Switzerland(/ˈswɪtsərlənd/; German: Schweiz [ˈʃvaɪts];French: Suisse [sɥis(ə)]; Italian: Svizzera

[ˈzvittsera]; Romansh: Svizra [ˈʒviːtsrɐ] or [ˈʒviːtsʁːɐ])

Geography:• Extending across the north and south

side of the Alps in west-central Europe.

• Great diversity of landscapes and climates on a limited area of 41,285 square kilometres (15,940 sq mi).

• Switzerland lies between latitudes 45° and 48° N, and longitudes 5° and 11° E.

• Three basic topographical areas: the Swiss Alps to the south, the Swiss Plateau or Central Plateau, and the Jura mountains on the west.

Climate and Environment:

The Swiss climate is generally temperate, but can vary greatly between the localities.

8 to 15° C (46-59° F)

Ranks first among 132 nations in safeguarding the environment (acc. 2014 Environmental Performance Index)

High scores on environmental public health, its heavy reliance on renewable sources of energy (hydropower and geothermal energy), and its control of greenhouse gas emissions.

Swiss: About 8 million population

• resulting in an average population density of around 195 people per square kilometre (500/sq mi)

Religion• Roman Catholic 47.6%

• Protestant 44.3%

• other 8.1%

4 national languages• Swish German, French, Italian, Romansh

Swiss Army:

Every male citizen must do military service

Starts at age 20 and ends at 42

Soldiers keep their arms at home

• Automatic rifle for simple soldiers

• Pistol for officers plus couple of bullets in a sealed box

• Must return everything at age 42

Many cave-like buildings have been built in mountains to serve military purposes

• They hold arms, supplies for crisis, and even fighter planes

Economy:

Strong economy in banking and finance• Ranked as most competitive in the world by the World Economic

Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report• Banking, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals are very important industries,

however tourism is biggest

Tradition of political and military neutrality• Several international institutions

United Nations has second largest center in Geneva Red Cross founded there in 1863, still has its institutional center in the country

Economy: Employment

Only a small minority of the workers are involved in the primary or agricultural sector (1.3% of the population, in 2006) while a larger minority is involved in the secondary or manufacturing sector (27.7% in 2012).

The majority of the working population are involved in the tertiary or services sector of the economy (71.0% in 2012).

Currency:

Swiss Franc (CHF) 1 U.S. Dollar = 1.2268 Francs

Swiss food:

Most commonly known for Swiss cheese Swiss chocolate

Also include basic bread, dairy, meat, fruit

The Alps

The Alps

Greatest mountain range system of Europe

Stretching from Austria in the East to France in the West Swiss Alps are the central portion of the mountain range

Interlaken

Interlaken

Very popular in winter for skiing and snowboarding

Jungfrau Top Ski Region 3 ski resorts interconnected

Also offers breathtaking views, hiking, mountain biking, and a point of relaxation

Hiking in the Alps

More than 22,000 miles of well-kept trails

Criss-cross through meadows, forests, glaciers, and magnificent views of towering peaks

At bottom in Interlaken, offers chance for rest and snacks

                                                                           

Murren

Mountain village in middle of Alps, free of public cars, home of highest altitude ski resort

Population 450 Home of famous revolving Piz

Gloria Restaurant, made famous by James Bond movie

Lauterbrunnen

Small town that lies in the Lauterbrunnen Valley

The Lauterbrunnen valley also provided the pictorial model for J.R.R. Tolkien’s sketches and watercolors of the fictitious valley of Rivendell

300 meter high Staubbach waterfall

Staubbach Waterfall

300 M high (900 ft) Has inspired painters, poets, and

writers over the centuries Goethe wrote a poem based on

his 1779 visit, making the lake famous in the late 18th century

Ethics in Switzerland: Do’s

Ethics in Switzerland: Don’t’s