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.

Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy

47 00 N, 8 00 E

Europe

slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey

0 km (landlocked)

none (landlocked)

temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers

mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes

highest point: Dufourspitze 4,634 m

hydropower potential, timber, salt

arable land 10.2%; permanent crops 0.6%; permanent pasture 27.9%

630 sq km (2012)

population distribution corresponds to elevation with the northern and western areas far more heavily populated; the higher Alps of the south limit settlement

avalanches, landslides; flash floods

air pollution from vehicle emissions and open-air burning; acid rain; water pollution from increased use of agricultural fertilizers; loss of biodiversity

landlocked; crossroads of northern and southern Europe; along with southeastern France, northern Italy, and southwestern Austria, has the highest elevations in the Alps

8,179,294 (July 2016 est.)

German 65%, French 18%, Italian 10%, Romansch 1%, other 6%

German (official) 63.5%, French (official) 22.5%, Italian (official) 8.1%, English 4.4%, Portuguese 3.4%, Albanian 3.1%, Serbo-Croatian 2.5%, Spanish 2.2%, Romansch (official) 0.5%, other 6.6%

Roman Catholic 38.2%, Protestant 26.9%, other Christian 5.6%, Muslim 5%, other 1.6%, none 21.4%, unspecified 1.3% (2013 est.)

0.7% (2016 est.)

10.5 births/1,000 population (2016 est.)

8.2 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)

4.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)

population distribution corresponds to elevation with the northern and western areas far more heavily populated; the higher Alps of the south limit settlement

Zurich 1.246 million; BERN (capital) 358,000 (2015)

30.4 (2012 est.)

5 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

1.55 children born/woman (2016 est.)

11.7% of GDP (2014)

4.05 physicians/1,000 population (2012)

5 beds/1,000 population (2011)

urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

urban: 99.9% of population

rural: 99.8% of population

total: 99.9% of population

urban: 0.1% of population

rural: 0.2% of population

total: 0.1% of population (2015 est.)

0.35% (2013 est.)

20,200 (2013 est.)

300 (2013 est.)

21% (2014)

5.1% of GDP (2012)

federal republic (formally a confederation)

26 cantons (cantons, singular - canton in French; cantoni, singular - cantone in Italian; Kantone, singular - Kanton in German); Aargau, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Berne/Bern, Fribourg/Freiburg, Geneve, Glarus, Graubuenden/Grigioni/Grischun, Jura, Luzern, Neuchatel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Sankt Gallen, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Valais/Wallis, Vaud, Zug, Zuerich

1 August 1291 (founding of the Swiss Confederation)

Founding of the Swiss Confederation in 1291; note - since 1 August 1891 celebrated as Swiss National Day

civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts, except for federal decrees of a general obligatory character

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

18 years of age; universal

Christian Democratic People's Party (Christlichdemokratische Volkspartei der Schweiz or CVP, Parti Democrate-Chretien Suisse or PDC, Partito Popolare Democratico Svizzero or PPD, Partida Cristiandemocratica dalla Svizra or PCD) [Christophe DARBELLAY]

Conservative Democratic Party (Buergerlich-Demokratische Partei Schweiz or BDP, Parti Bourgeois Democratique Suisse or PBD, Partito Borghese Democratico Svizzero or PBD, Partido burgais democratica Svizera or PBD) [Martin LANDOLT]

Free Democratic Party or FDP.The Liberals (FDP.Die Liberalen, PLR.Les Liberaux-Radicaux, PLR.I Liberali, Ils Liberals) [Philipp MUELLER]

Green Liberal Party (Grunliberale or GLP, Parti vert liberale or PVL, Partito Verde-Liberale or PVL, Partida Verde Liberale or PVL) [Martin BAEUMLE]

Green Party (Gruene Partei der Schweiz or Gruene, Parti Ecologiste Suisse or Les Verts, Partito Ecologista Svizzero or I Verdi, Partida Ecologica Svizra or La Verda) [Adele THORENS GOUMAZ and Regula RYTZ]

