Switzerland (German: Schweiz, French: Suisse, Italian:
Svizzera, Romansh: Svizra), officially the Swiss Confederation (Confoederatio
Helvetica in Latin, hence its ISO country code CHE), is a landlocked
country of 7.5 million people in Western Europe with an area of
41,285 km². Switzerland is a federal republic consisting of
26 states called cantons. Berne is the seat of the federal and de
facto capital,[5] while the country's economic centres are its two
global cities, Geneva and especially Zürich. Switzerland is
one of the richest countries in the world.
Switzerland is bordered by Germany, France, Italy, Austria and
Liechtenstein. Switzerland is multilingual and has four national
languages: German, French, Italian and Romansh. Switzerland has
a long history of neutrality – it has not been at war since
1815 – and hosts many international organizations, including
the Red Cross, the WTO and one of the U.N.'s two European offices.
The Latin formal name of Switzerland, Confoederatio Helvetica is
derived from the Helvetii, an ancient Celtic people in the Alpine
region. It is rendered in German as Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft,
in French as Confédération suisse, in Italian as Confederazione
Svizzera and in Romansh as Confederaziun svizra. The independence
of Switzerland is traditionally dated to August 1, 1291; the first
of August is the national holiday.
Contents [hide]
1 History
1.1 Early history
1.2 Old Swiss Confederacy
1.3 Napoleonic era
1.4 Federal state
1.5 Modern history
2 Politics
2.1 Direct democracy
2.2 Cantons
2.3 International institutions in Switzerland
3 Geography
4 Economy
5 Switzerland and the European Union
6 Energy
7 Demographics
8 Religion
9 Culture
9.1 Sport
10 Notes
11 References
12 See also
13 External links
[edit] History
Main article: History of Switzerland
[edit] Early history
Main article: Early history of Switzerland
Further information: History of the Alps, Alemannia, and Upper Burgundy
The house dominions that existed around AD 1200:
Savoy Zähringer Habsburg KyburgIn 15 BCE, Tiberius and Drusus
conquered the Alps, and the region became integrated into the Roman
Empire: the Helvetii settlement area became part first of Gallia
Belgica and later of the province of Germania Superior, while the
eastern part was integrated into the Roman province of Raetia. In
the Early Middle Ages, the Swiss plateau and the valleys of the
Alps were gradually settled by the Alemanni. The area of Switzerland
was incorporated in the Frankish Empire in the 530s, and as part
of the Holy Roman Empire was divided between Alemannia and Upper
Burgundy. By AD 1200, the Swiss plateau was divided between the
dominions of the houses of Savoy, Zähringer, Habsburg and Kyburg.
With the failing of the Kyburg dynasty in 1264, the house of Habsburg
under Rudolph I (who also became emperor in 1273) could greatly
extend its territory in the eastern Swiss plateau.
[edit] Old Swiss Confederacy
Main article: Old Swiss Confederacy
Further information: Growth of the Old Swiss Confederacy, Reformation
in Switzerland, and Early Modern Switzerland
The nucleus of the Old Swiss Confederacy was an alliance between
the communities of the valleys in the central Alps to facilitate
the management of common interests such as free trade and to ensure
the peace along the important trade routes through the mountains.
The Federal Charter of 1291 among the rural communes of Uri, Schwyz,
and Unterwalden is traditionally considered the founding document
of the confederacy, although similar alliances may have existed
already a few decades earlier.[6]
A view of Zug in 1548.By 1353 the three original cantons had been
joined by the cantons of Glarus and Zug and the city states of Lucerne,
Zürich and Berne, forming the "Old Confederacy" of
eight states that persisted during much of the 15th century and
led to a significant increase of power and wealth of the federation,
in particular due to several more victories against the Habsburgs
(Battle of Sempach, Battle of Näfels), over Charles the Bold
of Burgundy during the 1470s, and the success of the Swiss mercenaries.
The Swiss victory in the Swabian War against the Swabian League
of Emperor Maximilian I in 1499 amounted to de facto independence
from the Holy Roman Empire.
The expansion of the federation, and the reputation of being invincible
acquired during the earlier wars, suffered a first setback in 1515
with the Swiss defeat in the Battle of Marignano, which ended the
so-called "heroic" epoch of Swiss history. The success
of Zwingli's Reformation in some cantons led to inter-cantonal wars
in 1529 and 1531 (Kappeler Kriege). Under the Treaty of Westphalia
in 1648, European countries recognised Switzerland's independence
from the Holy Roman Empire and its neutrality (ancien régime).
