Switzerland and Takaungu: Difference between pages

Coordinates: 3°41′S 39°51′E / 3.683°S 39.850°E / -3.683; 39.850
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'''Takaungu''' is a small rural village located on the Kenyan Coast between [[Mombasa]] and [[Malindi]], in the [[Kilifi District]], [[Coast Province]]. It is 10 kilometres south of the [[Kilifi]] town, in the [[Kikambala]] division. The town has population of 1500 [http://www.ilri.cgiar.org/html/Urban%20Poverty%20all%20Kenya%20Province%20through%20Location%20Final.xls] . Fishing and a local coral quarry are the predominate industries. The population consists of Swahili Muslims, mostly living in or near the town center and a sizable Christian community in the ''shambas'' or countryside that surrounds it.
{{sprotect2}}
{{otheruses6|Swiss (disambiguation)|Switzerland (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox Country
|native_name = {{lang|la|Confoederatio Helvetica}} {{languageicon|la|[[Latin|la]]}} <br/> {{lang|de|Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft}} {{languageicon|de|[[German language|de]]}} <br/> {{lang|fr|Confédération suisse}} {{languageicon|fr|[[French language|fr]]}} <br/>
{{lang|it|Confederazione Svizzera}} {{languageicon|it|[[Italian language|it]]}} <br/> {{lang|rm|Confederaziun svizra}} {{languageicon|rm|[[Romansh language|rm]]}}<br/> |conventional_long_name = Swiss Confederation
|common_name = Switzerland
|image_flag = Flag of Switzerland.svg
|image_coat = Coat of Arms of Switzerland.svg
|image_map = Europe location CHE.png
|map_width = 291px
|map_caption = {{map_caption |region=on the [[Europe|European continent]]}}
|national_motto = {{lang|la|''[[Unus pro omnibus, omnes pro uno]]''}}<!--IF YOU FEEL TEMPTED TO REPLACE THIS WITH "none", PLEASE CHECK THE TALK PAGE AND ITS ARCHIVES FIRST, and also read the linked article!--> <small>([[Latin]])<ref>The motto is traditional; it is not defined by law.</ref><br/>"One for all, all for one"</small>
|national_anthem = "[[Swiss Psalm]]"
|official_languages = German,<br/>French,<br/>Italian,<br/>[[Romansh language|Romansh]]<ref> [http://www.admin.ch/ch/d/sr/101/a4.html?lang=en Federal Constitution], article 4, "National languages" : ''National languages'' are German, French, Italian, and [[Romansh language|Romansh]]; [http://www.admin.ch/org/polit/00083/index.html?lang=en Federal Constitution], article 70, "Languages", paragraph 1: The ''official languages'' of the Confederation are German, French, and Italian. Romansh shall be an official language for communicating with persons of Romansh language.</ref>
|demonym = Swiss
|capital = [[Berne]]<ref>''De jure'' "federal city"; ''de facto'' capital. Because of historical federalist sensibilities, Swiss law does not designate a formal capital, and some federal institutions such as courts are located in other cities.</ref>
|latd=46 |latm=57 |latNS=N |longd=7 |longm=27 |longEW=E
|largest_city = [[Zürich]]
|government_type = [[Direct democracy]]<br/>[[Federation|Federal]] [[parliamentary republic]]
|leader_title1 = [[Swiss Federal Council|Federal Council]]
|leader_name1 = <!--Ordered by seniority:-->[[Moritz Leuenberger|M. Leuenberger]] <br>[[Pascal Couchepin|P. Couchepin]] <small>([[President of the Confederation (Switzerland)|Pres. 08]])</small> <br>[[Samuel Schmid|S. Schmid]]<br>[[Micheline Calmy-Rey|M. Calmy-Rey]] <br>[[Hans-Rudolf Merz|H.-R. Merz]] <small>([[Vice President|V]][[President of the Confederation (Switzerland)|P 08]])</small><br>[[Doris Leuthard|D. Leuthard]] <br>[[Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf|E. Widmer-Schlumpf]]
|area_km2 = 41,285
|area_sq_mi = 15,940 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
|area_rank = 136th
|area_magnitude = 1 E10
|percent_water = 4.2
|population_estimate = 7,591,500
|population_estimate_year = 2007<ref>[http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/en/index/themen/01/02/blank/key/bevoelkerungsstand.html ''Current population and population growth''], Source: Annual Population Statistics (ESPOP), Swiss Federal Statistical Office.</ref>
|population_estimate_rank = 95th
|population_density_km2 = 181.4
|population_density_sq_mi = 479.8 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
|population_density_rank = 61st
|population_census = 7,288,010
|population_census_year = 2000
|GDP_PPP = $300.186 billion<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2008/01/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=74&pr.y=16&sy=2004&ey=2008&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=146&s=NGDPD%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPGDP%2CPPPPC%2CLP&grp=0&a=|title=Report for Selected Countries and Subjects<!-- Bot generated title -->}}</ref>
|GDP_PPP_year = 2007
|GDP_PPP_rank = 38th
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $41,128<ref name="autogenerated1" /> (IMF)
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 6th
|GDP_nominal = $423.938 billion<ref name="autogenerated1" />
|GDP_nominal_rank = 19th
|GDP_nominal_year = 2007
|GDP_nominal_per_capita = $58,083<ref name="autogenerated1" /> (IMF)
|GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 7th
|HDI_year = 2007
|HDI = {{increase}} 0.955
|HDI_rank = 7th
|HDI_category = <font color="#009900">high</font>
|Gini = 33.7
|Gini_year = 2000
|Gini_category = <font color="#ffcc00">medium</font>
|sovereignty_type = [[Independence]]
|established_event1 = [[History of Switzerland|Foundation date]]
|established_event2 = [[Treaty of Basel (1499)|''de facto'']]
|established_event3 = [[Peace of Westphalia|Recognized]]
|established_event4 = [[Restauration (Switzerland)|Restored]]
|established_event5 = [[Switzerland as a federal state|Federal state]]
|established_date1 = 1 August<ref>Traditional. The [[Federal Charter]] only mentions "early August" and the treaty is a renewal of an older one, now lost.</ref> 1291
|established_date2 = 22 September 1499
|established_date3 = 24 October 1648
|established_date4 = 7 August 1815
|established_date5 = 12 September 1848<ref>A [http://www.verfassungen.de/ch/tagsatzungsbeschluss48.htm solemn declaration of the Tagsatzung] declared the Federal Constitution adopted on 12 September 1848. A [http://www.verfassungen.de/ch/tagsatzungsbeschluss48-2.htm resolution of the Tagsatzung] of 14 September 1848 specified that the powers of the institutions provided for by the 1815 Federal Treaty would expire at the time of the constitution of the [[Swiss Federal Council|Federal Council]], which took place on 16 November 1848.</ref>
|currency = [[Swiss franc]]
|currency_code = CHF
|time_zone = [[Central European Time|CET]]
|utc_offset = +1
|time_zone_DST = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
|utc_offset_DST = +2
|cctld = [[.ch]]
|calling_code = 41
|footnotes =
}}
'''Switzerland''' (English pronunciation: {{Audio-IPA|en-us-Switzerland.ogg|[ˈswɪtsɚlənd]}}; {{lang-de|Schweiz}}, [[Swiss German]]: ''Schwyz'' or ''Schwiiz'' {{lang-fr|Suisse}}, {{lang-it|Svizzera}}, {{lang-rm|Svizra}}), officially the '''Swiss Confederation''' (''Confoederatio Helvetica'' in [[Latin language|Latin]], hence its [[International Organization for Standardization| ISO]] country codes [[Data codes for Switzerland#Country|CH and CHE]]), is a [[landlocked]] [[Swiss Alps|alpine]] country of roughly 7.6 million people in [[Western Europe]] with an area of 41,285 km². Switzerland is a [[federal republic]] consisting of 26 states called [[Cantons of Switzerland|cantons]]. [[Berne]] is the seat of the federal authorities, while the country's economic centres are its three [[Global city|global cities]], [[Geneva]], [[Basel]] and especially [[Zürich]]. Switzerland is one of the [[richest countries]] in the world by [[per capita]] [[Gross Domestic Product]]. Zurich and Geneva have respectively been ranked as having the first and second highest quality of life in the world.<ref>[http://www.citymayors.com/features/quality_survey.html Swiss and German cities dominate ranking of best cities in the world]</ref>


The primary languages are Kigiriama, used predominantly by the local [[Giriama]] tribe (part of the broader group of Coastal tribes called [[Mijikenda]], meaning "nine tribes") and Kiswahili.
It is bordered by the countries Germany, France, Italy, [[Austria]] and [[Liechtenstein]]. Switzerland has a long history of [[Neutral country|neutrality]]—it has not been at war since 1815—and hosts many international organizations, including the [[International Committee of the Red Cross|Red Cross]], the [[World Trade Organization]] and [[United Nations Office at Geneva|one of the U.N.'s two European offices]]. Switzerland is multilingual and has four national languages: German, French, Italian and [[Romansh language|Romansh]]. The country's formal name is {{lang|de|''Schweizerische [[Eidgenossenschaft]]''}} in German, {{lang|fr|''Confédération suisse''}} in French, {{lang|it|''Confederazione Svizzera''}} in Italian and {{lang|rm|''Confederaziun svizra''}} in Romansh. The establishment of Switzerland is traditionally dated to 1 August 1291; the [[Swiss National Day|first of August]] is the national holiday.


The regional headquarters of a non-governmental development organization, the [[East African Center]], are located in Takaungu and more information about the area is available on the group's website (www.eastafricancenter.org).
Switzerland's name is pronounced as {{IPA|[ ʃvaɪts]}} in German, {{IPA|[sɥiːs]}} in French, {{IPA|[ˈzvit̪.t̪sera]}} in Italian and {{IPA|[ˈsvi.zra]}} in Romansh.


{{kenya-geo-stub}}
==History==
{{main|History of Switzerland}}


{{coord|3|41|S|39|51|E|region:KE_type:city|display=title}}
===Early history===
{{main|Early history of Switzerland}}
{{see|History of the Alps|Alemannia|Upper Burgundy}}


[[Category:Cities, towns and villages in Coast Province]]
The earliest known tribes of the area were members of the [[Hallstatt culture|Hallstatt]] and [[La Tène culture]]s. The [[La Tène culture]] developed and flourished during the late [[Iron Age]] from around 450 BC, possibly under some influence from the Greek, and Etruscan civilisations. One of the most important tribal groups in the Swiss region was the [[Helvetii]]. In 15 BC, [[Tiberius]] I, who was destined to be the second Roman Emperor, and his brother, [[Nero Claudius Drusus|Drusus]], conquered the Alps, integrating them into the [[Roman Empire]]. The area occupied by the [[Helvetii]] – the namesakes of the later ''Confoederatio Helvetica'' – first became part of Rome's [[Gallia Belgica]] Province and then of its [[Germania Superior]] Province, while the eastern portion of modern Switzerland was integrated into the Roman province of [[Raetia]].


