Switzerland | History, Flag, Map, Capital, Population, & Facts

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data-icon="toc"></em> <a class="font-serif font-weight-bold text-black link-blue" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Switzerland">Switzerland</a> </div> <button aria-label="Close" class="js-sections-close-button btn-link btn-sm btn d-lg-none position-absolute top-0 p-10 right-0" > <em class="material-icons font-26" data-icon="close"></em> </button> </div> <div class="section-content pl-10 pr-20 pl-sm-50 pr-sm-60 pl-lg-5 pr-lg-10 pt-10 pt-lg-0 bg-gray-50 clear-catfish-ad"> <div class="toc mb-20"> <div class="font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-15 mb-15 mt-20"> Table of Contents </div> <ul class="list-unstyled my-0" data-level="h1"><li data-target="#ref1"><div class="pl-25"><a class="link-gray-900 w-100" href="/place/Switzerland">Introduction & Quick Facts</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li><li data-target="#ref256973"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland#ref256973">Land</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref256974"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Relief-and-drainage">Relief and drainage</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref256975"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Relief-and-drainage#ref256975">Soils</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref256976"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Climate">Climate</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref256977"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Climate#ref256977">Wind systems</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref256978"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Climate#ref256978">Precipitation</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref256979"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Climate#ref256979">Dry areas</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref256980"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Skies-and-temperatures">Skies and temperatures</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref256981"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Skies-and-temperatures#ref256981">Avalanches</a></li></ul></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref256982"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Skies-and-temperatures#ref256982">Plant and animal life</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref256983"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Skies-and-temperatures#ref256983">Vegetation</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref256984"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Animal-life">Animal life</a></li></ul></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref256985"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Animal-life#ref256985">People</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref256986"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Animal-life#ref256986">Ethnic groups and languages</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref256987"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Animal-life#ref256987">Religion</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref256988"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Settlement-patterns">Settlement patterns</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref256989"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Settlement-patterns#ref256989">Rural communities</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref256990"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Settlement-patterns#ref256990">Urban settlements</a></li></ul></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref256991"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Demographic-trends">Demographic trends</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref256992"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Demographic-trends#ref256992">Economy</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref256993"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Agriculture-and-forestry">Agriculture and forestry</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref256994"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Agriculture-and-forestry#ref256994">Resources and power</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref256995"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Agriculture-and-forestry#ref256995">Manufacturing</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref256996"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Trade">Trade</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref256997"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Trade#ref256997">Finance</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref256998"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Trade#ref256998">Services</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref256999"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Labour-and-taxation">Labour and taxation</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref257000"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Labour-and-taxation#ref257000">Transportation and telecommunications</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref257001"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Government-and-society">Government and society</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref257002"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Government-and-society#ref257002">Constitutional framework</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref257003"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Government-and-society#ref257003">Cantonal and local government</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref257004"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Justice">Justice</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref257005"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Justice#ref257005">Political process</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref257006"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Justice#ref257006">Security</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref257007"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Health-and-welfare">Health and welfare</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref257008"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Health-and-welfare#ref257008">Housing</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref257009"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Health-and-welfare#ref257009">Education</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref256959"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Health-and-welfare#ref256959">Cultural life</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref256960"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Health-and-welfare#ref256960">Cultural milieu</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref256961"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Daily-life-and-social-customs">Daily life and social customs</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref256962"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/The-arts-and-sciences">The