In Early Modern Switzerland, the conflict between Catholic and Protestant
cantons persisted, erupting in further violence at the battles of
Villmergen in 1656 and 1712, and the growing authoritarianism of
the patriciate families combined with a financial crisis in the
wake of the Thirty Years' War led to the Swiss peasant war of 1653.
[edit] Napoleonic era
Main articles: Switzerland in the Napoleonic era, Helvetic Republic,
and Act of Mediation
The Act of Mediation was Napoleon's attempt at a compromise between
the Ancien Régime and a Republic.In 1798 the armies of the
French Revolution conquered Switzerland and imposed a new unified
constitution. This centralised the government of the country and
effectively abolished the cantons. The new regime, known as the
Helvetic Republic, was highly unpopular. It had been imposed by
a foreign invading army and destroyed centuries of tradition, making
Switzerland nothing more than a French satellite state. The fierce
French suppression of the Nidwalden Revolt in September of 1798
is an example of the suppressing presence of the French army and
the local population's resistance to the occupation.
When war broke out between France and its rivals, Russian and Austrian
forces invaded Switzerland. In 1803 Napoleon organised a meeting
of the leading Swiss politicians from both sides in Paris. The result
was the Act of Mediation which largely restored Swiss autonomy and
introduced a Confederation of 19 cantons. Henceforth much of Swiss
politics would concern balancing the cantons' tradition of self-rule
with the need for a central government.
In 1815 the Congress of Vienna fully re-established Swiss independence
and the European powers agreed to permanently recognise Swiss neutrality.
The treaty marked the last time that Switzerland fought in an international
conflict. The treaty also allowed Switzerland to increase its territory,
with the admission of the cantons of Valais, Neuchâtel and
Geneva – this was also the last time Switzerland's territory
expanded.
[edit] Federal state
Main articles: Restauration (Switzerland) and Switzerland as a federal
state
The restoration of the power to the patriciate was only temporary.
After a period of unrest with repeated violent clashes such as the
Züriputsch of 1839, civil war broke out between some of the
Catholic and most of the other cantons in 1847 (the Sonderbundskrieg).
The war lasted for less than a month, causing fewer than 100 casualties;
most of which were through friendly fire. However minor the Sonderbundskrieg
seems to be when compared with other European riots and wars in
the 19th century, it nevertheless had a major impact on both the
psychology and the society of the Swiss and of Switzerland. The
war made all Swiss understand the need for unity and strength towards
its European neighbours. Swiss people from all strata of society,
whether Catholic, Protestant, or from the liberal or conservative
current, realised that the cantons would profit more if their economic
and religious interest were merged. Credit to those who favored
the power of the cantons (the Sonderbund Kantone), the national
assembly was divided among an upper house (the Swiss Council of
States) and a lower house (the National Council of Switzerland).
Thus, the interests of the Federationalists were accounted for.
Switzerland adopted a federal constitution and the use of referenda
(mandatory for any amendment of this constitution) in 1848. This
constitution provided for a central authority while leaving the
cantons the right to self-government on local issues. In 1850 the
Swiss franc became the Swiss single currency. The constitution was
amended extensively in 1874 in order to take into account the rise
in population and the Industrial Revolution. It introduced the facultative
referendum for laws at the federal level. It also established federal
responsibility for defence, trade, and legal matters.
In 1891, the constitution was revised with unusually strong elements
of direct democracy, which remain unique even today. Since then,
continued political, economic, and social improvement has characterised
Swiss history.
[edit] Modern history
Main articles: Switzerland during the World Wars and Modern history
of Switzerland
The Zmutt Valley and the Mischabelhörner (or Mischabel) mountains
in the canton of Valais. The image is from a photochrom postcard
(circa 1890).Switzerland was not invaded during either of the World
Wars. During World War I, Switzerland was home to Vladimir Illych
Ulyanov (Lenin) and he remained there until 1917 [7]. Swiss neutrality
was seriously questioned by the Grimm-Hoffmann Affair in 1917, but
it was short-lived. In 1920, Switzerland joined the League of Nations,
and in 1963 the Council of Europe.
During World War II, detailed invasion plans were drawn up by the
Germans,[8] but Switzerland was never attacked. Switzerland was
able to remain independent through a combination of military deterrence,
economic concessions to Germany, and good fortune as larger events
during the war delayed an invasion. Attempts by Switzerland's small
Nazi party to cause an Anschluss with Germany failed miserably.