[[es:Takaungu]]
In the [[Early Middle Ages]], from the fourth century AD, the western extents of modern day Switzerland was part of the territory of the [[Kingdom of Burgundy|Kings of the Burgundiuns]]. The [[Alemanni]] settled the [[Swiss plateau]] in the fifth century AD and the [[valleys of the Alps]] in the eighth century AD, forming [[Alemannia]]. Modern Day Switzerland was therefore then divided between the Kingdoms of [[Alemannia]] and [[Burgundy]]. The entire region became part of the expanding [[Frankish Empire]] in the sixth century, following [[Clovis I]]'s victory over the [[Alemanni]] at [[Tolbiac]] in 504 AD, and later Frankish domination of the Burgundians.
[[ro:Takaungu]]
[[sv:Takaungu]]
Prof Ali Mazrui attended his Primary education at Takaungu Primary School.


Ahmed Abdalla Mazrui the former deputy Governor Central Bank of Kenya was born in Takaungu.
By 561 AD, the [[Merovingian]] King [[Guntram]], Clovis I's grandson, had inherited the Frankish Kingdom of Burgundy, which stretched East nearly as far as the [[Rhine]]. East of this, the Alamanni were ruled under a nominal dukedom within Frankia, as the Franks filled the vacuum caused by the declining Western reach of Roman [[Byzantium]]. By this time Frankia was beginning to form the tripartite character that would characterise the rest of its history. The territories were subdivided into [[Neustria]] in the West (referred to simply as Frankia at the time; the name Neustria did not appear in writing until some 80 years later), [[Austrasia]] in the North East and Burgundy.


Shariff Alwi Mohammed Alwi Bafagih one of the well known civic leader, religouse and community leader in the Coast province represented this ward since independence until 1988.
Throughout the rest of the sixth and early seventh centuries AD the Swiss regions continued under Frankish hegemony, with the Franks largely occupied with infighting about issues of succession amongst the Frankish sub-kingdoms (whose Kings were close blood relatives). In 632 AD, following the death of [[Chlothar II]], the entire Frankish realm was briefly united under [[Dagobert]], who is described as the last [[Merovingian]] king able to exercise real power. Under Dagobert, the Austrasians agitated for self governance as a means of countering the influence of the Neustrians, who dominated royal court. Dagobert was forced by the strong Austrasian aristocracy to appoint his infant son, [[Sigebert III]], as sub-king of Austrasia in 633 AD. The weakness of the realm became clear, and this led to those subjugated by the Franks considering the risks and benefits of rebellion. After [[Sigebert III]] suffered a military defeat at the hands of [[Radulf, King of Thuringia]] in 640 AD, the [[Alemanni]] also revolted against Frankish rule. The period of Allemani independence that followed lasted more or less continuously until the middle of the eighth century AD.


The Milad-Un-Nabi (in Takaungu) an annual Islamic ceremony conducted to commemorate the birth of prophet Muhammad (SAW) is the 3rd largest after Lamu and Mambrui.
Mayors of the Palace had been appointed by the Frankish Kings as court officials since the early seventh century AD to act as mediators between the king and the people. However following Dagobert's death in 639 AD, with infants on the throne in both Neustria ([[Clovis II]]—a babe in arms in 639 AD) and Austrasia ([[Sigebert III]]—about four years old in 639 AD), these court appointees assumed greater power, eventually to such an extent that they ended the rule of the Merovingian monarchs, and took over the Frankish throne themselves. The first step was taken by the Mayor of the Palace of Austrasia, [[Grimoald I]], who convinced the childless [[Sigebert III]] to adopt his own son, [[Childebert]] as heir to the throne.


Said Omar Athman Errey a renowned Public Accountant and Auditor was born and raised in Takaungu. Mr. Errey's firms are both located in Nairobi and Mombasa where he is teamed (patnership/assocaition) with Mohammed Khamis Mazrui.
Meanwhile in the Neustrian palace, the Mayors of the Palace, [[Erchinoald]], and his successor, [[Ebroin]], were likewise increasing their hold on power behind [[Clovis II]], and his successor [[Chlothar III]]. Ebroin reunited the Frankish kingdom by defeating and removing [[Childebert]] (and [[Grimoald]]) from Austrasia in 661 AD.


Omar Abdilahi Omar Athman a nephew of both Ali and Said Omar A. Errey also hails from Takaungu, He is has an import/export business dealing woth a wife-range of items such as electric and gas bikes, computers and peripherials and other gadgets.
[[Chlothar III]]'s younger brother, [[Childeric II]], was then installed as King of the Austrasians, and together they ruled the empire. When [[Chlothar III]] died in 673 AD, [[Childeric II]] became king of the entire realm, ruling from Austrasia, until he was assassinated two years later by members of the Neustrian elite. After his death, [[Theuderic III]], son of [[Clovis II]], ascended to the throne, ruling from Neustria. He and his Mayor of the Palace, [[Berthar]], declared war on Austrasia, which was ruled by [[Dagobert II]], son of [[Sigebert III]], and [[Pepin of Heristal]] ([[Pepin II]]), the Arnulfing Mayor of Austrasia. Theuderic and Berthar were defeated by Peppin at the [[Battle of Tertry]] in 687 AD, after which Peppin was appointed the sole Mayor of all Frankia, nominating himself as Duke and Prince of all the Franks. Peppin was the product of the marriage of two very powerful houses; that of the [[Pippinids]] and the [[Arnulfings]]. His success at Tertry was to mark the end of [[Merovingian]] power.
His business is world wide and delivers merchandise accross the globe. For more details visit his website:
http://www.kuzemoto.com


Peppin again tasted military success in his campaign to bring the [[Frisians]], of Europe's north coast, back under Frankish control. Between 709 AD and 712 AD he fought a similar campaign against the [[Alemanni]], including those within the borders of present day Switzerland, and succeeded in re-imposing Frankish rule, the first since the [[Alemanni]]an revolt of 640 AD. However Frankish control of this and other outlying areas was again lost when a Frankish civil war of succession followed Peppin's death in 714 AD.


The war was a continuation of the ageless Neustrian/Austrasian rivalry. Peppin's illegitimate son, [[Charles Martel]] (who was the son of Peppin's mistress [[Alpaida]]), had been proclaimed Mayor of Austrasia by the Austraian nobility in defiance of Peppin's widow, [[Plectrude]], who preferred that her 8 year old grandson, [[Theudoald]], be appointed. Neustria invaded Austrasia under [[Chilperic II]] who had been appointed by the Neustrians without the agreement of the rest of the Frankish peoples. The turning point of the war came at the [[Battle of Ambleve]], when [[Charles Martel]], using brilliant and unconventional tactics, defeated combined Neustrian and Frisian forces under [[Chilperic II]] and Mayor [[Ragenfrid]]. Charles struck when The Neustrians were marching home after triumphing at [[Cologne]] over [[Plectrude]] and the child [[Theudoald]].


Two other personalities are Sabur (Saburi) and Ali Omar Athman (elder brother of Said Omar Athman Errey) were once most profolic football players and featured in top class football teams such as Dundee, Leeds United, Feisal and Ngome (Bismarck), both teams were in Mombasa.
By 717 AD, Charles had confirmed his supremacy, with victory over the Neustians at the [[Battle of Vincy]], thereby marking the beginning of Carolingian rule over the Frankish empire.

After 718 AD, [[Charles Martel|Charles]], who was a brilliant commander, embarked upon a series of wars to strengthen Frankish dominion over Western Europe. This included bringing the Alemannians back under Frankish hegemony, and even, in the 720s AD, forcing some Alemannian elements to participate in his wars against their Eastern neighbours, the Bavarians.

Alemannia, however, remained restless, with Duke [[Lantfrid]] in the late 720s AD, expressing independence by issuing revisions of the laws of the Alemans. [[Charles Martel|Charles]] invaded again in 730 AD and subjugated the Alemannis by force.

Charles is perhaps best known for stopping the Arab advance into Western Europe at the [[Battle of Tours]] in 732 AD, in a military stand that arguably halted Islamic expansionism into the European homeland.

When [[Charles Martel|Charles]] died in 741 AD, the dominion over Frankia was divided between his two sons from his first marriage; namely [[Peppin the Short]] and [[Carloman, Mayor of the Palace|Carloman]]. Carloman was given Austrasia, Alemannia and Thuringen, while Peppen took control of Neustria, Provence and Burgundy (including present day Western Switzerland).

By 743 AD, Carloman was vowing to impose a greater degree of control over Alemannia, and this resulted ultimately in the arrest, trial and execution of several thousand Alemanni nobleman at the [[Blood court at Cannstatt]] in 746 AD.

Carloman retired to a monastery in 747 AD, leaving Peppin to assume the Frankish crown (after a vote of nobles) in 751 AD. [[Peppin the Short|Peppen]] further strengthened his position by forming an alliance, in 754 AD, with [[Pope Stephen II]], who then came all the way to Paris to anoint him King in a ceremony at St Denis's Basilica. In return Peppin subdued the Lombards and donated the [[Exarchate of Ravenna]] and captured territory around Rome to the church. This was a turning point in the history of the [[Roman Catholic Church]] and Western Europe, as it foreshadowed later events under Charlemagne leading to the formation of the [[Holy Roman Empire]]. It is claimed that [[Pope Stephen II]] tabled the forged [[Donation of Constantine]] during his negotiations with Peppin. The Donation is a falsified imperial order purported to have been issued by [[Constantine I|Constantine]] to gift to Pope Sylvester I and all his successors dominion over not only the Western Roman empire, but also all of Judea, Greece, Asia, Thrace and Rome.

Upon [[Peppin the Short|Peppen]]'s death in 768 AD, the Frankish empire was passed to his sons [[Charlemagne|Charles]] and [[Carloman I]]. Carloman withdrew to a monastery and died shortly afterwards, leaving Charles, later known as the legendary [[Charlemagne]], the sole ruler of the Franks. [[Charlemagne|Charles]] expanded Frankish sovereignty to include the [[Saxons]], Bavarians, and the [[Lombards]] in [[Northern Italy]] and he expanded the empire into today's [[Austria]] and parts of [[Croatia]]. He offered the Papacy the promise of enduring Frankish protection, and he patronized monastic centers of learning.

