Country Notebook: Switzerland
Country Notebook : Switzerland
I. Cultural Analysis Introduction : Switzerland is a landlocked country geographically divided between the Alps, the Central Plateau and the Jura. Its area is 41,285 km2 (15,940 sq mi). The Swiss population of approximately 7.8 million people concentrates mostly on the Plateau, where the largest cities are to be found. Among them are the two global cities and economic centers 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. Switzerland also has one of the world's largest account balances as a percentage of GDP, only placing behind a few oil producing countries. Zürich and Geneva have respectively been ranked as the cities with the second and third highest quality of life in the world. In 2010, World Economic Forum deemed Switzerland the world's most competitive country.
II. Brief discussion of the country’s relevant history
Switzerland’s geographical position with its transit routes over the Alps made it a desirable possession for European great powers through the ages. Switzerland developed slowly over many centuries, as more and more regions came together to form a loose confederation whose members gave each other mutual support. At times their different interests stretched the bonds between them almost to breaking point. It was only in 1848 that Switzerland became a more centralized federal state. This favored its economic development and ended any possibility that Switzerland might break up.
III. Geographical setting
A. Location Switzerland has an area of 41,285 square kilometers (15,940 square miles). The productive area - that is, the area without the lakes, rivers, unproductive vegetation and no vegetation at all - covers 30,753 square km (11,870 square miles). It measures 220 kilometers (137 miles) from north to south and 350 km (217 miles) from east to west. Switzerland stands on the route linking
I. Cultural Analysis Introduction : Switzerland is a landlocked country geographically divided between the Alps, the Central Plateau and the Jura. Its area is 41,285 km2 (15,940 sq mi). The Swiss population of approximately 7.8 million people concentrates mostly on the Plateau, where the largest cities are to be found. Among them are the two global cities and economic centers 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. Switzerland also has one of the world's largest account balances as a percentage of GDP, only placing behind a few oil producing countries. Zürich and Geneva have respectively been ranked as the cities with the second and third highest quality of life in the world. In 2010, World Economic Forum deemed Switzerland the world's most competitive country.
II. Brief discussion of the country’s relevant history
Switzerland’s geographical position with its transit routes over the Alps made it a desirable possession for European great powers through the ages. Switzerland developed slowly over many centuries, as more and more regions came together to form a loose confederation whose members gave each other mutual support. At times their different interests stretched the bonds between them almost to breaking point. It was only in 1848 that Switzerland became a more centralized federal state. This favored its economic development and ended any possibility that Switzerland might break up.
III. Geographical setting
A. Location Switzerland has an area of 41,285 square kilometers (15,940 square miles). The productive area - that is, the area without the lakes, rivers, unproductive vegetation and no vegetation at all - covers 30,753 square km (11,870 square miles). It measures 220 kilometers (137 miles) from north to south and 350 km (217 miles) from east to west. Switzerland stands on the route linking