Switzerland / Helvétia / Schweiz / La Suisse / La Svizzera / la Svizra / Suíça
Is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe where it is bordered by Germany to the north, France to the west, Italy to the south, and Austria and Liechtenstein to the east.
Switzerland is a landlocked country whose territory is geographically divided between the Alps, the Central Plateau and the Jura that yields a total area of 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 centres 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. Zürich and Geneva have respectively been ranked as having the second and third highest quality of life in the world.
The Swiss Confederation has a long history of neutrality—it has not been in a state of war internationally since 1815—and was one of the last countries to join the United Nations. Switzerland is home to many international organisations, including the World Economic Forum, the International Olympic Committee, the Red Cross, the World Trade Organization and the second largest UN office. On the European level it was a founder of the European Free Trade Association and is part of the Schengen Agreement.
Switzerland comprises three main linguistic and cultural regions: German, French, and Italian, to which the Romansh-speaking valleys are added. The Swiss therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (federalism, direct democracy, neutrality) and Alpine symbolism. The establishment of the Swiss Confederation is traditionally dated to 1 August 1291; Swiss National Day is celebrated on the anniversary.
History
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Switzerland
Geography
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Switzerland
Other info
Oficial name:Confœderatio Helvetica
Confédération suisse
Confederazione Svizzera
Confederaziun svizra
Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft
Independence:
- Foundation date 1 August 1291
- de facto 22 September 1499
- Recognised 24 October 1648
- Restored 7 August 1815
- Federal state 12 September 1848
Area:
41.284 km2
Inhabitants:
7.100.000
Languages:
Reto-romance, French, Italien and Deutsch
Franco-Provençal [frp] 7,000 in Valais Canton, Switzerland (1998). French cantons of Valais, Fribourg, and Vaud. Alternate names: Patois. Dialects: Savoyard, Neuch-Telois, Valaisan, Vaudois. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Oïl, Southeastern
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French [fra] 1,272,000 in Switzerland (1990 census). Western Switzerland. Alternate names: Français. Dialects: Franche-Comtois (Jurassien, Fribourgois). Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Oïl, French
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German, Standard [deu] Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, German, Middle German, East Middle German
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Italian [ita] 195,000 in Switzerland (1990). Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Italo-Dalmatian
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Lombard [lmo] 303,000 in Switzerland (1995). Ticino Canton and Graubünden in the Mesolcina District and two districts south of St. Moritz, central southeast Switzerland. Dialects: Ticinese (Ticino, Tessinian, Ticines, Ticinees). Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Italian
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Romani, Sinte [rmo] 21,000 in Switzerland (1993 Johnstone). Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central zone, Romani, Northern
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Romansch [roh] 40,000 (1990 census). Borders of Switzerland, Austria, Italy; Graubünden Canton, Grisons valley of Surselva, valley of Voderrhein; Engadin and Val Mustair, southeast Switzerland. Alternate names: Rheto-Romance, Rhaeto-Romance, Romansh, Romanche. Dialects: Lower Engadine (Vallader-Lower Engadine, Grisons), Upper Engadine (Puter-Upper Engadine), Sursilvan (Surselva, Sutsilvan-Hinterrhein), Sursilvan-Oberland, Surmiran-Albula. Friulian, Ladin, and Romansch are separate languages (R. A. Hall, Jr., personal communication 1978). Lexical similarity 78% with Italian and French, 76% with Catalan, 74% with Spanish, Sardinian, and Portuguese, 72% with Romanian. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Rhaetian
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Schwyzerdütsch [gsw] 4,215,000 in Switzerland (1990 census). Population total all countries: 6,044,000. Central, south central, north central, northeast, and eastern cantons. Also spoken in Austria, France, Germany, Liechtenstein. Alternate names: Alemannisch. Dialects: Bern (Bärndütsch), Zurich, Lucerne, Basel, Obwald, Appenzell, St. Gallen, Graubenden-Grisons (Valserisch), Wallis. Swiss varieties are High Alemannisch (most) and Highest Alemannisch (several in central Switzerland). Not functionally intelligible to speakers of Standard German. Each canton has a separate variety, many of which are unintelligible to each other's speakers. Only a few of the 20 to 70 varieties are listed as dialects (subdialects). Close to Schwäbisch in south central Germany. Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, German, Upper German, Alemannic
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Swiss-French Sign Language [ssr] 1,000 (1986 Gallaudet Univ.). Alternate names: Langage Gestuelle. Dialects: Some regional lexical variations in the French area are tied to specific schools. There are local Swiss signs and imported French signs. Classification: Deaf sign language
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Swiss-German Sign Language [sgg] 6,000 (1986 Gallaudet Univ.). Alternate names: Natürliche Gebärde. Classification: Deaf sign language
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Swiss-Italian Sign Language [slf] 200 (1986 Gallaudet Univ.). Classification: Deaf sign language
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Walser [wae] 10,000 in Switzerland (2004). Population total all countries: 22,780. Ethnic population: 21,900 (1980 C. Buchli). Bosco-Gurin, Canton Ticino; Wallis, Simplon; Graubunden, Obersaxen; Valsertal (Vals, St. Martin); Safiental (Valendas, Versam, Tenna, Safien); Rheinwald (Medels, Nufenen, Splngen, Sufers, Hinterrhein, Avers); Schanfigg (Arosa, Langwiesn); Albula (Mutten, Schmitte Wiesen); Landquart (Davos, Klosters, Furna, Says, St. Antonien, Valzeina). 26 communities in Switzerland, and 7 former ones. Also spoken in Austria, Italy, Liechtenstein. Alternate names: Walscher. Dialects: Ancestors came from the Wallis Canton between the 12th and 13th centuries. Close but different from Schwyzerdütsch spoken in Wallis Canton in Switzerland. Different from Cimbrian, Mocheno, or Bavarian. Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, German, Upper German, Alemannic
Capital city:
Berne
Meaning country name:
From the toponym Schwyz (see there) first attested AD 972 as Suittes derived from an allemanic proper name Suito
Helvetia (ancient Latin name), after the celtic Helvetii people
Description Flag:
The flag of Switzerland consists of a red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the center. It is one of only two square sovereign-state flags, the other being the flag of the Vatican City. (The civil and state ensign, used by Swiss ships and boats, has more traditional proportions of 2:3.)
