Switzerland is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in western Europe,[note 4] 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 geographically divided between the Alps, the Swiss Plateau and the Jura, spanning an area of 41,285 km2 (15,940 sq mi). While the Alps occupy the greater part of the territory, the Swiss population of approximately 7.9 million people is concentrated mostly on the Plateau, where the largest cities are to be found. Among them are the two global cities and economic centres of Zurich and Geneva. The Swiss Confederation has a long history of armed neutrality—it has not been in a state of war internationally since 1815—and did not join the United Nations until 2002. It pursues, however, an active foreign policy and is frequently involved in peace-building processes around the world. Switzerland is also the birthplace of the Red Cross and home to a large number of international organizations, including the second largest UN office. On the European level, it is a founding member of the European Free Trade Association and is part of the Schengen Area – although it is notably not a member of the European Union, nor the European Economic Area. It has the world's nineteenth largest economy by nominal GDP and the thirty-sixth largest by purchasing power parity. It is the twentieth largest exporter and eighteenth largest importer of goods. In nominal terms, Switzerland is one of the richest countries in the world by per capita gross domestic product, with a nominal per capita GDP of $75,835. In 2010, Switzerland had the highest wealth per adult (financial and non-financial assets) of any country in the world (with $372,692 for each person). Zurich and Geneva have respectively been ranked as the cities with the second and third highest quality of life in the world. Switzerland comprises three main linguistic and cultural regions: German, French, and Italian, to which the Romansh-speaking valleys are added. The Swiss, therefore, though predominantly German-speaking, 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 and direct democracy) and Alpine symbolism. The establishment of the Swiss Confederation is traditionally dated to 1 August 1291; Swiss National Day is celebrated on the anniversary.
| Capital |
BERNA |
| Currency |
Franco svizzero |
| Country code |
0041 |
| Spoken languages |
German, French, Italian |
| Passport |
The country accede to the Schengen Agreement. It is necessary to travel with one of the two valid documents, we can produce if required by local authorities. For any changes related to the survival of the Passport request, you may want to inquire in advance at the Embassy or Consulate of the country present in Italy or at your travel agent. The Switzerland grants entry to holders of an identity card in paper form valid and renewed with a stamp on the document itself. Instead is not accepted the electronic identity card (credit card size) indicating a date expired, if the extension of the same figure on a separate paper form (see also the website of the Federal Office for migration www.bfm.admin.ch Berne). |
| Health |
The level of the health service is excellent and the costs are high. For Italian citizens enrolled in the national health service who travel temporarily in Switzerland, as in the countries of the European Union and the European economic area, is expected to cover the healthcare costs provided they are in possession of a European health insurance card (TEAM); This means that in case of need for medical care-presenting TEAM at the public hospital or conventioned structure you are entitled to all medically necessary care. The performances are free, subject to payment of any ticket or other participation in expenditure that is in direct charge of witnessed. If the TEAM had not been accepted or had not attended with him, and it was therefore necessary to pay the benefits described above, you can ask for the reimbursement of costs in advance by submitting to their return to Italy the documentation to the SLA membership. We recommend that you take out before undertaking the journey, a health insurance that includes, in addition to the coverage of medical expenses, even the eventual repatriation medical air or transfer in another country. |
| Climate |
The Switzerland lies in the North temperate zone and within the sphere of influence of the Gulf stream. Despite the small area of the country, the climate has a considerable variation. The Alps constitute an important line of demarcation: South of the Alps there is a mild Mediterranean climate, while the North is mostly the influences of humid oceanic climate in Western Europe and sometimes in winter, cold continental climate of Eastern Europe. The configuration and exposure of the valleys rise to very different climatic conditions. The northern foothills of the Alps, the great alpine valleys in the Canton of Valais and part of Grisons are sometimes the influence of the warm foehn wind wind. |
| Viability |
Driving Licence: Italiana. Car insurance A vehicle with license plate is covered by national insurance. Vehicles imported temporarily Remember those driving abroad, a car that is not advisable to have a delegation to conduct of the owner, with signature notarized by the notary public. Motorway network Toll: for the use of motorways and highways, motor vehicles and trailers up to a total weight of 3.5 tonnes shall be fitted with a sticker (vignette) to be applied to the windshield (car + caravan = 2 cartoons); this sticker is valid for 14 months (12 months of calendar year + the December of the preceding year + the January of the following year; e.g.: vignettes 2012 goes from 1 December 2011 to January 31, 2013.) Can be purchased from some provincial offices, at the ICA customs offices, post offices and petrol stations. It costs CHF 40. The fine for those who were deprived of 100 CHF. Driving rules Compulsory equipment Helmets for motorcyclists: required. Safety belts, child seat: is required to establish safety belts front and rear seats (which are equipped); This applies to the driver and passengers more than 12 years, both residents and visitors. One child from 7 to 12 years travelling on the rear or front seats must be restrained by a seatbelt or child restraint device. All children under 7 years must be installed in a car seat or protected by a safety belt, both front seat on the rear. Use of headlights: it is recommended to all vehicles to have low-beam headlamps switched on even during the day, irrespective of the visibility conditions. Near a tunnel (marked by a blue rectangular panel with the symbol of the entrance of the tunnel), the driver must turn on the high beams even if the tunnel is well-lit. It is forbidden to circulate bearing lit only position lamps Snow chains When you see the sign "chains compulsory". The vehicle must be fitted with chains on at least 2 wheel drive or snow tires. BAC Limit allowed: 0.05%. Detection: Test may be required following an accident or a control |
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