Charles therefore emerged as the leader of Western Christendom

By 1200 AD, the Swiss plateau comprised the dominions of the houses of [[House of Savoy|Savoy]], [[Zähringer]], [[Habsburg]] and [[Counts of Kyburg|Kyburg]]. When the Kyburg dynasty fell in 1264 AD, the Habsburgs under [[Rudolph I of Habsburg|King Rudolph I]] (Emperor in 1273) extended its territory to the eastern Swiss plateau.

===Old Swiss Confederacy===
{{main|Old Swiss Confederacy}}
{{see|Growth of the Old Swiss Confederacy|Reformation in Switzerland|Early Modern Switzerland}}
[[Image:Schweiz Frühmia Adel.svg|left|thumb|300px|The house dominions that existed around AD 1200:<br/> {{legend0|#ff6666|[[House of Savoy|Savoy]]}} {{legend0|#44aa44|[[Zähringer]]}} {{legend0|#ff66ff|[[Habsburg]]}} {{legend0|#ffff66|[[Counts of Kyburg|Kyburg]]}}]]

The Old Swiss Confederacy was an alliance among the valley communities of the central Alps. The Confederacy facilitated management of common interests (free trade) and ensured peace on the important mountain trade routes. The [[Federal Charter of 1291]] agreed between the [[Medieval commune|rural communes]] of [[Canton of Uri|Uri]], [[Canton of Schwyz|Schwyz]], and [[Unterwalden]] is considered the confederacy's founding document; even though similar alliances are likely to have existed decades earlier.<ref name="schwabe">Schwabe & Co.: ''Geschichte der Schweiz und der Schweizer'', Schwabe & Co 1986/2004. ISBN 3-7965-2067-7 {{de icon}}</ref>

[[Image:Stumpf-Chronik-Zug.png|thumb|right|A view of [[Zug]] in 1548.]]

By 1353 the three original [[Cantons of Switzerland|cantons]] had joined with the cantons of [[Canton of Glarus|Glarus]] and [[Canton of Zug|Zug]] and the [[Lucerne]], [[Zürich]] and [[Berne]] city states to form the "Old Confederacy" of eight states that existed until the end of the fifteenth century. The expansion led to increased power and wealth for the federation. By 1460, the confederates controlled most of the territory south and west of the Rhine to the Alps and the Jura mountains. particularly after victories against the Habsburgs ([[Battle of Sempach]], Battle of Näfels), over [[Charles the Bold]] of [[Burgundy]] during the 1470s, and the success of the [[Swiss mercenaries]]. The Swiss victory in the [[Swabian War]] against the [[Swabian League]] of [[Holy Roman Emperor|Emperor]] [[Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor|Maximilian I]] in 1499 amounted to ''de facto'' independence within the [[Holy Roman Empire]].

[[Image:Bundesbrief.jpg|thumb|left|Federal charter of 1291]]
The Old Swiss Confederacy had acquired a reputation of invincibility during these earlier wars, but [[Growth of the Old Swiss Confederacy|expansion of the federation]] suffered a setback in 1515 with the Swiss defeat in the [[Battle of Marignano]]. This ended the so-called "heroic" epoch of Swiss history. The success of [[Zwingli]]'s [[Reformation in Switzerland|Reformation]] in some cantons led to inter-cantonal wars in 1529 and 1531 (''Kappeler Kriege''). It wasn't until more than one hundred years after these internal wars that, in 1648, under the [[Treaty of Westphalia]], European countries recognised Switzerland's independence from the Holy Roman Empire and its [[neutral country|neutrality]] ({{lang|fr|''ancien régime''}}).

During the [[Early Modern Switzerland|Early Modern]] period of Swiss history, the growing [[authoritarianism]] of the patriciate families combined with a financial crisis in the wake of the [[Thirty Years' War]] led to the [[Swiss peasant war of 1653]]. In the background to this struggle, the conflict between [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]] and [[Protestantism|Protestant]] cantons persisted, erupting in further violence at the [[battles of Villmergen]] in 1656 and 1712.

===Napoleonic era===
{{main|Switzerland in the Napoleonic era|Helvetic Republic|Act of Mediation}}

[[Image:Acte de mediation-Premier consul-Suisse MG 2103.jpg|left|thumb|The Act of Mediation was Napoleon's attempt at a compromise between the [[Ancien Régime]] and a Republic.]]

In 1798 the armies of the [[French Revolution]] conquered Switzerland and imposed a new unified constitution. This centralised the government of the country and effectively abolished the cantons. The new [[regime]], known as the [[Helvetic Republic]], was highly unpopular. It had been imposed by a foreign invading army and destroyed centuries of tradition, making Switzerland nothing more than a French satellite state. The fierce French suppression of the [[Nidwalden Revolt]] in September of 1798 is an example of the suppressing presence of the French army and the local population's resistance to the occupation.

When war broke out between France and its rivals, Russian and [[Habsburg Monarchy|Austrian]] forces invaded Switzerland. In 1803 [[Napoleon I of France|Napoleon]] organised a meeting of the leading Swiss politicians from both sides in [[Paris]]. The result was the [[Act of Mediation]] which largely restored Swiss autonomy and introduced a Confederation of 19 cantons. Henceforth much of Swiss politics would concern balancing the cantons' tradition of self-rule with the need for a central government.

In 1815 the [[Congress of Vienna]] fully re-established Swiss independence and the European powers agreed to permanently recognise Swiss neutrality. The treaty marked the last time that Switzerland fought in an international conflict. The treaty also allowed Switzerland to increase its territory, with the admission of the cantons of [[Valais]], [[Canton of Neuchâtel|Neuchâtel]] and [[Canton of Geneva|Geneva]] – this was also the last time Switzerland's territory expanded.

===Federal state===
{{main|Restauration (Switzerland)|Switzerland as a federal state}}
The [[Restauration (Switzerland)|restoration]] of the power to the patriciate was only temporary. After a period of unrest with repeated violent clashes such as the [[Züriputsch]] of 1839, civil war broke out between some of the Catholic and most of the other cantons in 1847 (the ''[[Sonderbundskrieg]]''). The war lasted for less than a month, causing fewer than 100 casualties; most of which were through friendly fire. However minor the Sonderbundskrieg seems to be when compared with other European riots and wars in the 19th century, it nevertheless had a major impact on both the psychology and the society of the Swiss and of Switzerland. The war made all Swiss understand the need for unity and strength towards its European neighbours. Swiss people from all strata of society, whether Catholic, Protestant, or from the liberal or conservative current, realised that the cantons would profit more if their economic and religious interest were merged. Credit to those who favored the power of the cantons (the Sonderbund Kantone), the national assembly was divided among an [[upper house]] (the [[Swiss Council of States]]) and a [[lower house]] (the [[National Council of Switzerland]]). Thus, the interests of the Federationalists were accounted for. Switzerland adopted a [[Swiss Federal Constitution|federal constitution]] and the use of [[referenda]] (mandatory for any amendment of this constitution) in 1848. This constitution provided for a central authority while leaving the cantons the right to self-government on local issues. In 1850 the [[Swiss franc]] became the Swiss [[single currency]]. The constitution was amended extensively in 1874 in order to take into account the rise in population and the [[Industrial Revolution]]. It introduced the facultative referendum for laws at the federal level. It also established federal responsibility for defence, trade, and legal matters.

In 1891, the constitution was revised with unusually strong elements of [[direct democracy]], which remain unique even today. Since then, continued political, economic, and social improvement has characterised Swiss history.

===Modern history===
{{main|Switzerland during the World Wars|Modern history of Switzerland}}
[[Image:Mischabelhörner.jpg|thumb|The [[Zmutt Valley]] and the [[Mischabelhörner]] (or Mischabel) mountains in the canton of [[Valais]]. The image is from a [[photochrom]] postcard (circa 1890).]]

Switzerland was not invaded during either of the World Wars. During [[World War I]], Switzerland was home to Vladimir Illych Ulyanov ([[Lenin]]) and he remained there until 1917.<ref>See [[Vladimir Lenin]]</ref> Swiss neutrality was seriously questioned by the [[Grimm-Hoffmann Affair]] in 1917, but it was short-lived. In 1920, Switzerland joined the [[League of Nations]], and in 1963 the [[Council of Europe]].

[[Switzerland during World War II|During World War II]], detailed invasion plans were drawn up by the Germans,<ref>''Let's Swallow Switzerland'' by Klaus Urner (Lexington Books, 2002).</ref> but Switzerland was never attacked. Switzerland was able to remain independent through a combination of military deterrence, economic concessions to Germany, and good fortune as larger events during the war delayed an invasion. Attempts by Switzerland's small Nazi party to cause an [[Anschluss]] (annexation) with Germany failed miserably. The Swiss press vigorously criticised the [[Third Reich]], often infuriating its leadership. Under General [[Henri Guisan]], a massive mobilisation of militia forces was ordered. The Swiss military strategy was changed from one of static defence at the borders to protect the economic heartland, to a strategy of organised long-term attrition and withdrawal to strong, well-stockpiled positions high in the Alps known as the [[Reduit|Réduit]]. Switzerland was an important base for espionage by both sides in the conflict and often mediated communications between the Axis and Allied powers.

Switzerland's trade was blockaded by both the [[Allies of World War II|Allies]] and by the [[Axis Powers|Axis]]. Economic cooperation and extension of credit to the Third Reich varied according to the perceived likelihood of invasion, and the availability of other trading partners. Concessions reached a peak after a crucial rail link through [[Vichy France]] was severed in 1942, leaving Switzerland completely surrounded by the Axis. Over the course of the war, Switzerland interned over 300,000 refugees, 104,000 of which were foreign troops, interned according to the ''Rights and Duties of Neutral Powers'' outlined in the [[Hague Conventions (1899 and 1907)|Hague Conventions]]. 60,000 of the refugees were civilians escaping persecution by the Nazis. Of these, 26,000 to 27,000 were Jews. However, strict immigration and asylum policies as well as the financial relationships with Nazi Germany raised controversy.<ref>[http://www.uek.ch/en/ The Bergier Commission Final Report], page 117.</ref> During the war, the Swiss Air Force engaged aircraft of both sides, shooting down 11 intruding [[Luftwaffe]] planes in May and June 1940, then forcing down other intruders after a change of policy following threats from Germany; over 100 Allied bombers and their crews were interned during the war. During 1944-45, Allied bombers mistakenly bombed the Swiss towns of [[Schaffhausen]] (killing 40 people), [[Stein am Rhein]], [[Vals, Switzerland|Vals]], [[Rafz]] (18 killed), and notoriously on 4 March 1945 both [[Basel]] and [[Zürich]] were bombed.