Only the dimensions of the cross are formally established since 1889: "The coat of arms of the federation is, within a red field, an upright white cross, whose [four] arms of equal length are a sixth longer than their width.". The size of the cross in relation to the field is not formally established except on the naval ensign. A relation of 2:3 or 7:10 to the span of the flag is usual.
The exact hue of red in the Swiss flag is not defined by law, and various authorities have used various colours over time. In 2007, the corporate design guide of the federal authorities designated Pantone's PMS 485 (consisting of 100 percent magenta and yellow each) as the shade of red to be used in print, and the colour described with the hexadecimal value of #FF0000 for use on the web.
The Red Cross symbol used by the International Committee of the Red Cross is based on the Swiss flag. The Red Cross on white background was the original protection symbol declared at the 1864 Geneva Convention. It is, in terms of its color, a reversal of the Swiss national flag, a meaning which was adopted to honor Swiss native and Red Cross founder Henry Dunant.
Coat of arms:
The Coat of Arms of Switzerland shows the same white cross as the flag of Switzerland, but on a red shield. The appearance of the coat of arms or shield varies greatly, but there has been a federal resolution including a drawing of the coat of arms.
Like the Swiss flag, the coat of arms is used on many items such as Swiss francs, Swiss car number plates, and Swiss-branded exports such as Swiss Army knives.
Motto:
"Unus pro omnibus, omnes pro uno"
National Anthem: Swiss Psalm
German: Schweizerpsalm
By Leonhard Widmer (1809-1867).
1st verse
Trittst im Morgenrot daher,
Seh' ich dich im Strahlenmeer,
Dich, du Hocherhabener, Herrlicher!
Wenn der Alpenfirn sich rötet,
Betet, freie Schweizer, betet!
Eure fromme Seele ahnt
Gott im hehren Vaterland,
Gott, den Herrn, im hehren Vaterland.
2nd verse
Kommst im Abendglühn daher,
Find' ich dich im Sternenheer,
Dich, du Menschenfreundlicher, Liebender!
In des Himmels lichten Räumen
Kann ich froh und selig träumen!
Denn die fromme Seele ahnt
Gott im hehren Vaterland,
Gott, den Herrn, im hehren Vaterland.
3rd verse
Ziehst im Nebelflor daher,
Such' ich dich im Wolkenmeer,
Dich, du Unergründlicher, Ewiger!
Aus dem grauen Luftgebilde
Tritt die Sonne klar und milde,
Und die fromme Seele ahnt
Gott im hehren Vaterland,
Gott, den Herrn, im hehren Vaterland.
4th verse
Fährst im wilden Sturm daher,
Bist Du selbst uns Hort und Wehr,
Du, allmächtig Waltender, Rettender!
In Gewitternacht und Grauen
Lasst uns kindlich ihm vertrauen!
Ja, die fromme Seele ahnt,
Ja, die fromme Seele ahnt
Gott im hehren Vaterland,
Gott, den Herrn, im hehren Vaterland !
P. Alberich Zwyssig (1808-1854)
French: Cantique suisse
By Charles Chatelanat (1833-1907).
1st verse
Sur nos monts, quand le soleil
Annonce un brillant réveil,
Et prédit d'un plus beau jour le retour,
Les beautés de la patrie
Parlent à l'âme attendrie;
Au ciel montent plus joyeux
Les accents d'un cœur pieux,
Les accents émus d'un cœur pieux.
2nd verse
Lorsqu'un doux rayon du soir
Joue encore dans le bois noir,
Le cœur se sent plus heureux près de Dieu.
Loin des vains bruits de la plaine,
L'âme en paix est plus sereine,
Au ciel montent plus joyeux
Les accents d'un cœur pieux,
Les accents émus d'un cœur pieux.
3rd verse
Lorsque dans la sombre nuit
La foudre éclate avec bruit,
Notre cœur pressent encore le Dieu fort;
Dans l'orage et la détresse
Il est notre forteresse;
Offrons-lui des coeurs pieux:
Dieu nous bénira des cieux,
Dieu nous bénira du haut des cieux.
4th verse
Des grands monts vient le secours;
Suisse, espère en Dieu toujours!
Garde la foi des aïeux, Vis comme eux!
Sur l'autel de la patrie
Mets tes biens, ton cœur, ta vie!
C'est le trésor précieux
Que Dieu bénira des cieux,
Que Dieu bénira du haut des cieux.
Italian: Salmo svizzero
By Camillo Valsangiacomo (1898-1978).
1st verse
Quando bionda aurora il mattin c'indora
l'alma mia t'adora re del ciel!
