Switzerland, located in Central Europe, is the land of the Alps. Its tallest peak is the Dufourspitze at 15, 203 ft (4, 634 m) on the Swiss side of the Italian border, one of 10 summits of the Monte Rosa massif. Most of Switzerland is composed of a mountainous plateau bordered by the great bulk of the Alps on the south and by the Jura Mountains on the northwest.
Officially called the Swiss Federation, Switzerland lies in western Europe and is bordered by Italy to the west, Germany to the north, Liechtenstein and Austria to the east, and France to the west. Bern is the capital of Switzerland, a landlocked country that consists of 26 cantons, or territorial subdivisions that differ slightly in government administrational procedures. The majority of Switzerland's population (nearly eight million people) live in an area referred to as the Plateau, where the heavily populated cities of Geneva and Zurich are located.
Switzerland is famous for being one of the wealthiest countries in the world. Residents possess the highest amount of non-financial and monetary assets per individual as compared to any other citizens in the world. Additionally, Geneva and Zurich consistently rank as two cities exhibiting the best standards of living among all other global cities.
Switzerland's stable economy is attributed to its self-sufficiency through farming and effective manufacturing practices that allow it to export large amounts of goods. Other areas in which Switzerland shows excellent economic expertise include tourism, international banking, transportation, and biotechnology.
Switzerland's Climate
North of the Swiss Alps the climate is temperate but influenced by various altitudinal factors that involve wind exposure and atmospheric condition arising from mountain placement. Switzerland's average temperature is around 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 Celsius), with rainfall amounts fluctuating from as much as 67 (170 cm) inches near Lugano and as little as 21 (53 cm) inches around the Rhone Valley. North and west of the Alps, residents experience a rainy, somewhat cool climate with temperatures remaining around 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 Celsius) in the winter and 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 Celsius) in areas south and southeast of the Alps.
Essential Facts about Switzerland
- The flag exhibits a white cross against a bright red background. The arms of the cross are slightly longer than their width.
- The Swiss National Anthem, or Swiss Hymn, begins with the line "Radiant in the morning sky, Lord, I see that Thou are night".(Trittst in Morgenrot daher, Seh ' ich dich in Strahlenmeer)
- Switzerland retained its own currency, the Swiss franc when Europe switched to the Euro. Coins of one, five, ten, 20, and 50 centimes comprise the other monetary units. Francs are available in one, two, and five francs. Franc "notes "come in ten, 20, 50, 500, and 1000 francs.
- Switzerland uses the metric system for evaluating weights and measures
- National holidays are New Year's, Labor Day on May 1, and Christmas. Ascension, Good Friday, Whitmonday, and Easter Monday are considered religious holidays.
Languages
Because Switzerland is bordered by several distinct countries, the state has four national languages--Italian, German, French, and Rhaeto-Romansch. The majority of Swiss citizens primarily speak German, while 20 percent speak French and eight percent speak Italian. Numerous dialects unique to certain cantons exist as well.