Location: Switzerland of Swiss Confederation lies in central Europe, east of France and north of Italy.
Land Area: 41,290 sq. km. or 15,942 sq. miles (slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey).
Coastline: 0 Switzerland is landlocked.
Highest Point: 4,634 meters or 1,412 ft. (Dufourspitzei)
Lowest Point: 195 meters or 59.5 feet above sea level (Lake Maggiore)
Notable Landmarks: Visit them now!

Switzerland is a peaceful, prosperous, and stable modern market economy with low unemployment, a highly skilled labor force, and a per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) larger than that of the big Western European economies. The Swiss in recent years have brought their economic practices largely into conformity with those of the European Union (EU) to enhance their international competitiveness. Switzerland remains a safe haven for investors, because it has maintained a degree of bank secrecy and has kept up the franc's long-term external value. Reflecting the weak economic conditions of Europe, GDP growth dropped in 2001 to about 0.8%, to 0.2% in 2002, and to -0.3% in 2003, with a small rise to 1.8% in 2004 to 05. Even so, unemployment has remained at less than half the average in the EU.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP): $264.1 billion (2005 est.)
GDP Per Capita: $35,300 (2005 est.)
Number of Workers: 3.8 million (2005 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 3.8% (2005 est.)
Industries: Machinery, chemicals, watches, precision instruments
Currency: Swiss franc What does it look like?

Type of Government: Federal Republic
Chief of State: President Moritz LEUENBERGER (since 8 January 2006)
Head of Government: President Moritz LEUENBERGER (since 8 January 2006)
Capital City: Bern
Legal Age to Vote: 18
Flag Design: Red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the center that does not extend to the edges of the flag.
Official Language: German (official) 63.7%, French (official) 20.4%, Italian (official) 6.5%, Serbo-Croatian 1.5%, Albanian 1.3%, Portuguese 1.2%, Spanish 1.1%, English 1%, Romansch 0.5%, other 2.8% (2000 census) note: German, French, Italian, and Romansch are all national languages, but only the first three are official languages.
Religions: Roman Catholic 41.8%, Protestant 35.3%, Orthodox 1.8%, other Christian 0.4%, Muslim 4.3%, other 1%, unspecified 4.3%, none 11.1% (2000 census)

Switzerland's independence and neutrality have long been honored by the major European powers. Switzerland 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 United Nations (UN) and international organizations, has strengthened Switzerland's ties with its neighbors. However, the country did not officially become a member of the UN until 2002. Switzerland remains active in many UN and international organizations, but is strongly committed to neutrality.