The Swiss press vigorously criticised the Third Reich, often infuriating
its leadership. Under General Henri Guisan, a massive mobilisation
of militia forces was ordered. The Swiss military strategy was changed
from one of static defence at the borders to protect the economic
heartland, to a strategy of organised long-term attrition and withdrawal
to strong, well-stockpiled positions high in the Alps known as the
Réduit. Switzerland was an important base for espionage by
both sides in the conflict and often mediated communications between
the Axis and Allied powers.
Switzerland's trade was blockaded by both the Allies and by the
Axis. Economic cooperation and extension of credit to the Third
Reich varied according to the perceived likelihood of invasion,
and the availability of other trading partners. Concessions reached
their zenith after a crucial rail link through Vichy France was
severed in 1942, leaving Switzerland completely surrounded by the
Axis. Over the course of the war, Switzerland interned over 300,000
refugees, 104,000 of which were foreign troops, interned according
to the Rights and Duties of Neutral Powers outlined in the Hague
Conventions. 60,000 of the refugees were civilians escaping persecution
by the Nazis. Of these, 26,000 to 27,000 were Jews. However, strict
immigration and asylum policies as well as the financial relationships
with Nazi Germany raised controversy.[9]
The Grossmünster cathedral and waterfront in modern day Zürich.Women
were granted the right to vote in the first Swiss cantons in 1959,
at the federal level in 1971, and after resistance, in the last
canton Appenzell Innerrhoden in 1990. After suffrage at the federal
level women quickly rose in political significance, with the first
woman on the seven member high council being Elisabeth Kopp from
1984–1989. The first female president was Ruth Dreifuss, elected
in 1998 to become president during 1999. (The Swiss president is
elected every year from those among the seven member high council).
The second female president is Micheline Calmy-Rey who held the
2007 Swiss high office. She is originally from the French-speaking
western area of canton Valais (Wallis in German). She is presently
joined on the seven member cabinet/high council by two other women,
Doris Leuthard, from the canton of Aargau and Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf,
from the canton of Graubünden.
In 1979 areas from inside the previous borders in the canton of
Bern attained independence from the Bernese, forming the new canton
of Jura. On April 18, 1999 the Swiss population and the cantons
voted in favour of a completely revised federal constitution.
In 2002 Switzerland became a full member of the United Nations,
leaving the Vatican and Taiwan as the last widely recognised states
without full UN membership. Switzerland is a founding member of
the EFTA, but is not a member of the European Economic Area. An
application for membership in the European Union was sent in May
1992, but not advanced since the EEA was rejected in December 1992
when Switzerland was the only country to launch a referendum on
the EEA. There have since been several referendums on the EU issue,
with a mixed reaction to these from the population, the membership
application has been frozen. Nonetheless, Swiss law is gradually
being adjusted to conform with that of the EU and the government
has signed a number of bilateral agreements with the European Union.
Switzerland, together with Liechtenstein, has been completely surrounded
by the EU since Austria's membership in 1995. On 5 June 2005, Swiss
voters agreed by a 55% majority to join the Schengen treaty, a result
that was regarded by EU commentators as a sign of support by Switzerland,
a country that is traditionally perceived as independent, neutral,
or isolationist.
[edit] Politics
Main article: Politics of Switzerland
See also: International relations of Switzerland and Voting in Switzerland
The Federal Palace in the canton of Berne is the name of the building
in which the Federal Assembly of Switzerland (federal parliament)
and the Swiss Federal Council (executive) are housed.The Federal
Constitution adopted in 1848, is the legal foundation of the modern
Federal State. A new Constitution was adopted in 1999, but did not
introduce notable changes to the federal structure. It outlines
basic and political rights of individuals and citizen participation
in public affairs, and divides the powers between the Confederation
and the cantons and defines federal jurisdictions and authorities.
There are three main governing bodies on the federal level:[10]
the bicameral parliament (legislative), the Federal Council (executive)
and the Federal Court (judicial).
The Swiss Parliament consists of two houses: the Council of States
which has 46 representatives (two from each canton and one from
each half-canton) who are elected under a system determined by each
canton, and the National Council, which consists of 200 members
who are elected under a system of proportional representation, depending
on the population of each canton. Members of both houses serve for
4 years. When both houses are in joint session, they are known collectively
as the Federal Assembly. Through referendums, citizens may challenge
any law passed by parliament and through initiatives, introduce
amendments to the federal constitution, making Switzerland a direct
democracy.
