COUNTRY INFORMATION  
Countries | SWITZERLAND


Switzerland located in central Europe, east of France, north of Italy. The Helvetic Confederation, is an attractive country made up 23 cantons. Many contrasts - even paradoxes - stem from the diversity of its inhabitants, languages and religions.

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.

The country is a small European country known for its beautiful, snow-capped mountains and freedom-loving people. The Alps and the Jura Mountains cover more than half of Switzerland.
But most of the Swiss people live on a plateau that extends across the middle of the country between the two mountain ranges. In this region are most of Switzerland's industries and its richest farmlands. Switzerland's capital, Bern, and largest city, Zurich, are also there.

Major Tourist Cities / Areas Information:
  Geneva
  Lucerne
  Zürich
   
   

 

 
Major Tourist Cities/Areas Information
Visa Requirement
 
SWITZERLAND Map

Country Fact*:

Full country name: Swiss Confederation
Area: 41,290 sq km
Population: 7,450,867
Capital city: Bern (pop 130,000)
People: German 65%, French 18%, Italian 10%, Romansch 1%, other 6%
Language: German (official) 63.7%, French (official) 19.2%, Italian (official) 7.6%, Romansch (official) 0.6%, other 8.9%
Religion: Roman Catholic 46.1%, Protestant 40%, other 5%, none 8.9%
Government: Federal republic
Business Hours: Offices open Monday to Friday 8.00-12.00 and 13.30-17.00, Banks open Monday to Friday 8.30-16.30 (Money exchange at any airport and larger railway station daily until 22.00) , shops open Monday to Friday 8.00-12.15 and 13.30-18.30 In larger cities also during lunch hours, but Monday morning often closed Saturday 8.30-16.00 At main stations, e.g. Zurich "Shopville" most shops are open until 22.00, and Post Offices open Monday to Friday 7.30-12.00 and 13.45-18.30 Saturday until 11.00
Major industries: Banking, insurance, pharmaceuticals, chemicals & precision instruments, tourism
Major trading partners: EU (esp. Germany, France, Italy, UK), US, Japan
Internet domain: .ch
Internatinal dialling code: +41

Calendar of Events*:
January:
1st - New Year's Day
2nd - Barzelistag
March/April:
Good Friday and Easter Day
May:
9th - Ascension Day
20th - Whit Monday
August:
1st - Swiss National Day
December:
25th - Christmas Day
*Information is subject to change. For Further update, please check these websites: www.bbc.com, www.cia.gov, www.earthcalendar.net