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 centralized federal government. Switzerland's sovereignty and neutrality have long been honored 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 organizations, has strengthened Switzerland's ties with its neighbors. However, the country did not officially become a UN member until 2002. Switzerland remains active in many UN and international organizations but retains a strong commitment to neutrality.

Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy

47 00 N, 8 00 E

Europe

slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey

0 km (landlocked)

none (landlocked)

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

mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes

hydropower potential, timber, salt

250 sq km (2003)

53.3 cu km (2005)

avalanches, landslides; flash floods

air pollution from vehicle emissions and open-air burning; acid rain; water pollution from increased use of agricultural fertilizers; loss of biodiversity

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

German 65%, French 18%, Italian 10%, Romansch 1%, other 6%

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 (official) 0.5%, other 2.8% (2000 census)

Roman Catholic 41.8%, Protestant 35.3%, Muslim 4.3%, Orthodox 1.8%, other Christian 0.4%, other 1%, unspecified 4.3%, none 11.1% (2000 census)

7,925,517 (July 2012 est.)

0.199% (2012 est.)

9.51 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

8.8 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

1.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Zurich 1.143 million; BERN (capital) 346,000 (2009)

8 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

1.53 children born/woman (2012 est.)

11.3% of GDP (2009)

4.07 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

5.31 beds/1,000 population (2008)

0.4% (2009 est.)

18,000 (2009 est.)

fewer than 100 (2009 est.)

8.2% (2007)

5.2% of GDP (2007)

formally a confederation but similar in structure to a federal republic

26 cantons (cantons, singular - canton in French; cantoni, singular - cantone in Italian; Kantone, singular - Kanton in German); Aargau, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Bern, Fribourg, Geneve, Glarus, Graubunden, Jura, Luzern, Neuchatel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Sankt Gallen, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Vaud, Zug, Zurich

1 August 1291 (founding of the Swiss Confederation)

Founding of the Swiss Confederation, 1 August (1291)

revision of Constitution of 1874 approved by the Federal Parliament 18 December 1998, adopted by referendum 18 April 1999, officially entered into force 1 January 2000

civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts, except for federal decrees of a general obligatory character

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

18 years of age; universal

bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung (in German), Assemblee Federale (in French), Assemblea Federale (in Italian) consists of the Council of States or Staenderat (in German), Conseil des Etats (in French), Consiglio degli Stati (in Italian) (46 seats; membership consists of 2 representatives from each canton and 1 from each half canton; members serve four-year terms) and the National Council or Nationalrat (in German), Conseil National (in French), Consiglio Nazionale (in Italian) (200 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation serve four-year terms)

Federal Supreme Court (judges elected for six-year terms by the Federal Assembly)

Christian Democratic People's Party (Christlichdemokratische Volkspartei der Schweiz or CVP, Parti Democrate-Chretien Suisse or PDC, Partito Popolare Democratico Svizzero or PPD, Partida Cristiandemocratica dalla Svizra or PCD) [Christophe DARBELLAY]; Conservative Democratic Party (Buergerlich-Demokratische Partei Schweiz or BDP, Parti Bourgeois Democratique Suisse or PBD, Partito Borghese Democratico Svizzero or PBD, Partido burgais democratica Svizera or (PBD)) [Hans GRUNDER]; Free Democratic Party or FDP.The Liberals (FDP.Die Liberalen, PLR.Les Liberaux-Radicaux, PLR.I Liberali, Ils Liberals) [Fulvio PELLI]; Green Liberal Party (Grunliberale or GLP, Parti vert liberale or PVL, Partito Verde-Liberale or PVL, Partida Verde Liberale or PVL) [Martin BAUMLE]; Green Party (Gruene Partei der Schweiz or Gruene, Parti Ecologiste Suisse or Les Verts, Partito Ecologista Svizzero or I Verdi, Partida Ecologica Svizra or La Verda) [Ueli LEUENBERGER]; Social Democratic Party (Sozialdemokratische Partei der Schweiz or SPS, Parti Socialiste Suisse or PSS, Partito Socialista Svizzero or PSS, Partida Socialdemocratica de la Svizra or PSS) [Christian LEVRAT]; Swiss People's Party (Schweizerische Volkspartei or SVP, Union Democratique du Centre or UDC, Unione Democratica di Centro or UDC, Uniun Democratica dal Center or UDC) [Toni BRUNNER]; and other minor parties

NA

ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA, ESA, FAO, FATF, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MONUSCO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the center 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)

Swiss cross (white cross on red field; arms equal length)

Switzerland is a peaceful, prosperous, and modern market economy with low unemployment, a highly skilled labor force, and a per capita GDP among the highest in the world. Switzerland's economy benefits from a highly developed service sector, led by financial services, and a manufacturing industry that specializes in high-technology, knowledge-based production. Its economic and political stability, transparent legal system, exceptional infrastructure, efficient capital markets, and low corporate tax rates also make Switzerland one of the world's most competitive economies. The Swiss have brought their economic practices largely into conformity with the EU's, to enhance their international competitiveness, but some trade protectionism remains, particularly for its small agricultural sector. The fate of the Swiss economy is tightly linked to that of its neighbors in the euro zone, which purchases half of all Swiss exports. The global financial crisis of 2008 and resulting economic downturn in 2009 stalled export demand and put Switzerland in a recession. The Swiss National Bank (SNB) during this period effectively implemented a zero-interest rate policy to boost the economy as well as prevent appreciation of the franc, and Switzerland's economy recovered in 2010 with 2.7% growth. The sovereign debt crises currently unfolding in neighboring euro-zone countries pose a significant risk to Switzerland's financial stability and are driving up demand for the Swiss franc by investors seeking a safehaven currency. The independent SNB has upheld its zero-interest rate policy and conducted major market interventions to prevent further appreciation of the Swiss franc, but parliamentarians have urged it to do more to weaken the currency. The franc's strength has made Swiss exports less competitive and weakened the country's growth outlook; GDP growth fell to 2.1% in 2011. Switzerland has also come under increasing pressure from individual neighboring countries, the EU, the US, and international institutions to reform its banking secrecy laws. Consequently, the government agreed to conform to OECD regulations on administrative assistance in tax matters, including tax evasion. The government has renegotiated its double taxation agreements with numerous countries, including the US, to incorporate the OECD standard, and in 2011 it reached deals with Germany and the UK to resolve outstanding issues, particularly the possibility of imposing taxes on bank deposits held by foreigners. These steps will have a lasting impact on Switzerland's long history of bank secrecy.