The Swiss Federal Council in 2008.
The Swiss Federal Council in 2008. The current members of the council
are (from left to right): Widmer-Schlumpf, Leuenberger, Calmy-Rey,
Couchepin, Schmid, Leuthard, Merz. The Federal Chancellor of Switzerland,
Casanova, is also pictured.The top executive body and collective
Head of State is the Federal Council, a collegial body of seven
members, elected for a four-year mandate by the Federal Assembly
that is also its supervising authority. The President of the Confederation
is elected among the seven members, traditionally in rotation, for
a one-year term, in order to chair the government and assume representative
functions, yet also keeps his function in the cabinet and has no
additional powers.
The Swiss government has been a coalition of the four major political
parties since 1959, each party having a number of seats that roughly
reflects its share of electorate and representation in the federal
parliament: currently there are 1 Christian Democrat (CVP/PDC),
2 Social Democrats (SPS/PSS), 2 Liberal Democrats (FDP/PRD), and
2 representatives of the Swiss People's Party (SVP/UDC) in the government.
This traditional distribution of seats is called the "magic
formula", and is not backed up by any law. The original distribution
of 2 CVP/PDC, 2 SPS/PSS, 2 FDP/PRD and 1 SVP/UDC lasted from 1959
to 2003, until the CVP/PDC lost their second seat to the SVP/UDC,
which had become the strongest party in Switzerland's legislative
following the 2003 parliamentary elections.
The function of the Federal Supreme Court is to hear appeals of
cantonal courts or the administrative rulings of the federal administration.
The judges are elected by the Federal Assembly for six-year terms.
[edit] Direct democracy
Swiss citizens are subject to three legal jurisdictions: the commune,
canton and federal levels. The 1848 federal constitution defines
a system of direct democracy (sometimes called half-direct democracy
since it is added by the more commonplace institutions of a parliamentary
democracy). The instruments of Swiss direct democracy at the federal
level, known as civil rights (Volksrechte, droits civiques), include
the right to submit a constitutional initiative and a referendum,
both of which may overturn parliamentary decisions.
By calling a federal referendum a group of citizens may challenge
a law that has been passed by Parliament, if they can gather 50,000
signatures against the law within 100 days. If so, a national vote
is scheduled where voters decide by a simple majority whether to
accept or reject the law. Eight cantons together can also call a
referendum on a federal law.
Similarly, the federal constitutional initiative allows citizens
to put a constitutional amendment to a national vote, if they can
get 100,000 voters to sign the proposed amendment within 18 months.[11]
Parliament can supplement the proposed amendment with a counter-proposal,
with voters having to indicate a preference on the ballot in case
both proposals are accepted. Constitutional amendments, whether
introduced by initiative or in Parliament, must be accepted by a
double majority of both the national popular vote and a majority
of the cantonal popular votes.[12] [13] [14] [15]
[edit] Cantons
Main article: Cantons of Switzerland
ValaisTicinoGraubünden
(Grisons)GenevaVaudNeuchâtelJuraBerneThurgauZurichAargauLucerneSolothurnBasel-LandSchaffhausenUriSchwyzGlarusSt.
GallenAppenzell InnerrhodenAppenzell AusserrhodenObwaldenNidwaldenZugFribourgBasel-CityFranceItalyLiechensteinAustriaGermanyCantons
of Switzerland
The Zytglogge clock tower in Kramgasse, Berne.
A detailed map of Switzerland.The Swiss Confederation consists of
26 cantons:
*These cantons, called half-cantons, are represented by one councillor
(instead of two) in the Council of States and only count half (instead
of one) in national votes on constitutional amendments.
Their populations vary between 15,000 (Appenzell Innerrhoden) and
1,253,500 (Zürich), and their area between 37 km² (Basel-Stadt)
and 7,105 km² (Graubünden). The Cantons comprise a total
of 2,889 municipalities. Within Switzerland there are two enclaves:
Büsingen belongs to Germany, Campione d'Italia belongs to Italy.
In a referendum held in the Austrian state of Vorarlberg on 11
May 1919 over 80% of those voting supported a proposal that the
state should join the Swiss Confederation. However, this was prevented
by the opposition of the Austrian Government, the Allies, Swiss
liberals, the Swiss-Italians (persons of Swiss nationality who live
in Italian Switzerland – see map) and the Romands (Swiss nationals
living in the French-speaking regions of Switzerland – see
map).[16]
[edit] International institutions in Switzerland
An unusual number of international institutions have their seats
in Switzerland, in part due to its policy of neutrality. The Red
Cross was founded there in 1863 and still has its institutional
centre in the country. Switzerland is not a member of the European
Union; the Swiss people rejected membership in a referendum in the
early 1990s. Switzerland is one of the most recent countries to
have joined the United Nations, in 2002, even though Geneva is the
second biggest centre for the United Nations after New York, and
Switzerland was a founding member of the League of Nations.
