Winterthur

Switzerland (The Swiss German name is also sometimes spelt as Schwyz or Schwiiz. Schwyz is also the standard German (and international) name of one of the Swiss cantons. , , ), officially the Swiss Confederation (Confoederatio Helvetica in Latin, hence its ISO country codes CH and CHE), is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western EuropeOr Central Europe depending on the definition. See Geography of Switzerland where it is bordered by Germany to the north, France to the west, Italy to the south, and Austria and Liechtenstein to the east.

Switzerland is a landlocked country whose territory is geographically divided between the Alps, the Central Plateau and the Jura; adding together an area of . The Swiss population of approximately 7.7 million people concentrates mostly on the Plateau, where the largest cities are to be found. Among them are the two global cities and economic centres of Zürich and Geneva. Switzerland is one of the richest countries in the world by per capita gross domestic product, with a nominal per capita GDP of $67,384. Zürich and Geneva have respectively been ranked as having the second and third highest quality of life in the world.Swiss and German cities dominate ranking of best cities in the world

The Swiss Confederation has a long history of neutrality?it has not been in a state of war internationally since 1815?and was one of the last countries to join the United Nations. Switzerland is home to many international organisations, including the World Economic Forum, the International Olympic Committee, the Red Cross, the World Trade Organization and the second largest UN office. On the European level it was a founder of the European Free Trade Association and is part of the Schengen Agreement.

Switzerland comprises three main linguistic and cultural regions: German, French, and Italian, to which the Romansh-speaking valleys are added. The Swiss therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (federalism, direct democracy, neutrality)Constitutional Patriotism and Exclusion: the Swiss Case euroculturemaster.org. Retrieved on 2009-07-30 and Alpine symbolism.In Search of Natural Identity: Alpine Landscape and the Reconstruction of the Swiss Nation. journals.cambridge.org. Retrieved on 2009-07-30 The establishment of the Swiss Confederation is traditionally dated to 1 August 1291; Swiss National Day is celebrated on the anniversary.