What countries border Switzerland?
What is the current weather in Switzerland?
What is Switzerland famous for?
What is the capital of Switzerland?
Capital | Bern |
Government Type | federal republic (formally a confederation) |
Currency | Swiss Franc (CHF) |
Total Area |
15,937 Square Miles 41,277 Square Kilometers |
Location | Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy |
Language | German (official) 63.7%, French (official) 19.2%, Italian (official) 7.6%, Romansch (official) 0.6%, other 8.9% |
GDP - real growth rate | 1% |
GDP - per capita (PPP) | $59,300.00 (USD) |
What is the population of Switzerland?
Ethnic Groups | German 65%, French 18%, Italian 10%, Romansch 1%, other 6% |
Nationality Noun | Swiss (singular and plural) |
Population | 8,403,994 |
Population Growth Rate | 0.85% |
Population in Major Urban Areas | Zurich 1.194 million; BERN (capital) 353,000 |
Urban Population | 73.700000 |
What type of government does Switzerland have?
Executive Branch |
chief of state: President of the Swiss Confederation Viola AMHERD (since 1 January 2024); Vice President Karin KELLER-SUTTER (since 1 January 2024); note - the Federal Council, comprised of 7 federal councillors, constitutes the federal government of Switzerland; council members rotate the 1-year term of federal president head of government: President of the Swiss Confederation Viola AMHERD (since 1 January 2024); Vice President Karin KELLER-SUTTER (since 1 January 2024) cabinet: Federal Council or Bundesrat (in German), Conseil Federal (in French), Consiglio Federale (in Italian) indirectly elected by the Federal Assembly for a 4-year term elections/appointments: president and vice president elected by the Federal Assembly from among members of the Federal Council for a 1-year, non-consecutive term; election last held on 13 December 2023 (next to be held in December 2024) election results: 2023: Viola AMHERD elected president for 2024; Federal Assembly vote - Viola AMHERD (The Center) 158 of 204; Karin Keller-Sutter (FDP.The Liberals) elected vice president for 2024; Federal Assembly vote - 138 of 196 2022: Alain BERSET elected president for 2023; Federal Assembly vote - Alain BERSET (SP) 140 OF 181; Viola AMHERD elected vice president; Federal assembly vote - 207 of 223 |
Suffrage | 18 years of age; universal |
Citizenship |
citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Switzerland dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 12 years including at least 3 of the last 5 years prior to application |
National Holiday | Founding of the Swiss Confederation in 1291; note - since 1 August 1891 celebrated as Swiss National Day |
Constitution |
history: previous 1848, 1874; latest adopted by referendum 18 April 1999, effective 1 January 2000 amendments: proposed by the two houses of the Federal Assembly or by petition of at least one hundred thousand voters (called the "federal popular initiative"); passage of proposals requires majority vote in a referendum; following drafting of an amendment by the Assembly, its passage requires approval by majority vote in a referendum and approval by the majority of cantons; amended many times, last in 2018 |
Independence | 1 August 1291 (founding of the Swiss Confederation) |
What environmental issues does Switzerland have?
Overview | Switzerland covers an area of 15,944 square miles. A quarter of the country consists of glaciers, mountains, and lakes; another quarter is covered by forests. Switzerland has a varied topography from an altitude of 633 feet above sea level in the Ticino Canton to 15,203 feet — the Monte Rosa peak — in the Alps. |
Climate | Because of the varied topography (from an altitude of 633 feet above sea level in the Ticino Canton to 15,203 feet — the Monte Rosa peak — in the Alps), climate and vegetation vary from Mediterranean to arctic. Bern does not have great extremes of hot or cold weather. Rain is common in summer as well as winter, with snowfalls in Bern occurring with more regularity in recent years. Humidity is high during spring and fall. Winter brings some warm spells, and all-day fog and cloudy weather are common. Often a 30-minute drive will get you out of the clouds and into sunshine. The Föhn, a dry south wind that passes over the Alps changing the air pressure, has an enervating and otherwise unpleasant effect on some people. The average high temperature in July is 30°C (86°F), and the average low for that month is 6.1°C (43°F). In February, the thermometer reaches 5.4°C (42°F) and dips to about -10°C (14°F). |
Border Countries | Austria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740 km, Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 334 km |
Environment - Current Issues | air pollution from vehicle emissions and open-air burning; acid rain; water pollution from increased use of agricultural fertilizers; loss of biodiversity |
Environment - International Agreements | party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea |
Terrain | mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes |
How big is the Switzerland economy?
Economic Overview |
Switzerland has one of the most stable and prosperous economies in the world. It is known for its highly skilled workforce, innovation, strong financial sector, and high standard of living. Here are some key aspects of the Swiss economy: Strong and Diverse Economy: Switzerland has a diverse and well-developed economy. Key sectors include manufacturing, finance, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, machinery, watchmaking, and tourism. The country is home to several multinational corporations and has a reputation for precision engineering and high-quality products. Stability and Low Unemployment: Switzerland enjoys economic stability and has one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe. The country has a long-standing tradition of strong labor market policies, vocational training, and apprenticeship programs, which contribute to low unemployment and a skilled workforce. Innovation and Research: Switzerland is renowned for its innovation and investment in research and development (R&D). The country has a high number of patents per capita and fosters a culture of innovation. Swiss universities and research institutions collaborate closely with the private sector, driving technological advancements and fostering a favorable business environment. Financial Sector: Switzerland has a robust and internationally recognized financial sector. The country is home to major global banks, wealth management institutions, and insurance companies. Swiss banking secrecy laws have historically attracted foreign investors, although recent years have seen increased transparency and international cooperation in tax matters. International Trade: Switzerland is heavily dependent on international trade. It has a well-developed export-oriented economy, with exports accounting for a significant portion of its GDP. Key export sectors include machinery, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, watches, and precision instruments. The European Union is Switzerland's largest trading partner. Currency and Monetary Policy: Switzerland is not a member of the European Union but has a close economic relationship with the EU. The Swiss National Bank (SNB) is responsible for the country's monetary policy and maintains price stability. The Swiss franc (CHF) is the national currency and is considered a safe-haven currency. Quality of Life: Switzerland consistently ranks highly in terms of quality of life. It has a well-functioning healthcare system, excellent infrastructure, high education standards, and a clean environment. The country invests in social welfare programs, providing a high standard of living for its residents. Challenges: Despite its economic strengths, Switzerland faces some challenges. These include a high cost of living, a strong currency that can impact exports, an aging population that puts pressure on the pension system, and the need to adapt to technological advancements and digital transformation. |
Industries | machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments |
Currency Name and Code | Swiss Franc (CHF) |
Export Partners | Germany 20.4%, US 11.9%, France 9.1%, Italy 8.2%, UK 5.1% |
Import Partners | Germany 31.4%, Italy 10.3%, France 10%, US 6.6%, Netherlands 5.1%, UK 4.9%, Austria 4.1% |
What current events are happening in Switzerland?
Source: Google News
What makes Switzerland a unique country to travel to?