[edit] Geography
Main article: Geography of Switzerland
See also: Swisstopo, List of lakes of Switzerland, List of rivers
of Switzerland, and List of mountain passes in Switzerland
A winter view of Sent in the canton of Graubünden.
The Matterhorn (or Cervino) near the Swiss village of Zermatt in
the canton of Valais.With an area of 41,285 square kilometres (15,940
sq mi), Switzerland is a relatively small country. The population
is about 7.5 million, resulting in an average population density
of 182 people per square kilometer (472/sq mi).[17] However, the
more mountainous southern half of the country is far more sparsely
populated than this average, while the northern half has a somewhat
greater density, as it comprises more hospitable hilly terrain,
partly forested and partly cleared, as well as several large lakes.
Switzerland comprises three basic topographical areas: the Swiss
Alps, the Swiss plateau or "middleland", and the Jura
mountains along the northwestern border with France. The Alps are
a high mountain range running across the central-south of the country.
Among the high peaks of the Swiss Alps, the highest of which is
the Dufourspitze at 4,634 metres (15,203 ft), are found countless
valleys, many with waterfalls and glaciers. From these the headwaters
of several major European rivers such as the Rhine, Rhône,
Inn, Aare, and Ticino flow finally into the largest Swiss lakes
such as Lake Geneva (Lac Leman), Lake Zürich, Lake Neuchâtel,
and Lake Constance.
The most famous mountain is the Matterhorn (4,478 m) in Valais
and Pennine Alps bordering Italy. The highest mountain, the Dufourspitze
(4,634 m) of Monte Rosa, is close to the Matterhorn. The section
of the Bernese Alps above the deep glacial Lauterbrunnen Valley
containing 72 waterfalls is also well known for the Jungfrau (4,158
m), Mönch, Eiger group of peaks, and the many picturesque valleys
in the region. In the southeast the long Engadin Valley, encompassing
the St Moritz area in canton Graubünden, is also well known;
the highest peak in the neighbouring Bernina Alps is Piz Bernina
(4,049 m).[18]
Morcote in the warmer southern canton of Ticino.
The canton of Schwyz in the center of Switzerland.The more populous
northern part of the country is called the Middle Land. It has greater
open and hilly landscapes, partly forested, partly open meadow,
usually with grazing herds, or vegetables and fruits growing, but
it can still be somewhat mountainous. There are large lakes found
here and the biggest Swiss cities are in this area of the country.[18]
This section, particularly the west, is also referred to as the
"Seeland" (the land of lakes) and the largest lake is
Lake Geneva (also called Lac Léman), at the westernmost of
Switzerland. The Rhone River is the main tributary to Lac Léman.
The Swiss National Park in the canton of Graubünden.
A sunset in the Swiss Alps.The Swiss climate is generally temperate,
but can vary greatly between the localities, from glacial conditions
on the mountaintops to the often pleasant Mediterranean climate
at Switzerland's southern tip. Summer tends to be warm and humid
at times with periodic rain so it is ideal for pastures and grazing.
The winters in the mountains alternate with sun and snow, while
the lower lands tend to be more cloudy and foggy in winter. A weather
phenomenon known as the Föhn can occur at all times of the
year, even in winter, and is characterized by a wind with warm Mediterranean
air. The driest conditions persist in the southern valleys of the
Wallis/Valais above which valuable saffron is harvested and many
grapes are grown, Graubünden also tends to be drier in climate
and slightly colder, yet with plentiful snow in winter. The wettest
conditions persist in the high Alps and in the Ticino which has
much sun yet heavy bursts of rain from time to time. The east tends
to be colder than the west of Switzerland, yet anywhere up high
in the mountains can experience a cold spell at any time of the
year. Precipitation tends to be spread moderately throughout the
year, with minor variations across the seasons depending on locale.
Autumn frequently tends to be the driest season, yet the weather
patterns in Switzerland can be highly variable from year to year,
and difficult to predict.