[[Image:ZurichNacht.jpg|200px|thumb|left|The [[Grossmünster]] cathedral and waterfront in modern day [[Zürich]].]]

Women were granted the right to vote in the first Swiss cantons in 1959, at the federal level in 1971, and after resistance, in the last canton [[Appenzell Innerrhoden]] in 1990. After suffrage at the federal level women quickly rose in political significance, with the first woman on the seven member high council being [[Elisabeth Kopp]] from 1984–1989. The first female president was [[Ruth Dreifuss]], elected in 1998 to become president during 1999.
(The Swiss president is elected every year from those among the seven member high council). The second female president is [[Micheline Calmy-Rey]] who held the 2007 Swiss high office. She is originally from the French-speaking western area of canton [[Valais]] (Wallis in German). She is presently joined on the seven member cabinet/high council by two other women, [[Doris Leuthard]], from the canton of [[Aargau]] and [[Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf]], from the canton of [[Graubünden]].

In 1979 areas from inside the previous borders in the canton of [[Bern]] attained independence from the Bernese, forming the new [[canton of Jura]]. On 18 April 1999 the Swiss population and the cantons voted in favour of a completely revised [[Swiss Federal Constitution|federal constitution]].

In 2002 Switzerland became a full member of the [[United Nations]], leaving the [[Holy See|Vatican]] as the last widely recognized state without full UN membership. Switzerland is a founding member of the [[European Free Trade Association|EFTA]], but is not a member of the [[European Economic Area]]. An application for membership in the [[European Union]] was sent in May 1992, but not advanced since the EEA was rejected in December 1992 when Switzerland was the only country to launch a referendum on the EEA. There have since been several referenda on the EU issue, with a mixed reaction to these from the population, the membership application has been frozen. Nonetheless, Swiss law is gradually being adjusted to conform with that of the EU and the government has signed a number of [[bilateralism|bilateral agreements]] with the European Union. Switzerland, together with [[Liechtenstein]], has been completely surrounded by the EU since [[Austria]]'s membership in 1995. On 5 June 2005, Swiss voters agreed by a 55% majority to join the [[Schengen treaty]], a result that was regarded by EU commentators as a sign of support by Switzerland, a country that is traditionally perceived as independent, neutral, or [[isolationism|isolationist]].

==Politics==

<!--Please add new information into relevant articles of the series-->
{{main|Politics of Switzerland}}
{{see also|International relations of Switzerland|Voting in Switzerland}}
[[Image:CH-Bundeshaus-Nord.jpg|thumb|The [[Federal Palace]] in the canton of [[Berne]] is the name of the building in which the [[Federal Assembly of Switzerland]] (federal parliament) and the [[Swiss Federal Council]] (executive) are housed.
]]

The [[Federal constitution of Switzerland|Federal Constitution]] adopted in 1848 is the legal foundation of the modern federal state. A new Constitution was adopted in 1999, but did not introduce notable changes to the federal structure. It outlines basic and political rights of individuals and citizen participation in public affairs, and divides the powers between the Confederation and the cantons and defines federal jurisdictions and authorities. There are three main governing bodies on the federal level:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home/topics/counz/infoch/chpoli.html |title=Political System |publisher=Federal Department of Foreign Affairs}}</ref> the [[bicameralism|bicameral]] parliament (legislative), the [[Swiss Federal Council|Federal Council]] (executive) and the [[Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland|Federal Court]] (judicial).

The Swiss Parliament consists of two houses: the [[Swiss Council of States|Council of States]] which has 46 representatives (two from each canton and one from each half-canton) who are elected under a system determined by each canton, and the [[National Council of Switzerland|National Council]], which consists of 200 members who are elected under a system of [[proportional representation]], depending on the population of each canton. Members of both houses serve for 4 years. When both houses are in joint session, they are known collectively as the [[Federal Assembly of Switzerland|Federal Assembly]]. Through [[referendum]]s, citizens may challenge any law passed by parliament and through [[initiative]]s, introduce amendments to the federal constitution, making Switzerland a [[direct democracy]].

[[Image:Bundesrat der Schweiz 2008 Teil 2.JPG|thumb|250 px|The [[Swiss Federal Council]] in 2008. The current members of the council are (from left to right): [[Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf|Widmer-Schlumpf]], [[Moritz Leuenberger|Leuenberger]], [[Micheline Calmy-Rey|Calmy-Rey]], [[Pascal Couchepin|Couchepin]], [[Samuel Schmid|Schmid]], [[Doris Leuthard|Leuthard]], [[Hans-Rudolf Merz|Merz]]. The [[Federal Chancellor of Switzerland]], [[Corina Casanova|Casanova]], is also pictured.]]

The [[Swiss Federal Council|Federal Council]] constitutes the federal [[government]], directs the [[Federal administration of Switzerland|federal administration]] and serves as collective [[Head of State]]. It is a collegial body of seven members, elected for a four-year mandate by the Federal Assembly which also exercises [[oversight]] over the Council. The [[President of the Swiss Confederation|President of the Confederation]] is elected by the Assembly from among the seven members, traditionally in rotation, for a one-year term, in order to chair the government and assume representative functions. However, the president is a ''[[primus inter pares]]'' with no additional powers, and remains the head of a department of the administration.

The Swiss government has been a coalition of the four major political parties since 1959, each party having a number of seats that roughly reflects its share of electorate and representation in the federal parliament: currently there are 1 [[Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland|Christian Democrat (CVP/PDC)]], 2 [[Social Democratic Party of Switzerland|Social Democrats (SPS/PSS)]], 2 [[Free Democratic Party of Switzerland|Liberal Democrats (FDP/PRD)]], and 2 representatives of the [[Swiss People's Party|Swiss People's Party (SVP/UDC)]] in the government. This traditional distribution of seats is called the "magic formula", and is not backed up by any law. The original distribution of 2 CVP/PDC, 2 SPS/PSS, 2 FDP/PRD and 1 SVP/UDC lasted from 1959 to 2003, until the CVP/PDC lost their second seat to the SVP/UDC, which had become the strongest party in Switzerland's legislative following the 2003 parliamentary elections.

The function of the [[Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland|Federal Supreme Court]] is to hear appeals against rulings of cantonal or federal courts. The judges are elected by the Federal Assembly for six-year terms.

===Direct democracy===
Swiss citizens are subject to three legal jurisdictions: the commune, canton and federal levels. The 1848 federal constitution defines a system of [[direct democracy]] (sometimes called ''half-direct'' democracy since it is added by the more commonplace institutions of a [[parliamentary democracy]]). The instruments of Swiss direct democracy at the federal level, known as civil rights (''Volksrechte'', ''droits civiques''), include the right to submit a ''constitutional initiative'' and a ''referendum'', both of which may overturn parliamentary decisions.

By calling a federal ''referendum'' a group of citizens may challenge a law that has been passed by Parliament, if they can gather 50,000 signatures against the law within 100 days. If so, a national vote is scheduled where voters decide by a [[Plurality|simple majority]] whether to accept or reject the law. Eight cantons together can also call a referendum on a federal law.

Similarly, the federal ''constitutional initiative'' allows citizens to put a [[constitutional amendment]] to a national vote, if they can get 100,000 voters to sign the proposed amendment within 18 months.<ref>Since 1999, an initiative can also be in the form of a general proposal to be elaborated by Parliament, but because it is considered less attractive for various reasons, this form of initiative has yet to find any use.</ref> Parliament can supplement the proposed amendment with a counter-proposal, with voters having to indicate a preference on the ballot in case both proposals are accepted. Constitutional amendments, whether introduced by initiative or in Parliament, must be accepted by a [[double majority]] of both the national popular vote and a majority of the cantonal popular votes.<ref>That is a majority of 23 cantonal votes, because the result of the popular vote in the six traditional [[Cantons of Switzerland#The traditional half-cantons|half-cantons]] each counts as half the vote of one of the other cantons.</ref><ref> Tremblay; Lecours; et. al. (2004) Mapping the Political Landscape. Toronto: Nelson.</ref><ref> Turner; Barry (2001). The Statement's Yearbook. New York: MacMillan Press ltd.</ref><ref> Banks, Arthur (2006). Political Handbook of The World 2005-2006. Washington: Cq Press.</ref>

===Cantons===
{{main|Cantons of Switzerland}}
{{Switzerland Cantons Labelled Map|float=right}}
The Swiss Confederation consists of 26 [[canton (administrative division)|cantons]]:
{| border=0 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0
|- valign=top
| width=33% |
* [[Aargau]]
* [[Appenzell Innerrhoden]]*

* [[Appenzell Ausserrhoden]]*
* [[Basel-Stadt]]*
* [[Basel-Landschaft]]*
* [[Canton of Bern|Bern]]
* [[Canton of Fribourg|Fribourg]]
* [[Canton of Geneva|Genève]]
* [[Canton of Glarus|Glarus]]
* [[Graubünden]]
* [[Canton of Jura|Jura]]
* [[Canton of Lucerne|Lucerne]]
* [[Canton of Neuchâtel|Neuchâtel]]
| width=33% |
* [[Nidwalden]]*
* [[Obwalden]]*
* [[Canton of Schaffhausen|Schaffhausen]]
* [[Canton of Schwyz|Schwyz]]
* [[Canton of Solothurn|Solothurn]]
* [[Canton of St. Gallen|St. Gallen]]
* [[Thurgau]]
* [[Ticino]]
* [[Canton of Uri|Uri]]
* [[Valais]]
* [[Vaud]]
* [[Canton of Zug|Zug]]
* [[Canton of Zürich|Zürich]]
|}
<nowiki>*</nowiki><small>These cantons, called half-cantons, are represented by one councillor (instead of two) in the [[Swiss Council of States|Council of States]] and only count half (instead of one) in national votes on constitutional amendments.</small>

Their populations vary between 15,000 (Appenzell Innerrhoden) and 1,253,500 (Zürich), and their area between 37 km² (Basel-Stadt) and 7,105 km² (Graubünden). The Cantons comprise a total of 2,889 [[municipalities of Switzerland|municipalities]]. Within Switzerland there are two [[enclave]]s: [[Büsingen]] belongs to Germany, [[Campione d'Italia]] belongs to Italy.

