Switzerland

Switzerland Background

Switzerland's independence and neutrality have long been honored by the major European powers, and Switzerland 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.

Switzerland Information

• Population: 7,450,867 (July 2004 est.)
• Nationality: noun: Swiss (singular and plural) adjective: Swiss
• Location:: Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy
• Religions:: Roman Catholic 46.1%, Protestant 40%, other 5%, none 8.9% (1990)
• Ethnic Groups:: German 65%, French 18%, Italian 10%, Romansch 1%, other 6%
• Land Boundaries:: total: 1,852 km border countries: Austria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740 km, Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 334 km
• Area: total: 41,290 sq km water: 1,520 sq km land: 39,770 sq km
• Coast Line: 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
• Maritime Claims: none (landlocked)
• Land Use: arable land: 10.42% permanent crops: 0.61% other: 88.97% (2001)
• Environmental Issues: air pollution from vehicle emissions and open-air burning; acid rain; water pollution from increased use of agricultural fertilizers; loss of biodiversity
• Natural Resources: hydropower potential, timber, salt
• Highways: total: 71,011 km paved: 71,011 km (including 1,638 of expressways) unpaved: 0 km (2000)
• Railways: total: 4,533 km standard gauge: 3,483 km 1.435-m gauge (3,472 km electrified) narrow gauge: 1,004 km 1.000-m gauge (974 km electrified); 46 km 0.800-m gauge (46 km electrified) (2003)
• Ports & Harbours: Basel
• Airports: 65 (2003 est.)