[swit-ser-luh
nd] 
| a republic in central Europe. 7,248,984; 15,944 sq. mi. (41,294 sq. km). Capital: Bern. |
Swit·zer·land (swĭt'sər-lənd)  (click for larger image in new window) A country of west-central Europe. The region was conquered by Germanic tribes in the 5th century and by Swabia and Burgundy in the 9th, becoming part of the Holy Roman Empire in 1033. Protesting Hapsburg control in the 13th century, the Swiss formed a defense league made up of cantons that became the basis of their confederation, and by 1499 they had achieved independence. The Reformation in the 16th century led to religious civil wars that lasted through the next two centuries. The French took brief control of Switzerland during the French Revolution, but the confederacy was restored in 1815. Switzerland later adopted a federal constitution (1848) and maintained a policy of neutrality through both World Wars. Bern is the capital and Zurich the largest city. Population: 7,550,000. |
Republic in central Europe, bordered by France to the west, Germany to the north, Liechtenstein and Austria to the east, and Italy to the east and south. Its capital is Bern, and its largest city is Zurich.
Note: Known for its strict neutrality, Switzerland maintained armed neutrality in both World War I and World War II.
Note: Swiss banks allow depositors to be identified by a number known only to the depositor and a few bank officials; private fortunes can therefore be kept secret.
Note: It is famous for its watchmaking industry and its milk chocolate.