In a referendum held in the [[Austria]]n state of [[Vorarlberg]] on 11 May 1919 over 80% of those voting supported a proposal that the state should join the Swiss Confederation. However, this was prevented by the opposition of the [[Austrian First Republic|Austrian Government]], the [[Allies of World War I|Allies]], [[Liberalism and radicalism in Switzerland|Swiss liberals]], the Swiss-Italians (persons of Swiss nationality who live in [[Italian Switzerland]] – see map) and the [[Romandy|Romands]] (Swiss nationals living in the French-speaking regions of Switzerland – see map).<ref>[http://www.c2d.ch/?entit=10&vote=101&lang= unige.ch - Direct democracy in the world]</ref>

===International institutions in Switzerland===
An unusual number of international institutions have their seats in Switzerland, in part because of its policy of neutrality. The [[Red Cross]] was founded there in 1863 and still has its institutional centre in the country. Switzerland is not a member of the [[European Union]]; the Swiss people rejected membership in a referendum in the early 1990s. Switzerland is one of the most recent countries to have joined the [[United Nations]], in 2002, even though [[Geneva]] is the second biggest centre for the [[United Nations]] after [[New York City|New York]], and Switzerland was a founding member of the [[League of Nations]]. The [[International Olympic Committee]] is located in Lausanne.

==Geography==
{{main|Geography of Switzerland}}
{{See also|Swiss Alps|Swisstopo|List of lakes of Switzerland|List of rivers of Switzerland|List of mountain passes in Switzerland}}.

[[Image:CH Landwasser 2.jpg|150px|thumb|left|The [[Glacier Express]] to [[St. Moritz]] on the [[Landwasser Viaduct]], [[Graubünden]].]]
[[Image:MatterhornCloud.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Matterhorn]] (or Cervino) near the Swiss village of [[Zermatt]] in the canton of [[Valais]].]]
With an area of 41,285 [[square kilometre]]s (15,940&nbsp;[[square mile|sq&nbsp;mi]]), Switzerland is a relatively small country. The population is about 7.5&nbsp;million, resulting in an average [[population density]] of 182 people per square kilometer (472/sq&nbsp;mi).<ref name="maps">A zoomable map of Switzerland is available at either [http://www.swissinfo-geo.org/ swissinfo-geo.org] or [http://www.swissgeo.ch/ swissgeo.ch]; a zoomable satellite picture is at [http://map.search.ch/ map.search.ch].</ref> However, the more mountainous southern half of the country is far more sparsely populated than this average, while the northern half has a somewhat greater density, as it comprises more hospitable hilly terrain, partly forested and partly cleared, as well as several large lakes.

Switzerland comprises three basic topographical areas: the [[Swiss Alps]], the [[Swiss plateau]] or "middleland", and the [[Jura mountains]] along the northwestern border with France. The [[Alps]] are a high mountain range running across the central-south of the country, comprising about 60% of the country's total area. Among the high peaks of the [[Swiss Alps]], the highest of which is the [[Dufourspitze]] at 4,634 metres (15,203&nbsp;[[30.48 cm|ft]]), countless valleys are found, many with waterfalls and [[glacier]]s. From these the headwaters of several major European rivers such as the [[Rhine]], [[Rhone River|Rhône]], [[Inn River|Inn]], [[Aare]], and [[Ticino River|Ticino]] flow finally into the largest Swiss lakes such as [[Lake Geneva]] (Lac Léman), [[Lake Zürich]], [[Lake Neuchâtel]], and [[Lake Constance]].

The most famous mountain is the [[Matterhorn]] (4,478&nbsp;m) in [[Valais]] and [[Pennine Alps]] bordering Italy. The highest mountain, the [[Dufourspitze]] (4,634 m) of [[Monte Rosa]], is close to the Matterhorn. The section of the [[Bernese Alps]] above the deep glacial [[Lauterbrunnen]] Valley containing 72 waterfalls is also well known for the Jungfrau (4,158 m), Mönch, Eiger group of peaks, and the many picturesque valleys in the region. In the southeast the long [[Engadin]] Valley, encompassing the St Moritz area in canton [[Graubünden]], is also well known; the highest peak in the neighbouring [[Bernina Alps]] is [[Piz Bernina]] (4,049&nbsp;m).<ref name="geography">{{cite book | last = Herbermann | first = Charles George | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = The Catholic Encyclopedia | publisher = Encyclopedia Press |date=1913 | location = | pages = 358 | url = | doi = | id = | isbn = }}</ref>

[[Image:Morcote ticino.jpg|thumb|left|[[Morcote]] in the warmer southern canton of [[Ticino]].]]
[[Image:BerneseAlps.jpg|thumb|right|An emblematic view in the [[Bernese Oberland]].]]

The more populous northern part of the country, comprising about 30% of the country's total area, is called the Middle Land. It has greater open and hilly landscapes, partly forested, partly open pastures, usually with grazing herds, or vegetables and fruit fields, but it is still hilly. There are large lakes found here and the biggest Swiss cities are in this area of the country.<ref name="geography"/> This region, particularly the west, is also referred to as the "Seeland" (the land of lakes) and the largest lake is [[Lake Geneva]] (also called Lac Léman), in the West of Switzerland. The [[Rhone River]] is the main tributary to Lake Geneva.

[[Image:Hauteroute.jpg|thumb|left|Summits in the [[Swiss Alps]] (Valais).]]
[[Image:Swiss National Park, 2.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Swiss National Park]] in the canton of [[Graubünden]].]]

The Swiss [[climate]] is generally [[temperate climate|temperate]], but can vary greatly between the localities, from glacial conditions on the mountaintops to the often pleasant [[Mediterranean climate]] at Switzerland's southern tip. Summers tend to be warm and humid at times with periodic rainfall so they are ideal for pastures and grazing. The winters in the mountains alternate with sun and [[snow]], while the lower lands tend to be more cloudy and foggy in winter. A weather phenomenon known as the [[foehn wind|föhn]] can occur at all times of the year, even in winter, and is characterized by a wind with warm Mediterranean air crossing the Alps from Italy. The driest conditions persist in the southern valleys of the Wallis/Valais above which valuable [[saffron]] is harvested and many wine grapes are grown, Graubünden also tends to be drier in climate and slightly colder, yet with plentiful snow in winter. The wettest conditions persist in the high Alps and in the Ticino canton which has much sun yet heavy bursts of rain from time to time. The east tends to be colder than the west of Switzerland, yet anywhere up high in the mountains can experience a cold spell at any time of the year. Precipitation tends to be spread moderately throughout the year, with minor variations across the seasons depending on locale. Autumn frequently tends to be the driest season, yet the weather patterns in Switzerland can be highly variable from year to year, and difficult to predict.

Switzerland's eco-systems can be particularly vulnerable, because of the many delicate valleys separated by high mountains, often forming unique ecologies. The mountainous regions themselves are also vulnerable, with a rich range of plants not found at other altitudes, and experience some pressure from visitors and grazing. The tree line in the mountains of Switzerland has advanced down 1000 ft over the years, largely because of the increasing absence of herding and grazing pressures.

==Economy==
{{main|Economy of Switzerland}}
{{see also|Banking in Switzerland|Taxation in Switzerland}}
[[Image:Zurich-panorama2.jpg|thumb|left|Greater [[Zürich]] area, home to 1.5 million employees and 150,000 companies, has taken top position in some life quality surveys.<ref>[http://www.zuerich.com/en.cfm/information/facts/life_quality/ Zürich – the Highest Quality of Life Worldwide for the Seventh Successive Year ]</ref>]]

Switzerland has a stable, modern, and one of the most [[capitalism|capitalist]] economies in the world. It has the 2nd highest European rating after [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]] in the [[Index of Economic Freedom]] 2008. The nominal per capita [[Gross Domestic Product|GDP]] is higher than those of the larger western European economies and Japan, ranking 6th behind Luxembourg, Norway, Qatar, Iceland and Ireland. If adjusted for [[purchasing power parity]] it ranks 15th.<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2004rank.html CIA World Factbook]</ref> The World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Report currently ranks Switzerland's economy as the second most competitive in the world.<ref>[http://www.weforum.org/en/initiatives/gcp/Global%20Competitiveness%20Report/index.htm World Economic Forum - Global Competitiveness Report]</ref> For much of the 20th century, Switzerland was the wealthiest country in Europe by a considerable margin.<ref name='westeuro'>{{cite book | last = Taylor & Francis Group | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Western Europe | publisher = Routledge |date=2002 | location = | pages = 645-646 | url = | doi = | id = | isbn = 1857431529 }}</ref> In 2005 the [[median household income]] in Switzerland was an estimated 95,000 [[CHF]], the equivalent of roughly 55,000 USD in [[purchasing power parity]], which is similar to wealthy American states like California and Vermont.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Median_household_income#International_statistics Median household income]</ref>

[[Image:Emmentaler.jpg|thumb|right|[[Cheese]] making and dairying is an old and extraordinary Swiss industry.<ref>[http://www.economist.com/world/europe/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9863071 A cheesy tale], [[The Economist]]</ref>]]

Switzerland is home to several large multinational corporations. The largest Swiss companies by revenue are [[Glencore]], [[Nestlé]], [[Novartis]], [[Hoffmann-La Roche]], [[ABB Asea Brown Boveri|ABB]] and [[Adecco]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/business/detail/Six_Swiss_companies_make_European_Top_100.html?siteSect=161&sid=7174196&cKey=1161172317000|title=Six Swiss companies make European Top 100|date=2008-10-18|publisher=swissinfo.ch|accessdate=2008-07-22}}</ref> Also notable are [[UBS AG]], [[Zurich Financial Services]], [[Credit Suisse]], [[Swiss Re]], and [[The Swatch Group]]. Switzerland is ranked as having one of the most powerful economies in the world.<ref name='westeuro'/>

[[Chemical industry|Chemicals]], [[pharmaceutical industry|health and pharmaceutical]], [[Measuring instrument]]s, [[Musical instrument]]s, [[real estate]], [[banking]] and [[insurance]], [[tourism]], and [[international organization]]s are important industries in Switzerland. The largest exported goods are chemicals (34% of exported goods), machines/electronics (20.9%), and precision instruments/watches (16.9%).<ref name="yearbook2008"/> Exported services amount to a third of exported goods.<ref name="yearbook2008">Swiss Statistical Yearbook 2008 by [[Swiss Federal Statistical Office]]</ref>

Around 3.8 million people work in Switzerland. Switzerland has a more flexible [[job market]] than neighboring countries and the [[unemployment]] rate is very low. Unemployment rate increased from a low of 1.7% in June 2000 to a peak of 3.9% in September 2004. Partly because of the economic upturn which started in mid-2003, the unemployment rate is currently 2.8% as of February 2008. Population growth from net immigration is quite high, at 0.52% of population in 2004.<ref name="yearbook2008"/> [[List of countries by immigrant population|Foreign citizen population]] is 21.8% as of 2004,<ref name="yearbook2008"/> about the same as in Australia. [[List of countries by GDP (PPP) per hour worked|GDP per hour worked]] is the world's 17th highest, at 27.44 [[international dollar]]s in 2006.

