Confoederatio Helvetica (Latin)
Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft (German)
Confédération suisse (French)
Confederazione Svizzera (Italian)
Confederaziun svizra (Romansh)
Swiss Confederation | | | Motto: Unus pro omnibus, omnes pro uno (Latin) (traditional)[1]
"One for all, all for one" | Anthem: "Swiss Psalm"
| Location of Switzerland (orange) on the European continent (white) Switzerland stands for: the European country, see Switzerland a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana, see Switzerland County, Indiana This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...
Swiss may refer to: referring to Switzerland, English since 1515, from French Suisse, ultimately from Schwyz related to the Old Swiss Confederacy Swiss mercenaries, especially the Swiss Guard the Swiss dagger popular in 15th to 16th c. ...
Image File history File links Flag_of_Switzerland. ...
Image File history File links Coat_of_Arms_of_Switzerland. ...
The flag of Switzerland. ...
The Coat of Arms of Switzerland shows the same white cross as the flag of Switzerland, but on a red shield. ...
For other uses, see Motto (disambiguation). ...
Unus pro omnibus, omnes pro uno is a Latin phrase that means One for all, all for one in English. ...
For other uses, see Latins and Latin (disambiguation). ...
A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized either by a countrys government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people. ...
The Swiss Psalm is the national anthem of Switzerland. ...
Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1600x1200, 99 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Switzerland Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Countries Maps of Switzerland ...
For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ...
| | Capital | Berne (federal capital)
46°57′N 7°27′E / 46.95, 7.45 | | Largest city | Zürich | | Official languages | German,
French,
Italian,
Romansh[2] | | Demonym | Swiss | | Government | Direct democracy
Federal parliamentary republic | | - | Federal Council | M. Leuenberger
P. Couchepin (Pres. 08)
S. Schmid
M. Calmy-Rey
H.-R. Merz (VP 08)
D. Leuthard
E. Widmer-Schlumpf | | Independence | | - | Foundation date | 1 August[3] 1291 | | - | de facto | 22 September 1499 | | - | Recognized | 24 October 1648 | | - | Restored | 7 August 1815 | | - | Federal state | 12 September 1848 | | Area | | - | Total | 41,285 km² (135th)
15,940 sq mi | | - | Water (%) | 4.2 | | Population | | - | 2007[4] estimate | 7,591,400 (95th) | | - | 2000 census | 7,288,010 | | - | Density | 181.4/km² (61st)
479.8/sq mi | | GDP (PPP) | 2007 estimate | | - | Total | $296.2 billion (38th) | | - | Per capita | $38,706 (6th) | | GDP (nominal) | 2006 estimate | | - | Total | $388 billion (19th) | | - | Per capita | $56,711 (7th) | | Gini (2000) | 33.7 (medium) | | HDI (2007) | ▲ 0.955 (high) (7th) | | Currency | Swiss franc (CHF) | | Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | | - | Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | | Internet TLD | .ch | | Calling code | +41 | Switzerland (German: Schweiz, French: Suisse, Italian: Svizzera, Romansh: Svizra), officially the Swiss Confederation (Confoederatio Helvetica in Latin, hence its ISO country codes CH and CHE), is a landlocked country of roughly 7.5 million people in Western Europe with an area of 41,285 km². Switzerland is a federal republic consisting of 26 states. These states are called cantons. Berne is the seat of the federation and de facto capital,[5] while the country's economic centres are its two global cities, Geneva and especially Zürich. Switzerland is one of the richest countries in the world. Not to be confused with capitol. ...
For other uses, see Berne (disambiguation). ...
For other uses of Zurich, see Zurich (disambiguation). ...
An official language is a language that is given a special legal status in the countries, states, and other territories. ...
Not to be confused with Romand which is one of the names for the Franco-Provençal language. ...
A demonym or gentilic is a word that denotes the members of a people or the inhabitants of a place. ...
Direct democracy, classically termed pure democracy,[1] comprises a form of democracy and theory of civics wherein sovereignty is lodged in the assembly of all citizens who choose to participate. ...
This article is about federal states. ...
Parliamentary republics around the world, shown in Orange (Parliamentary republics with a non-executive President) and Green (Parliamentary republics with an executive President linked to Parliament). ...
The Swiss Federal Council (German: , French: , Italian: , Romansh: ) is the seven-member executive council which constitutes the government as well as the head of state of Switzerland. ...
Moritz Leuenberger (born September 21, 1946) is a Swiss politician, lawyer, member of the Swiss Federal Council since 1995 and President of the Confederation for the years 2001 and 2006. ...
Pascal Couchepin (born April 5, 1942) is a Swiss politician. ...
