Background
Geography
People
Government
Economy
Communications
Transportation
Military
Transnational Issues

Background
The Swiss Confederation was founded in 1291 as a defensive alliance among three cantons. In succeeding years, other localities joined the original three. The Swiss Confederation secured its independence from the Holy Roman Empire in 1499. A constitution of 1848, subsequently modified in 1874, replaced the confederation with a centralised federal government. Switzerland's sovereignty and neutrality have long been honoured by the major European powers, and the country 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 organisations, has strengthened Switzerland's ties with its neighbours. However, the country did not officially become a UN member until 2002. Switzerland remains active in many UN and international organisations but retains a strong commitment to neutrality.

National flag
Red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the centre that does not extend to the edges of the flag; various medieval legends purport to describe the origin of the flag; a white cross used as identification for troops of the Swiss Confederation is first attested at the Battle of Laupen (1339).

Geography

Location: Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy.
Geographic coordinates: 47 00 N, 8 00 E
Total area: 41,277 sq km
Land area: 39,997 sq km
Water area: 1,280 sq km
Comparative area: Slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey.
Total land boundaries: 1,852 km
Border countries: Austria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740 km, Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 334 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Climate: Temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers.
Terrain: Mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes.
Lowest point: Lake Maggiore 195 m
Highest point: Dufourspitze 4,634 m
Natural resources: Hydropower potential, timber, salt.
Land use: Arable land 9.91 percent; permanent crops 0.58 percent; other 89.51 percent (2005)
Irrigated land: 250 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources: 53.3 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): Total 2.52 cu km/yr (24 percent/74 percent/2 percent); per capita 348 cu m/yr (2002)
Natural hazards: Avalanches, landslides; flash floods.
Environment issues: Air pollution from vehicle emissions and open-air burning; acid rain; water pollution from increased use of agricultural fertilisers; loss of biodiversity.
Environment 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.
Note: Landlocked; crossroads of northern and southern Europe; along with southeastern France, northern Italy, and southwestern Austria, has the highest elevations in the Alps.

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