Switzerland has overwhelmingly private sector economy and low tax rates by Western standards; [[List of countries by tax revenue as percentage of GDP|overall taxation is one of the smallest]] of developed countries. Switzerland is an easy place to do business; Switzerland ranks 16th of 178 countries in the [[Ease of Doing Business Index]]. The slow growth Switzerland experienced in the 1990s and the early 2000s has brought greater support for economic reforms and harmonization with the European Union.<ref name="economicsurvey2007">[http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/39/8/39539300.pdf Policy Brief: Economic Survey of Switzerland, 2007] (326 [[KiB]]), [[OECD]]</ref><ref>[http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/29/49/40202407.pdf Economic Policy Reforms: Going for Growth 2008 - Switzerland Country Note] (45 [[KiB]])</ref> According to [[Credit Suisse]], only about 37% of residents own their own homes, one of the lowest rates of [[home ownership]] in Europe. Housing and food price levels were 171% and 145% of the [[EU-25]] index in 2007, compared to 113% and 104% in Germany.<ref name="yearbook2008"/> Agricultural protectionism—a rare exception to Switzerland's free trade policies—has contributed to high food prices. Product market liberalization is lagging behind many EU countries according to the [[OECD]].<ref name="economicsurvey2007"/> Nevertheless, domestic purchasing power is one of the best in the world.<ref>[http://www.locationswitzerland.ch/internet/osec/en/home/invest/factors/infrastructure/live/costs.-RelatedBoxSlot-47301-ItemList-89920-File.File.pdf/C:%5CDokumente%20und%20Einstellungen%5Cfum%5CDesktop%5CInvestieren%5C3%20Erfolgsfaktoren%5C6%20Infrastruktur%20&%20Lebensqualit??t\Domestic%20purchasing%20power%20of%20wages%20E.pdf Domestic purchasing power of wages] (68 [[KiB]])</ref> Apart from agriculture, economic and trade barriers between the European Union and Switzerland are minimal and Switzerland has free trade agreements worldwide.

===Science, technology, and education===
[[Image:ETH Zurich from Polyterrace.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The "Zentrum" campus of the [[ETHZ|ETH Zürich]], the most prestigious<ref>In 2008, ETH Zurich was ranked 15th in the field ''Natural Sciences and Mathematics'' by the Shanghai Ranking and in 2007 it was ranked 27th in all fields.</ref> university in Switzerland, where [[Albert Einstein]] studied.]]
{{main|Education in Switzerland|Science and technology in Switzerland}}

[[Education in Switzerland]] is very diverse because the [[constitution of Switzerland]] delegates the authority for the school system to the [[Canton of Switzerland|cantons]]. There are both public and private schools, including many private international schools. The minimum age for primary school is about six years in all cantons. Typically children choose their school depending on whether they want to speak French, German or Italian. Primary school continues until grade four or five, depending on the school. At the end of primary school (or at the beginning of secondary school), pupils are separated according to their capacities in several (often three) sections. The fastest learners are taught advanced classes to be prepared for further studies and the [[matura]], while students who assimilate a little bit more slowly receive an education more adapted to their needs.

There are [[List of universities in Switzerland|12 Universities in Switzerland]], ten of which are maintained at cantonal level and usually offer a range of non-technical subjects. The [[University of Basel|first university in Switzerland]] was founded in 1460 in [[Basel]] (with a faculty of medicine) and has a tradition of chemical and medical research in Switzerland. The biggest university in Switzerland is the [[University of Zurich]] with nearly 25,000 students. The two institutes sponsored by the federal governemnt are the [[ETHZ]] in [[Zürich]] (founded 1855) and the [[EPFL]] in [[Lausanne]] (founded 1969 as such, formerly an institute associated with the University of Lausanne) which both have an excellent international reputation. In 2008, the ETH Zurich was ranked 15th in the field ''Natural Sciences and Mathematics'' by the [[Academic Ranking of World Universities|Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities]]<ref>[http://ed.sjtu.edu.cn/ARWU-FIELD2008/SCI2008.htm Shanghai Ranking 2008 Top 100 world universities in Natural Sciences and Mathematics]</ref> and the EPFL in Lausanne was ranked 18th in the field ''Engineering/Technology and Computer Sciences'' by the same ranking.
In addition there are various Universities of Applied Sciences which do not require a [[matura]] degree to study. Switzerland has the second highest rate of foreign students in tertiary education, after Australia.<ref>[http://www.ecs.org/html/offsite.asp?document=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eoecd%2Eorg%2Fdataoecd%2F20%2F25%2F35345692%2Epdf Education at Glance 2005] by the [[OECD]]: Percentage of foreign students in tertiary education.</ref>

Many [[Nobel prize]]s were awarded to Swiss scientists, for example to the world-famous physicist [[Albert Einstein]] in the field of physics. More recently [[Vladimir Prelog]], [[Heinrich Rohrer]], [[Richard R. Ernst|Richard Ernst]], [[Edmond H. Fischer|Edmond Fischer]], [[Rolf Zinkernagel]] and [[Kurt Wüthrich]] received Nobel prizes in the sciences. In total, 113 Nobel Prize winners stand in relation to Switzerland<ref>Nobel prizes in non-science categories included.</ref> and the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded 9 times to organizations residing in Switzerland.<ref name="urlMueller Science - Spezialitaeten: Schweizer Nobelpreisträger">{{cite web |url=http://www.muellerscience.com/SPEZIALITAETEN/Schweiz/SchweizerNobelpreistraeger.htm |title=Mueller Science - Spezialitaeten: Schweizer Nobelpreisträger |format= |work= |accessdate=2008-07-31}}</ref> [[Geneva]] host the world's largest [[particle physics]] laboratory, the [[CERN]]. An other important research center is the [[Paul Scherrer Institute]] which belongs to the [[ETHZ]].

===Switzerland and the European Union===
{{main|Switzerland and the European Union}}
{{seealso|Future enlargement of the European Union#Switzerland|l1=Future enlargement of the European Union - Switzerland}}

In recent years, the Swiss have brought their economic practices largely into conformity with those of the European Union in many ways, in an effort to enhance their international competitiveness. The economy has been growing most recently at around 3% per year. Full EU membership is a long-term objective of some in the Swiss government, but there is considerable popular sentiment against this supported by the conservative SVP party. The western French-speaking areas and the urban regions of the rest of the country tend to be more pro-EU.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/17/03/blank/key/2001/01.Document.22675.pdf
|title=''Volksinitiative «Ja zu Europa!»'' (Initiative «Yes to Europe!»)
|date= 2003-02-13
|format= PDF, 1.1 [[MiB]]
|publisher= BFS/OFS/UST
|language= German
|accessdate=2008-06-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/17/03/blank/key/2001/01.Document.85488.xls
|title= ''Volksinitiative "Ja zu Europa!", nach Kantonen.'' (Initiative "Yes to Europe!" by Canton).
|date= 2003-01-16
|format= XLS
|publisher= BFS/OFS/UST
|language= German
|accessdate=2008-06-15}}</ref>

The government has established an Integration Office under the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Economic Affairs. To minimise the negative consequences of Switzerland's isolation from the rest of Europe, Bern and [[Brussels]] signed seven bilateral agreements to further liberalise trade ties. These agreements were signed in 1999 and took effect in 2001. This first series of bilateral agreements included the free movement of persons. A second series covering nine areas was signed in 2004 and has since been ratified. The second series includes the [[Schengen treaty]] and the [[Dublin Convention]]. They continue to discuss further areas for cooperation. Switzerland most recently (2006) approved a billion francs supportive investment in the poorer eastern European countries in support of cooperation and positive ties to the EU as a whole. A further referendum will be needed to approve 300 million francs to support Romania and Bulgaria and their recent admission. The Swiss have also been under EU and sometimes international pressure to reduce banking secrecy and to raise tax rates to parity with the European Union. Preparatory discussions are being opened in four new areas: opening up the electricity market, participation in the European GNSS project [[Galileo positioning system|Galileo]], cooperating with the European centre for disease prevention and recognising certificates of origin for food products. Switzerland voted against membership in the [[European Economic Area]] in December 1992 and has since maintained and developed its relationships with the European Union and European countries through bilateral agreements. In March 2001, the Swiss people refused in a popular vote to start accession negotiations with the EU.<ref>{{cite web
| title = The contexts of Swiss opposition to Europe
| author = Prof Clive Church
| publisher = Sussex European Institute
| date = 2003
| month = may
| url = http://www.sussex.ac.uk/sei/documents/wp64.pdf
| format = PDF, 124 [[KiB]]
| pages =p. 12
| accessdate = 2008-06-13}}</ref>

===Infrastructure and environment===
[[Image:Kkw leibstadt.jpg|thumb|The [[Leibstadt Nuclear Power Plant]] is located in the canton of [[Aargau]].]]
{{See also|Transport in Switzerland|Nuclear power in Switzerland|Waste management in Switzerland}}

[[Electricity]] generated in Switzerland is 53% from [[hydroelectricity]] and 42% from [[nuclear power]], with 5% of the electricity generated from conventional power sources resulting in a nearly CO<sub>2</sub>-free electricity-generating network.

On 18 May 2003, two anti-nuclear initiatives were turned down: ''Moratorium Plus'', aimed at forbidding the building of new [[nuclear power plants]] (41.6% supported and 58.4% opposed),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.admin.ch/ch/d/pore/va/20030518/det502.html |title=Vote No. 502 – Summary |date=18 May 2003 |language=German}}</ref> and Electricity Without Nuclear (33.7% supported and 66.3% opposed).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.admin.ch/ch/d/pore/va/20030518/det501.html |title=Vote No. 501 – Summary |date=18 May 2003 |language=German}}</ref> The former ten-year moratorium on the construction of new nuclear power plants was the result of a [[initiative|citizens' initiative]] voted on in 1990 which had passed with 54.5% Yes vs. 45.5% No votes. A new nuclear plant in the [[Canton of Bern]] is presently planned. The Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) is the office responsible for all questions relating to energy supply and energy use within the [[Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications]] (DETEC). The agency is supporting the [[2000-watt society]] initiative to cut the nation's energy use by more than half by the year 2050.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bfe.admin.ch/forschungnetze/01223/index.html?lang=en |title=Federal government energy research|date=16 January 2008}}</ref> See also [http://www.bfe.admin.ch/00864/index.html?lang=en SwissEnergy].