The list of Presidents of the Swiss Confederation (1848-present) presents the presiding member of the Swiss Federal Council, Switzerlands seven-member executive. ...
Samuel Schmid Samuel Schmid (born January 8, 1947) is a member of the Swiss Federal Council, heading the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports. ...
Micheline Calmy-Rey (born July 8, 1945) is a Swiss politician, member of the Swiss Federal Council since 2003. ...
Hans-Rudolf Merz (born 10 November 1942) is a Swiss politician. ...
The list of Presidents of the Swiss Confederation (1848-present) presents the presiding member of the Swiss Federal Council, Switzerlands seven-member executive. ...
Doris Leuthard (born 10 April 1963) is a Swiss politician, lawyer, member of the Swiss National Council (since 1999) and President of the Christian Democratic Peoples Party (CVP/PDC) (since 2004). ...
Since 1848, the Swiss Confederation has been a federal state of relatively autonomous cantons, some of which have a history of confederacy that goes back more than 700 years, arguably putting them among the worlds oldest surviving republics. ...
is the 213th day of the year (214th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
For broader historical context, see 1290s and 13th century. ...
The Treaty of Basel of 22 September 1499 was an armistice following the Battle of Dornach, concluding the Swabian War, fought between the Swabian League and the Old Swiss Confederacy. ...
is the 265th day of the year (266th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
1499 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...
Ratification of the Treaty of Münster. ...
is the 297th day of the year (298th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
1648 (MDCXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Saturday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ...
The Züriputsch: clashes on Zürich Paradeplatz The Restauration is the period of Swiss history lasting from 1814 to 1847. ...
is the 219th day of the year (220th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
April 5-12: Mount Tambora explodes, changing climate. ...
In 1847, a civil war broke out between the Catholic and the Protestant cantons (Sonderbundskrieg). ...
is the 255th day of the year (256th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 1848 (MDCCCXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a leap year starting on Monday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...
This article is about the physical quantity. ...
To help compare orders of magnitude of different geographical regions, we list here areas between 10,000 km² and 100,000 km². ...
This is a list of the countries of the world sorted by area. ...
A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ...
Impact from a water drop causes an upward rebound jet surrounded by circular capillary waves. ...
A percentage is a way of expressing a proportion, a ratio or a fraction as a whole number, by using 100 as the denominator. ...
Map of countries by population for the year 2007 This is a list of countries ordered according to population. ...
Population density per square kilometre by country, 2006 Population density map of the world in 1994. ...
Population density by country, 2006 List of countries and dependencies by population density in inhabitants/km². The list includes sovereign states and self-governing dependent territories that are recognized by the United Nations. ...
PPP of GDP for the countries of the world (2003). ...
There are three lists of countries of the world sorted by their gross domestic product (GDP) (the value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year). ...
Look up Per capita in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...
This article includes two lists of countries of the world[1] sorted by their gross domestic product (GDP) at purchasing power parity (PPP) per capita, the value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year divided by the average population for the same year. ...
One thousand million (1,000,000,000) is the natural number following 999,999,999 and preceding 1,000,000,001. ...
World map of GDP (Nominal and PPP). ...
Look up Per capita in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...
Map of countries by 2006 GDP (nominal) per capita (IMF, October 2007). ...
Graphical representation of the Gini coefficient The Gini coefficient is a measure of inequality of income distribution or inequality of wealth distribution. ...
This page talks about Human Development Index, for other HDIs see HDI (disambiguation) World map indicating Human Development Index (2007). ...
This talks about the countries in the Human Development Index, for information on the Human Development Index, please Click Here World map indicating Human Development Index (2007) (Colour-blind compliant map) For red-green color vision problems. ...
ISO 4217 Code CHF User(s) Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Campione dItalia Inflation 1. ...
ISO 4217 is the international standard describing three letter codes (also known as the currency code) to define the names of currencies established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). ...
Timezone and TimeZone redirect here. ...
Time zones of Europe: Light colours indicate countries that do not observe summer time Central European Time (CET) is one of the names of the time zone that is 1 hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time. ...
UTC redirects here. ...
Although DST is common in Europe and North America, most of the worlds people do not use it. ...
Time zones of Europe: Light colours indicate countries that do not observe summer time Central European Summer Time (CEST) is one of the names of UTC+2 time zone, 2 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time. ...
UTC redirects here. ...
A country code top-level domain (ccTLD) is a top-level domain used and reserved for a country or a dependent territory. ...
.ch is the Internet country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Switzerland. ...
This is a list of country calling codes defined by ITU-T recommendation E.164. ...
The Swiss telephone numbering plan describes the Telephone numbering plan in Switzerland. ...
