Information About Switzerland Switzerland, Officially the Swiss Confederation Is a Federal Republic in Europe
‘Swiss Country’ Information about Switzerland Switzerland, officially the Swiss Confederation is a federal republic in Europe. While still named the "Swiss Confederation" for historical reasons, modern Switzerland is a federal directorial republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities, called '"federal city". The country is situated in Western-Central Europe and is bordered by Italy to the south, France to the west, Germany to the north, and Austria and Liechtenstein to the east. Switzerland is a landlocked country geographically divided between the Alps, the Swiss Plateau and the Jura, spanning an area of 41,285 km2 (15,940 sq mi). While the Alps occupy the greater part of the territory, the Swiss population of approximately eight million people is concentrated mostly on the plateau, where the largest cities are to be found: among them are the two global and economic centres Zürich and Geneva. History of Switzerland Switzerland is a small country (41,285 km² = 15,940 square miles), but densely populated (7 million inhabitants, 170 per km² = 440 per sq.mi.), situated in the heart of western Europe. It shares much of its history and of its culture with its neighbours Germany, Austria, Italy and France. Some 60% of Switzerland are in the alpine region, with high mountains (12 peaks above 4,000 m = 13,000 ft above sea level and many more between 2,000 and 4,000 m) and narrow valleys. 30% are hills and relatively flat valleys carved out by glaciers called "Mittelland" [midlands] (400 to 900 m above sea level).
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