Quando l'alpe già rosseggia
a pregare allor t'atteggia;
in favor del patrio suol,
cittadino Dio lo vuol.
2nd verse
Se di stelle è un giubilo la celeste sfera
Te ritrovo a sera o Signor!
Nella notte silenziosa
l'alma mia in Te riposa:
libertà, concordia, amor,
all'Elvezia serba ognor.
3rd verse
Se di nubi un velo m'asconde il tuo cielo
pel tuo raggio anelo Dio d'amore!
Fuga o sole quei vapori
e mi rendi i tuoi favori:
di mia patria deh! Pietà
brilla, sol di verità
4th verse
Quando rugge e strepita impetuoso il nembo
m'è ostel tuo grembo o Signor!
In te fido Onnipossente
deh, proteggi nostra gente;
Libertà, concordia, amor,
all'Elvezia serba ognor.
Romansh: Psalm svizzer
1st verse
En l'aurora la damaun ta salida il carstgaun,
spiert etern dominatur, Tutpussent!
Cur ch'ils munts straglischan sura,
ura liber Svizzer, ura.
Mia olma senta ferm,
Mia olma senta ferm Dieu en tschiel,
il bab etern, Dieu en tschiel, il bab etern
2nd verse
Er la saira en splendur da las stailas en l'azur
tai chattain nus, creatur, Tutpussent!
Cur ch'il firmament sclerescha
en noss cors fidanza crescha.
Mia olma senta ferm,
Mia olma senta ferm Dieu en tschiel,
il bab etern, Dieu en tschiel, il bab etern.
3rd verse
Ti a nus es er preschent en il stgir dal firmament,
ti inperscrutabel spiert, Tutpussent!
Tschiel e terra t'obedeschan
vents e nivels secundeschan.
Mia olma senta ferm,
Mia olma senta ferm Dieu en tschiel,
il bab etern, Dieu en tschiel, il bab etern.
4th verse
Cur la furia da l'orcan fa tremblar il cor uman
alur das ti a nus vigur, Tutpussent!
Ed en temporal sgarschaivel
stas ti franc a nus fidaivel.
Mia olma senta ferm,
Mia olma senta ferm Dieu en tschiel,
Il bab etern, Dieu en tschiel, il bab etern.
English: Swiss Psalm (Unofficial translation)
1st verse
When the morning skies grow red
And o'er us their radiance shed,
Thou, O Lord, appeareth in their light.
When the Alps glow bright with splendour,
Pray to God, to Him surrender,
For you feel and understand,
That He dwelleth in this land.
2nd verse
In the sunset Thou art night
And beyond the starry sky,
Thou, O loving Father, ever near.
When to Heaven we are departing,
Joy and bliss Thou'lt be imparting,
For we feel and understand
That Thou dwellest in this land.
3rd verse
When dark clouds enshroud the hills
And gray mist the valley fills,
Yet Thou art not hidden from Thy sons.
Pierce the gloom in which we cover
With Thy sunshine's cleansing power
Then we'll feel and understand
That God dwelleth in this land.
4th verse
Drives in the wild storm therefore,
Is you us stronghold and resistance,
You, all-powerfully whale tender, saving!
In thunderstorm eight and grey ones let
Us childlike it trust! Yes, which suspects
Pious soul, the pious soul suspects God in
The hehren native country, God, the gentleman,
In the hehren native country!
Internet Page: www.admin.ch
Switzerland in diferent languages
eng | hau: Switzerland
fra | frp | jnf | nrm: Suisse
arg | ast | spa: Suiza
dsb | hsb: Šwicarska
est | liv: Šveits
ita | mlt: Svizzera
kaa | uzb: Shveytsariya / Швейцария
kin | run: Ubusuwisi
lim | nld: Zwitserland
nor | vor: Sveits
pap | tet: Suisa
que | tgl: Suwisa
afr: Switserland
aze: İsveçrə / Исвечрә
bam: Suwisi
bos: Švajcarska / Швајцарска
bre: Suis
cat: Suïssa
ces: Švýcarsko
cor: Swistir
cos: Svizzera; Sguizzera
crh: İsviçriya / Исвичрия
crs: Laswis
csb: Szwajcarskô
cym: Y Swistir
dan: Schweiz; Svejts
deu: Schweiz / Schweiz
epo: Svislando; Svisujo; Svisio
eus: Suitza
fao: Sveis
fij: Swizalend
fin: Sveitsi