Switzerland's eco-systems can be particularly vulnerable, due to
the many delicate valleys separated by high mountains, often forming
unique ecologies. The mountainous regions themselves are also vulnerable,
with a rich range of plants not found at other altitudes, and experience
some pressure from visitors and grazing. The tree line in the mountains
of Switzerland has retreated down 1000 ft over the years, largely
due to herding and grazing pressures.
[edit] Economy
Main article: Economy of Switzerland
See also: List of Swiss companies, Swiss bank, and Merchant Marine
of Switzerland
Tourism is important in the Engadin valley. St. Moritz, pictured
above, is in the canton of Graubünden.Switzerland has a stable
modern mixed market economy, with a nominal per capita GDP that
is higher than those of the larger western European economies, the
United States, and Japan ranking 6th behind Luxembourg, Norway,
Qatar, Iceland and Ireland. If adjusted for purchasing power parity
it ranks 13th. The World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness
Report currently ranks Switzerland's economy as the most competitive
in the world.[19] For much of the 20th century, Switzerland was
the wealthiest country in Europe by a considerable margin.[20] Its
median household income in 2003 was an estimated 96,000 CHF, the
equaivalent of roughly $54,000 USD in pucharsing power parity, considerably
higher than in other post-industrial-countries, such as the U.S.,
Canada or UK.[21]
Cheese making and dairying is an important Swiss industry.Switzerland
is home to several large multinational corporations. Notable among
these are Nestle, UBS AG, Zurich Financial Services, Credit Suisse,
Novartis, Roche, ABB, Swiss Re, and The Swatch Group. Switzerland
is ranked as one of the most powerful economies in the world.[20]
Banking, tourism, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals are important
industries in Switzerland. The manufacture of precision instruments
for engineering is important, as is watch-making, and the biological
sciences industries as well enjoy a high place in the Swiss economy.
The many international organizations in Switzerland contribute to
the Swiss economy and labor market.
Switzerland's unemployment rate has increased since the beginning
of the 21st century, where it stood at a low 1.8% in 2001. The unemployment
rate doubled due to problematic low economic growth to 3.9% in 2006
and decreased again to 3.3% in 2007. [22]
[edit] Switzerland and the European Union
Main article: Switzerland and the European Union
See also: Enlargement of the European Union - Switzerland
In recent years, the Swiss have brought their economic practices
largely into conformity with those of the European Union in many
ways, in an effort to enhance their international competitiveness.
The economy has been growing most recently at around 3% per year.
Full EU membership is a long-term objective of some in the Swiss
government, but there is considerable popular sentiment against
this supported by the conservative SVP party. The western French-speaking
areas and the urban regions of the rest of the country tend to be
more pro-EU.[citations needed]
The government has established an Integration Office under the
Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Economic Affairs.
To minimise the negative consequences of Switzerland's isolation
from the rest of Europe, Bern and Brussels signed seven bilateral
agreements to further liberalise trade ties. These agreements were
signed in 1999 and took effect in 2001. This first series of bilateral
agreements included the free movement of persons. A second series
covering nine areas was signed in 2004 and has since been ratified.
The second series includes the Schengen treaty and the Dublin Convention.
They continue to discuss further areas for cooperation. Switzerland
most recently (2006) approved a billion francs supportive investment
in the poorer eastern European countries in support of cooperation
and positive ties to the EU as a whole. A further referendum will
be needed to approve 300 million francs to support Romania and Bulgaria
and their recent admission. The Swiss have also been under EU and
sometimes international pressure to reduce banking secrecy and to
raise tax rates to parity with the European Union. Preparatory discussions
are being opened in four new areas: opening up the electricity market,
participation in the European GPS system Galileo, cooperating with
the European centre for disease prevention and recognising certificates
of origin for food products. Switzerland voted against membership
in the European Economic Area in December 1992 and has since maintained
and developed its relationships with the European Union and European
countries through bilateral agreements. In March 2001, the Swiss
people refused in a popular vote to start accession negotiations
with the EU. Both Switzerland and Norway have consistently voted
against EU membership, although the votes have been close.[citations
needed]
[edit] Energy
The Leibstadt Nuclear Power Plant is located in the canton of Aargau.See
also: Nuclear power in Switzerland and Waste management in Switzerland
Electricity generated in Switzerland is 42% from nuclear and 53%
from hydroelectricity with 5% of the electricity generated from
conventional power sources (thermal etc.) resulting in a nearly
CO2-free electricity-generating network.
