The Swiss Confederation (Schweiz, Suisse, Svizzera, Svizra) or in Latin Confoederatio Helvetica, is a federal state containing 26 cantons in Central Europe bordered by Germany, France, Italy, Liechtenstein and Austria.
It is a country that is mostly made up of the Alps. It is known as a neutral country but still has strong international cooperation.
Switzerland is divided into 26 cantons, six of which are sometimes considered as half cantons because it originated from the separation of three cantons and consequently there is only one representative in the Council of State. The capital of this country is Bern.
Other important cities are Zurich, which is the largest city (which was named the city with the best quality of life in the world in 2006 and 2007, and Geneva, which is home to various international bodies such as the UN, WHO, ILO and UNHCR.
Switzerland Bordered by Germany, France, Italy, Austria and the small kingdom of Liechtenstein. The people speak many languages and there are four official languages, namely German, French, Italian and the less popular Romansh.
Switzerland is rich in history as a country that is neutral regardless of age. war or peace (and has not been involved in a war against a foreign government since 1815)
As a result, it hosts various international organizations such as the United Nations which, although headquartered in New York City, has many offices in this area.
Switzerland's name in Latin, Confoederatio Helvetica which means Confederation of Helvetica, was chosen to avoid the choice of one of the four official languages (German, French, Italian, and Romansh).
The terms that are often used to describe this region are in French (Confédération suisse), Italian (Confederazione Svizzera) and Romansh (Confederaziun svizra).
Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft is the German term found in official documents. Its Latin name Confœderatio Helvetica (Confederation of Helvetia) and its country TLD ch for internet and car plates are related to the Helvetii, an ancient Celtic tribe that once occupied the Alps.
Switzerland marks 1 August 1291 as its independence day; following the history of this country which was originally a united state, then became an alliance in 1848. August 1 was made a public holiday in which banks and post offices as well as general administration offices were closed.
The Swiss government system is very good, really reflects and absorbs the diversity of its population. As a federal state, its democracy is direct, but is represented by the Federal Assembly.
This parliament elects seven people to be the government. Seven of them have ministerial status, head of departments, and one of them becomes president for one year in rotation. The president rotates every year!
Switzerland is located between various European cultures that later influenced this country. There are three official national languages, namely German, French, and Italian; and one official local language, Romansh.
The federal government is required to use all three official languages and parliament is provided with translators.
Each student must learn one of the other official languages so most of the population is bilingual. Due to the large number of residents and foreign workers (about 20%), English is also widely spoken.
The most widely practiced religion in Switzerland is Roman Catholicism which is followed by 43% of the population. There are also Protestants around 35% and immigration has brought in Islam and Eastern Orthodoxy at 4% and 2%, respectively.