Switzerland Travellers Guide
Total Area:41,290 sq km Land Borders: Austria, France, Italy,
Population: 7,523,934 Liechtenstein, Germany
Life Expectancy: 81 years HIV % Total Poulation:0.4
Ethnic Groups: German 65%, French 18%, Italian 10%, Romansch 1%, other 6%
Languages:German (official) 63.7%, French (official) 20.4%, Italian (official) 6.5%, Serbo-Croatian 1.5%, Albanian 1.3%, Portuguese 1.2%, Spanish 1.1%, English 1%, Romansch 0.5%, other 2.8%
President:Moritz LEUENBERGER GDP - Per Capita: $32,300
The Swiss Confederation was founded in 1291 as a defensive alliance among three cantons. In succeeding years, other localities joined the original three. The Swiss Confederation secured its independence from the Holy Roman Empire in 1499. Switzerland's sovereignty and neutrality have long been honored by the major European powers, and the country 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. However, the country did not officially become a UN member until 2002. Switzerland remains active in many UN and international organizations, but retains a strong commitment to neutrality.