arts and sciences</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref256963"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/The-arts-and-sciences#ref256963">Folk arts</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref256964"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/The-arts-and-sciences#ref256964">Architecture</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref256965"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/The-arts-and-sciences#ref256965">Visual arts</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref256966"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Literature">Literature</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref256967"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Literature#ref256967">Music</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref256968"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Literature#ref256968">Theatre</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref256969"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Literature#ref256969">Science</a></li></ul></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref256970"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Cultural-institutions">Cultural institutions</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref256971"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Cultural-institutions#ref256971">Sports and recreation</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref256972"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Cultural-institutions#ref256972">Media and publishing</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref257010"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/History">History</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref257011"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/History#ref257011">Switzerland before confederation</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref257012"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/History#ref257012">Prehistoric Switzerland</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref257013"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/History#ref257013">Celtic Switzerland</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref257014"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Roman-Switzerland">Roman Switzerland</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref257015"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Roman-Switzerland#ref257015">Germanic invasions</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref257016"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Roman-Switzerland#ref257016">Dynastic Switzerland</a></li></ul></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref257017"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/The-Swiss-Confederation-during-the-Late-Middle-Ages">The Swiss Confederation during the Late Middle Ages</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref257018"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/The-Swiss-Confederation-during-the-Late-Middle-Ages#ref257018">The foundation of the confederation</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref257019"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Expansion-and-position-of-power">Expansion and position of power</a></li></ul></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref257020"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/The-ancien-regime">The ancien régime</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref257021"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/The-ancien-regime#ref257021">The Reformation</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref257022"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Confessional-equilibrium">Confessional equilibrium</a></li></ul></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref257023"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Confessional-equilibrium#ref257023">The emergence of a modern state</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref257024"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Confessional-equilibrium#ref257024">Industrialization</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref257025"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/The-Helvetic-Republic">The Helvetic Republic</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref257026"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/The-Helvetic-Republic#ref257026">Economic growth</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref257027"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/The-liberal-triumph">The liberal triumph</a></li></ul></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref257028"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Switzerland-from-1848-to-the-present">Switzerland from 1848 to the present</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref257029"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Switzerland-from-1848-to-the-present#ref257029">Economic expansion</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref257030"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Switzerland-from-1848-to-the-present#ref257030">Internal challenge</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref257031"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/World-War-I-and-economic-crisis">World War I and economic crisis</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref257032"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/World-War-I-and-economic-crisis#ref257032">World War II and the Cold War</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref257033"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/The-postwar-period">The postwar period</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref257034"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Switzerland/Recent-developments">Recent developments</a></li></ul></li></ul></div></li></ul> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Switzerland/additional-info">References & Edit History</a> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="/facts/Switzerland">Facts & Stats</a> </div> <div class="tlr-media-slider pb-10 mb-30"> <a class="section-header link-gray-900 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mb-10 mx-10" 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Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. </div> <div class="label mt-20 mb-10">Select Citation Style</div> <select class="js-citation-format-select form-select"> <option selected value="mla">MLA</option> <option value="apa">APA</option> <option value="chicago">Chicago Manual of Style</option> </select> <div class="citation font-serif border rounded p-15 mt-20" data-authors="Daniel Wachter, Emil Egli, Aubrey Diem, Thomas Maissen" data-title="Switzerland" data-published-date="27 Nov. 2024" data-url="https://www.britannica.com/place/Switzerland" > <div class="citation-text"></div> </div> <button class="js-copy-citation-button mt-20 btn btn-xs btn-outline-blue border shadow-sm pr-10" > <em class="material-icons md-icon ml-n10 my-n5 mr-5" data-icon="file_copy"></em> <span class="js-citation-status-text">Copy Citation</span> </button> </div> </div> </div> <div> <button