Switzerland and the Swiss
Switzerland and the Swiss
Mountains of cheese, four thousand meter high mountain peaks, banks and the unmistakable Swiss cross – Switzerland is legendary in so many ways. What a foreigner, who looks at Switzerland on a globe, wouldn’t expect is that the country has an incredibly well developed infrastructure. Switzerland has the most dense rail network in the world; villages without a train station are connected with regular bus services. Switzerland’s motorway network is also one of the densest in the world, most of the population lives less than 10 km away from the next motorway junction. Below you will find some more information about the country and its inhabitants.
Manners
Courtesy is expected. Salutations are often used, whether two doctors meet each other in the hospital corridor or when buying something at the butchers or newsstand, or when walking or on the bus. Talking too loudly is considered rude, as well as using "Ciao" or "Tschuess" when saying your good byes since people find this too private.
Business people live and maintain a style which is cooperative yet reserved. Hierarchies aren’t dominant, academic and family titles, however, are used both in conversation and in writing. Punctuality and reliability are very important; saying your hellos with a handshake is customary especially in the German speaking part of Switzerland. Hugs and kisses on the cheeks are customary in the French and Italian parts, and not only in a private setting.
Food and drink
Many experts agree that the Swiss cuisine ranks first worldwide. Cooking styles vary from region to region but it is well cultivated everywhere. Internationally renowned: Geschnetzelte (meat cut into strips in a delicious sauce), hash browns, meat and cheese fondue, a large variety of excellent cheeses and of course Swiss chocolate. White and red wines from the Rhone valley are highly recommended and the fruit schnapps are exquisite.
Infobox*
Country name:
Helvetic Confederation (CH = Confoederatio Helvetica)
Area:
41,285 sq km
Inhabitants:
7.770.200
Capital:
Bern with 122,178 inhabitants
Government type:
Democratic and federal republic
The parliament has two chambers
National assembly with 200 seats
Canton assembly with 46 seats
Head of state:
Federal president is the head in the collegial body of the 7 federal assemblies
which changes the circle of the 7 federal assembly members every year
There is no head of government
Administrative divisions:
A federal state made up from 20 cantons and 6 half-canton with strong regional competencies
National languages:
Official languages: German 64%, French 19%, Italian 7.6%, Rhaeto-Romanic 0.6%
Other languages: 8.8% (Serbian/Croatian, Portuguese, Spanish, Albanian, English, Turkish etc.)
Currency:
Swiss Franks (CHF)
1 CHF = 100 centimes
Memberships:
Member of all important economic associations such as OECD, IMF, World Bank and WTO
Founding member of OECD and EFTA
United Nations
*as of March 2009
Politics
A feature of the political system is that Switzerland – apart from the federal president with representative duties – doesn’t have an official head of state or head of government. The federal assembly represents Switzerland collectively. The Swiss population votes directly on many issues.
Switzerland’s foreign policies are based on the articles 54 and 55 of the federal constitution effective from the 1st of January 2000. The remarkable feature is the "perpetual" neutrality, which excludes a NATO membership. Switzerland is engaged multilaterally in many ways; however, it is not a member of the European Union. Joining the European Economic Area (EEA) was refused by a referendum in 1992. Since March 2008, there is the declaration of intent to negotiate a double taxation agreement as per OECD-standard (exchange of information regarding tax matters).
Economy*
The Swiss government is traditionally seen as the most stable democratic executive in the world. And economically?
Switzerland is amongst the most competitive national economies in Europe. Export companies were successful with quality products in 2008 but the globally positioned financial service providers had a less successful year. 2008 was still a satisfying year with 1.9% growth to the gross domestic product (GDP). The unemployed quota decreased to an average of 2.6 percent, the rate of employment reached record numbers. The advantage for Switzerland was that the most important trading partners in Europe were still seeing good growth rates.
And under given circumstances: The Swiss Construction Machinery Association (VSBM) is optimistic when it comes to the future of the construction industry. In March 2009, Stephan Zahner, VSBM's President, said after the Construction Machine trade show: "The dull economic forecasts so far haven’t affected the construction industry. The order books and workload of the Swiss construction industry are still good.”
*as of March 2009
Environmental policies*
Environment and land use planning have constitutional status. Renewable energies and measures to use energy efficiently are subsidised by the state. Supply of alternative energy into the power network has been possible since 2008. 55 percent of Swiss power supply is derived from water power; about 40 percent is nuclear power. Switzerland has 5 nuclear power stations, two of which are set to be replaced in the next 15 years by high performance reactors.
*as of March 2009
Climate
North of the Alps the climate is temperate, mainly influenced by oceanic winds, a middle European climate. South of the Alps, it is more Mediterranean. In general: Switzerland’s climate varies from region to region due to the elevation profile and the geographical location.
Holidays
1. August:
National holiday, establishment of the confederation in 1291 by the original cantons Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden
1. January:
New Year’s Day
39 weeks after Easter:
Ascension Day
25. December:
Christmas Day
CONTROL unlimited
April 2009