Switzerland

Switzerland, officially known as the Swiss Confederation, is a landlocked country in west-central Europe, bordered by Italy, France, Germany, Austria, and Liechtenstein. It consists of 26 cantons, with federal authorities based in Bern, and features four main linguistic regions: German, French, Italian, and Romansh. The country’s population of nearly 9 million is primarily concentrated in the Swiss Plateau, home to major cities like Zurich, Geneva, and Lausanne.

Originating from the Old Swiss Confederacy established in the Late Middle Ages, Switzerland gained recognition for its independence in 1648. Following a period of centralist governance under Napoleon, it restored its federal system in 1848, which enshrined individual rights and separation of powers.

Switzerland has maintained a policy of armed neutrality since the 16th century, has not waged an international war since 1815, and became a UN member in 2002. It hosts several major international institutions and is a founding member of the European Free Trade Association, but is not part of the EU or the eurozone.

As one of the world’s most developed countries, Switzerland boasts the highest nominal wealth per adult and ranks eighth in GDP per capita. It is renowned for its banking sector, and industries like watchmaking and chocolate production, and offers a high quality of life, especially in cities like Zurich and Geneva.

Image Credit | By Marcos Elias de Oliveira Júnior – This W3C-unspecified vector image was created with Inkscape ., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15568851

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