class="js-share-modal-button js-modal btn btn-sm btn-link gtm-topic-tool font-weight-bold btn-link" data-modal="[data-topic-id=577225] .md-share-modal"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="share"></em> Share </button> <div class="md-share-modal size-lg d-none qa-share-modal"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif d-flex align-items-center pb-15 border-bottom"> <em class="material-icons text-blue mr-10" data-icon="share"></em> Share </div> <div class="label my-20">Share to social media</div> <div class="md-social-toolbar-circle d-flex align-items-start inverted" data-value="share" title="Switzerland" data-url="https://www.britannica.com/place/Switzerland" > <a class="social-icon facebook justify-content-center d-flex align-items-center align-self-center" data-provider="facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/BRITANNICA/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>Facebook</span></a> <a class="social-icon x justify-content-center d-flex align-items-center align-self-center" data-provider="x" href="https://x.com/britannica" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>X</span></a> </div> <div class="label pt-20 mt-20 mb-5 border-top">URL</div> <a class="font-serif text-truncate d-inline-block" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Switzerland">https://www.britannica.com/place/Switzerland</a> </div> </div> </div> <div> <button class="js-feedback-modal-button js-modal btn btn-sm btn-link gtm-topic-tool font-weight-bold btn-link" data-modal=".md-feedback-modal"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="message"></em> Feedback </button> </div> <div> <button class="qa-external-website-modal-button js-modal btn btn-sm btn-link gtm-topic-tool font-weight-bold btn-link" data-modal="[data-topic-id=577225] .md-websites-modal"> <em class="material-icons md-icon ml-n10 mr-5" data-icon="link"></em> External Websites </button> </div> </div> <div class="md-feedback-modal size-lg d-none"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif pb-15 border-bottom"> Feedback </div> <form method="post" action="/submission/feedback/577225"> <div class="my-20"> Corrections? 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Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). </div> <div class="type-menu"> <label for="feedback-type" class="label mb-10">Feedback Type</label> <select id="feedback-type" class="form-select mb-30" name="feedbackTypeId" required> <option value="" selected="selected">Select a type (Required)</option> <option value="1">Factual Correction</option> <option value="2">Spelling/Grammar Correction</option> <option value="3">Link Correction</option> <option value="4">Additional Information</option> <option value="5">Other</option> </select> </div> <label for="feedback" class="label mb-10">Your Feedback</label> <textarea id="feedback" class="form-control mb-30" name="feedback" maxlength="3000" rows="7" required></textarea> <button class="btn btn-blue" type="submit">Submit Feedback</button> </form> <div class="success-messaging d-none mt-30"> <div class="title">Thank you for your feedback</div> <p>Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="md-websites-modal size-lg d-none"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif pb-15 border-bottom font-weight-bold"> External Websites </div> <div class="pb-20"> <ul class="list-unstyled mt-20 lh-lg"> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/switzerland/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Central Intelligence Agency - The World Factbook - Switzerland</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="md-websites-ebk-title">Britannica Websites</div> <div class="md-websites-ebk-subtitle">Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.</div> <ul class="list-unstyled bps-topic-web-sites lh-lg"> <li><a class="external" href="https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/Switzerland/345795" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Switzerland - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/Switzerland/277986" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Switzerland - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="toc-header-marker"></div> <button class="ai-ask-button btn border-2 js-header-ai-ask-button d-none btn-sm btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 mr-0 mr-lg-10 ml-5 ml-sm-10 ml-lg-0 p-10"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> <div class="caption alternate-titles">Also known as: Confédération Suisse, Confederazione Elvetica, Confederazione Svizzera, Confederaziun Helvetica, Helvetia, Helvetic Confederation, Schweiz, Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft, Suisse, Svizzera, Svizzra, Swiss Confederation</div> <div class="md-byline module-spacing "> <div class="font-serif font-12"> <span class="written-by text-gray-700"> Written by </span> <div class="editor-popover popover p-0"> <a class="d-block p-20 gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor" href="/contributor/Daniel-Wachter/5188" > <div class="editor-title font-16 font-weight-bold">Daniel Wachter</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 clamp-description text-black">Geographer and scientific adviser, Bundesamt für Raumentwicklung (Swiss Federal Planning Bureau), Bern, Switzerland. Coauthor of <i>Schweiz: Eine moderne Geographie.</i></div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor text-decoration-underline"> Daniel Wachter</span>, <div class="editor-popover popover p-0"> <a class="d-block p-20 gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor" href="/contributor/Emil-Egli/838" > <div class="editor-title font-16 font-weight-bold">Emil Egli</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 clamp-description text-black">Professor of Geography, Zürich Gymnasium. Lecturer, University of Zürich and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zürich. Author of <i>Switzerland </i>and others.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor text-decoration-underline"> Emil Egli</span><span class="text-gray-700 mx-5">•</span><a class="see-all border-gray-700 gtm-byline" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Switzerland/additional-info#contributors">All</a> </div> <div class="font-serif font-12 text-gray-700"> <span class="qa-fact-checked-by">Fact-checked by</span> <div class="editor-popover popover p-0"> <a class="d-block p-20 font-12" href="/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419" > <div class="editor-title font-16 font-weight-bold">The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 text-black">Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link font-12 "> The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</span></div> <div class="last-updated font-12 font-serif"> <span class="text-gray-700"> Last Updated: <time datetime="2024-11-27T00:00:00CST" >Nov 27, 2024</time> •</span> <a class="byline-edit-history" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Switzerland/additional-info#history" rel="nofollow">Article History</a> </div></div> </div> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button d-none d-sm-block js-sections-inline-button module-spacing btn d-lg-none"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <div class="d-flex d-sm-none flex-row"> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm 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2024, 2:09 AM ET (Globe and Mail) <button class="btn btn-link d-inline p-0 font-12 js-toggle-recent-news"> <span class="text-gray-500">...