Switzerland
Countri’s name: Switzerland
Population: 7.274.524
Capital: Berna
Language: German, Italian and French
Religion: The country is historically about evenly balanced between Catholic and Protestant, with a complex patchwork of majorities over most of the country. Some cantons, such as Appenzell, are even officially divided into Catholic and Protestant sections.
Geographical feotures: Switzerland is a relatively small country, comprises three basic topographical areas: the Swiss Alps, the Swiss plateau or "middleland", and the Jura mountains along the northwestern border with France. A vast region of high lands, The most famous mountain is the Matterhorn (4,478 m) in Valais and Pennine Alps bordering Italy. The highest mountain, the Dufourspitze or Monte Rosa, is very close to the Matterhorn. The section of the Bernese Alps above the deep glacial Lauterbrunnen Valley containing 72 waterfalls is also well known for the Jungfrau (4,158 m), Mönch, Eiger group of peaks, and the many picturesque valleys in the region. In the southeast the long Engadin Valley, encompassing the St Moritz area in canton Graubünden, is also quite known and the highest peak here is the Piz Bernina (4,049 m).
The northern section and more populous part of the country is called the Middle Land. It has greater open and hilly landscapes, partly forested, partly open meadow, usually with grazing herds, or vegetables and fruits growing, but it can still be somewhat mountainous. There are large lakes found here and the biggest Swiss cities are in this area of the country. This section, particularly the west, is also referred to as the "Seeland" (the land of lakes) and the largest lake is Lake Geneva (Lac Léman in French), at the westernmost of Switzerland. The Rhone River is the main tributary to Lac Léman.
Weather: The Swiss climate is generally temperate, but can vary greatly between the localities, from glacial conditions on the mountain tops to the often pleasant Mediterranean climate at Switzerland's southern tip. Summer tends to be warm and humid at times with periodic rain so it is ideal for pastures and grazing. The winters in the mountains alternate with sun and snow, while the lower lands tend to be more cloudy and foggy in winter. A weather phenomenon known as the Föhn can occur at all times of the year, even in winter, and is characterized by a wind with warm Mediterranean air. The driest conditions persist in the southern valleys of the Wallis/Valais above which valuable saffron is harvested and many grapes are grown, Graubünden also tends to be drier in climate and slightly colder, yet with plentiful snow in winter. The wettest conditions persist in the high Alps and in the Ticino which has much sun yet heavy bursts of rain from time to time. The east tends to be colder than the west of Switzerland, yet anywhere up high in the mountains can experience a cold spell at any time of the year. Precipitation tends to be spread moderately throughout the year, with minor variations across the seasons depending on locale. Autumn frequently tends to be the driest season, yet the weather patterns in Switzerland can be highly variable from year to year, and very difficult to predict.
Economy: Switzerland has a prosperous and stable modern market economy, with a nominal per capita that is higher than those of the big western European economies. The World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Report currently ranks Switzerland's economy as the most competitive in the world. For much of the 20th century, Switzerland was the wealthiest country in Europe by a considerable margin. Several of the world's largest companies are headquartered in Switzerland. Notable among these are Nestle, UBS AG, Credit Suisse, Novartis, ABB, and Swatch. Switzerland is ranked under the sixth most powerful economical countries in the world. Banking, tourism, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals are very important industries in Switzerland. The manufacture of precision instruments for engineering is important, as is watchmaking, and the biological sciences industries as well enjoy a high place in the Swiss economy. The many international organizations in Switzerland contribute to the Swiss economy and labor market. Switzerland has nearly zero unemployment.
Culture: The culture of Switzerland is influenced by its neighbours and its international sentiment, but over the years a distinctive culture with some regional differences and an independent streak has developed. In particular, French-speaking regions have tended to orient themselves slightly more on French culture and tend to be more pro EU. In general, the Swiss are known for their long standing humanitarian tradition as Switzerland is the birth place of the Red Cross Movement and hosts the United Nations Human Rights Council. Swiss German speaking areas may perhaps be seen more oriented on German culture and can be more traditionalist and neutralist, and Italian-speaking areas can have more of an Italian culture. A region may be in some ways strongly culturally connected to the neighbouring country that shares its language. The linguistically isolated Rhaeto-Romanic culture in the eastern mountains of Switzerland is also robust and strives to maintain its very rare linguistic tradition. Many mountain areas have a strong highly energetic ski town culture in winter, and a hiking/wandering culture in summer. Some areas throughout the year have a recreational culture that caters to tourism, yet the quieter seasons are spring and autumn when there are fewer visitors and a higher ratio of Swiss. A traditional farmer and herder culture also predominates in many areas, and this connection to the land and agriculture is a strong glue holding all the Swiss together. Even though most no longer actually farm themselves, the small farms are omnipresent outside the cities, and as well many Swiss at least have a small garden plot or many window boxes with geraniums and other flowers.
The most important Tourist place: Geneva (Region): Named "Capital of peace" because is the European seat of the ONU. With their humanitarian tradition, their international organizations and their atmosphere of great large city are “smaller metropolis of the world”. Wharves, strolls in the lake, parks, animated elegant alleys of the urban helmet and stores invite to give a return by the city. Also, the own lake and the Rhone attract hikers. The Alps are within reach. Geneva, the small great large city, in the middle of an intact nature and an exciting scene: sumptuous residences of the nobility, almost hidden behind old oak groves to the Southeastern, idyllic villages of wine to the north. To borders of the Lemán, towns and small cities with views to the lake.
Switzerland has a culture, are a mixture of the cultures of Germany, Italy and France. The combination of cultural, linguistic, culinary, musical and literary influences from these three nations has led to the creation of a Swiss culture that is a synthesis of elements.