Swiss private-public managed road network is funded by [[road toll]]s and vehicle taxes. The Swiss autobahn/autoroute system requires the purchase of a [[Vignette (road tax)|vignette]] (toll sticker)—which costs 40 [[Swiss franc]]s—for one calendar year in order to use its roadways, for both passenger cars and trucks. The Swiss autobahn/autoroute network has a total length of 1,638 km (as of 2000) and has, by an area of 41,290 km², also the one of the highest [[motorway]] densities in the world. [[Zürich Airport]], managed by [[Unique Airport]], is Switzerland's largest international flight gateway, which handled 20.7 million passengers in 2007. The second largest [[Geneva Cointrin International Airport]] handled 10.8 million passengers and the third largest [[EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg]] 4.3 million passengers, both airports being shared with France.

Switzerland is heavily active in recycling and anti-littering regulations and is one of the top recyclers in the world with 66% to 96% of the different recyclable materials being recycled.<ref>[http://www.swissrecycling.ch/deutsch/wregel.htm Swiss Recycling<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In many places in Switzerland, household rubbish disposal is charged for. Garbage (except dangerous items, batteries etc.) will only be collected if it is in bags which either have a payment sticker attached, or in official bags with the surcharge paid when the bags are purchased.<ref>[http://www.stadtreinigung-bs.ch/page.php?lang=0&sel=114 Stadtreinigung Basel-Stadt]—Pricelist bags and stickers</ref> This gives a financial incentive to recycle as much as possible, since recycling is free.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[BBC]] |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4620041.stm |title=Recycling around the world |date=25 June 2005 |accessdate=2006-04-24}}</ref> Swiss health officials and police often open up garbage for which the disposal charge has not been paid. They search for evidence such as old bills which connect the bag to the household/person they originated from. Fines for not paying the disposal fee range from [[Swiss Frank|CHF]] 200–500.<ref>[http://www.stadtreinigung-bs.ch/data/0d1b64Sauberbuch2004.pdf Richtig Entsorgen (Kanton Basel-Stadt)] (1.6 [[MiB]])—Wilde Deponien sind verboten... Für die Beseitigung widerrechtlich deponierter Abfälle wird zudem eine Umtriebsgebühr von Fr. 200.– oder eine Busse erhoben (page 90)</ref>

==Demographics==
{{main|Swiss (people)|Demographics of Switzerland|Linguistic geography of Switzerland}}
{{see|List of Swiss people}}
[[Image:Map Languages CH.png|thumb|250px|Official languages in Switzerland:<ref name="federalstatistics">{{cite web| url=http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/en/index/themen/01/05/blank/key/sprachen.html| title=Languages and religions - Data, indicators| author=Swiss Federal Statistical Office| accessdate=2007-10-09}} The first number refers to the share of languages within total population. The second refers to the Swiss citizens only.</ref>
{{legend|#fe9625| [[Swiss German (linguistics)|Swiss German]] (62.7%; 72.5%) }}
{{legend|#52b041| French (20.4%; 21.0%) }}
{{legend|#6a51a3| Italian (6.5%; 4.3%) }}
{{legend|#91238d| [[Romansh language|Romansh]] (0.5%; 0,6% ) }}]]

Switzerland lies at the crossroads of several major European cultures that have heavily influenced the country's languages and culture. Switzerland has four [[official language]]s: German (63.7% total population share, with foreign residents; 72.5% of residents with Swiss citizenship, in 2000) in the north, east and center of the country; French (20.4%; 21.0%) to the west; Italian (6.5%; 4.3%) in the south.<ref name="federalstatistics" /> [[Romansh language|Romansh]], a [[Romance languages|Romance language]] spoken locally by a small minority (0.5%; 0.6%) in the southeastern canton of [[Graubünden]], is designated by the Federal Constitution as a national language along with German, French and Italian (Article 4 of the Constitution), and as official language if the authorities communicate with persons of Romansh language (Article 70), but federal laws and other official acts do not need to be decreed in this language. The federal government is obliged to communicate in the official languages, and in the federal parliament simultaneous translation is provided from and into German, French and Italian. The German spoken in Switzerland is predominantly a group of [[Alemannic dialects]] collectively known as [[Swiss German (linguistics)|Swiss German]], but written communication typically use [[Swiss Standard German]], whilst the majority of radio and TV broadcast is (nowadays) in Swiss German as well. Similarly, there are some dialects of [[Franco-Provençal language|Franco-Provençal]] in rural communities in the French speaking part, known as "Suisse romande", called Vaudois, Gruérien, Jurassien, Empro, Fribourgeois, Neuchâtelois, and in the Italian speaking area, [[Ticinese]] (a dialect of [[Lombard language|Lombard]]). Also the official languages (German, French and Italian) borrow some terms not understood outside of Switzerland, i.e. terms from other languages (German ''Billette''<ref name=”billete”>[http://mct.sbb.ch/mct/reisemarkt/billette/online-ticket.htm SBB: Billette - OnlineTicket]</ref> from French), from similar term in another language (Italian ''azione'' used not as ''act'' but as ''discount'' from German ''Aktion''). Learning one of the other national languages at school is obligatory for all Swiss, so most Swiss are supposed to be at least [[Multilingualism|bilingual]].

Resident foreigners and temporary foreign workers make up about 21% of the population.<ref>[http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/news/publikationen.Document.88215.pdf Foreign population in Switzerland, 2006 (German)] (895 [[KiB]]), Swiss Federal Statistical Office, page 8.</ref> Most of these are from European Union or [[EFTA]] countries.<ref>[http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/en/index/themen/01/07/blank/key/01/01.html Foreign resident population by nationality, 2006], Source: Foreign population structure and migration statistics (PETRA), Swiss Federal Statistical Office.</ref> [[Italians]] are the largest single group of foreigners with 18,9% of total foreign population, while people from the various nations of former [[Yugoslavia]] make up 21%, there are also many ethnic [[Albanians]].{{Fact|date=June 2008}} Immigrants from [[Sri Lanka]], most of them former Tamil refugees, are the largest group among people of Asian origin.<ref>[http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/01/07/blank/key/01/01.Document.67321.xls Foreign population in Switzerland detailed by nationality, 1980–2006 (German)], Swiss Federal Statistical Office.</ref> In the 2000s, domestic and international institutions have expressed concern about what they perceive as an increase of [[Xenophobia#Switzerland|xenophobia in Switzerland]], particularly in the political campaigning of the right-wing populist [[Swiss People's Party]].

===Religion===
{{main|Religion in Switzerland}}
[[Image:Lausanne-cathe7.JPG|thumb|left|Cathedral Notre-Dame de [[Lausanne]] in the canton of [[Vaud]].]]

Switzerland has no official [[state religion]], though most of the [[cantons of Switzerland|cantons]] (except [[Canton of Geneva|Geneva]] and [[Canton of Neuchâtel|Neuchâtel]]) recognise official churches, in all cases including the [[Catholic Church]] and the [[Swiss Reformed Church]]. These churches, and in some cantons also the [[Old Catholic Church]] and Jewish congregations, are financed by official taxation of adherents.<ref>[http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2004/35487.htm International Religious Freedom Report 2004 – Switzerland], U.S. Department of State.</ref>

[[Christianity]] is the predominant religion of Switzerland, divided between various [[Protestant]] denominations (42.5% of the population) and the [[Catholic Church]] (41%). Immigration has brought [[Islam]] (4.3%, predominantly [[Albanians]] mostly from [[Kosovo]]) and [[Eastern Orthodoxy]] (1.8%) as sizeable minority religions.<ref name="people">[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sz.html#People CIA World Factbook section on Switzerland]</ref> The 2005 Eurobarometer poll<ref>{{pdf|[http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_225_report_en.pdf Social values, Science and Technology]|1.64&nbsp;[[Mebibyte|MiB]]<!-- application/pdf, 1722129 bytes -->}}, Eurobarometer, June 2005.</ref> found 48% to be [[theist]], 39% expressing belief in "a spirit or life force", 9% [[atheist]] and 4% [[agnostic]].

[[Image:Sion Valere Castle 20070730.jpg|thumb|200px|right|[[Notre Dame de Valère]] in the canton of [[Valais]].]]

The country is historically about evenly balanced between Catholic and Protestant, with a complex patchwork of majorities over most of the country. One canton, Appenzell, was officially divided into Catholic and Protestant sections in 1597.<ref>{{cite book | last = Reclus | first = Élisée | authorlink = Élisée Reclus | coauthors = | title = The Earth and Its Inhabitants | publisher = D. Appleton and Company |date=1881 | location = | pages = 478 | url = | doi = | id = | isbn = }}</ref> The larger cities (Bern, Zürich and Basel) are predominantly Protestant. Central Switzerland, as well as the Ticino, is traditionally Catholic. The [[Swiss constitution]] of 1848, under the recent impression of the clashes of Catholic vs. Protestant cantons that culminated in the [[Sonderbundskrieg]], consciously defines a [[consociational state]], allowing the peaceful co-existence of Catholics and Protestants. A 1980 initiative calling for the complete [[separation of church and state]] was resoundingly rejected, with only 21.1% voting in support.

==Culture==
{{main|Culture of Switzerland}}
{{see also|Music of Switzerland|Swiss folklore|Alpine culture|Swiss cuisine|Swiss literature|Swiss media}}
[[Image:Vals06.JPG|thumb|250px|Alphorn players in [[Vals GR]] ]]
The culture of Switzerland is influenced by its neighbours but over the years a distinctive culture with some regional differences and an independent streak has developed. In particular, French-speaking regions have tended to orient themselves slightly more on French culture and tend to be more pro [[EU]]. In general, the Swiss are known for their long standing [[humanitarian]] tradition as Switzerland is the birth place of the [[Red Cross]] Movement and hosts the [[United Nations Human Rights Council]]. [[Swiss German]] speaking areas may perhaps be seen more oriented on German culture, although German-speaking Swiss people identify strictly as Swiss because of the difference between High German, and the Swiss German dialects. Italian-speaking areas can have more of an Italian culture. A region may be in some ways strongly culturally connected to the neighbouring country that shares its language. The linguistically isolated [[Romansh language|Romansh]] culture in the eastern mountains of Switzerland is also robust and strives to maintain its rare linguistic tradition. Switzerland's entry to the [[Eurovision Song Contest 1989|Eurovision Song Contest of 1989]] was in [[Romansh language|Romansh]].

Many mountain areas have a strong highly energetic ski town culture in winter, and a hiking (wandering) culture in summer. Some areas throughout the year have a recreational culture that caters to tourism, yet the quieter seasons are spring and autumn when there are fewer visitors and a higher ratio of Swiss. A traditional farmer and herder culture also predominates in many areas, and this connection to the land and agriculture is a strong glue holding all the Swiss together. Even though now most do not actually farm themselves, the small farms are omnipresent outside the cities, and urban Swiss often keep garden plots or window boxes with [[geranium]]s amongst other flowers.

