Switzerland is an Alpine federal republic of 26 cantons, four official languages, a 700-year tradition of armed neutrality, and an outsize role in international finance, watchmaking and diplomacy.
Geography & landscape
Switzerland sits in Western Europe, in the northern hemisphere of Europe. With an area of approximately 41,285 km², it is a smaller nation, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the temperate climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Bern, lies near coordinates 47°, 8°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Europe, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Western Europe region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Switzerland.
People & society
The population of Switzerland is around 8.8M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
Switzerland recognises multiple official languages — German, French, Italian and Romansh — reflecting the cultural plurality at the heart of national life. The choice of language often shifts with region, audience and context.
Government & politics
Switzerland is structured as a federal directorial republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Bern, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Switzerland is the Swiss Franc (CHF). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Bern and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Switzerland shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Switzerland through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Bern, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +41, and clocks are set to the CET (UTC+1) time zone. ISO standards identify Switzerland as CH (alpha-2) and CHE (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇨🇭, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Bern | — |
| Continent | Europe | — |
| Sub-region | Western Europe | — |
| Population | 8.8M | people |
| Area | 41,285 | km² |
| Currency | Swiss Franc (CHF) | — |
| Calling code | +41 | international dialling |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | standard time |
| Government type | Federal directorial republic | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | CH | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | CHE | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | 47 | degrees |
| Longitude | 8 | degrees |
Did you know?
Switzerland has been officially neutral since the Treaty of Paris in 1815 — over 200 years without participating in a foreign war.
