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Switzerland

Switzerland is a small European country known for its beautiful, snow-capped mountains and freedom-loving people. The Alps and the Jura Mountains cover more than half of Switzerland.

But most of the Swiss people live on a plateau that extends across the middle of the country between the two mountain ranges. In this region are most of Switzerland's industries and its richest farmlands. Switzerland's capital, Bern, and largest city, Zurich, are also there...More Information on Switzerland.

Also Read: A short feature on background of Switzerland

Full country name: Swiss Confederation
Area: 41,290 sq km
Population: 7.31 million
Capital City: Bern
People: 65% German, 18% French, 10% Italian, 1% Romansch, 6% other
Language: German, French, Italian, Raeto-Romance
Religion: 46.1% Roman Catholic, 40% Protestant, 5% other, 8.9% other.
Government: confederation with direct democracy
Head of State:President Joseph Deiss

History of Switzerland

Originally inhabited by the Helvetians, or Helvetic Celts, the territory comprising modern Switzerland came under Roman rule during the Gallic wars in the 1st century BC and remained a Roman province until the 4th century AD. Under Roman influence, the population reached a high level of civilization and enjoyed a flourishing commerce. Important cities, such as Geneva, Basel, and Zurich, were linked by military roads that also served as trade arteries between Rome and the northern tribes...More on Switzerland's History.

Overview of Switzerland Economy

GDP: US$233.4 billion
GDP per capita: US$32,000
Annual Growth: 2%
Inflation: 2%
Major Industries: Banking, insurance, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, precision instruments, tourism
Major Trading Partners: EU (esp. Germany, France, Italy, UK), US, Japan
Member of EU: No

Also read: An insight into the Economy of Switzerland

Political System of Switzerland

- Foreign Relations of Switzerland
- Defense of Switzerland
- Political Conditions of Switzerland
- Government of Switzerland

Climate, Vegetation and Fauna

Plants and trees such as the palm, magnolia, chestnut, walnut, apple, pear, cherry, and almond grow in the lowlands and on the Swiss plateau. Highly productive forests cover 30 % of the total land area, primarily at elevations between about 550 and 2,000 m.Deciduous forests of beech, maple, and oak are characteristic below about 1,400 m ,and coniferous forests, primarily of pine and fir, flourish above that height. At higher elevations, the flora consists of Alpine species such as edelweiss, anemone, lily, and mugho and Swiss pines. Chamois and marmots inhabit the Alpine regions. The forests contain foxes and many species of birds, including woodpeckers and blue jays. Trout are common in the streams, and salmon are found in several rivers.


People: The population of Switzerland is 7,283,274, yielding an overall population density of 176 persons per sq km...more on people and population in Switzerland.
Languages: The official languages of Switzerland are German, French and Italian...more on languages spoken in Switzerland.
Education: The Swiss constitution of 1848 provided for free and compulsory education...more on Education in Switzerland.
Culture Of Switzerland: Switzerland may not rank foremost among the centres of European culture, the nation nevertheless can boast of an impressive list of contributors...more on culture of Switzerland.
Environment: Switzerland sits squarely in the belly of western Europe, landlocked by France, Germany, Liechtenstein, Austria and Italy...more on Envoirnment of Switzerland.
Life: The Swiss people as a whole are mainly of Alpine, Nordic, and Slavic or Dinaric descent. The ethnic composition of Switzerland is generally defined by the major language communities: German, French, Italian, and Romansch .Other ethnicities, such as Spanish, Portuguese, and Turkish, make up 6% of the population.


Facts for the Traveler

Visas: Citizens of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the UK and the USA do not require a visa. A maximum stay of three months applies, though passports are rarely stamped.
Health risks: altitude sickness (At altitudes higher than 2500m (8202ft), the lack of oxygen affects most people to some extent until they become acclimatised. The effect may be mild or severe and occurs because less oxygen reaches the muscles and the brain at high altitude, requiring the heart and lungs to compensate by working harder. Symptoms of acute mountain sickness (AMS) usually develop during the first 24 hours at high altitude but may be delayed up to three weeks. Mild symptoms include headache, lethargy, dizziness, difficulty sleeping and loss of appetite. AMS may become more severe without warning and can be fatal.

