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Society
The main driver of demographic growth in Switzerland over the last few decades has been migration
Throughout the year, Switzerland hosts hundreds of festivals and sporting, cultural and political events. Roughly every 25 years, Switzerland holds a National Exhibition.
Switzerland's national languages are German, French, Italian and Romansh – a multilingualism lived out in practice.
Traditions and customs are an integral part of everyday life in Switzerland.
Switzerland is a Christian country. Around two-thirds of the population are either Roman Catholic or Protestant (Reformed-Evangelical).
Swiss cuisine is as varied as its landscape – and yet you'll still find bread and cheese everywhere.
Thanks to its location at the crossroads of three major European cultures (German, French and Italian), Switzerland has a rich and varied arts and culture scene.
The Swiss are keen sports enthusiasts, especially outdoor pursuits.
History
Switzerland evolved over many centuries from a loose alliance of small self-governing towns and states to a fully-fledged federal state of 26 cantons.
Politics
Federalism and direct democracy reflect the great importance that the Swiss political system places on the freedom of choice and self-determination.
Switzerland pursues an active foreign policy.
Economy
One of the most competitive economies in the world at a glance: facts, figures and articles on business, exports, taxes and public finance.
Switzerland's ultra-modern radio and television, mobile, fixed network and broadband infrastructure makes it a highly attractive location for businesses.
A global leader in wealth management, Switzerland's banks, insurance providers and pension funds generate around 10% of the country's value-added.
The Federal Council is pursuing plans to free Switzerland from reliance on imported, non-renewable energy. Its Energy Strategy 2050 seeks to reduce consumption and increase the share of renewables.
The Swiss economy is service-oriented, but also has a strong, export-focused industrial sector. Swiss watches, which are a product of this sector, are known worldwide for their high quality.
Even though Switzerland tops the world rankings for rail travel by passenger-kilometres per capita, the car remains the country's favourite means of transport. For freight transport, efforts are under way to shift from road to rail.
Switzerland's stable labour market and low unemployment rate account for a high GDP per capita, excellent healthcare and a social security system that leaves no one behind.
Education and Science
Switzerland's diverse and permeable education system in essence offers a choice between an academic or vocational education.
The field of science and research is held in high regard in Switzerland and is promoted accordingly, resulting in highly dynamic research activity.
Environment
Switzerland lies at the heart of Europe. It has three distinct geographical regions: the Alps, the Central Plateau and the Jura. The country boasts an extraordinary variety of landscapes and habitats, which make it a highly attractive place to live in and do business.
A special feature of the Swiss landscape is its abundant natural ecosystems and their proximity to urban centres. However, it is the mountains which have proven to be integral to Switzerland's national identity.
Graphics
Various aspects of the Swiss population at a glance: social demographics, language, religion, sport, cuisine, design, Swiss abroad.
Organisation, financing and achievements of Swiss science and research presented in two graphics.
Seven aspects of Switzerland's complex political system presented in simple graphic form.
Seven charts portray the most important and prominent aspects of Switzerland’s environment, from geography to animals and plants to waste disposal.
Graphics on the economy, energy, transit, transport, media consumption and social security in Switzerland.
Swiss Specials
This enormous undertaking comprises three rail tunnels, including the Gotthard Base Tunnel – at 57.1 km, the world's longest railway tunnel.
Solar Impulse has brought the dream of flying over long distances without the need for fossil fuel a step closer to reality.
At an altitude of 2,883 metres and nestled among the glaciers and imposing peaks of the Valais Alps, the new Monte Rosa mountain refuge rises from the icy landscape like a giant sparkling shard of rock crystal.
From the medieval Old Town of Berne to the futuristic city of Brasilia, from the tiny convent of Müstair to the imposing cathedral of Chartres, from the fertile terraced vineyards of Lavaux to the vast desert of Ténéré – all have one thing in common: they are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Quality, precision, uniqueness, reliability, tradition, design, innovation … these are just a few of the words that sum up the Swiss watchmaking industry – an industry which manages to produce timepieces that are diminutive yet highly complex, traditional yet state-of-the art.
Switzerland is synonymous with mountains. Not only do they cover one third of the country’s surface area, but they are also of major historical, geopolitical and economic importance. The mountains, for example, have been the selling point of the Swiss tourist industry for more than 100 years.
Hard cheese, soft cheese, cottage cheese, cheese made in mountain chalets, cheese made in valley factories, cheese shaved into rosettes, cheese boxed in red pine, cheese melted in wine to make fondue, hot cheese dribbled over potatoes to make raclette...
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