Switzerland, federal republic in west central Europe. Switzerland
is a small, landlocked country set amid mountainous terrain in the
heart of the European continent. It is bordered on the west by France,
on the north by Germany, on the east by Austria, and on the south
by Italy. The tiny principality of Liechtenstein lies between Switzerland
and Austria. Each of the four major bordering countries has had an
influence on Swiss culture. The Swiss people are an ethnic mix consisting
mainly of native German, French, and Italian speakers, and most towns
have two or even three correct names in those languages. The country
has an area of 41,285 sq km (15,940 sq mi). Its largest city is Zürich,
and the capital is Bern.
Switzerland’s official name is Confoederatio Helvetica (Latin
for “Helvetic Confederation”), which is frequently translated
in English as Swiss Confederation. The Helvetii, an ancient Celtic
people who occupied what is now western Switzerland, were defeated
by the Roman army of Julius Caesar in the 1st century bc. As a province
of Rome, the region became known as Helvetia. The name Confoederatio
Helvetica, an ethnically and linguistically neutral term that recalls
this ancient history, is testimony to an enduring desire to forge
unity among a diverse population. The name Switzerland (French Suisse;
German Schweiz; Italian Svizzera), the nation’s widely recognized
but unofficial designation, is a variation on Schwyz, a territory
that in 1291 became the first member of the present-day confederation.
The Swiss flag, a red square with a centered white cross, is a variation
on the traditional flag of the Schwyz region.
Travel Facts
Full Name :
Swiss Confederation ;
Capital City : Bern ;
Area : 41,290 sq km, 15,942 sq miles ; Population : 7,461,100 ;
Currency :
Swiss Franc (CHF) ;
Country Dialing Code :
41 ;
Electricity:
230V 50HzHz ;
Time Zone :
GMT/UTC +1 () ;
Languages :German, French, Italian , Raeto-Romance ;
Religion :
41.8% Roman Catholic, 35.3% Protestant, 4.3% Muslim, 1.8% Orthodox Christian, 11.1% no religion, 5.7% other ;
Climate :
The climate is moderate with no excessive heat, cold or humidity. From July to August the daytime temperature range is 18 to 28 °C (65° - 82° F) and from January to February the range is -2 to 7 °C (28° - 45° F). In spring and autumn, the daytime temperature range is 8 to 15 °C (46° - 59° F) ;
Best Time to Visit :
Throughout the year ;
Electric Plug Details :
European plug with three circular metal pins ;
International Airport : Geneva Cointrin International Airport, Kloten Airport (Zurich Airport ), Belp (Bern)
The history of Switzerland has followed a broadly different course from that of its European neighbors, mainly because no ruler since the 14th century was...
