 67,560.00
UN Human Development Index position (2009): 9th

Geographic location

 

  • Switzerland is located in the heart of the European continent;
  • The Swiss territory has a wide variety of landscapes and climates, even though it has an area of only 41,285 km²,
  • Switzerland is divided into three areas: the Swiss Alps, plateau and the Jura mountains;
  • Switzerland borders Austria, France, Germany, Italy and Liechtenstein;
  • About 100 of all Swiss peaks are close to 4,000m high;
  • The central area of Switzerland, which represents approximately 30% of the whole country, is the region most densely populated;
  • The largest Swiss lake is Lake Geneva or Lake Leman (Lac Léman);
  • The country is divided into 26 cantons, which function as states with their own constitution, legislature, government and court.
 

Major cities

  • Bern

The capital of Switzerland is part of UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. Known for its arched windows, the Zytglogge clock and bears' pit (Bärengraben).
 
  • Zürich

The country's largest city and the economic center of Switzerland. Zürich is considered a Global City and is among the major financial centers in the world.
 
  • Geneva

The main city in the French Switzerland and world capital of diplomacy. Geneva is known for being the most compact metropolis of the world and the "Capital of Peace."
 
  • Lugano

The main city in Italian Switzerland. 
 

Curiosities about Switzerland

 
  • Switzerland is among the richest countries in the world within nominal GDP per capita, which is U.S. $ 67,560.00, being among the richest top 10; 
  • Zürich and Geneva were respectively classified as the second and third best city for quality of life in the world;
  • Switzerland is a neutral country and has not enter into any war (international) since 1815;
  • Switzerland has the second highest life expectancy in Europe (after Sweden);
  • There are 32 peaks above 4,000m high in Switzerland, and the highest of them is Dufourspitze with 4,634m high;
  • The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was founded in 1863 in Geneva, Switzerland, and is still there. The flag of the Red Cross is similar to the Swiss flag with colors reversed;
  • The Swiss people have a long tradition in watchmaking and are leaders in the segment of luxury watches;
  • In Europe, the United Nations (UN), World Health Organization (WHO), World Trade Organization (WTO), the UN Commission for Human Rights (UNCHR), the World Economic Forum (WEF), the Airports Council International (CIA) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) are headquartered in Geneva;
  • With the extension of 4,989km, the railway system of Switzerland is one of the largest in the world;
  • Switzerland has more than 1,500 lakes, and it is believed that a person is never more than 16km of a lake anywhere in the country;
  • The largest waterfall in Europe is the Mürrenbachfall over 400m high;
  • Albert Einstein published the theory of relativity in 1905, while working in a patent office in Bern;
  • Switzerland has the highest consumption of chocolate in the world;
  • Switzerland is a member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
 

Swiss currency: Swiss franc

 
  • Bills
 
 
  • Coins
 
  
Recommended: An informative guide on all aspects of political, economic and social aspects of Switzerland.
www.swissinfo.ch/eng/country_information/country_profile/index.html

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