The Swiss confederation or Switzerland is a landlocked Central European country bordering Germany, France, Italy, Austria and Lichtenstein. It is a republic federation consisting of 26 states (cantons).

The earliest known tribes in the region are from 450 BC and later the region became incorporated into the Roman Empire. In the early Middle Ages, Switzerland became part of the Frankish Empire. In the late 13th Century, the first Swiss confederation was formed and later expanded by further cantons. However, it was first in 1648 that the major European powers recognised Swiss independence and neutrality. Since then Switzerland has remained neutral in all major conflicts, except that the country was invaded and occupied by Napoleonic France from 1798 to 1815.

Switzerland is one of the richest countries in the world, but it has a quite traditional and conservative way of life. For instance, women were granted the right to vote in the first Swiss cantons in 1959, at the federal level in 1971, and after resistance, in the last canton in 1990. Switzerland has remained outside all international communities, but it did join the United Nations in 2002.

Inhabitants: 7,600,000
Area: 41,000 km2
Capital: Berne (130,000 inhabitants, largest city is Zürich with 380,000)
Languages: German, French, Italian and Romansh.
Religion: Protestantism (43%), Catholics (41%), Muslims (4%), Eastern Orthodox (2%), others (10%)
GDP (PPP) per capita: $38,700
Government: Direct democracy, Federal parliamentary republic
Climate: Continental and alpine climate