</span><span>(Show more)</span> </button> </span> </div> </div> <div class="rest-of-recent-news-items"> <div class="recent-news-item mt-5"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="https://www.voanews.com/a/job-boom-creates-swiss-immigration-headache-for-eu-trade-talks/7877161.html" rel="nofollow">Job boom creates Swiss immigration headache for EU trade talks</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Nov. 26, 2024, 6:30 AM ET (Voice of America) </span> </div> <div class="recent-news-item mt-5"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="/news/577225/4bd25665896e4fc41986aed6e1752e60" rel="nofollow">Creator of 'suicide capsule' rejects Swiss allegation that its first user may have been strangled</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Nov. 20, 2024, 11:18 AM ET (AP) </span> </div> <div class="recent-news-item mt-5"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="/news/577225/b10c7d24188f27b8e39c7b7759152ed8" rel="nofollow">Swiss esports event canceled after 3 squads pull out over host team founder's anti-abortion comment</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Nov. 18, 2024, 8:50 AM ET (AP) </span> </div> <button class="js-toggle-recent-news d-flex btn btn-unstyled font-14 pr-10 rounded-sm mt-10" aria-label="Toggle additional news items"> Show less <em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_less"></em> </button> </div> </div><span class="marker before-article"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref1"><span class="marker PREMOD1 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies multiple medialist slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100" data-type="other"><div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex"><div class="rw-track d-flex align-items-center"><div class="position-relative rw-slide col-100 px-20 "><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="3666" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/36/178136-050-7F77D46B/village-Alpine-valley-canton-Saint-Moritz-Engadin.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/577225/3666"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/36/178136-050-7F77D46B/village-Alpine-valley-canton-Saint-Moritz-Engadin.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/36/178136-050-7F77D46B/village-Alpine-valley-canton-Saint-Moritz-Engadin.jpg?w=300" alt="Switzerland: Alpine village" data-width="1600" data-height="1067" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/36/178136-050-7F77D46B/village-Alpine-valley-canton-Saint-Moritz-Engadin.jpg" data-href="/media/1/577225/3666">Switzerland: Alpine village</a><span>An Alpine village near Saint Moritz in the upper Engadin valley, Graubünden canton, Switzerland.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div></div><button disabled="true" class="prev-button js-prev-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue-dark m-20"><span class="material-icons" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></span></button><button disabled="true" class="next-button js-next-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue-dark m-20"><span class="material-icons" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></span></button></div><p class="topic-paragraph"><strong><span id="ref423912"></span>Switzerland</strong>, federated <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/nation-state" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">country</a> of central <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Europe" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Europe</a>. Switzerland’s administrative capital is <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Bern" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Bern</a>, while <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Lausanne" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Lausanne</a> serves as its judicial centre. Switzerland’s small size—its total area is about half that of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Scotland" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Scotland</a>—and its modest population give little indication of its international significance.</p><span class="marker MOD1 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD2 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="208429" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/68/183768-050-8A75F8FE/World-Data-Locator-Map-Switzerland.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/577225/208429"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/68/183768-050-8A75F8FE/World-Data-Locator-Map-Switzerland.jpg"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/68/183768-050-8A75F8FE/World-Data-Locator-Map-Switzerland.jpg?w=300" alt="Switzerland" data-width="1600" data-height="1532" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/68/183768-050-8A75F8FE/World-Data-Locator-Map-Switzerland.jpg" data-href="/media/1/577225/208429">Switzerland</a><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">A <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/landlocked-country" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">landlocked country</a> of towering mountains, deep <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Alpine-lakes" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Alpine lakes</a>, grassy valleys dotted with neat farms and small villages, and thriving cities that blend the old and the new, Switzerland is the nexus of the <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="diverse" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diverse" data-type="MW">diverse</a> physical and cultural geography of western Europe, renowned for both its natural beauty and its way of life. Aspects of both have become bywords for the country, whose very name conjures images of the glacier-carved <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Alps" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Alps</a> beloved of writers, artists, photographers, and outdoor sports enthusiasts from around the world.