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Switzerland:
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Other pages in this profile of Switzerland:
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.
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Background |
Definition The Swiss Confederation was founded in 1291 as a defensive alliance among three cantons. In succeeding years, other localities joined the original three. The Swiss Confederation secured its independence from the Holy Roman Empire in 1499. A constitution of 1848, subsequently modified in 1874, replaced the confederation with a centralized federal government. Switzerland's sovereignty and neutrality have long been honored by the major European powers, and the country was not involved in either of the two World Wars. The political and economic integration of Europe over the past half century, as well as Switzerland's role in many UN and international organizations, has strengthened Switzerland's ties with its neighbors. However, the country did not officially become a UN member until 2002. Switzerland remains active in many UN and international organizations but retains a strong commitment to neutrality. |
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Location |
Definition Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy |
Geographic coordinates |
Definition 47 00 N, 8 00 E |
Map references |
Definition Europe |
Area |
Definition - World rank and map total: 41,290 sq km land: 39,770 sq km water: 1,520 sq km |
Area - comparative |
Definition slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey |
Land boundaries |
Definition total: 1,852 km border countries: Austria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740 km, Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 334 km |
Coastline |
Definition 0 km (landlocked) |
Maritime claims |
Definition none (landlocked) |
Climate |
Definition temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers |
Terrain |
Definition mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes |
Elevation extremes |
Definition lowest point: Lake Maggiore 195 m highest point: Dufourspitze 4,634 m |
Natural resources |
Definition hydropower potential, timber, salt |
Land use |
Definition - World rank and map arable land: 9.91% permanent crops: 0.58% other: 89.51% (2005) |
Irrigated land |
Definition 250 sq km (2003) |
Total renewable water resources |
Definition 53.3 cu km (2005) |
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural) |
Definition total: 2.52 cu km/yr (24%/74%/2%) per capita: 348 cu m/yr (2002) |
Natural hazards |
Definition avalanches, landslides, flash floods |
Environment - current issues |
Definition air pollution from vehicle emissions and open-air burning; acid rain; water pollution from increased use of agricultural fertilizers; loss of biodiversity |
Environment - international agreements |
Definition party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea |
Geography - note |
Definition landlocked; crossroads of northern and southern Europe; along with southeastern France, northern Italy, and southwestern Austria, has the highest elevations in the Alps |
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Copyright 2008 World Sites Atlas (sitesatlas.com) |