Switzerland

Switzerland sits at the heart of Europe bordered by France, Germany, Italy, Austria, and Liechtenstein, with the Alps covering two thirds of its territory. Snow-capped peaks such as the Matterhorn and Jungfrau rise above glaciers that feed the Rhine, Rhône, Ticino, and Inn rivers. Plateau regions host rolling farms and cities like Zurich and Bern, while lakes Geneva and Lucerne moderate temperatures and support tourism, ferries, and hydroelectric dams.

The Swiss Confederation is a federal republic with a collegial Federal Council acting as the collective head of state and government. Voters elect representatives to the Federal Assembly and regularly decide issues through referendums and initiatives. Cantons enjoy significant autonomy over education, policing, and taxation, and municipalities manage local services. Four national languages—German, French, Italian, and Romansh—receive constitutional protection, and consensus politics encourage power-sharing across linguistic communities.

Swiss history traces medieval alliances among mountain valleys resisting Habsburg rule, leading to a confederation recognized in the 17th century. The country adopted permanent neutrality after the Congress of Vienna in 1815, avoiding both world wars while hosting humanitarian efforts such as the International Committee of the Red Cross. Industrialization in the 19th and 20th centuries brought watchmaking, pharmaceuticals, tourism, and banking, while modern reforms strengthened financial transparency and environmental safeguards.

Switzerland's economy blends precision engineering, biotech, banking, and food processing with alpine agriculture producing dairy, chocolate, and specialty cheeses. High-speed rail tunnels like the Gotthard Base Tunnel connect northern Europe to the Mediterranean, and research centers collaborate on microtechnology and renewable energy storage. The Swiss franc remains a stable currency, and universities such as ETH Zurich attract global students and start-ups focusing on robotics and medical devices.

Cultural life combines yodeling festivals, alpine horn ensembles, and modern art museums with UNESCO-listed old towns in Bern, Bellinzona, and La Chaux-de-Fonds. Outdoor recreation includes skiing, mountaineering, and hiking along the Via Alpina, while chocolate shops, fondue houses, and farmers' markets celebrate regional ingredients. Switzerland hosts the United Nations' Geneva office, the World Health Organization, and countless peace talks, emphasizing diplomacy, humanitarian aid, and sustainable mountain development.