Severe symptoms include breathlessness, a dry, irritating cough (which may progress to the production of pink, frothy sputum), severe headache, lack of coordination and balance, confusion, irrational behavior, vomiting, drowsiness and unconsciousness. There is no hard-and-fast rule as to what is too high: AMS has been fatal at 3000m (9842ft), although 3500m (11482ft) to 4500m (14763ft) is the usual range at which it becomes dangerous. Treat mild symptoms by resting at the same altitude until recovery, usually a day or two. Paracetamol or aspirin can be taken for headaches. If symptoms persist or become worse, however, immediate descent is necessary; even 500m (1640ft) can help. To prevent acute mountain sickness, note the following: ascend slowly - have frequent rest days, spending two to three nights at each rise of 1000m (3280ft).

If you reach a high altitude by trekking, acclimatisation takes place gradually, and you are less likely to be affected than if you fly directly to high altitude; if possible, sleep at a lower altitude than the greatest height reached during the day. Once above 3000m, care should be taken not to increase the sleeping altitude by more than 300m (984ft) per day; drink extra fluids. The mountain air is dry and cold and moisture is lost as you breathe. Evaporation of sweat may go unnoticed and result in dehydration; eat light, high-carbohydrate meals for more energy; avoid alcohol as it may increase the risk of dehydration, and avoid sedatives), hypothermia (This occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it and the core temperature of the body falls. It is frighteningly easy to progress from very cold to dangerously cold due to a combination of wind, wet clothing, fatigue and hunger, even if the air temperature is above freezing. If the weather deteriorates, put on extra layers of warm clothing immediately: a windproof and/or waterproof jacket, plus wool or fleece hat and gloves, are all essential. Have something energy-giving to eat and ensure that everyone in your group is fit, and feeling well and alert. Symptoms of hypothermia are exhaustion, numb skin (particularly toes and fingers), shivering, slurred speech, irrational or violent behaviour, lethargy, stumbling, dizzy spells, muscle cramps and violent bursts of energy.

Irrationality may take the form of sufferers claiming they are warm and trying to take off their clothes. To treat mild hypothermia, first get the person out of the wind and/or rain, remove their clothing if it's wet and replace it with dry, warm clothing. Give them hot liquids - not alcohol - and some high-energy, easily digestible food. Do not rub victims: instead, allow them to slowly warm themselves. This should be enough to treat the early stages of hypothermia. The early recognition and treatment of mild hypothermia is the only way to prevent severe hypothermia, which is a critical condition), sunburn (At high altitude you can get sunburned quickly and seriously, even through clouds. Use a strong sunscreen, hat and barrier cream for your nose and lips. Calamine lotion and aloe vera are good for mild sunburn. Protect your eyes with good-quality sunglasses, particularly if you will be near water, sand or snow)
Time Zone: GMT/UTC +1
Dialling Code: 41
Electricity: 230V ,50Hz
Weights & measures: Metric

Also Read: Money and Cost Required | Means of Transportation in Switzerland

When to Go to Switzerland

You can visit Switzerland any time throughout the year. Summer lasts roughly from June to September, and offers the most pleasant climate for outdoor pursuits. Unfortunately, you won't be the only tourist during this period, so prices can be high, accommodation hard to find and the mainstream sights crowded. You'll find much better deals and fewer crowds in the shoulder seasons of April-May and late-September-October.

If you're keen on winter sports, resorts in the Alps begin operating in late-November, move into full swing around Christmas, and close down when the snow begins to melt in April.