Romansh (also spelled Rumantsch, Romansch or Romanche) is one of the four national languages of Switzerland, along with German, Italian and French. ...
Latin was the language originally spoken in the region around Rome called Latium. ...
“ISO†redirects here. ...
These are data codes for Switzerland. ...
A landlocked country is one that has no coastline. ...
A current understanding of Western Europe. ...
The Federal Republic of Germany and its sixteen Bundesländer (federal states) A federal republic is a federation of states with a republican form of government. ...
Valais Ticino Graubünden (Grisons) Geneva Vaud Neuchâtel Jura Berne Thurgau Zurich Aargau Lucerne Solothurn Basel-Land Schaffhausen Uri Schwyz Glarus St. ...
For other uses, see Berne (disambiguation). ...
Not to be confused with capitol. ...
“World city†redirects here. ...
For other uses, see Geneva (disambiguation). ...
For other uses of Zurich, see Zurich (disambiguation). ...
Switzerland is bordered by Germany, France, Italy, Austria and Liechtenstein. Switzerland is multilingual and has four national languages: German, French, Italian and Romansh. Switzerland has a long history of neutrality — it has not been at war since 1815 — and hosts many international organizations, including the Red Cross, the World Trade Organization and one of the U.N.'s two European offices. Not to be confused with Romand which is one of the names for the Franco-Provençal language. ...
A neutral country takes no side in a war between other parties, and in return hopes to avoid being attacked by either of them. ...
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is a private humanitarian institution based in Geneva, Switzerland. ...
WTO redirects here. ...
The United Nations Office at Geneva is located in the Palais des Nations, originally constructed for the League of Nations in the 1930s. ...
The Latin formal name of Switzerland, Confoederatio Helvetica is derived from the Helvetii, an ancient Celtic people in the Alpine region. It is rendered in German as Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft, in French as Confédération suisse, in Italian as Confederazione Svizzera and in Romansh as Confederaziun svizra. The establishment of Switzerland is traditionally dated to August 1, 1291; the first of August is the national holiday. A map of Gaul showing the northern Alpine position of the Helvetii. ...
This article is about the European people. ...
is the 213th day of the year (214th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
For broader historical context, see 1290s and 13th century. ...
[edit] History -
Since 1848, the Swiss Confederation has been a federal state of relatively autonomous cantons, some of which have a history of confederacy that goes back more than 700 years, arguably putting them among the worlds oldest surviving republics. ...
[edit] Early history -
- Further information: History of the Alps, Alemannia, and Upper Burgundy
In 15 BC, Tiberius and Drusus conquered the Alps, and the region became integrated into the Roman Empire: the Helvetii settlement area became part first of Gallia Belgica and later of the province of Germania Superior, while the eastern part was integrated into the Roman province of Raetia. In the Early Middle Ages, the Swiss plateau and the valleys of the Alps were gradually settled by the Alemanni. The area of Switzerland was incorporated in the Frankish Empire in the 530s, and as part of the Holy Roman Empire was divided between Alemannia and Upper Burgundy. By AD 1200, the Swiss plateau was divided between the dominions of the houses of Savoy, Zähringer, Habsburg and Kyburg. With the failing of the Kyburg dynasty in 1264, the house of Habsburg under Rudolph I (who also became emperor in 1273) could greatly extend its territory in the eastern Swiss plateau. The early history of Switzerland begins with the earliest settlements up to the beginning of Habsburg rule, which in 1291 gave rise to the independence movement in the central cantons of Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden. ...
This article does not cite any references or sources. ...
Alemannia (red) and Upper Burgundy (green) around AD 1000. ...
Coat of arms of the 2nd duchy of Burgundy and later of the French province of Burgundy Burgundy (French: Bourgogne) is a historic region of France, inhabited in turn by Pre-Indo-European people, Celts (Gauls), Romans (Gallo-Romans), and various Germanic peoples, most importantly the Burgundians and the Franks. ...
The House of Savoy or in Italian, La Casa di Savoia, or simply Casa Savoia, (or Savoie, French) is a dynasty of nobles who traditionally had their domain in Savoy, a region that includes present-day Piemonte, other parts of Northern Italy, and a smaller region in France. ...
Zähringen is the name of an old and influential German noble family, taken from the castle and village of that name. ...
Flag of the Habsburg Monarchy; also used as the flag of the Austrian Empire until the Ausgleich of 1867. ...
Vienna becomes a frontier city guarding the Roman Empire against the German tribes to the north. ...
For other persons named Tiberius, see Tiberius (disambiguation). ...
For other uses, see Roman Empire (disambiguation). ...
A map of Gaul showing the northern Alpine position of the Helvetii. ...