Social Democratic Party (Sozialdemokratische Partei der Schweiz or SPS, Parti Socialiste Suisse or PSS, Partito Socialista Svizzero or PSS, Partida Socialdemocratica de la Svizra or PSS) [Christian LEVRAT]

Swiss People's Party (Schweizerische Volkspartei or SVP, Union Democratique du Centre or UDC, Unione Democratica di Centro or UDC, Uniun Democratica dal Center or UDC) [Toni BRUNNER]

other minor parties

NA

ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA, EITI (implementing country), ESA, FAO, FATF, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMISS, UNMOGIP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the center that does not extend to the edges of the flag; various medieval legends purport to describe the origin of the flag; a white cross used as identification for troops of the Swiss Confederation is first attested at the Battle of Laupen (1339)

Swiss cross (white cross on red field, arms equal length); national colors: red, white

the Swiss anthem has four names: "Schweizerpsalm" [German] "Cantique Suisse" [French] "Salmo svizzero," [Italian] "Psalm svizzer" [Romansch] (Swiss Psalm)

Switzerland, a country that espouses neutrality, is a prosperous and modern market economy with low unemployment, a highly skilled labor force, and a per capita GDP among the highest in the world. Switzerland's economy benefits from a highly developed service sector, led by financial services, and a manufacturing industry that specializes in high-technology, knowledge-based production. Its economic and political stability, transparent legal system, exceptional infrastructure, efficient capital markets, and low corporate tax rates also make Switzerland one of the world's most competitive economies.

The Swiss have brought their economic practices largely into conformity with the EU's to enhance their international competitiveness, but some trade protectionism remains, particularly for its small agricultural sector. The fate of the Swiss economy is tightly linked to that of its neighbors in the euro zone, which purchases half of Swiss exports. The global financial crisis of 2008 and resulting economic downturn in 2009 stalled demand for Swiss exports and put Switzerland into a recession. During this period, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) implemented a zero-interest rate policy to boost the economy, as well as to prevent appreciation of the franc, and Switzerland's economy began to recover in 2010.

The sovereign debt crises unfolding in neighboring euro-zone countries, however, coupled with ongoing economic instability in Russia and other eastern European economies continue to pose a significant risk to the Swiss economy, driving up demand for the Swiss franc by investors seeking a safe-haven currency. In January 2015, the SNB abandoned the Swiss franc’s peg to the euro, roiling global currency markets and making active SNB intervention a necessary hallmark of present-day Swiss monetary policy. The independent SNB has upheld its zero interest rate policy and conducted major market interventions to prevent further appreciation of the Swiss franc, but parliamentarians have urged it to do more to weaken the currency. The franc's strength has made Swiss exports less competitive and weakened the country's growth outlook; GDP growth fell below 2% per year from 2011-15.

In recent years, Switzerland has responded to increasing pressure from neighboring countries and trading partners to reform its banking secrecy laws, by agreeing to conform to OECD regulations on administrative assistance in tax matters, including tax evasion. The Swiss government has also renegotiated its double taxation agreements with numerous countries, including the US, to incorporate OECD standards, and is openly considering the possibility of imposing taxes on bank deposits held by foreigners.

$482.3 billion (2015 est.)

$478.3 billion (2014 est.)

$469.4 billion (2013 est.)

$664.6 billion (2015 est.)

0.9% (2015 est.)

1.9% (2014 est.)

1.8% (2013 est.)

$58,600 (2015 est.)

$58,800 (2014 est.)

$58,400 (2013 est.)

33.8% of GDP (2015 est.)

33.3% of GDP (2014 est.)

35.9% of GDP (2013 est.)

grains, fruits, vegetables; meat, eggs

machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments, tourism, banking, insurance

1.9% (2015 est.)

5.105 million (2015 est.)

3.2% (2015 est.)

3% (2014 est.)

7.6% (2011 est.)

28.7 (2012 est.)

33.1 (1992)

34.7% of GDP (2015 est.)

0.2% of GDP (2015 est.)

34.4% of GDP (2015 est.)

34.7% of GDP (2014 est.)

calendar year

-1.1% (2015 est.)

