• Capital -- Bern
• Population -- 7,523,934
• Language -- German
• GDP per capita($) -- 32,300
• Currency -- Swiss franc (CHF)
• Year Joined EU -- -

• GDP($) -- 252,900,000,000
• GDP per capita($) -- 32,300
• GDP growth rate(%) -- 1.80
• Inflation(%) -- 1.20
• Unemployment(%) -- 3.80
• Imports($) -- 135,000,000,000
• Exports($) -- 148,600,000,000
• Military Spending($) -- 2,548,000,000
• Military Spending (% of GDP) -- 1.00

• Land Area (sq. km) -- 41,290
• slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey
• Population growth rate(%) -- 0.43
• Infant Mortality (deaths per 1,000 live births) -- 4.34
• Life Expectancy -- 80.51
• Poverty --
• Migration -- 3.12 migrant(s)/1,000 pop

• ---

  * all data/material from the CIA World Fact Book 2006

Switzerland

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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. 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.

Switzerland is a peaceful, prosperous, and stable modern market economy with low unemployment, a highly skilled labor force, and a per capita GDP larger than that of the big Western European economies. The Swiss in recent years have brought their economic practices largely into conformity with the EU's to enhance their international competitiveness. Switzerland remains a safehaven for investors, because it has maintained a degree of bank secrecy and has kept up the franc's long-term external value. Reflecting the anemic economic conditions of Europe, GDP growth stagnated during the 2001-03 period, improved during 2004-05 to 1.8% annually and to 2.9% in 2006. Even so, unemployment has remained at less than half the EU average.