SWITZERLAND

Switzerland is known for its neutrality. A country is neutral when it does not fight wars. Switzerland has been neutral for more than 150 years. Many international organizations are located in Switzerland. The United Nations have a main office in Switzerland.

Location

Switzerland is a relative small country in the west of Europe. North of Switzerland is Germany. East of Switzerland are Austria and Liechtenstein. South of Switzerland is Italy. West of Switzerland is France.

Geography

Landlocked; crossroads of northern and southern Europe; along with southeastern France, northern Italy, and southwestern Austria, has the highest elevations in the Alps.

Capital

Bern

Climate

Temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers.

Language

German (official) 63.7%, French (official) 20.4%, Italian (official) 6.5%, Serbo-Croatian 1.5%, Albanian 1.3%, Portuguese 1.2%, Spanish 1.1%, English 1%, Romansch 0.5%, other 2.8%.

Monetary Unit

Swiss franc (CHF)

Largest Cities

Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Bern, Lausanne

Principal rivers

Rhine

Places to Visit

Zermatt, St. Moritz, Geneva, Lucerne, Zurich, Grindelwald, Grimenz, Gstaad, Saas Fee, Ascona

Airports

Altenrhein, Ascona, Basel - Mulhouse Euroarpt, Berne Belp, Berne Rr Station, Geneva, Lugano Agno, Mulhouse - Basel, Euroarpt, Sion, St. Moritz Samedan, Zurich