Also Read: Getting Around Switzerland | Switzerland: Getting There and Away

What to See in Switzerland

Major Tourist Attractions in Switzerland
- Château de Chillon: Chillon Castle receives more visitors than any other historical building in Switzerland. Occupying a stunning...
- Geneva: Geneva is Switzerland's second-largest city, but surely the most international: a third of the population is from elsewhere...
- Great St Bernard Pass Hospice Museum: Perhaps the Great St Bernard Pass should be renamed the Great Alsation Pass.
- Jungfrau Region: Some of Switzerland's most magnificent views are found around the peaks of the Jungfrau, Mönch and Eiger...

Other Tourist Attractions in Switzerland
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more...

Events in Switzerland

February is carnival time, or Fasnacht, in many towns, but Basel really funks it up with elaborate parades beginning at a bleary 4am. In the lower Valais, from March to October, cows battle it out in the Combat de Reines (cow fighting) to see which beast is most suited to lead the herd up to the summer pastures. The world-renowned Montreux Jazz Festival takes place in July. National Day (August 1) is celebrated with fireworks throughout the country, and Swiss wrestling in the Emmenthal area east of Bern. On the fourth Monday in November, Bern hosts its famous Onion Market (Zibelmarit), where traders take over the whole town centre and many a tear is shed.


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The city is serviced by comprehensive rail connections, with frequent east-west trains servicing Vienna, Munich, Innsbruck, and Zürich, including daily high-speed ICE services. The city also acts as a hub for south-bound trains through the Alps into Italy. Salzburg Airport has scheduled flights to European cities such as Frankfurt, Vienna, ...
The Salzburg Card is highly recommended for visitors as it allows for unlimited public transportation, admission into several of the city's main attractions, and discounts at various places. By Air The Salzburg Airport W.A. Mozart is located 2 miles southwest of the city centre. The Airport has regularly scheduled domestic and international ...
By Bus/Tram The city buses and trams provide quick, comfortable service through the city center from the Nonntal parking lot to Sigsmundsplatz, the city-center parking lot. Buses stop running at 11pm. Travelers can get a direct shuttle bus from Munich International Airport to Salzburg. The city itself is served by ...
Salzburg’s economy is strongly export-oriented, especially exports to the member countries of the EU. For many years Salzburg’s economy has occupied a leading position in Austria. On a European scale the province is one of the most dynamic regions. In a recent survey of European regions Salzburg is listed as ...
Salzburg is at the Northern edge of the Alps and has a typical Central European climate with hot summers up to almost 40 degrees Celsius and cold winters down to minus 20 degrees Celsius. So most of the year Salzburg has moderate weather conditions and should not keep you from ...
Maria Plain: church of pilgrimage A church of pilgrimage and a Baroque gem in the outskirts of the city. Easily accessible by public bus, Maria Plain is the ideal destination for a quick trip. Kleßheim Castle A Baroque castle near the city that now hosts a Casino. Liefering Parish Church A mix ...
Salzburg's long history can be traced back to the Stone Age - but only in Baroque times it got really exciting! Here you will find a timeline with the most outstanding key events. Maybe you would also be interested in browsing the list of the Prince Archbishops. The first signs ...
Salzburg is on the banks of the Salzach River, at the northern boundary of the Alps. The mountains to Salzburg's south contrast with the rolling plains to the north. The closest alpine peak – the 1972 m Untersberg – is only a few kilometers from the city center. The Altstadt, ...
Salzburg is the fourth-largest city in Austria and the capital of the federal state of Salzburg. Salzburg's "Old Town" with its world famous baroque architecture is one of the best-preserved city centers in the German-speaking world, and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The city is ...
Upper Austria enjoys a moderate continental climate: summers are warm and pleasant with cool nights, and winters are sunny, with snow levels high enough for widespread winter sports. Summers are warm and pleasant with cool nights, and winters are sunny, with snow levels high enough for widespread winter sports. In ...

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