Switzerland
Flag of Switzerland
red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the center that does not extend to the edges of the flag; various medieval legends purport to describe the origin of the flag; a white cross used as identification for troops of the Swiss Confederation is first attested at the Battle of Laupen (1339)
Creative Industries Switzerland at Europa Regina
Population:
10,536,338 (2023 est.)
8,453,550 (2021)
8,292,809 (2018)
Capital: Bern
Internet country code: .ch
Government:
Official website: admin.ch
Switzerland Tourism: myswitzerland.com
Swiss Confederation
Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft (German) / Confédération suisse (French) / Confederazione Svizzera (Italian) / Confederaziun svizra (Romansh) / Confoederatio Helvetica (CH) (Latin)
The Swiss Confederation was founded in 1291 as a defensive alliance among three cantons. In succeeding years, other localities joined the original three. The Swiss Confederation secured its independence from the Holy Roman Empire in 1499. A constitution of 1848, subsequently modified in 1874, replaced the confederation with a centralized federal government. Switzerland’s sovereignty and neutrality have long been honored by the major European powers, and the country 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 UN and international organizations, has strengthened Switzerland’s ties with its neighbors. However, the country did not officially become a UN member until 2002. Switzerland remains active in many UN and international organizations but retains a strong commitment to neutrality.