frr: Swaits
fry: Switserlân
fur: Svuizare
gag: Şveyţariya / Швейцария
gla: An Eilbheis; An-t Suis
gle: An Eilvéis / An Eilvéis; An Eilbhéis / An Eilḃéis
glg: Suíza
glv: Yn Elveeish
hat: Swis
hrv: Švicarska
hun: Svájc
ibo: Switsaland
ina: Suissa; Switza
ind: Swiss / سويس
isl: Sviss
jav: Swiss
kal: Schweizi
kmr: Sûîs / Суис / سووئیس; Şvêsarî / Швесари / شڤێساری
kur: Swîs / سویس; Siwêsira / سوێسرا; Svîçre / سڤیچره; Siwîsre / سویسره
lat: Helvetia
lav: Šveice
lin: Swisi
lit: Šveicarija
lld-bad: Svizera
lld-grd: Svizra; Svizera
ltz: Schwäiz / Schwäiz
mlg: Soisa
mol: Elveţia / Елвеция
mri: Witerana
msa: Switzerland / سويتزرلند
nah: Zuizcan
nds: Swiez / Swiez
nso: Swise
oci: Soïssa
pol: Szwajcaria
por: Suíça
rmy: Elveciya / एल्वेत्सिया
roh: Svizra
ron: Elveţia
rup: Shwaitsã
scn: Svìzzira
slk: Švajčiarsko
slo: Sxveicaria / Швеицариа; Sxveicarzem / Швеицарзем
slv: Švica
sme: Šveica
smg: Šveicarėjė
som: Swiiserlaand; Suwiserlaand; Suwitsera; Iswitserlaand
sqi: Zvicra
srd: Isvìtzera
swa: Uswisi
swe: Schweiz
szl: Šwajcarja
ton: Suisalani
tuk: Şweýsariýa / Швейцария
tur: İsviçre
vie: Thụy Sĩ
vol: Jveizän
wln: Swisse
wol: Suwis
zul: iSwisi
zza: İswiçre
abq | alt | bul | kir | kjh | kom | krc | kum | rus | tyv | udm: Швейцария (Švejcarija)
che | chv | oss: Швейцари (Švejcari)
bak: Швейцария / Şveycariya
bel: Швейцарыя / Šviejcaryja; Швайцарыя / Švajcaryja; Швэйцарыя / Švejcaryja
chm: Швейцарий (Švejcarij)
kaz: Швейцария / Şveycarïya / شۆەيتساريا
kbd: Швейцарие (Švejcarie)
mkd: Швајцарија (Švajcarija)
mon: Швейцар (Švejcar)
srp: Швајцарска / Švajcarska
tat: Исвичрә / İswiçrä; Швейцария / Şveytsariä
tgk: Швейтсария / شویتسریه / Şvejtsarija
ukr: Швейцарія (Švejcarija)
xal: Швейцарь (Švejcar')
ara: سويسرا (Suwīsrā / Siwīsrā)
fas: سوئیس / Suis; سویس / Suvis
prs: سویس (Svīs)
pus: سويس (Swīs); سويټزلنډ (Swīṫzarlənḋ); سويټزلېنډ (Swīṫzarlenḋ); سويزرلنډ (Swīzarlənḋ); سويزرلېنډ (Swīzarlenḋ); سويزرلند (Swīzarlənd); سويزرلېند (Swīzarlend)
uig: شۋېتسارىيە / Shwétsariye / Швейцария; شىۋىتسارىيە / Shiwitsariye / Швейцария
urd: سوئس (Sūʾis); سوئٹزرلینڈ (Sūʾiṫzarlænḋ); سویٹزرلینڈ (Savīṫzarlænḋ); ہلویشیا (Halvīšiyā / Halvešiyā)
div: ސްވިޒަރްލޭންޑް (Sviżarlēnḋ)
syr: ܣܘܣܪܐ (Swisrā)
heb: שויץ / שוויץ / שווייץ (Švayts)
lad: סואיזה / Suiza
yid: שװײץ (Šveyts)
amh: ስዊስ (Swis); ስዊዘርላንድ (Swizärland)
ell-dhi: Ελβετία (Elvetía)
ell-kat: Ἑλβετία (Helvetía)
hye: Շվեյցարիա (Šveyc̣aria)
kat: შვეიცარია (Šveic̣aria)
hin: स्विट्ज़रलैंड (Sviṭzarlæṁḍ); स्वीटजरलैंड (Svīṭjarlæṁḍ); स्विट्सरलैंड (Sviṭsarlæṁḍ); स्विस (Svis)
nep: स्वीट्जरल्याण्ड (Svīṭdzarlæṇḍ)
ben: সুইজারল্যাণ্ড (Suijārlæṇḍ); সুইজারল্যান্ড (Suijārlænḍ); সুইজর্ল্যাণ্ড (Suijôrlæṇḍ)
pan: ਸਵਿਟਜ਼ਰਲੈਂਡ (Sviṭzarlæ̃ḍ)
kan: ಸ್ವಿಟ್ಜರ್ಲ್ಯಾಂಡ್ (Sviṭjarlæṁḍ)
mal: സ്വിറ്റ്സര്ലന്ഡ് (Sviṟṟsarlanḍ)
tam: சுவிற்சர்லாந்து (Čuviṛčarlāntu); சுவிட்சர்லாந்து (Čuviṭčarlāntu); ஸ்விட்சர்லாந்து (Sviṭčarlāntu)
tel: స్విట్జర్లాండ్ (Sviṭjarlāṁḍ)
zho: 瑞士 (Ruìshì)
yue: 瑞士 (Seuihsih)
jpn: スイス (Suisu)
kor: 스위스 (Seuwiseu)
bod: སུ་ཝེ་ཚེ་ (Su.we.tsʰe.); རུའེ་ཧྲི་ (Ru'e.hri.); སུའེ་སི་ (Su'e.si.); རོས་སི་ (Ros.si.)
dzo: སུའིཊ་ཛར་ལེན་ (Su'iṭ.dzar.len.)
mya: ဆ္ဝစ္ဇာလန္ (Sʰwiʿzalã)
tha: สวิตเซอร์แลนด์ (Sawitsə̄[r]lǣn[d]); สวิส (Sawit)
lao: ສະວິດ (Sawit)
khm: ស្វ៊ីស (Svīs); ស្វីស (Svīs); ស្វ៊ឺស (Svʉ̄s)
Switzerland / Helvétia / Schweiz / La Suisse / La Svizzera / la Svizra / Suíça
Is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe where it is bordered by Germany to the north, France to the west, Italy to the south, and Austria and Liechtenstein to the east.