0% (2014 est.)

0.5% (31 December 2010)

0.75% (31 December 2009)

2.68% (31 December 2015 est.)

2.69% (31 December 2014 est.)

$508.2 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

$514.1 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$1.347 trillion (31 December 2014 est.)

$1.301 trillion (31 December 2013 est.)

$1.142 trillion (31 December 2015 est.)

$1.138 trillion (31 December 2014 est.)

$1.079 trillion (31 December 2015 est.)

$932.2 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$1.229 trillion (31 December 2013 est.)

$75.82 billion (2015 est.)

$61.9 billion (2014 est.)

$303.5 billion (2015 est.)

$327.7 billion (2014 est.)

machinery, chemicals, metals, watches, agricultural products

Germany 14.2%, US 10.6%, Hong Kong 8.7%, India 7.3%, China 6.9%, France 6.1%, Italy 5.4%, UK 4.8% (2015)

$247.7 billion (2015 est.)

$273.8 billion (2014 est.)

machinery, chemicals, vehicles, metals; agricultural products, textiles

Germany 20.7%, UK 12.8%, US 8.1%, Italy 7.8%, France 6.7%, China 5.1% (2015)

$602.7 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

$545.5 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$1.533 trillion (31 December 2014 est.)

$1.601 trillion (31 December 2013 est.)

$1.262 trillion (31 December 2015 est.)

$1.157 trillion (31 December 2014 est.)

$1.498 trillion (31 December 2015 est.)

$1.426 trillion (31 December 2014 est.)

Swiss francs (CHF) per US dollar -

0.9627 (2015 est.)

0.9152 (2014 est.)

0.9152 (2013 est.)

0.94 (2012 est.)

0.8876 (2011 est.)

68 billion kWh (2014 est.)

58 billion kWh (2014 est.)

34 billion kWh (2014 est.)

29 billion kWh (2014 est.)

19 million kW (2014 est.)

2.5% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

16.1% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

67.8% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

4.6% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

56,560 bbl/day (2015 est.)

0 bbl (1 January 2016 es)

60,150 bbl/day (2015 est.)

229,600 bbl/day (2015 est.)

8,057 bbl/day (2015 est.)

168,800 bbl/day (2015 est.)

20 million cu m (2014 est.)

3.281 billion cu m (2014 est.)

0 cu m (2014 est.)

3.261 billion cu m (2014 est.)

NA cu m (1 January 2011 es)

45 million Mt (2013 est.)

the publicly owned radio and TV broadcaster, Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG/SSR), operates 7 national TV networks, 3 broadcasting in German, 2 in Italian, and 2 in French; private commercial TV stations broadcast regionally and locally; TV broadcasts from stations in Germany, Italy, and France are widely available via multi-channel cable and satellite TV services; SRG/SSR operates 18 radio stations that, along with private broadcasters, provide national to local coverage (2009)

.ch

HB (2016)

63 (2013)

2 (2013)

gas 1,800 km; oil 94 km; refined products 7 km (2013)

1,292 km (there are 1,227 km of waterways on lakes and rivers for public transport and 65 km on the Rhine River between Basel-Rheinfelden and Schaffhausen-Bodensee for commercial goods transport) (2010)

Swiss Armed Forces: Land Forces, Swiss Air Force (Schweizer Luftwaffe) (2013)

19-26 years of age for male compulsory military service; 18 years of age for voluntary male and female military service; every Swiss male has to serve at least 260 days in the armed forces; conscripts receive 18 weeks of mandatory training, followed by seven 3-week intermittent recalls for training during the next 10 years (2012)

0.64% of GDP (2014)

0.69% of GDP (2013)

0.76% of GDP (2012)

0.75% of GDP (2011)

0.76% of GDP (2010)

none

a major international financial center vulnerable to the layering and integration stages of money laundering; despite significant legislation and reporting requirements, secrecy rules persist and nonresidents are permitted to conduct business through offshore entities and various intermediaries; transit country for and consumer of South American cocaine, Southwest Asian heroin, and Western European synthetics; domestic cannabis cultivation and limited ecstasy production