Location
Western and Central Europe
Population
8 570 146 (2019)
National currency
Swiss franc
Conditional reduction of currency
CHF
Climate, average max and min t°
Temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers; avg. maximum temperature +25°; avg. minimum temperature -4°
Time difference from Moscow
- 1 hour
State language
German, French, Italian, Romansch
Ethnic groups
German 65%, French 18%, Italian 10%, other 7%
History
The Swiss Confederation was founded in 1291 as a defensive alliance among three cantons. In succeeding years, other localities joined the original three. The Swiss Confederation secured its independence from the Holy Roman Empire in 1499. A constitution of 1848, subsequently modified in 1874, replaced the confederation with a centralized federal government. Switzerland's sovereignty and neutrality have long been honored by the major European powers, and the country 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.
Government type
federal republic
Executive branch
Federal Council (7 members, including President and Vice-President)
Legislative branch
Bicameral Federal assembly: Council of States (46 members) and National Council (200 members)
Judicial branch
Federal Supreme Court
GDP per capita rank
5 (2020)
Corruption perceptions index rank
84 (2021)