Switzerland is a landlocked country whose territory is geographically divided between the Alps, the Central Plateau and the Jura that yields a total area of 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 centres 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. Zürich and Geneva have respectively been ranked as having the second and third highest quality of life in the world.
The Swiss Confederation has a long history of neutrality—it has not been in a state of war internationally since 1815—and was one of the last countries to join the United Nations. Switzerland is home to many international organisations, including the World Economic Forum, the International Olympic Committee, the Red Cross, the World Trade Organization and the second largest UN office. On the European level it was a founder of the European Free Trade Association and is part of the Schengen Agreement.
Switzerland comprises three main linguistic and cultural regions: German, French, and Italian, to which the Romansh-speaking valleys are added. The Swiss therefore do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (federalism, direct democracy, neutrality) and Alpine symbolism. The establishment of the Swiss Confederation is traditionally dated to 1 August 1291; Swiss National Day is celebrated on the anniversary.
History
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Switzerland
Geography
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Switzerland
Other info
Oficial name:Confœderatio Helvetica
Confédération suisse
Confederazione Svizzera
Confederaziun svizra
Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft
Independence:
- Foundation date 1 August 1291
- de facto 22 September 1499
- Recognised 24 October 1648
- Restored 7 August 1815
- Federal state 12 September 1848
Area:
41.284 km2
Inhabitants:
7.100.000
Languages:
Reto-romance, French, Italien and Deutsch
Franco-Provençal [frp] 7,000 in Valais Canton, Switzerland (1998). French cantons of Valais, Fribourg, and Vaud. Alternate names: Patois. Dialects: Savoyard, Neuch-Telois, Valaisan, Vaudois. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Oïl, Southeastern
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French [fra] 1,272,000 in Switzerland (1990 census). Western Switzerland. Alternate names: Français. Dialects: Franche-Comtois (Jurassien, Fribourgois). Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Oïl, French
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German, Standard [deu] Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, German, Middle German, East Middle German
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Italian [ita] 195,000 in Switzerland (1990). Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Italo-Dalmatian
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Lombard [lmo] 303,000 in Switzerland (1995). Ticino Canton and Graubünden in the Mesolcina District and two districts south of St. Moritz, central southeast Switzerland. Dialects: Ticinese (Ticino, Tessinian, Ticines, Ticinees). Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Italian
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Romani, Sinte [rmo] 21,000 in Switzerland (1993 Johnstone). Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central zone, Romani, Northern
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Romansch [roh] 40,000 (1990 census). Borders of Switzerland, Austria, Italy; Graubünden Canton, Grisons valley of Surselva, valley of Voderrhein; Engadin and Val Mustair, southeast Switzerland. Alternate names: Rheto-Romance, Rhaeto-Romance, Romansh, Romanche. Dialects: Lower Engadine (Vallader-Lower Engadine, Grisons), Upper Engadine (Puter-Upper Engadine), Sursilvan (Surselva, Sutsilvan-Hinterrhein), Sursilvan-Oberland, Surmiran-Albula. Friulian, Ladin, and Romansch are separate languages (R. A. Hall, Jr., personal communication 1978). Lexical similarity 78% with Italian and French, 76% with Catalan, 74% with Spanish, Sardinian, and Portuguese, 72% with Romanian. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Rhaetian
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Schwyzerdütsch [gsw] 4,215,000 in Switzerland (1990 census). Population total all countries: 6,044,000. Central, south central, north central, northeast, and eastern cantons. Also spoken in Austria, France, Germany, Liechtenstein. Alternate names: Alemannisch. Dialects: Bern (Bärndütsch), Zurich, Lucerne, Basel, Obwald, Appenzell, St. Gallen, Graubenden-Grisons (Valserisch), Wallis. Swiss varieties are High Alemannisch (most) and Highest Alemannisch (several in central Switzerland). Not functionally intelligible to speakers of Standard German. Each canton has a separate variety, many of which are unintelligible to each other's speakers. Only a few of the 20 to 70 varieties are listed as dialects (subdialects). Close to Schwäbisch in south central Germany. Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, German, Upper German, Alemannic
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Swiss-French Sign Language [ssr] 1,000 (1986 Gallaudet Univ.). Alternate names: Langage Gestuelle. Dialects: Some regional lexical variations in the French area are tied to specific schools. There are local Swiss signs and imported French signs. Classification: Deaf sign language
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Swiss-German Sign Language [sgg] 6,000 (1986 Gallaudet Univ.). Alternate names: Natürliche Gebärde. Classification: Deaf sign language
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Swiss-Italian Sign Language [slf] 200 (1986 Gallaudet Univ.). Classification: Deaf sign language
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Walser [wae] 10,000 in Switzerland (2004). Population total all countries: 22,780. Ethnic population: 21,900 (1980 C. Buchli). Bosco-Gurin, Canton Ticino; Wallis, Simplon; Graubunden, Obersaxen; Valsertal (Vals, St. Martin); Safiental (Valendas, Versam, Tenna, Safien); Rheinwald (Medels, Nufenen, Splngen, Sufers, Hinterrhein, Avers); Schanfigg (Arosa, Langwiesn); Albula (Mutten, Schmitte Wiesen); Landquart (Davos, Klosters, Furna, Says, St. Antonien, Valzeina). 26 communities in Switzerland, and 7 former ones. Also spoken in Austria, Italy, Liechtenstein. Alternate names: Walscher. Dialects: Ancestors came from the Wallis Canton between the 12th and 13th centuries. Close but different from Schwyzerdütsch spoken in Wallis Canton in Switzerland. Different from Cimbrian, Mocheno, or Bavarian. Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, German, Upper German, Alemannic
Capital city:
Berne
Meaning country name:
From the toponym Schwyz (see there) first attested AD 972 as Suittes derived from an allemanic proper name Suito
Helvetia (ancient Latin name), after the celtic Helvetii people
Description Flag:
The flag of Switzerland consists of a red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the center. It is one of only two square sovereign-state flags, the other being the flag of the Vatican City. (The civil and state ensign, used by Swiss ships and boats, has more traditional proportions of 2:3.)
