Facts about Switzerland

To minimize the negative consequences of Switzerland's isolation from the rest of Europe, Bern and Brussels signed seven agreements, called bilateral agreements, to further liberalize trade ties.

Switzerland comprises three basic topographical areas: the Swiss Alps, the Swiss plateau or "middleland," and the Jura mountains along the northwest border with France.

Switzerland has traditionally had a very low rate and reputation for crime, though many Swiss are concerned that the crime rates have been slightly increasing with the large influxes of immigrants.

During both World Wars, Switzerland was never invaded.

Switzerland lies at the crossroads of several major European cultures that have heavily influenced the country's languages and culture.

The treaty marked the last time that Switzerland fought in an international conflict.

The east tends to be colder than the west of Switzerland, yet any place high in the mountains can experience a cold spell at any time of the year.

When war broke out between France and other countries, Switzerland found itself being invaded by other outside forces from Austria and Russia.

Switzerland was an important base for espionage by both sides in the conflict, and often mediated communications between the Axis and Allied powers.

Concessions reached their zenith after a crucial rail link through Vichy France was severed in 1942, leaving Switzerland completely surrounded by the Axis.

The culture of Switzerland is influenced by its neighbors and its international sentiment, but over the years a distinctive culture with some regional differences and an independent character has developed.

The German speaking part of Switzerland has seven clubs.

Over the course of the war, Switzerland interned over 300,000 refugees, 104,000 of which were foreign troops, interned according to the Rights and Duties of Neutral Powers outlined in the Hague Conventions.

Switzerland is bordered by Germany, France, Italy, Austria and Liechtenstein.

Switzerland, together with Liechtenstein, has been completely surrounded by the EU since Austria's membership in 1995.

During World War II, detailed invasion plans were drawn up by the Germans, but Switzerland was never attacked.

Switzerland adopted the use of referenda and a federal constitution in 1848.

Within Switzerland there are two enclaves: Bьsingen belongs to Germany, Campione d'Italia belongs to Italy.

Switzerland is divided into 26 cantons, six of which are sometimes referred to as "half-cantons," since they have less representation in the Council of States.

Central Switzerland, as well as the Ticino, is traditionally Catholic.

The German spoken in Switzerland is predominantly a group of dialects collectively known as Swiss German, but written communication and broadcasts typically use Swiss Standard German.

The linguistically isolated Rhaeto-Romanic culture in the eastern mountains of Switzerland is also robust and strives to maintain its very rare linguistic tradition.

The history of Switzerland has been shaped by Etruscans, Rhaetians, Celts, Romans, and Germanic peoples.

Floorball is a new sport in Switzerland that grows every year in popularity.

Switzerland is multilingual—it has three official languages: German, French and Italian, while a fourth national language, Romansh, is official only for communicating with persons of Romansh language.

Switzerland is a member of the European Free Trade Association.

Two clubs are from the French-speaking Switzerland, and two other from the Italian-speaking area.

Both Switzerland and Norway have consistently voted against EU membership, although the votes have been very close.

An unusual number of international institutions have their seats in Switzerland, in part due to its policy of neutrality.

Autumn frequently tends to be the driest season, yet the weather patterns in Switzerland can be highly variable from year to year, and are very difficult to predict.

Switzerland most recently (2006) approved a billion euro supportative investment in the poorer eastern European countries, to enhance cooperation with the EU.

Switzerland was the only country to launch a referendum on the EEA.

Under the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648, European countries recognized Switzerland's independence from the Holy Roman Empire and its neutrality (ancient rйgime).

Switzerland's eco-systems are particularly vulnerable, due to the many delicate valleys separated by high mountains, often forming unique ecologies.

Switzerland's trade was blockaded by both the Allies and by the Axis.

Switzerland is a founding member of the EFTA, but is not a member of the European Economic Area.

The Swiss climate is generally temperate, but can vary greatly between localities, from glacial conditions on the mountain tops to the often pleasant Mediterranean climate at Switzerland's southern tip.

The many international organizations in Switzerland contribute to the Swiss economy and labor market.

A predominant cultural characteristic in Switzerland is responsibility, safety, and respect for the rule of law; people are even hesitant to cross the street unless the walk sign is green.

The treaty also allowed Switzerland to increase its territory, with the admission of the cantons of Valais, Neuchвtel and Geneva.

Banking, tourism, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals are very important industries in Switzerland.

Switzerland is also the home of the successful sailing team Alinghi.

Switzerland, (German: Schweiz, French: Suisse, Italian: Svizzera, Romansh: Svizra), officially Swiss Confederation ("Confoederatio Helvetica" in Latin and when abbreviated: CH), is a landlocked nation of 7.5 million people in Western Europe.

Switzerland was able to remain independent through a combination of military deterrence, economic concessions to Germany, and good fortune, as larger events during the war delayed an invasion.

Switzerland has also been under EU, and sometimes international, pressure to change its policy on bank secrecy and to raise tax rates in compliance with the EU.

Similarly, there are some dialects in the other speaking part of Switzerland, called Swiss French and Ticinese (a dialect of Lombard).

Switzerland is heavily active in recycling and anti-littering bans and is one of the top recyclers in the world, with roughly 98 percent of all recyclable items being recycled.

In 2002, Switzerland became a full member of the United Nations, leaving the Vatican as the last widely recognized state without full UN membership.

The treeline in the mountains of Switzerland has retreated downwards 1000 ft over the years, largely due to herding and grazing pressures.

In 1798, the armies of the French Revolution conquered Switzerland and imposed a new unified constitution.

The World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Report currently ranks Switzerland's economy as the most competitive in the world.

Switzerland lies at the crossroads of several major European cultures that have heavily influenced the country's languages and culture.

Attempts by Switzerland's small Nazi party to bring about an Anschluss with Germany failed miserably.

Christianity is the predominant religion of Switzerland, divided between the Catholic Church (41.8 percent of the population) and various Protestant denominations (40 percent).

Switzerland possesses one of the best road and public transportation networks in the world.