</p><div class="js-qf-module qf-module px-40 px-sm-20 py-15 mx-auto module-spacing font-14 bg-gray-50 rounded"> <div class="qf-title font-weight-bold font-14 mb-10 text-center"> Quick Facts</div> <div class="m-n10 "> <div class="slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100 media-slider card-snap-slider col-100"> <div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex col-100"> <div class="rw-track w-100"> <div class="pt-10 d-inline-flex col-100"> <div class="w-100"> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/43/4543-050-5A18E5A3/Flag-Switzerland.jpg" data-href="/media/1/577225/61848" class="media-overlay-link card-media d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center px-20" > <div class="position-relative"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/43/4543-050-5A18E5A3/Flag-Switzerland.jpg" alt="Switzerland" class="cropped-false w-100 " /> <em class="material-icons qf-zoom" data-icon="zoom_in"></em> </div> </a> <div class="card-body text-center pt-5 pb-10 font-14"> <span>See article: <a href="/topic/flag-of-Switzerland">flag of Switzerland</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <button disabled class="prev-button js-prev-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue btn-blue-dark" aria-label="Previous"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></span> </button> <button disabled class="next-button js-next-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue btn-blue-dark" aria-label="Next"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></span> </button> </div> </div> <audio src="https://cdn.britannica.com/84/145884-005-8F101ADC/instrumental-national-anthem-Switzerland.mp3" type="audio/mpeg" controls=""></audio> <div class="text-center font-12 mt-5"> <span>Audio File:</span> National anthem of Switzerland</div> <div class="facts-list mt-10"> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Also Known As: </dt> <dd>Helvetia</dd> <dd>Confederaziun Helvetica</dd> <dd>Confédération Suisse</dd> <dd>Swiss Confederation</dd> <dd>Schweiz</dd> <dd>Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft</dd> <dd>Svizzera</dd> <dd>Confederazione Svizzera</dd> <dd>Confederazione Elvetica</dd> <dd>Helvetic Confederation</dd> <dd>Suisse</dd> <dd>Svizzra</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Head Of State And Government: </dt> <dd>President of the Federal Council: Viola Amherd</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Capital: </dt> <dd><a href="/place/Bern">Bern</a><sup>2</sup></dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Population: </dt> <dd>(2024 est.) 8,932,000</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Currency Exchange Rate: </dt> <dd>1 USD equals 0.919 Swiss franc</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Form Of Government: </dt> <dd>federal state with two legislative houses (Council of States [46]; National Council [200])</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Official Languages: </dt> <dd>French; German; Italian; Romansh (locally)</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Official Religion: </dt> <dd>none</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Official Name: </dt> <dd>Swiss Confederation<sup>1</sup></dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Total Area (Sq Km): </dt> <dd>41,291</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Total Area (Sq Mi): </dt> <dd>15,942</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Monetary Unit: </dt> <dd>Swiss franc (CHF)</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Population Rank: </dt> <dd>(2023) 100</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Population Projection 2030: </dt> <dd>9,234,000</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Density: Persons Per Sq Mi: </dt> <dd>(2024) 560.3</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Density: Persons Per Sq Km: </dt> <dd>(2024) 216.3</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Urban-Rural Population: </dt> <dd>Urban: (2023) 84.9%</dd> <dd>Rural: (2023) 15.1%</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Life Expectancy At Birth: </dt> <dd>Male: (2022) 81.6 years</dd> <dd>Female: (2022) 85.4 years</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Literacy: Percentage Of Population Age 15 And Over Literate: </dt> <dd>Male: 100%</dd> <dd>Female: 100%</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Gni (U.S.$ ’000,000): </dt> <dd>(2023) 842,132</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Gni Per Capita (U.S.$): </dt> <dd>(2023) 95,160</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> <div class="footnotes mb-15"> <ol> <li>Official long-form name in French is Confédération Suisse; in German, Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft; in Italian, Confederazione Svizzera; in Romansh, Confederaziun Svizra.</li> <li>The federal supreme court is located in Lausanne.</li> </ol> </div> <div class="text-center"> <a class="btn btn-sm btn-link p-0" href="/facts/Switzerland"> See all related content </a> </div> </div> </div> <button class="facts-list-show-more-btn mt-15 p-0 mx-auto btn font-14 d-block font-weight-normal"> <span class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_more"></span> <span class="show-more-label">Show More</span> </button> </div><span class="marker MOD2 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD3 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies multiple medialist slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100" data-type="other"><div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex"><div class="rw-track d-flex align-items-center"><div class="position-relative rw-slide col-100 px-20 "><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="210455" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/80/155980-050-3A532B36/Restaurant-village-Alpine-Grindelwald-Switzerland.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/577225/210455"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/80/155980-050-3A532B36/Restaurant-village-Alpine-Grindelwald-Switzerland.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/80/155980-050-3A532B36/Restaurant-village-Alpine-Grindelwald-Switzerland.jpg?w=300" alt="Grindelwald, Switzerland" data-width="1600" data-height="1067" loading="eager"></picture><div class="position-absolute top-10 left-10 assembly-slide-tag rounded-lg">1 of 2</div><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/80/155980-050-3A532B36/Restaurant-village-Alpine-Grindelwald-Switzerland.jpg" data-href="/media/1/577225/210455">Grindelwald, Switzerland</a><span>Restaurant in the Alpine village of Grindelwald, Switzerland.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div><div class="position-relative rw-slide col-100 px-20 "><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="109421" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/34/102134-050-6DE65DE1/La-Gruyere-district-Fribourg-canton-Switzerland.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/577225/109421"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/34/102134-050-6DE65DE1/La-Gruyere-district-Fribourg-canton-Switzerland.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/34/102134-050-6DE65DE1/La-Gruyere-district-Fribourg-canton-Switzerland.jpg?w=300" alt="La Gruyère district, Switzerland" data-width="1600" data-height="1056" loading="eager"></picture><div class="position-absolute top-10 left-10 assembly-slide-tag rounded-lg">2 of 2</div><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/34/102134-050-6DE65DE1/La-Gruyere-district-Fribourg-canton-Switzerland.jpg" data-href="/media/1/577225/109421">La Gruyère district, Switzerland</a><span>La Gruyère district, Fribourg canton, Switzerland.