Only the dimensions of the cross are formally established since 1889: "The coat of arms of the federation is, within a red field, an upright white cross, whose [four] arms of equal length are a sixth longer than their width.". The size of the cross in relation to the field is not formally established except on the naval ensign. A relation of 2:3 or 7:10 to the span of the flag is usual.
The exact hue of red in the Swiss flag is not defined by law, and various authorities have used various colours over time. In 2007, the corporate design guide of the federal authorities designated Pantone's PMS 485 (consisting of 100 percent magenta and yellow each) as the shade of red to be used in print, and the colour described with the hexadecimal value of #FF0000 for use on the web.
The Red Cross symbol used by the International Committee of the Red Cross is based on the Swiss flag. The Red Cross on white background was the original protection symbol declared at the 1864 Geneva Convention. It is, in terms of its color, a reversal of the Swiss national flag, a meaning which was adopted to honor Swiss native and Red Cross founder Henry Dunant.
Coat of arms:
The Coat of Arms of Switzerland shows the same white cross as the flag of Switzerland, but on a red shield. The appearance of the coat of arms or shield varies greatly, but there has been a federal resolution including a drawing of the coat of arms.
Like the Swiss flag, the coat of arms is used on many items such as Swiss francs, Swiss car number plates, and Swiss-branded exports such as Swiss Army knives.
Motto:
"Unus pro omnibus, omnes pro uno"
National Anthem: Swiss Psalm
German: Schweizerpsalm
By Leonhard Widmer (1809-1867).
1st verse
Trittst im Morgenrot daher,
Seh' ich dich im Strahlenmeer,
Dich, du Hocherhabener, Herrlicher!
Wenn der Alpenfirn sich rötet,
Betet, freie Schweizer, betet!
Eure fromme Seele ahnt
Gott im hehren Vaterland,
Gott, den Herrn, im hehren Vaterland.
2nd verse
Kommst im Abendglühn daher,
Find' ich dich im Sternenheer,
Dich, du Menschenfreundlicher, Liebender!
In des Himmels lichten Räumen
Kann ich froh und selig träumen!
Denn die fromme Seele ahnt
Gott im hehren Vaterland,
Gott, den Herrn, im hehren Vaterland.
3rd verse
Ziehst im Nebelflor daher,
Such' ich dich im Wolkenmeer,
Dich, du Unergründlicher, Ewiger!
Aus dem grauen Luftgebilde
Tritt die Sonne klar und milde,
Und die fromme Seele ahnt
Gott im hehren Vaterland,
Gott, den Herrn, im hehren Vaterland.
4th verse
Fährst im wilden Sturm daher,
Bist Du selbst uns Hort und Wehr,
Du, allmächtig Waltender, Rettender!
In Gewitternacht und Grauen
Lasst uns kindlich ihm vertrauen!
Ja, die fromme Seele ahnt,
Ja, die fromme Seele ahnt
Gott im hehren Vaterland,
Gott, den Herrn, im hehren Vaterland !
P. Alberich Zwyssig (1808-1854)
French: Cantique suisse
By Charles Chatelanat (1833-1907).
1st verse
Sur nos monts, quand le soleil
Annonce un brillant réveil,
Et prédit d'un plus beau jour le retour,
Les beautés de la patrie
Parlent à l'âme attendrie;
Au ciel montent plus joyeux
Les accents d'un cœur pieux,
Les accents émus d'un cœur pieux.
2nd verse
Lorsqu'un doux rayon du soir
Joue encore dans le bois noir,
Le cœur se sent plus heureux près de Dieu.
Loin des vains bruits de la plaine,
L'âme en paix est plus sereine,
Au ciel montent plus joyeux
Les accents d'un cœur pieux,
Les accents émus d'un cœur pieux.
3rd verse
Lorsque dans la sombre nuit
La foudre éclate avec bruit,
Notre cœur pressent encore le Dieu fort;
Dans l'orage et la détresse
Il est notre forteresse;
Offrons-lui des coeurs pieux:
Dieu nous bénira des cieux,
Dieu nous bénira du haut des cieux.
4th verse
Des grands monts vient le secours;
Suisse, espère en Dieu toujours!
Garde la foi des aïeux, Vis comme eux!
Sur l'autel de la patrie
Mets tes biens, ton cœur, ta vie!
C'est le trésor précieux
Que Dieu bénira des cieux,
Que Dieu bénira du haut des cieux.
Italian: Salmo svizzero
By Camillo Valsangiacomo (1898-1978).
1st verse
Quando bionda aurora il mattin c'indora
l'alma mia t'adora re del ciel!