On 18 May 2003, two anti-nuclear initiatives were turned down:
Moratorium Plus, aimed at forbidding the building of new nuclear
power plants (41.6% supported and 58.4% opposed),[23] and Electricity
Without Nuclear (33.7% supported and 66.3% opposed).[24] The former
ten-year moratorium on the construction of new nuclear power plants
was the result of a citizens' initiative voted on in 1990 which
had passed with 54.5% Yes vs. 45.5% No votes. A new nuclear plant
in the Canton of Bern is presently planned.
The Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) is the office responsible
for all questions relating to energy supply and energy use within
the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications
(DETEC). The agency is supporting the 2000-watt society initiative
to cut the nation's energy use by more than half by the year 2050.[25]
See also SwissEnergy.
Switzerland is heavily active in recycling and anti-littering regulations
and is one of the top recyclers in the world with 66% to 96% of
the different recyclable materials being recycled.[26] In many places
in Switzerland, household rubbish disposal is charged for. Garbage
(except dangerous items, batteries etc.) will only be collected
if it is in bags which either have a payment sticker attached, or
in official bags with the surcharge paid when the bags are purchased.[27]
This gives a financial incentive to recycle as much as possible,
since recycling is free.[28] Swiss health officials and police often
open up garbage for which the disposal charge has not been paid.
They search for evidence such as old bills which connect the bag
to the household/person they originated from. Fines for not paying
the disposal fee range from 200–500 Francs ($165–$410
at April 2007 exchange rates).[29]
[edit] Demographics
Main articles: Swiss (people), Demographics of Switzerland, and
Swiss German
Further information: List of Swiss people
Main languages in Switzerland:[30]
Swiss German (62.7%)
French (20.4%)
Italian (6.5%)
Romansh (0.5%)Switzerland lies at the crossroads of several major
European cultures that have heavily influenced the country's languages
and culture. Switzerland has three official languages: German (63%
according to 2000 Census) in the north, east and centre of the country;
French (20.4%) to the west; Italian (6.5%) in the south.[30] Romansh,
a Romance language spoken locally by a small minority (< 0.5%)
in the southeastern canton of Graubünden, is designated by
the Federal Constitution as a national language along with German,
French and Italian (Article 4 of the Constitution), and as official
language if the authorities communicate with persons of Romansh
language (Article 70), but federal laws and other official acts
do not need to be decreed in this language. The federal government
is obliged to communicate in the official languages, and in the
federal parliament simultaneous translation is provided from and
into German, French and Italian. The German spoken in Switzerland
is predominantly a group of dialects collectively known as Swiss
German, but written communication typically use Swiss Standard German,
whilst a the majority of radio and TV broadcast is (nowadays) in
Swiss German as well. Similarly, there are some dialects of Franco-Provençal
in rural communities in the French speaking part, known as "Suisse
romande", called Vaudois, Gruérien, Jurassien, Empro,
Fribourgeois, Neuchâtelois, and in the Italian speaking area,
Ticinese (a dialect of Lombard). Also the official languages (German,
French and Italian) borrow some terms not understood outside of
Switzerland, i.e. terms from other languages (German Billette[31]
from French), from similar term in another language (Italian azione
used not as act but as discount from German Aktion). Learning one
of the other national languages at school is obligatory for all
Swiss, so most Swiss are supposed to be at least bilingual.
Resident foreigners and temporary foreign workers make up about
21% of the population[32]. Most of these are from European Union
and EFTA countries [33]. Italians are the largest single group of
foreigners with 18% of total foreign population, while people from
the various nations of former Yugoslavia make up 21%, there are
also many ethnic Albanians. Immigrants from Sri Lanka, most of them
former Tamil refugees, are the largest group among people of Asian
origin[34].
[edit] Religion
Main article: Religion in Switzerland
Cathedral Notre-Dame de Lausanne in the canton of Vaud.Switzerland
has no official state religion, though most of the cantons (except
Geneva and Neuchâtel) recognise official churches, in all
cases including the Catholic Church and the Swiss Reformed Church.
These churches, and in some cantons also the Old Catholic Church
and Jewish congregations, are financed by official taxation of adherents.[35]
Christianity is the predominant religion of Switzerland, divided
between the Catholic Church (41.8% of the population) and various
Protestant denominations (40%). Immigration has brought Islam (4.3%,
predominantly Albanians mostly from Kosovo) and Eastern Orthodoxy
(1.8%) as sizeable minority religions.[36] The 2005 Eurobarometer
poll[37] found 48% to be theist, 39% expressing belief in "a
spirit or life force", 9% atheist and 4% agnostic.
