Geneva, Lausanne, Lucerne, Zurich

CAPITAL CITY OF Switzerland: Bern
LANGUAGE OF Switzerland: Swiss German
CURRENCY OF Switzerland: Swiss franc (CHF)
COMMENTS ABOUT Switzerland:
Switzerland is a landlocked country in Central Europe
Cities : Bern (capital), Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Lausanne, Lugano, Lucerne, Zermatt, Solothurn
Electricity : 230V/50Hz
Calling Code : +41
Time Zone : UTC+1
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.

MAJOR CITIES: Zurich, Bern, Basel, Geneva, Lucerne, Lausanne, St. Gallen
CLIMATE OF Switzerland: temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers
RELIGION OF Switzerland: Roman Catholic 46.1%, Protestant 40%, other 5%, none 8.9% (1990)
POPULATION OF Switzerland: 7,450,867 (July 2004 est.)>>
ECONOMY OVERVIEW OF Switzerland: Switzerland is a prosperous and stable modern market economy with low unemployment, a highly skilled labor force, and a per capita GDP larger than that of the big Western European economies. The Swiss in recent years have brought their economic practices largely into conformity with the EU's to enhance their international competitiveness. Switzerland remains a safe haven for investors, because it has maintained a degree of bank secrecy and has kept up the franc's long-term external value. Reflecting the anemic economic conditions of Europe, GDP growth dropped in 2001 to about 0.8%, to 0.2% in 2002, and to -0.3% in 2003.