===Sport===
[[Image:Catching the hornuss.jpg|thumb|250px|A game of [[Hornussen]].]]
Like many European nations the Swiss are big fans of [[soccer]] and the national team or '[[Switzerland national football team|Nati]]' is widely supported. Switzerland's most well known soccer clubs include [[Grasshoppers Zurich]], [[Servette FC]] and [[FC Basel]]. Switzerland was also the joint venue with Austria in the [[Euro 2008]] soccer tournament, although the Swiss team dropped out before the Quarter Finals.

Many Swiss also follow [[ice hockey]] and support one of the 12 clubs in the [[National League A|league A]].
In 2006, supporters in the [[PostFinance Arena]] set a new European record for average attendance, with an average of 15,994 in 22 home games.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iihf.com/index.php?id=1270|title=Attendance figures in European hockey leagues 2007-2008|accessdate=2008-07-02}}</ref> Switzerland will host the [[2009 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships|2009 IIHF World Championships]] for the 10th time.<ref>[http://www.iihf.com/channels/iihf-world-championship-oc09/home/tournament-information.html IIHF World Championships 2009 official website]</ref>

Over the last few years several Swiss [[tennis]] players, like [[Roger Federer]] and [[Martina Hingis]], have been multiple Grand Slam singles champions. One of the world's best current ice skaters is Swiss [[Stéphane Lambiel]]. Switzerland is also the home of the successful sailing team [[Alinghi]].

Other sports where the Swiss have been successful include fencing ([[Marcel Fischer]]), whitewater slalom (Ronnie Dürrenmatt – canoe, Mathias Röthenmund – kayak), ice hockey (Swiss National League), beach volleyball ([[Sascha Heyer]], [[Markus Egger]], [[Paul Laciga|Paul]] and [[Martin Laciga]]), and skiing (Bernhard Russi, [[Pirmin Zurbriggen]], [[Didier Cuche]]).

[[Motorsport]] racecourses/events were banned in Switzerland following the [[1955 Le Mans disaster]] with exception to events such as [[Hillclimbing]]. However, this ban was overturned in June 2007.<ref>{{citeweb | title = Switzerland lifts ban on motor racing | url = http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Switzerland_lifts_ban_on_motor_racing | publisher = GrandPrix.com & DueMotori.com | date = 6 June 2007 | accessdate = 2008-09-23}}</ref>

Even though racing has been banned in Switzerland, the country has produced successful racing drivers such as [[Clay Regazzoni]], [[Jo Siffert]] and successful [[World Touring Car Championship]] driver [[Alain Menu]].

High profile drivers from [[Formula 1]] and [[World Rally Championship]] such as [[Michael Schumacher]], [[Kimi Räikkönen]], [[Fernando Alonso]], [[Lewis Hamilton]] and [[Sébastien Loeb]] all have a residence in Switzerland,<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/7068001.stm BBC Hamilton decides to leave Britain]</ref><ref>[http://www.high-end-travel-switzerland.com/Celebrities-in-Switzerland.html Celebrities in Switzerland - Where Tina Turner and Co. Live]</ref><ref>[http://www.sebastienloeb.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=20&Itemid=35&lang=en Sébastien Loeb Identity card]</ref> albeit mainly for tax purposes{{Fact|date=July 2008}}

====Local====
Swiss wrestling or "[[Schwingen]]" is an old tradition from the rural central cantons and considered the national sport.

[[Hornussen]] is another indigenous Swiss sport, which is like a cross between [[baseball]] and [[golf]].

[[Steinstossen]] is the Swiss variant of [[stone put]], a competition in throwing a heavy stone. Practiced among the alpine population since prehistoric times, it is recorded to have taken place in [[Basel]] in the 13th century. It is also central to the [[Unspunnenfest]], first held in 1805, with its symbol the 83.5 kg [[Unspunnenstein]].

[[Floorball]] is a new sport in Switzerland that grows every year in popularity. A main factor is the professional league called Nationalliga A that draws many famous players from other countries.

==See also==
{{portal|Switzerland|Flag of Switzerland.svg}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-break|width=33%}}
* [[2004 in Switzerland]], [[2005 in Switzerland]]
* [[Swiss Alps]]
* [[Racism in Switzerland]]
* [[Switzerland and the European Union]]
* [[Enlargement of the European Union#Switzerland|Enlargement of the European Union - Switzerland]]
* [[Foreign relations of Switzerland]]
* [[List of cities in Switzerland]]
* [[List of Swiss people]]
* [[Swiss citizenship]]
* [[Swiss National Day]]
* [[Communications in Switzerland]]
{{col-break}}
* [[Data codes for Switzerland]]
* [[Education in Switzerland]]
* [[Gun politics in Switzerland]]
* [[Military of Switzerland]]
* [[Public holidays in Switzerland]]
* [[Transport in Switzerland]]
* [[List of Swiss companies]]
* [[List of Switzerland-related topics]]
* [[Swiss folklore]]
* [[:Category:Visitor attractions in Switzerland|Visitor attractions in Switzerland]]
{{col-end}}

==Notes==
<div class="reflist4" style="height: 250; overflow: auto; padding: 3px">
{{reflist|2}}
</div>

==References==
{{refbegin}}
* Church, Clive H. (2004) ''The Politics and Government of Switzerland''. Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 0-333-69277-2.
* Dalton, O.M. (1927) ''The History of the Franks, by Gregory of Tours''. Oxford: The Clarendon Press.
* Fahrni, Dieter. (2003) ''An Outline History of Switzerland. From the Origins to the Present Day''. 8th enlarged edition. Pro Helvetia, Zürich. ISBN 3-908102-61-8
*[[Historical Dictionary of Switzerland]] (2002–). Published electronically and in print simultaneously in three national languages of Switzerland.
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{sisterlinks|Switzerland}}


<!-- please only list links of nation-wide relevance here. Consider adding other links to the "External links" section of the sub-articles listed. -->
;Official
*[http://www.admin.ch/ The Federal Authorities of the Swiss Confederation]
*[http://www.presence.ch/e/100/100.php Presence Switzerland]
**[http://www.swissworld.org/ Your Gateway to Switzerland]
*[http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/en/index.html Swiss Statistics], official website of the Swiss Federal Statistical Office.

;Reference
*[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sz.html CIA World Factbook - Switzerland]

;Geography
* {{wikiatlas|Switzerland}}
* {{wikitravel|Switzerland}}
* {{dmoz|Regional/Europe/Switzerland}}
*[http://www.swisstopo.ch/ Federal Office of Topography]
*[http://map.search.ch/ searchable interactive map (search.ch)]

;History
*[http://www.hls-dhs-dss.ch/index.php Historical Dictionary of Switzerland] {{de icon}} {{fr icon}} {{it icon}}
*[http://history-switzerland.geschichte-schweiz.ch/index.html history-switzerland.geschichte-schweiz.ch]

;Media
*[http://nzz.ch/eng/index.html Neue Zürcher Zeitung] {{de icon}}, a Swiss daily newspaper
*[http://www.letemps.ch/ Le Temps] {{fr icon}}, a Swiss daily newspaper
*[http://www.cdt.ch/ Corriere Del Ticino] {{it icon}}, a Swiss daily newspaper
*[http://www.swissinfo.ch/ swissinfo.ch, Swiss News - Worldwide]

;Education
*[http://www.educa.ch/ The Swiss School System]
*[http://www.swissuniversity.ch/ Universities in Switzerland]

;Science, Research and Technology
*[http://www.myscience.ch/ The Swiss Portal for Research and Innovation]
*[http://www.sbf.admin.ch/ State Scretariat for Education and Research, SER]
*[http://wwww.snf.ch/ The Swiss National Science Foundation]
*[http://www.bbt.admin.ch/kti/ CTI, Commission for Technology and Innovation]

{{Countries of Europe}}
{{WTO}}
{{Council of Europe members}}
{{La Francophonie}}

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<!--Categories-->
[[Category:Federal countries]]
[[Category:Switzerland| ]]
[[Category:Liberal democracies]]
[[Category:Alpine countries]]
[[Category:Landlocked countries]]
[[Category:French-speaking countries]]
[[Category:German-speaking countries]]
[[Category:Italian-speaking countries]]
[[Category:NUTS 1 statistical regions of the European Union]]

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[[sco:Swisserland]]
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[[simple:Switzerland]]
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[[ta:சுவிட்சர்லாந்து]]
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[[th:ประเทศสวิตเซอร์แลนด์]]
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Revision as of 22:30, 11 October 2008

Takaungu is a small rural village located on the Kenyan Coast between Mombasa and Malindi, in the Kilifi District, Coast Province. It is 10 kilometres south of the Kilifi town, in the Kikambala division. The town has population of 1500 [1] . Fishing and a local coral quarry are the predominate industries. The population consists of Swahili Muslims, mostly living in or near the town center and a sizable Christian community in the shambas or countryside that surrounds it.

The primary languages are Kigiriama, used predominantly by the local Giriama tribe (part of the broader group of Coastal tribes called Mijikenda, meaning "nine tribes") and Kiswahili.

The regional headquarters of a non-governmental development organization, the East African Center, are located in Takaungu and more information about the area is available on the group's website (www.eastafricancenter.org).

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3°41′S 39°51′E / 3.683°S 39.850°E / -3.683; 39.850 Prof Ali Mazrui attended his Primary education at Takaungu Primary School.

Ahmed Abdalla Mazrui the former deputy Governor Central Bank of Kenya was born in Takaungu.

Shariff Alwi Mohammed Alwi Bafagih one of the well known civic leader, religouse and community leader in the Coast province represented this ward since independence until 1988.

The Milad-Un-Nabi (in Takaungu) an annual Islamic ceremony conducted to commemorate the birth of prophet Muhammad (SAW) is the 3rd largest after Lamu and Mambrui.

Said Omar Athman Errey a renowned Public Accountant and Auditor was born and raised in Takaungu. Mr. Errey's firms are both located in Nairobi and Mombasa where he is teamed (patnership/assocaition) with Mohammed Khamis Mazrui.

Omar Abdilahi Omar Athman a nephew of both Ali and Said Omar A. Errey also hails from Takaungu, He is has an import/export business dealing woth a wife-range of items such as electric and gas bikes, computers and peripherials and other gadgets. His business is world wide and delivers merchandise accross the globe. For more details visit his website: http://www.kuzemoto.com


Two other personalities are Sabur (Saburi) and Ali Omar Athman (elder brother of Said Omar Athman Errey) were once most profolic football players and featured in top class football teams such as Dundee, Leeds United, Feisal and Ngome (Bismarck), both teams were in Mombasa.

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