Switzerland

Description of Switzerland

Switzerland has long been respected by the main European countries for preserving its independence and neutrality; Switzerland did not take part in the World War I and II. The political and economic integration of Europe and the role played by Switzerland in the UN, improved the relationship with its neighboring countries. The country was not included in the UN until 2002. Switzerland is actively involved in the international organizations and the United Nations, but it always adheres to neutrality.

Switzerland occupies an area of 41.3 thousand square kilometers. Its capital is Bern (number of population - 128 thousand persons). The Swiss officially doesn’t call Bern the capital, but the "federal city", emphasizing the equality of all the major cities of the cantons. Bern was founded in 1191. The city's name comes from the German word "Bar", which means “a bear”. The bear is present on the flag and coat of arms of the city, in sculptural compositions of fountains and churches, and in the names of restaurants and hotels. Bern is also the administrative center of the canton of Bern.

The date of the founding of the Swiss Confederation is August 1, 1291, when three forest cantons (lands) - Ur, Schwyz and Unterwalden, protecting the independence from the Austrian Habsburgs, entered the defense alliance ("perpetual union") under the "Holy Roman Empire". By the way, the name of Switzerland comes from the name of one of these cantons - Schwyz.

Some facts about Switzerland

Gallery of Switzerland

Switzerland video guide

More information about Switzerland

Top cities of Switzerland