Terrain

Two thirds of Switzerland's landscape are dominated by the Alps, with the rest being characterized by rolling hills and lake districts. The country's highest elevation is Dufour Peak (4634 m). Remarkable glaciers (like Aletsch glacier extending to a length of 24 km, thus the longest glacier in Europe) are a common feature of quite a few mountains in Switzerland. The Swiss Jura (a mountain range consisting of limestone rising up to 1700 m) runs right through the north-west of the country. The Swiss Plateau is dominated by lakes and hills. The country's biggest river is the Rhine, with the biggest lakes being Lake Geneva, Lake Constance, and Lake Maggiore.

Climate

Switzerland's Alpine parts form a climatic divide. Mountainous regions are characterized by temperate climate, whereas the south of the country is dominated by Mediterrannean climate. With mountain elevations increasing, temperatures get lower, whereas warm summers and mild winters are common in the utmost south of Switzerland. Accordingly, average precipitation varies, with about 800 mm in low-land regions, and up to 4000 mm not uncommon for some mountainsides in the north.

Fauna/Flora

Switzerland's plant life is extremely diverse, depending on elevation levels. Low-level regions and valleys up to 600 - 800 m are rich in deciduous trees and mixed woodland. Higher elevation levels from 1700 m on are dominated by coniferous trees, dwarfed shrubs, lichen, and moss. Southern Switzerland is abounding in Mediterranean plants like almond trees, cypresses, and laurel trees. Wild life has adapted to living in mountainous areas. Animals common include chamois, marmots, ibex, and birds of prey like the Golden Eagle. Woodland areas are populated by roe deer, deer, fox, and a variety of bird species, rivers are rich in trouts. Diversity in reptile species is another feature of Southern Switzerland.

History/Politics

In the first century BC, before the region was conquered by the Romans, Celtic Helvetia and Rhaeto-Romans settled in the area of present-day Switzerland. Roman sovereignty remained unchallenged until 500 AD, when Altemanni and Burgundians conquered the area. In the 11th century AD, the region became part of the Holy Roman Empire. By the end of the 13th century, the cantons of Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden presented a united front against Habsburg armies. After having defeated Emperor Rudolph I. of Habsburg and the Burgundians a century later, further cantons joined the Swiss Confederation. In 1499, administrative reform initiated by Emperor Maximilian I lead to the outbreak of the Swiss War, with a victorious Switzerland gaining independence. Following the war, the cantons became part of an independent union of states which was to remain in existence until 1798.

By the early 16th century, Switzerland became involved in wars against Italy and France, leading to territorial gains (canton Tessin), but still suffering defeat on the battlefields. This bitter experience was to be the beginning of Switzerland's neutral status. In 1518, the people, lead by Ulrich Zwingli, started to protest against the Catholic custom of selling indulgences. First, the Catholic establishment remained victorious, but resistance was to remain there. Theologian Johannes Calvin became the new leader of the protest movement. Switzerland stuck to neutrality during the Thirty Years War (1618 - 1648). The country was recognized as an independent nation in accordance with the Peace of Westphalia marking the end of the war.

In 1798, French armies led by Napoleon Bonaparte occupied Switzerland. As a result of the Napoleonic Wars, three French-speaking cantons (Geneva, Neuenburg, and Wallis) were added to the Swiss territory in 1815. Domestic politics in the years to follow were characterized by a liberal approach, with economic and social reform as a consequence. During World War I, Switzerland remained neutral, but still suffered harsh economic set-back. Measures taken by the government lead to grave dissatisfaction and to a major increase in votes for the Social Democratic Party.

Switzerland again remained neutral during World War II and showed strong involvement in humanitarian activities when it came to helping citizens of the countries most hardly-hit by war. Domestic politics in the post-war era were characterized by consecutive coalition governments. Given her neutral status, Switzerland refused to join the United Nations, but became a member of UNESCO, World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund. In 1971, Switzerland adopted universal suffrage for women, however, introduction of the measure on a national scale was accomplished as late as 1990. The decision of establishing Rhaeto-Romanic as the fourth official language in Switzerland was taken in 1996. Switzerland finally decided to join the United Nations in 2002.

Economy

With a strongly industrialized economy, 70% of Switzerland's active population is employed in the services sector, 26% in manufacturing, and 4% in agriculture. Main agricultural products comprise vegetables and fruit (like sugar beet, wheat, potatoes, apples, and grapes), there is also strong emphasis on dairy products. Extensive woodlands provide the basis for forestry. Most important sectors in manufacturing include machinery, precision engineering and optical instruments, as well as chemicals. Switzerland is famous for producing watches and first-rate chocolate. Both products are also earmarked for export on a world-wide scale. Tourism is another sector of major economic importance. The country's gross domestic product growth amounted to 2% in the first quarter of 2000, with unemployment at 1.9%.

Culture

Switzerland's literary scene was a good breeding ground for famous writers like Gottfried Keller, Hermann Hesse, Max Frisch, Friedrich Dürrenmatt, and Charles Ferdinand Ramuz. In 1880, Johanna Spyri created the world-famous story "Heidi". Swiss painters Conrad Witz, Arnold Böcklin, Henrich Füssli, Paul Klee, and Ferdinand Hodler have gained world-wide acclaim when it comes to visual arts. Further, the eyes of the world have turned to Switzerland thanks to the outstanding achievements of sculpturist Alberto Giacometti and architect Le Corbusier (Charles-Edouard Jeanneret).