SWITZERLAND IS…..!!!SWITZERLAND IS…..!!!The Latin formal name of Switzerland, The Latin formal name of Switzerland, Confoederatio HelveticaConfoederatio Helvetica is derived from the is derived from the HelvetiiHelvetii, an ancient , an ancient CelticCeltic people in the people in the Alpine region. Alpine region. SwitzerlandSwitzerland officially the officially the Swiss ConfederationSwiss Confederation . . Swiss Swiss ConfederationConfederation is a is a landlockedlandlocked country of country of 7.5 million people in 7.5 million people in Western EuropeWestern Europe with an with an area of 41,285 km². Switzerland is a area of 41,285 km². Switzerland is a federal republicfederal republic consisting of 26 states called consisting of 26 states called cantonscantons. In 2002 Switzerland became a full . In 2002 Switzerland became a full member of the member of the United NationsUnited Nations

THE NAME OF PRESIDENT IN THE NAME OF PRESIDENT IN SWISSSWISS

first woman on the seven member high first woman on the seven member high council being council being Elisabeth KoppElisabeth Kopp from 1984– from 1984–1989. 1989.

The first female president was The first female president was Ruth Ruth DreifussDreifuss, elected in 1998 to become , elected in 1998 to become president during 1999. president during 1999.

The second female president is The second female president is MichelineMicheline Calmy-ReyCalmy-Rey who currently holds the 2007 who currently holds the 2007 Swiss high office. Swiss high office.

AREA OF SWIZERLANDAREA OF SWIZERLANDWith an area of With an area of 41,285 41,285 square square kilometreskilometres (15,940  (15,940 sq misq mi), Switzerland ), Switzerland is a relatively is a relatively small country. The small country. The population is population is about 7.4 million, about 7.4 million, resulting in an resulting in an average average population densitypopulation density of 182 people per of 182 people per square kilometer square kilometer (472/sq mi).(472/sq mi).

Topographical AreasTopographical Areas The most famous mountain The most famous mountain

is the is the MatterhornMatterhorn (4,478 m) (4,478 m) in in ValaisValais and and PenninePennine Alps Alps bordering Italy. The highest bordering Italy. The highest mountain, the Dufourspitze mountain, the Dufourspitze (4,634 m) or (4,634 m) or Monte RosaMonte Rosa, is , is close to the Matterhorn. close to the Matterhorn.

The headwaters of several The headwaters of several major European rivers such major European rivers such as the as the RhineRhine, , RhôneRhône, , InnInn, , AareAare, and , and TicinoTicino flow finally flow finally into the largest Swiss lakes into the largest Swiss lakes such as such as Lake GenevaLake Geneva, , Lake Lake ZürichZürich, , Lake Lake NeuchâtelNeuchâtel, , andand Lake ConstanceLake Constance..

PoliticsPolitics

The Federal Constitution adopted in 1848 is the The Federal Constitution adopted in 1848 is the legal foundation of the modern Federal State. A legal foundation of the modern Federal State. A new Constitution has been adopted in 1999, but new Constitution has been adopted in 1999, but did not introduce notable changes to the did not introduce notable changes to the federal structure it founds the basic and federal structure it founds the basic and political rights of individuals and citizen political rights of individuals and citizen participation in public affairs. There are three participation in public affairs. There are three main governing bodies on the federal level: the main governing bodies on the federal level: the bicameralbicameral parliament (legislative), the parliament (legislative), the Federal CouncilFederal Council (executive) and the (executive) and the Federal CourtFederal Court (judicial). (judicial).

Federal Palace in Berne

The Swiss Federal CouncilThe Swiss Federal Council The Swiss Parliament consists of The Swiss Parliament consists of

two houses: the two houses: the Council of StatesCouncil of States which has 46 representatives and which has 46 representatives and

the the National CouncilNational Council, which , which consists of 200 members consists of 200 members

The top The top executiveexecutive body and body and collective collective Head of StateHead of State is the is the

Federal CouncilFederal Council, a collegial body , a collegial body of seven members, elected for a of seven members, elected for a four-year mandate by the Federal four-year mandate by the Federal

Assembly that is also its Assembly that is also its supervising authority. The supervising authority. The

President of the ConfederationPresident of the Confederation is is elected among the seven elected among the seven

members, traditionally in rotation, members, traditionally in rotation, for a one-year term, in order to for a one-year term, in order to

chair the government and assume chair the government and assume representative functions, yet also representative functions, yet also keeps his function in the cabinet keeps his function in the cabinet and has no additional powers.and has no additional powers.

