SWITZERLAND

GEOGRAPHY

• Located in Europe
• Surrounded by other countries
• Alps cover more than half the country
• Highest mountain peak is Monte Rosa
• Only one tenth of land can be used for farming

HISTORY

• One of world's oldest democracies
• 1848 // Civil war between Catholics and Protestants
• 1863 // International Red Cross founded
• Celtic tribes occupied Switzerland in it's early days

PEOPLE - LIFESTYLE

• French Swiss comprises 18% of Switzerland
• Population // 7,996,026
• Popular sports are ice hockey and soccer
• Most Swiss enjoy skiing in the Alps for recreation

CULTURE

• Long history of Christianity
• Celebrate Christmas, Three Kings Day, and others
• Yodeling and Alphorn Blowing are famous in Switzerland
• Color guard and flag twirling are popular traditions also

GOVERNMENT

• Practice a semi-direct Democracy
• Citizens vote every 4 years
• Most power resides in the 26 cantons
• President is Ueli Maurer

SOURCE