$344.2 billion (2011 est.)

$338 billion (2010 est.)

$329.1 billion (2009 est.)

$636.1 billion (2011 est.)

1.9% (2011 est.)

2.7% (2010 est.)

-1.9% (2009 est.)

$43,900 (2011 est.)

$43,400 (2010 est.)

$42,500 (2009 est.)

4.898 million (2011 est.)

3.1% (2011 est.)

3.9% (2010 est.)

6.9% (2010)

33.7 (2008)

33.1 (1992)

21.1% of GDP (2011 est.)

34.3% of GDP (2011 est.)

0.5% of GDP (2011 est.)

52.4% of GDP (2011 est.)

54.5% of GDP (2010)

0.2% (2011 est.)

0.7% (2010 est.)

0.5% (31 December 2010 est.)

0.75% (31 December 2009 est.)

2.72% (31 December 2011 est.)

2.733% (31 December 2010 est.)

$463 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

$412.2 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

$1.047 trillion (31 December 2011 est.)

$982.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

$1.213 trillion (31 December 2011 est.)

$1.119 trillion (31 December 2010 est.)

$932.2 billion (31 December 2011)

$1.229 trillion (31 December 2010)

$1.071 trillion (31 December 2009)

grains, fruits, vegetables; meat, eggs

machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments, tourism, banking, and insurance

0.8% (2011 est.)

$85.3 billion (2011 est.)

$74.02 billion (2010 est.)

$312.5 billion (2011 est.)

$258.5 billion (2010 est.)

machinery, chemicals, metals, watches, agricultural products

Germany 20.2%, US 10.3%, Italy 7.7%, France 7.1%, UK 4.8%, China 4.3% (2011)

$294.1 billion (2011 est.)

$246.2 billion (2010 est.)

machinery, chemicals, vehicles, metals; agricultural products, textiles

Germany 32.4%, Italy 10.4%, France 8.6%, US 5%, Netherlands 4.4%, Austria 4.3% (2011)

$331.9 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

$270.3 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

$1.346 trillion (30 June 2011)

$1.2 trillion (30 September 2010)

$606.7 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

$596.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

$976.1 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

$936 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Swiss francs (CHF) per US dollar -

0.888 (2011 est.)

1.0429 (2010 est.)

1.0881 (2009)

1.0774 (2008)

1.1973 (2007)

calendar year

63.98 billion kWh (2010 est.)

57.7 billion kWh (2009 est.)

32.88 billion kWh (2010 est.)

33.4 billion kWh (2010 est.)

19.54 million kW (2009 est.)

2.5% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

16.6% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

69.2% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

2.5% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

0 bbl/day (2011 est.)

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

94,220 bbl/day (2009 est.)

0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.)

103,500 bbl/day (2009 est.)

258,200 bbl/day (2011 est.)

9,851 bbl/day (2009 est.)

176,500 bbl/day (2009 est.)

0 cu m (2010 est.)

3.165 billion cu m (2011 est.)

0 cu m (2011 est.)

3.165 billion cu m (2011 est.)

0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)

45.55 million Mt (2010 est.)

4.684 million (2011)

10.017 million (2011)

the publicly-owned radio and TV broadcaster, Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG/SSR), operates 7 national TV networks, 3 broadcasting in German, 2 in Italian, and 2 in French; private commercial TV stations broadcast regionally and locally; TV broadcasts from stations in Germany, Italy, and France are widely available via multi-channel cable and satellite TV services; SRG/SSR operates 18 radio stations that, along with private broadcasters, provide national to local coverage (2009)

.ch

5.249 million (2010)

6.152 million (2009)

64 (2012)

1 (2012)

gas 1,681 km; oil 94 km; refined products 7 km (2010)

1,292 km (there are 1,227 km of waterways on lakes and rivers for public transport and another 65 km on the Rhine River between Basel-Rheinfelden and Schaffhausen-Bodensee used for the transport of commercial goods) (2010)

Basel

Swiss Armed Forces: Land Forces, Swiss Air Force (Schweizer Luftwaffe) (2010)

19-26 years of age for male compulsory military service; 18 years of age for voluntary male and female military service; every Swiss male has to serve at least 260 days in the armed forces; conscripts receive 18 weeks of mandatory training, followed by seven 3-week intermittent recalls for training during the next 10 years (2012)

1% of GDP (2005 est.)

none

a major international financial center vulnerable to the layering and integration stages of money laundering; despite significant legislation and reporting requirements, secrecy rules persist and nonresidents are permitted to conduct business through offshore entities and various intermediaries; transit country for and consumer of South American cocaine, Southwest Asian heroin, and Western European synthetics; domestic cannabis cultivation and limited ecstasy production