Country

General Facts about Switzerland

Capital: Berne
Population:  7,4 million
Population density: 172 per sq. km
Government: Parliamentary Federal State since 1848, Direct democracy
Cantons: 20 full cantons, 6 half cantons
Languages: German (64%), French (20%), Italian (7%), Romansch (1%), others (8%)
Religions: Catholic (42%), Protestant (35%), others (23%)
Currency: Switzerland remains with the Swiss franc, usually indicated as CHF.

History, Menthality and Customs

Switzerland was founded more than 700 years ago. Long years of peace have left their mark on our heritage, history and culture.
 

A look at the past

We owe the fact that Switzerland is in Switzerland to Caesar - in 58 BC he prevented the Helvetians from emigrating to France and founded a flourishing Helvetia (Augst, Avenches are, amongst others, evidence of this to the present day). The people remained in the Alps. The real history of Switzerland began in the 13th century, with the first alliances from the villages around Lake Lucerne (William Tell, Rütlischwur) - victorious battles against the Habsburgs, new alliances, and battles within Switzerland - Reformation (Calvin and Zwingli) and the Counter-Reformation.

 Conquest by Napoleon in 1798 put an end to the Old Confederation-. The new era began - in 1848 the political arguments about the type of state lead to a pioneering, revolutionary constitution for Europe - a democratic Federal state with 26 sovereign cantons, democratically elected authorities, a two chamber system, a direct political say and equality of the four languages of the country and cultures.

Mentality

The Swiss are a friendly and hospitable people, though somewhat reserved at times. Life in our towns and cities is secure. We share an independent spirit, a respect for tradition and no fewer than four languages and dozens of dialects. The Swiss love for partying isn't yet widely known. But the seasons are marked by traditional festivals and popular pageants.

Festivals and Traditions

Some examples of Swiss celebrations:First of August, the Swiss Independence day. Zurich's spring festival, the Sechseläuten. Carnival is celebrated all over Switzerland. Hornussen, a unique sport. Onion market in Berne. Harmless Cow fights in the Valais. Locarno's piazza is a splendid open air cinema during its International Film Festival.

(source: www.myswitzerland.com)