Capital city: Bern

Region: Western Europe

Area: 41 290 km²

Population: 7 283 274

Main cities: Zürich, Basel, Geneva, Lausanne, Winterthur, Lucerne, Saint Gall, Bienne, Thoune, Neuchâtel

Currency: Swiss franc

Dial code: 41

Internet code: SZ

Information: Switzerland (die Schweiz in German, Svizzera in Italian, Svizra in Romansch) is a European country bordered by Germany, France, Italy, Austria and Liechtenstein. That country has a long tradition of political and military neutrality, and it hosts many international organizations. Switzerland consists of three main natural regions: the Alps form the major part of the territory, the Jura forms the western part, and these two mountain ranges are separated by the central plateau. The Gotthard massif marks what could be called the centre of the Alps, separating Western Alps (cantons of Valais, Vaud and Berne) and the Eastern Alps that take their origin in the Grisons. It is a major and historical crossroad between the German world and Italy.