Switzerland

Switzerland is a Central European country recognized globally for financial services excellence, high-quality precision manufacturing, technological innovation, and strong environmental sustainability.

Easy learning about Switzerland

Word: Alps

Meaning: high peaks

Basic Information

Capital City: Bern, capital city of Switzerland

Population: 9,092,436 (UN)

Area: 41,290 km² / 25,656 sq mi

People are called: Swiss

Type: Country

Administrative Divisions

26 cantons

Aargau
Appenzell Ausserrhoden
Appenzell Innerrhoden
Basel-Landschaft
Basel-Stadt
Berne/Bern
Fribourg/Freiburg
Genève (Geneva)
Glarus
Graubuenden/Grigioni/Grischun
Jura
Luzern (Lucerne)
Neuchatel
Nidwalden
Obwalden
Sankt Gallen
Schaffhausen
Schwyz
Solothurn
Thurgau
Ticino
Uri
Valais/Wallis
Vaud
Zug
Zuerich

The canton names are in the official language(s) of the canton with the exception of Geneve and Luzern, where the conventional names (Geneva and Lucerne) have been added in parentheses.

6 of the cantons

Appenzell Ausserrhoden
Appenzell Innerrhoden
Basel-Landschaft
Basel-Stadt
Nidwalden
Obwalden

Are referred to as half cantons because they elect only one member (instead of two) to the Council of States and, in popular referendums where a majority of popular votes and a majority of cantonal votes are required - these 6 cantons only have a half vote

Geography

Latitude: 47° 00' N

Longitude: 8° 00' E

Geographical Subregion: Western Europe

Continental Region: Europe

Borders

Germany — Land border
Italy — Land border
Liechtenstein — Land border
France — Land border
Austria — Land border

Citizenship & Passport

Passport Ranking: 5 (HP Index)

Visa-Free Destinations: 185

Climate

temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers

Global Indices

EF EPI Position: 31 (EF EPI)

EF EPI Score: 550 (EF EPI)

EF EPI Proficiency: High Proficiency (EF EPI)

Global Peace Index Rank: 3 (GPI)

Global Peace Index Score: 1.363 (GPI)

Economy

GDP per Capita: $126,177 (IMF)

GDP per Capita Position: 4

Currency: Franc

Currency Code: CHF

Human Development

HDI Rank: 2 (UNDP)

HDI Value: 0.97

Mean Years of Schooling: 13.9

Expected Years of Schooling: 16.7

Life Expectancy at Birth: 84.0 Years

Religion

Most Predominant: Catholic

Second Most Predominant: Protestant

LGBTI Rights

Legal Status: Legal (ILGA)

Legal Mechanism: Legislative

Death Penalty: No

Maximum Prison Sentence: No

Physical Punishment: No

International Memberships

Europe

Technical Information

TLD: .ch

Calling Code: +41

MapGeo Name: Switzerland

MapGeo Code: CH

Switzerland Flag

Switzerland Armorial