Switzerland Overview

Beautiful, mountainous and wealthy, with a population of just seven million, Switzerland is famous for its high quality of life, majestic mountains, sophisticated ski resorts, luxurious watches, and dangerously delicious chocolate and cheese. Switzerland's famed political neutrality and isolated location have enabled it to play a safe but central role in European affairs. The coveted Swiss bank account has made Zürich one of Europe's major financial hubs. Outdoor lovers will be spoilt for choice among the breathtaking beauty of the Alps, lakes and meadows, while the ancient capital of Berne provides elegant shopping, dining and nightlife.

The conveniently central location in the middle of Europe has also made Switzerland a favourite meeting place for conventions and international conferences.

Switzerland’s political model is based on consensus-building, and considering that the country consists of several culturally-different groups speaking different languages; Swiss German, French, Italian and Rhaeto-Rumantsch, the country’s peaceful domestic situation is admirable.

Switzerland is bordered by France to the west, Germany to the north, Austria to the east and Italy to the south. It has the highest mountains in Europe, with waterfalls and lakes set amid green pastures. The highest peaks are Dufour Peak, at 4634 metres, the Dom of 4545 metres, the famous Matterhorn reaching 4478 metres, and the Jungfrau at 4166m. Since the 1950s, the Swiss government has introduces measures to protect its forests, lakes and marshlands from environmental damage.

For a small country of just 41,285 sq km, Switzerland has a multitude of attractions. Aside from its fine ski conditions, it boasts three UNESCO World Heritage sites: Bern’s historic city centre, Saint Gallen’s Cathedral and abbey library, and the convent of Saint John in Mustair.

Many beautiful castles dot the landscape such as the castles around Lake Thun and the Chateau de Chillion in Montreux, which is perhaps the most famous. There are grand cathedrals in Basel, Bern and Solothurn, but those in Einsiedeln and Saint Gallen are the most impressive.

Switzerland offers a wide variety of things to do and see, whatever the season. Summer lasts roughly from June until September, and offers the most pleasant climate for outdoor activities. Temperatures average around 20°C to 25°C.

If you visit during the spring (April to May) or the autumn (September to October), you're likely to find fewer tourists and special promotions in hotels and resorts. Mountains and meadows are bursting with springtime wildflowers. Temperatures hover around 7°C to 14°C.

Winter sports venues begin operating in late-November and close down when the snow begins to melt in spring. However, really keen skiers can take to the slopes practically the whole year on a number of glaciers around the country. Temperatures drop to around 2°C to 6°C.

Bring warm clothes and rainwear; lightweights for summer.

Although archaeology shows that Stone Age hunters had been living in Switzerland before the last Ice Age (approximately 350,000 B.C.), modern Switzerland was conquered by Julius Caesar during the Gallic Wars and made part of the Roman Empire.

The population evolved into a high level of civilization for the time. Important cities such as Geneva and Zurich were connected by military roads which also served as trade routes between Rome and the northern tribes.

Switzerland remained a Roman province until the 4th century AD. After the decline of the Roman Empire, Switzerland was invaded by Germanic tribes from the north and west. In 800 the country became part of Charlemagne's empire. It later passed under the dominion of the German emperors.

In 1291 representatives of the three forest cantons of Uri Schwyz and Unterwalden signed the Eternal Alliance. This united them in the struggle against foreign rule by the Hapsburgs who then held the German imperial throne. At the battle of Morganten in 1315 the Swiss defeated the Hapsburg army and secured quasi-independence within the German Empire as the Swiss Confederation.

Under the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648 European countries recognized Switzerland's independence from the Roman Empire and its neutrality. 

In 1798 armies of the French Revolution conquered Switzerland. The Treaty of Vienna and the Second Peace of Paris in 1815 re-established Swiss independence and the powers participating in the Congress of Vienna agreed to recognize Swiss permanent neutrality. Today's borders and Switzerland's Neutrality were defined at the Vienna Congress of 1815 ending the wars of Napoleon.

Switzerland adopted a federal constitution in 1848, modelled in part on the United States Constitution. The Swiss amended their constitution extensively in 1874 and 1999, establishing federal responsibility for defence trade and legal matters. Since then continued political economic and social improvement has characterized Swiss history.

The current Swiss government is the bicameral Federal Assembly, comprising of a Council of State with 46 members and a 200-strong National Council whose members are elected every four years. Executive power is vested in the seven-member Federal Council, elected by the Assembly and headed by an annually elected president. Whatever the legislators decide, however, the Swiss people are aware that they can take the issue to referendum by raising 100,000 signatures. Popular referenda are a routine feature of Swiss political life.