The Swiss Federal Council, 2007

Climated of Climated of SwitzerlandSwitzerland The Swiss The Swiss climateclimate is generally is generally temperatetemperate, but can vary , but can vary

greatly between the localities, from glacial greatly between the localities, from glacial conditions on the mountaintops to the often conditions on the mountaintops to the often pleasant pleasant Mediterranean climateMediterranean climate at Switzerland's at Switzerland's southern tip. The winters in the mountains alternate southern tip. The winters in the mountains alternate with sun and with sun and snowsnow, while the lower lands tend to be , while the lower lands tend to be more cloudy and foggy in winter. A weather more cloudy and foggy in winter. A weather phenomenon known as the phenomenon known as the FöhnFöhn

The driest conditions persist in the southern The driest conditions persist in the southern valleys of the Wallis/Valais above which valleys of the Wallis/Valais above which valuable valuable saffronsaffron is harvested and many is harvested and many grapes are grown, Graubünden also tends grapes are grown, Graubünden also tends to be drier in climate and slightly colder, yet to be drier in climate and slightly colder, yet with plentiful snow in winter. with plentiful snow in winter.

The wettest conditions persist in the high The wettest conditions persist in the high Alps and in the Ticino which has much sun Alps and in the Ticino which has much sun yet heavy bursts of rain from time to time. yet heavy bursts of rain from time to time.

RELIGIONRELIGION Switzerland has no official Switzerland has no official

state religionstate religion. . ChristianityChristianity is the predominant religion is the predominant religion of Switzerland, divided of Switzerland, divided between the between the Catholic ChurchCatholic Church (41.8% of (41.8% of the population) and the population) and various various ProtestantProtestant denominations (40%).denominations (40%).

Immigration has brought Immigration has brought IslamIslam (4.3%, (4.3%, predominantly predominantly AlbaniansAlbanians) ) and and Eastern OrthodoxyEastern Orthodoxy (1.8%) as sizeable (1.8%) as sizeable minority religions. minority religions.

The 2005 Eurobarometer The 2005 Eurobarometer poll found 48% to be poll found 48% to be theisttheist, 39% expressing belief in , 39% expressing belief in "a spirit or life force", 9% "a spirit or life force", 9% atheistatheist and 4% and 4% agnosticagnostic..

TOURISM OBJEKTOURISM OBJEK

The canton of Schwyz in the centre of Switzerland

The Swiss National Park in canton Graubünden

EconomyEconomy Banking, Banking, tourismtourism, , pharmaceuticals, and pharmaceuticals, and

chemicals are important chemicals are important industries in Switzerland. industries in Switzerland.

The manufacture of The manufacture of precision instruments for precision instruments for

engineering is engineering is important, as is watch-important, as is watch-

making, and the making, and the biological sciences biological sciences

industries as well enjoy industries as well enjoy a high place in the Swiss a high place in the Swiss

economy. The many economy. The many international international

organisations in organisations in Switzerland contribute to Switzerland contribute to the Swiss economy and the Swiss economy and

labor market.labor market.Tourism is important in the

Engadin valley above St. Moritz

EnergyEnergy Electricity generated in Switzerland is Electricity generated in Switzerland is

42% from nuclear and 53% from 42% from nuclear and 53% from hydroelectricity with 5% of the hydroelectricity with 5% of the electricity generated from conventional electricity generated from conventional power sources (thermal etc.) resulting power sources (thermal etc.) resulting in a nearly CO2-free electricity-in a nearly CO2-free electricity-generating network.generating network.

On 18 May 2003, two anti-nuclear On 18 May 2003, two anti-nuclear initiatives were turned down: initiatives were turned down: Moratorium PlusMoratorium Plus, aimed at forbidding , aimed at forbidding the building of new nuclear power the building of new nuclear power plants (41.6% supported and 58.4% plants (41.6% supported and 58.4% opposed), and Electricity Without opposed), and Electricity Without Nuclear (33.7% supported and 66.3% Nuclear (33.7% supported and 66.3% opposed). opposed).

Fines for not paying the disposal fee Fines for not paying the disposal fee range from 200–500 Francs ($165–range from 200–500 Francs ($165–$410 at April 2007 exchange rates).$410 at April 2007 exchange rates).

UnusUnus pro omnibus, pro omnibus, omnesomnes pro pro

"One for all, all for one""One for all, all for one"