Switzerland“One For All and, All For One.”

MapSwitzerland is divided up into 26 different territories or cantons. These cantons include: Aargau , Appenzell Innerrhoden,Appenzell Ausserrhoden , Basel-Stadt, Basel-Landschaft, Bern, Fribourg, Genève, Glarus, Graubünden, Jura, Lucerne, Neuchâtel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, St. Gallen, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Vaud, Zug, and Zürich.

Modern Map

Location/GeographySwitzerland is located in Western Europe. Bordered by Germany to the North, Italy to the South, France to the West, and Austria and Liechtenstein to the East.

The famed Swiss Alps, run throughout the country, but mainly stay South of Winterthur. The largest lake in the country is Lake Geneva, or in French: Lac Leman. The Rhone River, is the main tributary flowing into the lake.

Switzerland’s major cities include: Geneva, Zurich, Basel and the capital city Berne.

ClimateThe Swiss climate is oddly temperate, but can vary from region to region. For instance, the southern tip experiences a more Mediterranean climate, whereas the mountaintops have glacial conditions. A phenomenon called Föhn can occur at all times of the year, even in winter, and is characterized by a wind with warm Mediterranean air crossing the Alps from Italy.

Language and Religion There is no official State religion, the Separation of Church and State was rejected in Switzerland - 21.1% voting in favor of the legislation.Christianity (35.8%), Catholicism (41.8%), Islam (4.3%), Eastern Orthodoxy (1.8%), atheist (9%), agnostic (4%), and theist (%39 )

The languages spoken are:German, French, Italian, and Romansh

Basilique de Valère in Sion

Economy And CurrencyThe Swiss economy is one of the most stable, modern and capitalistic economies in the world. Chemicals, health and pharmaceutical, Measuring instruments, Musical instruments, real estate, banking and insurance, tourism, and international organizations are important industries in Switzerland.

The currency is that of the Swiss Franc.

SwissnessSwitzerland is unique, in the simple fact that despite housing many European languages, it has NO written language of its own! So whichever language the citizens belong to – the Swiss people have no problem going from French, to Italian, to German – due to the vast linguistic ties. And at most times, the Swiss often wonder what makes them a nation, but the answer is simply their cumulative desire to stay together. And that, is the Swissness.

Beheading the Goose

Swiss National Day – August 1

Carnival - Basel