History of Switzerland

What is the capital of Switzerland?

Bern

What is the population of Switzerland?

8,591,365

What is the brief history of Switzerland?

Originally inhabited by Celtic tribes, conquered by Rome, part of Holy Roman Empire, gained independence in 1291, became neutral country

What is the total size of Switzerland?

41,290 square km

How does the size of Switzerland compare to New Jersey?

Slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey

What are the geographical coordinates of Switzerland?

47 00 N, 8 00 E

In which world region or continent is Switzerland located?

Europe

What is the general terrain of Switzerland?

Mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes

What is the geographical low point of Switzerland?

Lake Maggiore 195 m

What is the geographical high point of Switzerland?

Dufourspitze 4,634 m

What is the climate of Switzerland?

Temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers

What are the major cities in Switzerland?

Zurich (1.143 million), Bern (346,000)

What type of government does Switzerland have?

Formally a confederation, but similar in structure to a federal republic

What are the official languages spoken in Switzerland?

German, French, Italian

When did Switzerland gain independence?

1 August 1291

What is the national holiday of Switzerland?

Founding of the Swiss Confederation, 1 August (1291)

What is the nationality of people from Switzerland?

Swiss

What are the major religions in Switzerland?

Roman Catholic, Protestant

What is the national symbol of Switzerland?

Swiss cross (white cross on red field)

What is the national anthem of Switzerland?

Schweizerpsalm [German], Cantique Suisse [French], Salmo svizzero [Italian], Psalm svizzer [Romansch]

What are the major industries in Switzerland?

Machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments

What are the agricultural products of Switzerland?

Grains, fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs

What are the natural resources of Switzerland?

Hydropower potential, timber, salt

What are the major exports of Switzerland?

Machinery, chemicals, metals, watches, agricultural products

What are the major imports of Switzerland?

Machinery, chemicals, vehicles, metals, agricultural products, textiles

What is the currency of Switzerland?

Swiss franc (CHF)

What is the national GDP of Switzerland?

$353,600,000,000

What is Switzerland's political system characterized by?

Direct democracy and decentralization to the cantons.

When did Switzerland become a federal republic?

1848.

How long has Switzerland been a federal republic?

Over 170 years.

What is Switzerland known as?

One of the world's oldest surviving republics.

Who were the early inhabitants of Switzerland?

The Helvetii.

When did Switzerland become part of the Roman Empire?

1st century BC.

What culture developed in Switzerland during late antiquity?

Gallo-Roman culture influenced by Germanic tribes.

Which part of Switzerland became Alemannic territory?

The eastern part.

Which part of Switzerland was part of Burgundy?

The western part.

Which empire did the east part of Switzerland belong to in the Middle Ages?

The Holy Roman Empire's Duchy of Swabia.

Which empire did the west part of Switzerland belong to in the Middle Ages?

Burgundy.

Which territories did the Old Swiss Confederacy acquire south of the Alps?

Territory from Milan.

What caused internal conflict in the Old Swiss Confederacy during the early modern period?

The Swiss Reformation.

What happened to Switzerland after the French Revolution?

It was invaded and made into the Helvetic Republic client state.

What restored Switzerland's status as a confederation after Napoleonic rule?

Napoleon's Act of Mediation in 1803.

What led to a new federal constitution in Switzerland in 1848?

A brief civil war.

When did women gain voting rights in Switzerland?

1971.

When did Switzerland join the UN?

2002.

What is Switzerland?

A landlocked country in Europe.

What is the official name of Switzerland?

Swiss Confederation.

Which countries border Switzerland?

Italy, France, Germany, Austria, and Liechtenstein.

What are the three main regions of Switzerland?

Swiss Alps, Swiss Plateau, and Jura mountains.

Where do most people in Switzerland live?

On the central plateau.

Name three major cities in Switzerland.

Zurich, Geneva, and Basel.

What is the founding document of Switzerland?

The 1291 Federal Charter.

When was Swiss independence from the Holy Roman Empire recognized?

In the Peace of Westphalia in 1648.

What is Switzerland's policy towards warfare?

Armed neutrality since the 16th century.

When did Switzerland join the United Nations?

In 2002.

What major international organizations are headquartered in Switzerland?

UN, WHO, WTO, FIFA, etc.

Is Switzerland a member of the EU?

No.

Is Switzerland a member of the eurozone?

No.

What is the capital of Switzerland?

Bern.

How many cantons does Switzerland have?

26.

What is the GDP per capita of Switzerland?

High.

Which Swiss cities rank highly in terms of quality of life?

Zurich, Geneva, and Basel.

Is the cost of living in Switzerland high?

Yes.

What are the four main linguistic regions in Switzerland?

German, French, Italian, Romansh

What are some shared values that contribute to Swiss national identity?

Federalism, direct democracy

How is Switzerland sometimes described in terms of its national identity?

Willensnation (nation by will)

What is the Latin name for Switzerland?

Confoederatio Helvetica (Helvetic Confederation)

What is the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)?

A humanitarian organization based in Geneva, Switzerland.

When was the ICRC founded?

1863.

How many times has the ICRC won the Nobel Peace Prize?

Three times.

What is the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement?

A movement that includes the ICRC, IFRC, and national societies.

Why was the ICRC established?

After witnessing the aftermath of the Battle of Solferino, Henry Dunant called for the creation of national relief societies to aid wounded soldiers.

What was the original Geneva Convention?

A set of rules for the treatment and protection of wounded soldiers, adopted in 1864.

What did the ICRC do during World War I and II?

Visited prisoners of war, helped civilians, and reunited families.

What was the ICRC's greatest failure during World War II?

Failing to speak out against the Holocaust.

What types of victims does the ICRC protect now?

Victims of internal conflicts, natural disasters, and more.

Where is the ICRC based?

Geneva, Switzerland.

How many staff does the ICRC have worldwide?

Approximately 18,000.

What is the ICRC's mandate?

To monitor compliance, organize relief, and make confidential interventions about POW treatment.

What does the ICRC do to disseminate international humanitarian law?

Disseminates it.

What is the ICRC's approach to working with governments?

Prefers discreet diplomacy to public advocacy.

What is the ICRC's role in protecting civilians?

Works to protect civilians.

Is the ICRC neutral and independent?

Yes.

Who does the ICRC work closely with?

National Red Cross societies.

How has the ICRC evolved over the years?

Expanded its activities and professionalized its staff.