The Notre Dame de Valere.The country is historically about evenly
balanced between Catholic and Protestant, with a complex patchwork
of majorities over most of the country. One canton, Appenzell, was
officially divided into Catholic and Protestant sections in 1597.[38]
The larger cities (Bern, Zürich and Basel) are predominantly
Protestant. Central Switzerland, as well as the Ticino, is traditionally
Catholic. The Swiss constitution of 1848, under the recent impression
of the clashes of Catholic vs. Protestant cantons that culminated
in the Sonderbundskrieg, consciously defines a consociational state,
allowing the peaceful co-existence of Catholics and Protestants.
A 1980 initiative calling for the complete separation of church
and state was clearly rejected, with only 21.1% voting in support.
[edit] Culture
Main article: Culture of Switzerland
See also: Music of Switzerland, Swiss folklore, Alpine culture,
Swiss cuisine, Swiss literature, and Swiss media
The culture of Switzerland is influenced by its neighbours and its
international sentiment, but over the years a distinctive culture
with some regional differences and an independent streak has developed.
In particular, French-speaking regions have tended to orient themselves
slightly more on French culture and tend to be more pro EU. In general,
the Swiss are known for their long standing humanitarian tradition
as Switzerland is the birth place of the Red Cross Movement and
hosts the United Nations Human Rights Council. Swiss German speaking
areas may perhaps be seen more oriented on German culture and can
be more traditionalist and neutralist, and Italian-speaking areas
can have more of an Italian culture. A region may be in some ways
strongly culturally connected to the neighbouring country that shares
its language. The linguistically isolated Rhaeto-Romanic culture
in the eastern mountains of Switzerland is also robust and strives
to maintain its rare linguistic tradition. Switzerland's entry to
the Eurovision Song Contest of 1989 was in Romansh.
Many mountain areas have a strong highly energetic ski town culture
in winter, and a hiking/wandering culture in summer. Some areas
throughout the year have a recreational culture that caters to tourism,
yet the quieter seasons are spring and autumn when there are fewer
visitors and a higher ratio of Swiss. A traditional farmer and herder
culture also predominates in many areas, and this connection to
the land and agriculture is a strong glue holding all the Swiss
together. Even though most no longer actually farm themselves, the
small farms are omnipresent outside the cities, and as well many
Swiss at least have a small garden plot or many window boxes with
geraniums and other flowers.
[edit] Sport
A game of Hornussen.Like many European nations the Swiss are big
fans of football and the national team or 'Nati' is widely supported.
Swiss wrestling or "Schwingen" is an old tradition from
the rural central cantons and considered the national sport. Hornussen
is another indigenous Swiss sport, which is like a cross between
baseball and golf. Steinstossen is the Swiss variant of stone put,
a competition in throwing a heavy stone. Practiced among the alpine
population since prehistoric times, it is recorded to have taken
place in Basel in the 13th century. It is also central to the Unspunnenfest,
first held in 1805, with its symbol the 83.5 kg Unspunnenstein.
Floorball is a new sport in Switzerland that grows every year in
popularity. A main factor is the professional league called Nationalliga
A that draws many famous players from other countries.
Over the last few years several Swiss tennis players, like Roger
Federer and Martina Hingis, have been multiple Grand Slam singles
champions. One of the world's best current ice skaters is Swiss
Stéphane Lambiel. Many Swiss also follow hockey and support
one of the 12 clubs in the league A. Two clubs are from the French
speaking part, and two other from the Italian part. The canton Graubünden
has HC Davos as its own club which won the 2006–2007 Swiss
championship. The German speaking part of Switzerland has 7 clubs.
The most known swiss club is SCBerne. Switzerland is also the home
of the successful sailing team Alinghi. Other sports where the Swiss
have been successful include fencing (Marcel Fischer), whitewater
slalom (Ronnie Dürrenmatt – canoe, Mathias Röthenmund
– kayak), ice hockey (Swiss National League), beach volleyball
(Sascha Heyer, Markus Egger, Paul and Martin Laciga), and skiing
(Bernhard Russi, Pirmin Zurbriggen, Didier Cuche). Motorsport racecourses
were banned in Switzerland following the 1955 Le Mans disaster,
however the country has produced successful racers such as Clay
Regazzoni, and leading drivers such as Michael Schumacher, Kimi
Räikkönen, Fernando Alonso and now Lewis Hamilton all
live there
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