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div></div><button disabled="true" class="prev-button js-prev-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue-dark m-20"><span class="material-icons" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></span></button><button disabled="true" class="next-button js-next-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue-dark m-20"><span class="material-icons" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></span></button></div><p class="topic-paragraph">For many outsiders, Switzerland also evokes a prosperous if rather staid and unexciting society, an image that is now dated. Switzerland remains wealthy and orderly, but its mountain-walled valleys are far more likely to echo the music of a local rock band than a <a href="https://www.britannica.com/art/yodel" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">yodel</a> or an <a href="https://www.britannica.com/art/alphorn" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">alphorn</a>. Most <a href="https://www.britannica.com/money/Swiss-International-Air-Lines" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Swiss</a> live in towns and cities, not in the <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="idyllic" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/idyllic" data-type="MW">idyllic</a> rural landscapes that <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="captivated" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/captivated" data-type="MW">captivated</a> the world through <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Johanna-Spyri" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Johanna Spyri</a>’s <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Heidi-by-Spyri" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>Heidi</em></a> (1880–81), the country’s best-known literary work. Switzerland’s cities have emerged as international centres of industry and commerce connected to the larger world, a very different tenor from Switzerland’s isolated, more inward-looking past. As a consequence of its remarkably long-lived stability and carefully guarded neutrality, Switzerland—<a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Geneva-Switzerland" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Geneva</a>, in particular—has been selected as headquarters for a wide array of governmental and nongovernmental organizations, including many associated with the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/United-Nations" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">United Nations</a> (UN)—an organization the Swiss resisted joining until the early 21st century.</p><span class="marker MOD3 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD4 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="210456" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/65/162465-050-9CDA9BC9/Alps-Switzerland.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/577225/210456"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/65/162465-050-9CDA9BC9/Alps-Switzerland.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/65/162465-050-9CDA9BC9/Alps-Switzerland.jpg?w=300" alt="Switzerland: Alps" data-width="1600" data-height="1063" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/65/162465-050-9CDA9BC9/Alps-Switzerland.jpg" data-href="/media/1/577225/210456">Switzerland: Alps</a><span>The Alps in Switzerland.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">Switzerland’s rugged <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="topography" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/topography" data-type="MW">topography</a> and multicultural <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="milieu" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/milieu" data-type="MW">milieu</a> have tended to emphasize difference. People living in close proximity may speak markedly distinct, sometimes nearly mutually unintelligible <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/dialect" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">dialects</a> of their first language, if not a different language altogether. German, French, Italian, and Romansh all enjoy national status, and English is spoken widely. Invisible lines separate historically Protestant from historically Roman Catholic districts, while the tall mountains of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Saint-Gotthard-Pass" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">St. Gotthard Pass</a> separate northern from southern Europe and their diverse sensibilities and habits. Yet, Switzerland has forged strength from all these differences, creating a peaceful society in which individual rights are carefully balanced against <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="community" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/community" data-type="MW">community</a> and national interests.</p><span class="marker MOD4 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD5 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Switzerland was formed in 1291 by an alliance of <span id="ref423913"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/canton-European-government" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">cantons</a> against the Habsburg dynasty—the Confoederatio Helvetica (or Swiss <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/confederation-politics" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Confederation</a>), from which the abbreviation CH for Switzerland derives—though only in 1848, when a new <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/constitution-politics-and-law" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">constitution</a> was adopted, was the present nation formed. Prior to 1848, internal conflict was quite common, but Switzerland has enjoyed relative domestic tranquility since the mid-19th century, and its organization has remained essentially the same: it is a union of more than 3,000 communes, or municipalities, situated in 26 cantons, 6 of which are traditionally referred to as demicantons (half cantons) but function as full cantons. Ordinary citizens are able to participate at every level of politics and regularly exercise their will in referenda and <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="initiatives" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/initiatives" data-type="MW">initiatives</a>, through which Swiss citizens directly make numerous policy decisions at the national and subnational level. Two effects of this popular involvement are evident: Swiss taxes are rather low by European standards, because voters are able to review and approve a broad range of expenditures, and political <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/decision-making" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">decision making</a> tends to be slow, because contending individual claims and opinions must be allowed to be expressed at every step.