Quando l'alpe già rosseggia
a pregare allor t'atteggia;
in favor del patrio suol,
cittadino Dio lo vuol.
2nd verse
Se di stelle è un giubilo la celeste sfera
Te ritrovo a sera o Signor!
Nella notte silenziosa
l'alma mia in Te riposa:
libertà, concordia, amor,
all'Elvezia serba ognor.
3rd verse
Se di nubi un velo m'asconde il tuo cielo
pel tuo raggio anelo Dio d'amore!
Fuga o sole quei vapori
e mi rendi i tuoi favori:
di mia patria deh! Pietà
brilla, sol di verità
4th verse
Quando rugge e strepita impetuoso il nembo
m'è ostel tuo grembo o Signor!
In te fido Onnipossente
deh, proteggi nostra gente;
Libertà, concordia, amor,
all'Elvezia serba ognor.
Romansh: Psalm svizzer
1st verse
En l'aurora la damaun ta salida il carstgaun,
spiert etern dominatur, Tutpussent!
Cur ch'ils munts straglischan sura,
ura liber Svizzer, ura.
Mia olma senta ferm,
Mia olma senta ferm Dieu en tschiel,
il bab etern, Dieu en tschiel, il bab etern
2nd verse
Er la saira en splendur da las stailas en l'azur
tai chattain nus, creatur, Tutpussent!
Cur ch'il firmament sclerescha
en noss cors fidanza crescha.
Mia olma senta ferm,
Mia olma senta ferm Dieu en tschiel,
il bab etern, Dieu en tschiel, il bab etern.
3rd verse
Ti a nus es er preschent en il stgir dal firmament,
ti inperscrutabel spiert, Tutpussent!
Tschiel e terra t'obedeschan
vents e nivels secundeschan.
Mia olma senta ferm,
Mia olma senta ferm Dieu en tschiel,
il bab etern, Dieu en tschiel, il bab etern.
4th verse
Cur la furia da l'orcan fa tremblar il cor uman
alur das ti a nus vigur, Tutpussent!
Ed en temporal sgarschaivel
stas ti franc a nus fidaivel.
Mia olma senta ferm,
Mia olma senta ferm Dieu en tschiel,
Il bab etern, Dieu en tschiel, il bab etern.
English: Swiss Psalm (Unofficial translation)
1st verse
When the morning skies grow red
And o'er us their radiance shed,
Thou, O Lord, appeareth in their light.
When the Alps glow bright with splendour,
Pray to God, to Him surrender,
For you feel and understand,
That He dwelleth in this land.
2nd verse
In the sunset Thou art night
And beyond the starry sky,
Thou, O loving Father, ever near.
When to Heaven we are departing,
Joy and bliss Thou'lt be imparting,
For we feel and understand
That Thou dwellest in this land.
3rd verse
When dark clouds enshroud the hills
And gray mist the valley fills,
Yet Thou art not hidden from Thy sons.
Pierce the gloom in which we cover
With Thy sunshine's cleansing power
Then we'll feel and understand
That God dwelleth in this land.
4th verse
Drives in the wild storm therefore,
Is you us stronghold and resistance,
You, all-powerfully whale tender, saving!
In thunderstorm eight and grey ones let
Us childlike it trust! Yes, which suspects
Pious soul, the pious soul suspects God in
The hehren native country, God, the gentleman,
In the hehren native country!
Internet Page: www.admin.ch
Switzerland in diferent languages
eng | hau: Switzerland
fra | frp | jnf | nrm: Suisse
arg | ast | spa: Suiza
dsb | hsb: Šwicarska
est | liv: Šveits
ita | mlt: Svizzera
kaa | uzb: Shveytsariya / Швейцария
kin | run: Ubusuwisi
lim | nld: Zwitserland
nor | vor: Sveits
pap | tet: Suisa
que | tgl: Suwisa
afr: Switserland
aze: İsveçrə / Исвечрә
bam: Suwisi
bos: Švajcarska / Швајцарска
bre: Suis
cat: Suïssa
ces: Švýcarsko
cor: Swistir
cos: Svizzera; Sguizzera
crh: İsviçriya / Исвичрия
crs: Laswis
csb: Szwajcarskô
