Official Name: Swiss Confederation 

Switzerland is a federal state composed of 26 cantons

Geography: 

Switzerland  federal republic in west central Europe, bounded 

•  On the north by France and Germany

•  On the east by Austria and Liechtenstein

•  On the south by Italy

•  On the west by France

Switzerland is one of the most mountainous countries of Europe

 with more than 70 percent of its area covered by the Alps, 

in the central and southern sections, and the Jura, in the northwest

 The Swiss Alps are part of the largest mountain system in Europe,

 and are famous for their jagged peaks and steep gorges. There are several ranges

 within the Alps, including the Pennine range, which has Switzerland’s highest peak,

 the 4,634 m (15,203 ft) Dufourspitze of Monte Rosa.

Cities:

The country has an area of 

41,285 sq km (15,940 sq mi). 

Its largest city is Zurich, and the capital is Bern.

 Other cities 

•  Zurich

•  Basel

•  Geneva

•  Lausanne

 
Climate: Temperate, varying with altitude and season. 


Nationality is approximately: Swiss 

Population is approximately:  7,288,715

Annual growth rate is approximately: 0.3%

Ethnic groups: 

The ethnic composition of Switzerland is generally

 defined by the major language communities:

•  German

•  French

•  Italian

•  and Romansch Or Romanic

 Other ethnicities, such as 

• Spanish

• Portuguese

• Turkish

 make up 6 percent of the population.

Religions:

• Roman Catholic 46%

• Protestant 40%

• Others 5%

• No religion 9%

 
Languages:

•  German 64%

•  French 19%

•  Italian 8%

•  Romansch 1%

•  Other 8%

 
 Literacy Rate is  100% 

Economy: 

GDP is approximately : $294.6 billion

Annual growth rate is approximately : 0.2% in real terms 

Per capita income is approximately: $35,614 

Natural resources:

Waterpower is the chief natural resource of Switzerland.

•  Granite

•  Limestone

•  Other building stones

•  Salt

 are the only abundant mineral resources

Small deposits of iron and manganese ores are found.

Agriculture Covers 2.8% of GDP

 Agricultural resources are limited, as most of the soil is leached and stony.

Products are 

•  Dairy Products

•  Livestock

•  Grains

•  Fruit and vegetables

•  Potatoes

•  Wine

 
Trade:

 Exports is approximately $72.5 billion:

•  Machinery and electronics

•  Chemicals and pharmaceuticals

•  Instruments and timepieces

 Major markets are:

•  Germany

•  U.S.

•  France

•  Italy

•  U.K. 

Imports is approximately $71.1 billion

Major Products are 

•  Machinery and electronics

•  Chemicals

•  Vehicles

 Major suppliers 

•  Germany

•  France

•  Italy

•  U.S.

•  Netherlands

•  U.K.

•  Japan

•  Austria

•  Belgium/Luxembourg.