Location and Climate
Switzerland is east of France, north of Italy and south of Germany. The Alpes and the Jura Mountains cover half of the country. The Rhine drains to the North Sea and the Rhone to the Mediterranean Sea. The League of Nations had headquarters in Switzerland and many United Nations agencies are located in Geneva, the principal city.
Switzerland's climate is quite varied, due to it's central location in Europe, and the four major air currents that keeps the weather quite unpredictable, except the central plateau which is temperate.
Food and Drink
Chocolate and cheese are well known Swiss products.
Arts
Most literature is written in German. Dadaism, an art movement, started in Switzerland and included Paul Klee, the artist, Alberto Giacometi, the sculptor and Le Corbusier, the architect. Bands and singing groups are common with many local festivals attracting music lovers. Yodeling and playing the alphorn are popular in mountain areas.
History
The historical background of the Suisse definitely wasn't peaceful, as people in general think of Switzerland. The Swiss by using their minds in solving problems, using co-operative means, decentralization and consultation were their major strong points.. At the start of the country's history in 1291, Switzerland had been the most unstable country in Europe.
"Helvetians" who lived in the area, were conquered by the Romans in 58 B.C. Two German tribes had settled the region by 400 A.D. but were defeated by the Franks in the 500’s. Under
Charlemagne the kingdom was powerful but in the 800’s it broke up. By 1200 the Habsburgs were gaining power but the Swiss banded together to fight off any foreign ruler.
The Swiss Confederation was the result of people banding together to keep free around 1300 and not to fall under foreign rule. A policy that was started in the 1500's, to remain neutral during wars, still remains. The confederation of cantons expanded until there were 13 forming an alliance in 1513. There is no army although all men receive military training and serve in the militia.
The Historical Timeline of Events for Switzerland::
Early Civilization
[Paleolithic civilizations 10,000 years ago]
The Romans [58 BC - 400 AD]
The Beginnings of Freedom [400 - 1516]
The Religious Conflicts and Reformation [1516 - 1798]
The Revolution [1798 - 1848]
The Reconciliation
[1848 - 1918]
Neutrality and World War II [1918 - 1945]
Sonderfall Schweiz
or Switzerland as a Special Case [1945 - 2000]
People, Religion, Ethnic background, Language
Twenty percent of the people living in Switzerland are foreign-born. Many are from Italy, with a large group from Germany. French, Italian and German are all official languages of Switzerland. Romansh, related to Latin, is spoken in the mountain valleys of the canton of Graubünden. Roman Catholics predominate in 15 cantons while Protestants form the majority in 11 cantons.
Click here - the religious landscape of the Suisse.
Economics
Lacking in natural resources, the Swiss developed banking services used by people around the world as well as manufacturing of electrical equipment, tools, watches, chemicals, and drugs.
The Swiss have made their ancient customs and folklore a tourist attraction displaying yodeling, folk music, dance and costumes.
Skiing and hiking are sports suited to the mountainous terrain of Switzerland. As a consequence, Switzerland attracts tourists, from all over the world, who come for the skiing, music festivals, and the clean, dry mountain air.
Government
The Swiss have not been at war in 150 years, which accounts for some of their prosperity. Switzerland is a republic with 23 cantons headed by a Federal Council. The president and vice president are elected from this seven member council by members of the Federal Assembly. Women were given the vote in 1971.
Government is shared between the central and "cantonal" or state governments. For many years women could not vote in Switzerland where issues were placed before the electorate in initiatives or referenda.
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