</p><a class="link-module shadow-sm d-block qa-quiz-module" href="/quiz/which-country-is-larger-by-population-quiz" data-link-module-iframe-link=""> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/91/142291-131-1FF39F2D/Flags-world-blue-sky-Countries-Globalization-relations-2010.jpg" alt="Flags of the world against blue sky. Countries, International. Globalization, global relations, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, Poland, Palestine, Japan. Homepage 2010, arts and entertainment, history and society" class="rounded-sm mr-15" width="70" /> <div class="line-clamp clamp-5"> <div class="module-title bg-green">Britannica Quiz</div> <div class="font-weight-semi-bold mt-5">Which Country Is Larger By Population? Quiz</div> </div> </a><span class="marker MOD5 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD6 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">That high level of citizen involvement prompted the renowned 20th-century Swiss playwright and ironist <span id="ref907423"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Friedrich-Durrenmatt" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Friedrich Dürrenmatt</a> to allegorize Switzerland as a prison in which each Swiss citizen was at the same time prisoner and guard. Even so, the Swiss blend of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/federalism" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">federalism</a> and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/direct-democracy" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">direct democracy</a> is unique in the world and is considered central to the country’s political and economic success. And Switzerland is indeed a major economic power, thanks to its long tradition of financial services and high-quality, specialized manufactures of items such as precision timepieces, optics, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals, as well as of specialty foodstuffs such as Emmentaler <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/cheese" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">cheese</a> and milk chocolate. Switzerland is regularly judged to have among the world’s highest <a href="https://www.britannica.com/money/standard-of-living" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">standards of living</a>.</p><span class="marker MOD6 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD7 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies multiple medialist slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100" data-type="other"><div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex"><div class="rw-track d-flex align-items-center"><div class="position-relative rw-slide col-100 px-20 "><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="92663" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/43/94543-050-161C7DF7/Zurich-Switz.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/577225/92663"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/43/94543-050-161C7DF7/Zurich-Switz.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/43/94543-050-161C7DF7/Zurich-Switz.jpg?w=300" alt="Zürich" data-width="1600" data-height="1056" loading="eager"></picture><div class="position-absolute top-10 left-10 assembly-slide-tag rounded-lg">1 of 2</div><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/43/94543-050-161C7DF7/Zurich-Switz.jpg" data-href="/media/1/577225/92663">Zürich</a><span>Zürich, Switzerland.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div><div class="position-relative rw-slide col-100 px-20 "><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="143977" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/53/141153-050-6B750C24/Rhine-River-Basel-Switzerland.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/577225/143977"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/53/141153-050-6B750C24/Rhine-River-Basel-Switzerland.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/53/141153-050-6B750C24/Rhine-River-Basel-Switzerland.jpg?w=300" alt="Basel" data-width="1600" data-height="916" loading="eager"></picture><div class="position-absolute top-10 left-10 assembly-slide-tag rounded-lg">2 of 2</div><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/53/141153-050-6B750C24/Rhine-River-Basel-Switzerland.jpg" data-href="/media/1/577225/143977">Basel</a><span>The Rhine River at Basel, Switzerland.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div></div><button disabled="true" class="prev-button js-prev-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue-dark m-20"><span class="material-icons" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></span></button><button disabled="true" class="next-button js-next-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue-dark m-20"><span class="material-icons" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></span></button></div><p class="topic-paragraph"><span id="ref907425"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Bern" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Bern</a> is a placid city whose name derives from the bear pits the canton’s <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="medieval" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/medieval" data-type="MW">medieval</a> rulers established there as a heraldic symbol; the bear pits are now part of the city’s popular zoo. A metropolis extending along a large lake where the mountains meet the plains, <span id="ref907427"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Zurich" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Zürich</a> is by far the country’s largest and most <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="cosmopolitan" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cosmopolitan" data-type="MW">cosmopolitan</a> city, its famed Bahnhofstrasse rivaling shopping districts found in other leading cities in the world. <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Basel-Switzerland" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Basel</a> and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Lucerne-Switzerland" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Lucerne</a> are major German-speaking cities, Geneva and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Lausanne" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Lausanne</a> the centres of the country’s French-speaking cantons, and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Bellinzona" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Bellinzona</a> and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Lugano" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Lugano</a> the principal cities in the Italian-speaking <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Ticino" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Ticino</a>.</p><div class="module-spacing"> <DIV class="marketing-INLINE_SUBSCRIPTION marketing-content" data-marketing-id="INLINE_SUBSCRIPTION"><style> .student-promo-banner-wrapper { container-type: inline-size; margin-bottom: 15px; } @container (min-width: 475px) { .student-promo-banner { flex-direction: row; } .student-promo-banner-img-wrapper { margin-bottom: 0; margin-right: 10px; justify-content: flex-start; } .student-promo-banner-text-wrapper { text-align: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 10px; } .student-promo-banner-button-wrapper { margin-right: 0; } }</style> <div class="student-promo-banner-wrapper"> <div class="student-promo-banner d-flex flex-column align-items-center bg-blue rounded p-20"> <div class="student-promo-banner-img-wrapper mb-20 mr-0 d-flex justify-content-center"> <img class="rounded" style="max-width: 100px; min-width: 80px" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/BlueThistle.webp" /> </div> <div class="student-promo-banner-text-wrapper ml-0 mb-10 text-center text-white"> <div class="h2 mb-10">Get Unlimited Access</div> <div class="h4 font-weight-semi-bold">Try Britannica Premium for free and discover more.