Switzerland

Background: Switzerland's independence and neutrality have long been honored by the major European powers and Switzerland 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. Switzerland is active in many UN and international organizations, but retains a strong commitment to neutrality.
Location: Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy. Area: total: 41,290 sq km water: 1,520 sq km land: 39,770 sq km Area - comparative: Slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey Land boundaries: Total: 1,852 km, border countries: Austria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740 km, Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 334 km. Coastline: 0 km (landlocked).

Climate and Terrain: Climate: Temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers. Terrain: Mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes.
People: Population: 7,301,994. Ethnic groups: German 65%, French 18%, Italian 10%, Romansch 1%, other 6%. Religions: Roman Catholic 46.1%, Protestant 40%, other 5%, none 8.9%. Languages: German (official) 63.7%, French (official) 19.2%, Italian (official) 7.6%, Romansch 0.6%, other 8.9%.
Government: Government type: Federal republic. Capital: Bern. Independence: 1 August 1291 (Founding of the Swiss Confederation).
Economy overview: Switzerland is a prosperous and stable modern market economy with a per capita GDP higher than that of the big western European economies. The Swiss in recent years have brought their economic practices largely into conformity with the EU's to enhance their international competitiveness. Although the Swiss are not pursuing full EU membership in the near term, in 1999 Bern and Brussels signed agreements to further liberalize trade ties. They continue to discuss further areas for cooperation.

Statistics: Telephones - main lines in use: 4.82 million. Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.967 million. Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 113 (plus many low power stations), shortwave 2. Radios: 7.1 million. Television broadcast stations: 115 (plus 1,919 repeaters). Televisions: 3.31 million. Internet users: 3.41 million. Railways: Total: 4,406 km. Highways: Total: 71,059 km, paved: 71,059 km. Airports: 66, with paved runways: 42, with unpaved runways: 24. Heliports: 1.