Capital: Bern

Area: 4 12840 km2

Population: 7,508,700 (2007)

Ethnic composition: German Swiss account for 62.8% of the national population, French Swiss account for 16.9%, and Italian Swiss account for 3.4%. Latin Romanticism is less than 1%.

Language: German, French, Italian and Latin are the official languages.

Currency: Swiss franc

National Geographic

Switzerland is located in central Europe, bordering France in the west, Germany in the north, Austria and Liechtenstein in the east and Italy in the south. The territory is mountainous. Known as the roof of Europe. 58% of the area belongs to the Alps and is divided into three natural terrain areas: the central and southern Alps, the Jura Mountains in the northwest and the Swiss Plateau. The highest point, dufour Peak, is 4634m above sea level, and the lowest point, Lake Maggiore, is193m above sea level. There are 1494 natural lakes in mountainous areas, plateaus and valleys, the largest of which is Lake Geneva (also known as Lake Le Mans). The Rhine River is the largest river flowing through Switzerland and an international waterway leading to the North Sea through other countries. The Rhone River is the second largest river. Switzerland is located in the north of the temperate zone. From west to east, the climate has changed from a mild and humid maritime climate to a temperate continental climate with Leng Xia fever in winter, with the Alps as the boundary. The south has a maritime climate, while the north is mild and humid, with cold winter and hot summer. The annual precipitation is1000 ~ 2000mm.

The origin of Swiss names

Historically, the country name originated from the territory of Schwertz. 129 1 in August, three states, including Schwier, formed an alliance against the Habsburg dynasty. The dynasty called this alliance Schwier, which was the most resolute state against it. Later, "Schwier" became the country name, which was translated into "Swiss" in Chinese.

"City of Clocks": Bern

Bern, known as the most beautiful capital in the world, is a small and concise city with a medieval style. 1/3 of the urban area is Woods and parks, and the whole city is a work of art, located in the upper reaches of the Aale River, a tributary of the Rhine River in the central mountainous area of the Swiss Plateau, surrounded by mountains on three sides. It covers an area of 230 square kilometers. After careful construction by craftsmen of all ages, those magnificent buildings: medieval, Gothic and Baroque, seem to be integrated, which is beyond the reach of other places. Bern's peaceful and closed town atmosphere has been maintained for more than 800 years. As the political center of Switzerland, Bern is not only a federal government agency in this city. Switzerland also has an embassy. The Universal Postal Union and the International Railway Transport Headquarters are also located here. Bern is also known as the table capital. There are more than 1000 watch shops in this city. There are clocks and watches everywhere on the big glass counters of shops, and the whole city is like a huge clock exhibition hall. This is the location of Swiss General Watch Industry Company, the largest watch company in Switzerland, and Swiss Watch Industry Company, the second largest company. At Berne's watch shop. There are all kinds of clocks and watches, different styles and different prices for anyone to buy.

"Holy Land for Tourists": Geneva

A famous city in southwest Switzerland. Located on the shores of Lake Geneva. Although it is an international famous city, its population is only a few hundred thousand. Surrounded by mountains and waters, with beautiful scenery and pleasant climate, it is known as the "holy land for tourists". Founded in 1 century BC, it joined the Swiss Confederation in 18 15. Industrial, commercial and financial center. Service industry is the main sector. Traditional industries include watches and jewellery. Geneva is one of the important international air stations and a cultural center, including the University of Geneva, an international institution of higher learning (established in 1927), the Academy of Plastic Arts, and the National Museum of Art History. It is also one of the international music performance centers. There are medieval St. Peter's Cathedral and Renaissance buildings. There is a bronze statue of Rousseau on the island of Rousseau on the Rhone River. Various international conferences are often held here. After World War I, the seat of the League of Nations was built together with the Palais des Nations. Also known as the League of Nations Building, it is now the United Nations office in Europe. The European headquarters of the United Nations is located in beautiful Geneva. Make it the center of global affairs and occupy an extremely important position in the world political arena. In addition, relevant United Nations organizations and other international organizations based in Geneva. There are about 65,438+080 European Center for Nuclear Research (CERN), World Health Organization (WHO), International Red Cross (ICRC), International Labour Organization (ILO) and World Council of Churches. Because of its important position in history and its current role, Geneva has created a peaceful urban atmosphere and attracted politicians and businessmen from all over the world to settle here.

Wanguo pavilion

The Palais des Nations is a famous building in Switzerland, located on the shores of Lake Le Mans in the northeast suburb of Geneva. This tall building was built in 1937. Before World War II, it was the former site of the League of Nations Building, and now it is the European headquarters of the United Nations. The Palais des Nations consists of the General Assembly Hall, the Library, the Council Hall, the new building and the arianna Garden. There are five or six thousand international conferences held in the Palais des Nations every year, and the establishment of the Palais des Nations has greatly enhanced Geneva's international reputation.

Lake Geneva

Also known as Lyman Lake. Famous lakes in western Europe. Blue lagoon is located on the Swiss-French border, and it is not frozen all year round. The artificial fountain in the lake is as high as150m, and there are four parks along the lake. The villa is continuous and overlooks the snow scene of Mont Blanc. This is a fairyland on earth. The flower clock in the English garden by the lake is very famous, and its face changes color with the seasons. Whether the sun is like fire or it is stormy, the clock always keeps good time.

Rhine

This famous river in Europe originated in the Swiss Alps. From south to north, it flows through Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, France, the Netherlands and other countries, and flows into the North Sea near Rotterdam Port. Total length 1360 km. The basin covers an area of 224,000 square kilometers. The Rhine is the most developed international river in the world at present, because it flows through the most important industrial and commercial areas in western Europe, and there are many important cities and industrial areas along the way. In addition, there is abundant rainfall and water in the basin, and the high water level in different reaches of the Rhine River appears in different periods, which makes the water level of the river relatively stable. The navigation mileage of the Rhine River is very long, accounting for 66% of its total length. The Rhine River is now connected with the Danube River, Seine River, Rhone River, Ames River, Weser River and Elbe River through many canals, which together form a water shipping network extending in all directions.