Swiss Trip Switzerland Fact Sheet

Geography

Switzerland is situated in the central Alpine region of Europe, adjoining Italy in the south, Austria and the Principality of Liechtenstein in the east, Germany in the north and France in the west. It is without direct access to the sea. Total area: approx. 41,300 km². The Alps, situated in the south of the country, reach heights of over 4,000 m (highest point: Dufourspitze 4,634 m). In the west and north is the Jura mountain range. Between the Alps and the Jura lies the hilly, densely populated central plateau.

Thanks to its position in the Alps, at the cross-roads formed by the Gotthard, Furka and Oberalp passes, Switzerland not only contains the sources of several major European rivers - the Rhine, the Rhône, the Inn (Danube) and the Ticino (Po) - it is also important as a country for travel and transit. The fact that it is situated on significant trade routes has been crucial in determining the course of its history.

• For more information visit the Swiss World website at http://www.swissworld.org

History

Present-day Switzerland has its origins in the "Everlasting Confederation" entered into by the three earliest cantons, Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden, in 1291. After the victory of Morgarten in 1315 over the Hapsburgs, further cities and regions acceded to the Confederation: Lucerne in 1332, Zurich in 1351, Glarus and Zug in 1352, Bern in 1353. These "eight ancient cantons" became the nucleus of the Swiss Confederation, which by 1513 had expanded to 13 cantons. In 1499 the Confederation broke away from the German Empire; but this was not recognised legally until the Peace of Westphalia in 1648. Gradually, further territories joined the Confederation. Following a major civil war came the transition from a confederation of states to a federal state. In 1848 the Swiss electorate adopted a new constitution and Bern was chosen as the federal capital.

Today Switzerland consists of 26 cantons. Women were not granted the right to vote and elect representatives until 1971. In 1992 the Swiss electorate rejected accession to the European Economic Area (EEA). Since 2002 Switzerland has been a member of the UN.

• For more information visit the History of Switzerland website at http://www.history-switzerland.geschichte-schweiz.ch/

Climate

Switzerland is situated in the northern temperate zone and is influenced by the Gulf Stream. In spite of the small total area of its territory, there are considerable variations in the climate. The Alpine chain, extending from east to west, forms an important climatic divide. South of the Alps the mild Mediterranean climate prevails, whereas the north is chiefly influenced by the equable, humid maritime climate of Western Europe and, from time to time in winter, the cold continental climate of Eastern Europe. Large parts of the country lie within the sub-alpine zone characterised by forest and snow. The northern pre-alpine zone, the large alpine valleys of the Valais and parts of the Graubünden suffer occasionally from the "Foehn" (an oppressive, warm, dry wind from the south).

Average temperatures (in °C) and precipitation

• For more information visit the Meteoswiss website at http://www.meteoswiss.ch

Currency

Besides the Swiss franc, the Euro is becoming increasingly accepted. However, change is mostly given in Swiss francs.

Languages

There are four official languages in Switzerland: German, French, Italian and Romansh (Rumantsch grischun). Around 70% of the population speak Swiss-German (above all in the north-west, central and eastern parts of the country), 20% French (in the west), 7% Italian (to the south of the Alps). Romansh is only spoken in some valleys of canton Graubünden. High German is used as the written language in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, whereas a variety of dialects are spoken in everyday life. In Ticino and the southern valleys of Graubünden local Lombard dialects are spoken in addition to standard Italian.

• For more information visit the Multilingualism website at http://www.swissworld.org > Culture

Public Holidays

2008			2009
1 January	New Year's Day		1 January	New Year's Day
2 January	Berchtold's Day*		2 January	Berchtold's Day*
21 March	Good Friday*		10 April	Good Friday*
24 March	Easter Monday*		13 April	Easter Monday*
1 May	Ascension		21 May	Ascension*
1 August	National Day		1 June	White Monday*
25 December	Christmas Day		1 August	National Day
26 December	St. Stephen's Day		25 December	Christmas Day
			26 December	St Stehpen's Day

Note: *These holidays may not be observed in some cantons.
There are additional regional holidays which are observed in certain cantons only.

Food and Drink

Swiss cuisine is diverse. The great speciality is fondue, a delicious concoction of Gruyère and Vacherin cheese, melted and mixed with white wine, flour, Kirsch and a little garlic. Other cheese specialities are Emmenthal and Tête de Moine. Regional specialities include viande sechée (dried beef or pork) from Valais and the Grisons where it is called Bündnerfleisch. The meat is cut wafer thin and served with pickled spring onions and gherkins. Papet vaudoir is a delicious dish made from leeks and potatoes. Geneva's great speciality is pieds de porc (pigs feet). Pork sausages or salami come in a variety of local recipes including Landjäger, Beinwurst, Engadinerwurst, Leberwurst (pâté), Kalbsleberwurst (calf's liver pâté), and Knackerli. Swiss delicacies such as Rösti made from shredded fried potatoes and Fondue Bourguignonne made from cubed meat with various sauces should not be missed.

Cakes and pastries are another speciality, especially Leckerli. A Basel speciality, Leckerli is spiced honey cake topped with icing sugar or white sugar bear; Fasnachtküchli is a sugar-dusted pastry eaten during Carnival; Also popular are Gugelhopf, a type of sponge cake with a hollow centre and Schaffhausen Tasty which are cream-filled cakes. Of course you'll also find some of the best croissants.

Wine

A great variety of Swiss wines are available throughout the country. There are also spirits made from fruit, the most popular being Kirsch, Marc, Pflümli and Williams. Swiss beer of a larger type is also available. Bottled mineral water is an accepted beverage, with local brands including Henniez and Passuger.

For a unique skiing holiday experience in the Valais region of Switzerland, take a Swiss Trip...
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