</div> </div> <div class="student-promo-banner-button-wrapper d-flex justify-content-center align-items-center ml-auto mr-auto"> <a class="btn btn-m btn-orange" href="https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=inline-cta&utm_campaign=black-friday-2024">Subscribe</a> </div> </div> </div> </DIV></div><span class="marker MOD7 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD8 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Switzerland has long been a model multiethnic, multilingual society, a place in which diverse peoples can live in social harmony and unite in common interest. The Swiss justifiably take great pride in this, and the point was <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="encapsulated" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encapsulated" data-type="MW">encapsulated</a> in the early 21st century by <span id="ref907428"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ruth-Dreifuss" class="md-crosslink ">Ruth Dreifuss</a>, who in 1999 became the country’s first woman and first Jewish president (a post that rotates annually):</p><span class="marker MOD8 mod-inline"></span><blockquote><p>I may be a native speaker of French, but my parents originally came from German-speaking Switzerland and I myself worked in an Italian-speaking area for a while and enjoy travelling to all parts of the country…. I live in a neighbourhood in which over 100 different nationalities live together in peace and harmony…. I greatly appreciate this <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="diversity" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diversity" data-type="MW">diversity</a>.</p></blockquote></section> <span class="marker h2"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref256973"><h2 class="h1"><span id="ref423915"></span>Land</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD10 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="61850" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/47/4547-050-0828AB26/Switzerland-map-features-locator.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/577225/61850"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/47/4547-050-0828AB26/Switzerland-map-features-locator.jpg"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/47/4547-050-0828AB26/Switzerland-map-features-locator.jpg?w=300" alt="Physical features of Switzerland" data-width="1600" data-height="1326" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/47/4547-050-0828AB26/Switzerland-map-features-locator.jpg" data-href="/media/1/577225/61850">Physical features of Switzerland</a><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">Switzerland is bordered to the west by <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/France" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">France</a>, to the north by <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Germany" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Germany</a>, to the east by <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Austria" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Austria</a> and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Liechtenstein" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Liechtenstein</a>, and to the south by <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Italy" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Italy</a>. It extends about 135 miles (220 km) from north to south and 220 miles (350 km) at its widest extent from west to east. Switzerland’s landscape is among the world’s most unusual, and it has long had to contend with a variety of environmental problems that threaten its <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="integrity" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/integrity" data-type="MW">integrity</a>. Economic development and high <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/population-density" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">population density</a> have caused severe environmental stress, resulting in pollution and debates over the use of natural resources. During the 1970s and ’80s, ambitious environmental policies were <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="implemented" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/implemented" data-type="MW">implemented</a> by the cantons and municipalities, and this led to impressive progress on pollution abatement. For example, air-pollution emissions in Switzerland are among the lowest in industrialized countries.</p><span class="marker MOD10 mod-inline"></span> </section><span class="marker end-of-content"></span><span class="marker after-article"></span></div> <div id="chatbot-root"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ai-dialog-placeholder"></div> </div> </div> <aside class="col-md-da-320"></aside> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article></div> </div></div> </div> </main> <div id="md-footer"></div> <noscript><iframe src="//www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5W6NC8" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <script type="text/javascript" id="_informizely_script_tag"> var IzWidget = IzWidget || {}; (function (d) { var scriptElement = d.createElement('script'); scriptElement.type = 'text/javascript'; scriptElement.async = true; scriptElement.src = "https://insitez.blob.core.windows.net/site/f780f33e-a610-4ac2-af81-3eb184037547.js"; var node = d.getElementById('_informizely_script_tag'); node.parentNode.insertBefore(scriptElement, node); } )(document); </script>  <script> window.ap3c = window.ap3c || {}; var ap3c = window.ap3c; ap3c.cmd = ap3c.cmd || []; ap3c.cmd.push(function() { ap3c.init('ZO4siT4cLwnykPnzZWJtd3Byb2Q', 'https://engage.email.britannica.com/'); ap3c.track({v: 0}); }); ap3c.activity = function(act) { ap3c.act = (ap3c.act || []); ap3c.act.push(act); }; var s, t; s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.src = "https://engage.email.britannica.com/app.js"; t = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; t.parentNode.insertBefore(s, t); </script> <script class="marketing-page-info" type="application/json"> {"pageType":"Topic","templateName":"DESKTOP","pageNumber":1,"pagesTotal":29,"pageId":577225,"pageLength":1027,"initialLoad":true,"lastPageOfScroll":false} </script> <script class="marketing-content-info" type="application/json"> [] </script> <script src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/js/libs/jquery-3.5.0.min.js?v=3.130.14"></script> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="Init Mendel Code Splitting"> (function() { $.ajax({ dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: 'https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/dist/topic-page.js?v=3.130.14' }); })(); </script> <script class="analytics-metadata" type="application/json"> {"leg":"D","adLeg":"D","userType":"ANONYMOUS","pageType":"Topic","pageSubtype":null,"articleTemplateType":"COUNTRY_PAGINATED","gisted":false,"pageNumber":1,"hasSummarizeButton":false,"hasAskButton":false} </script> <script type="text/javascript"> EBStat={accountId:-1,hostnameOverride:'webstats.eb.com',domain:'www.britannica.com', json:''}; </script> <script type="text/javascript"> ( function() { $.ajax( { dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: '//www.britannica.com/webstats/mendelstats.js?v=1' } ) .done( function() { try {writeStat(null,EBStat);} catch(err){} } ); })(); </script> <div id="bc-fixed-dialogue"></div> </body> </html>

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Switzerland | History, Flag, Map, Capital, Population, & Facts | Britannica