cym: Y Swistir
dan: Schweiz; Svejts
deu: Schweiz / Schweiz
epo: Svislando; Svisujo; Svisio
eus: Suitza
fao: Sveis
fij: Swizalend
fin: Sveitsi
frr: Swaits
fry: Switserlân
fur: Svuizare
gag: Şveyţariya / Швейцария
gla: An Eilbheis; An-t Suis
gle: An Eilvéis / An Eilvéis; An Eilbhéis / An Eilḃéis
glg: Suíza
glv: Yn Elveeish
hat: Swis
hrv: Švicarska
hun: Svájc
ibo: Switsaland
ina: Suissa; Switza
ind: Swiss / سويس
isl: Sviss
jav: Swiss
kal: Schweizi
kmr: Sûîs / Суис / سووئیس; Şvêsarî / Швесари / شڤێساری
kur: Swîs / سویس; Siwêsira / سوێسرا; Svîçre / سڤیچره; Siwîsre / سویسره
lat: Helvetia
lav: Šveice
lin: Swisi
lit: Šveicarija
lld-bad: Svizera
lld-grd: Svizra; Svizera
ltz: Schwäiz / Schwäiz
mlg: Soisa
mol: Elveţia / Елвеция
mri: Witerana
msa: Switzerland / سويتزرلند
nah: Zuizcan
nds: Swiez / Swiez
nso: Swise
oci: Soïssa
pol: Szwajcaria
por: Suíça
rmy: Elveciya / एल्वेत्सिया
roh: Svizra
ron: Elveţia
rup: Shwaitsã
scn: Svìzzira
slk: Švajčiarsko
slo: Sxveicaria / Швеицариа; Sxveicarzem / Швеицарзем
slv: Švica
sme: Šveica
smg: Šveicarėjė
som: Swiiserlaand; Suwiserlaand; Suwitsera; Iswitserlaand
sqi: Zvicra
srd: Isvìtzera
swa: Uswisi
swe: Schweiz
szl: Šwajcarja
ton: Suisalani
tuk: Şweýsariýa / Швейцария
tur: İsviçre
vie: Thụy Sĩ
vol: Jveizän
wln: Swisse
wol: Suwis
zul: iSwisi
zza: İswiçre
abq | alt | bul | kir | kjh | kom | krc | kum | rus | tyv | udm: Швейцария (Švejcarija)
che | chv | oss: Швейцари (Švejcari)
bak: Швейцария / Şveycariya
bel: Швейцарыя / Šviejcaryja; Швайцарыя / Švajcaryja; Швэйцарыя / Švejcaryja
chm: Швейцарий (Švejcarij)
kaz: Швейцария / Şveycarïya / شۆەيتساريا
kbd: Швейцарие (Švejcarie)
mkd: Швајцарија (Švajcarija)
mon: Швейцар (Švejcar)
srp: Швајцарска / Švajcarska
tat: Исвичрә / İswiçrä; Швейцария / Şveytsariä
tgk: Швейтсария / شویتسریه / Şvejtsarija
ukr: Швейцарія (Švejcarija)
xal: Швейцарь (Švejcar')
ara: سويسرا (Suwīsrā / Siwīsrā)
fas: سوئیس / Suis; سویس / Suvis
prs: سویس (Svīs)
pus: سويس (Swīs); سويټزلنډ (Swīṫzarlənḋ); سويټزلېنډ (Swīṫzarlenḋ); سويزرلنډ (Swīzarlənḋ); سويزرلېنډ (Swīzarlenḋ); سويزرلند (Swīzarlənd); سويزرلېند (Swīzarlend)
uig: شۋېتسارىيە / Shwétsariye / Швейцария; شىۋىتسارىيە / Shiwitsariye / Швейцария
urd: سوئس (Sūʾis); سوئٹزرلینڈ (Sūʾiṫzarlænḋ); سویٹزرلینڈ (Savīṫzarlænḋ); ہلویشیا (Halvīšiyā / Halvešiyā)
div: ސްވިޒަރްލޭންޑް (Sviżarlēnḋ)
syr: ܣܘܣܪܐ (Swisrā)
heb: שויץ / שוויץ / שווייץ (Švayts)
lad: סואיזה / Suiza
yid: שװײץ (Šveyts)
amh: ስዊስ (Swis); ስዊዘርላንድ (Swizärland)
ell-dhi: Ελβετία (Elvetía)
ell-kat: Ἑλβετία (Helvetía)
hye: Շվեյցարիա (Šveyc̣aria)
kat: შვეიცარია (Šveic̣aria)
hin: स्विट्ज़रलैंड (Sviṭzarlæṁḍ); स्वीटजरलैंड (Svīṭjarlæṁḍ); स्विट्सरलैंड (Sviṭsarlæṁḍ); स्विस (Svis)
nep: स्वीट्जरल्याण्ड (Svīṭdzarlæṇḍ)
ben: সুইজারল্যাণ্ড (Suijārlæṇḍ); সুইজারল্যান্ড (Suijārlænḍ); সুইজর্ল্যাণ্ড (Suijôrlæṇḍ)
pan: ਸਵਿਟਜ਼ਰਲੈਂਡ (Sviṭzarlæ̃ḍ)
kan: ಸ್ವಿಟ್ಜರ್ಲ್ಯಾಂಡ್ (Sviṭjarlæṁḍ)
mal: സ്വിറ്റ്സര്ലന്ഡ് (Sviṟṟsarlanḍ)
tam: சுவிற்சர்லாந்து (Čuviṛčarlāntu); சுவிட்சர்லாந்து (Čuviṭčarlāntu); ஸ்விட்சர்லாந்து (Sviṭčarlāntu)
tel: స్విట్జర్లాండ్ (Sviṭjarlāṁḍ)
zho: 瑞士 (Ruìshì)
yue: 瑞士 (Seuihsih)
jpn: スイス (Suisu)
kor: 스위스 (Seuwiseu)
bod: སུ་ཝེ་ཚེ་ (Su.we.tsʰe.); རུའེ་ཧྲི་ (Ru'e.hri.); སུའེ་སི་ (Su'e.si.); རོས་སི་ (Ros.si.)
dzo: སུའིཊ་ཛར་ལེན་ (Su'iṭ.dzar.len.)
mya: ဆ္ဝစ္ဇာလန္ (Sʰwiʿzalã)
tha: สวิตเซอร์แลนด์ (Sawitsə̄[r]lǣn[d]); สวิส (Sawit)
lao: ສະວິດ (Sawit)
khm: ស្វ៊ីស (Svīs); ស្វីស (Svīs); ស្វ៊ឺស (Svʉ̄s)