The Roman Province of Gallia Belgica in 58 BCE The Roman Province of Gallia Belgica around 120 CE Gallia Belgica was a Roman province located in what is now the southern part of the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, northeastern France, and western Germany. ...
Categories: Historical stubs | Ancient Roman provinces | German history | Germany | History of the Germanic peoples ...
The Roman Empire ca. ...
Justinians wife Theodora and her retinue, in a 6th century mosaic from the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. ...
The Swiss plateau (plateau suisse in French, Schweizer Mittelland in German) constitutes one of the three major landscapes in Switzerland alongside the Jura mountains and the Alps. ...
The main valleys of the Alps, orographically by drainage basin. ...
The Alamanni, Allemanni or Alemanni, are a Germanic tribe, first mentioned by Dio Cassius, under the year 213. ...
The Frankish Empire was the territory of the Franks, from the 5th to the 10th centuries, from 481 ruled by Clovis I of the Merovingian Dynasty, the first king of all the Franks. ...
Centuries: 5th century - 6th century - 7th century Decades: 480s - 490s - 500s - 510s - 520s - 530s - 540s - 550s - 560s - 570s - 580s Years: 530 531 532 533 534 535 536 537 538 539 540 Events and Trends Hagia Sophia, Constantinople, built (532-537) General Belisarius fights many campaigns defeating, among others, the Vandals...
This article is about the medieval empire. ...
Alemannia (red) and Upper Burgundy (green) around AD 1000. ...
Coat of arms of the 2nd duchy of Burgundy and later of the French province of Burgundy Burgundy (French: Bourgogne) is a historic region of France, inhabited in turn by Pre-Indo-European people, Celts (Gauls), Romans (Gallo-Romans), and various Germanic peoples, most importantly the Burgundians and the Franks. ...
The House of Savoy or in Italian, La Casa di Savoia, or simply Casa Savoia, (or Savoie, French) is a dynasty of nobles who traditionally had their domain in Savoy, a region that includes present-day Piemonte, other parts of Northern Italy, and a smaller region in France. ...
Zähringen is the name of an old and influential German noble family, taken from the castle and village of that name. ...
Flag of the Habsburg Monarchy; also used as the flag of the Austrian Empire until the Ausgleich of 1867. ...
The brass of the tomb of Rudolph I in Speyer Rudolph I (Rudolph of Hapsburg) (May 1, 1218 - July 15, 1291) was a German king. ...
[edit] Old Swiss Confederacy -
- Further information: Growth of the Old Swiss Confederacy, Reformation in Switzerland, and Early Modern Switzerland
The nucleus of the Old Swiss Confederacy was an alliance between the communities of the valleys in the central Alps to facilitate the management of common interests such as free trade and to ensure the peace along the important trade routes through the mountains. The Federal Charter of 1291 among the rural communes of Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden is traditionally considered the founding document of the confederacy, although similar alliances may have existed already a few decades earlier.[6] 1550 illustration for the Sempacherbrief of 1393, one of the major alliance contracts of the Old Swiss Confederacy The Old Swiss Confederacy was the precursor of modern-day Switzerland. ...
The growth of the Old Swiss Confederacy began as an alliance between the communities of the valleys in the central Alps to facilitate the management of common interests such as free trade and to ensure the peace along the important trade routes through the mountains. ...
The Protestant Reformation in Switzerland was promoted initially by Huldrych Zwingli, who gained the support of the magistrate and population of Zürich in the 1520s. ...
The Early Modern period of Swiss history, lasting from formal independence in 1648 to the French invasion of 1798 came to be referred as Ancien Régime retrospectively, in post-Napoleonic Switzerland. ...
The main valleys of the Alps, orographically by drainage basin. ...
Federal Charter of 1291 The Federal Charter or Letter of Alliance (in German Bundesbrief) documents the Eternal Alliance or League Of The Three Forest Cantons (in German Ewiger Bund der Drei Waldstätten), the union of three cantons in what is now central Switzerland, formed in early August, 1291. ...
Defensive towers at San Gimignano, Tuscany, bear witness to the factional strife within communes. ...
Uri (German: ) is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland. ...
View from hiking trail between Ibergeregg and Spirstock Schwyz (German ) is a canton in central Switzerland between Lake Lucerne in the south and Lake Zurich in the north, centered around and named after the town of Schwyz. ...
Unterwalden is the old name for what is now two cantons in central Switzerland, south of Lake Lucerne. ...
By 1353 the three original cantons had been joined by the cantons of Glarus and Zug and the city states of Lucerne, Zürich and Berne, forming the "Old Confederacy" of eight states that persisted during much of the 15th century and led to a significant increase of power and wealth of the federation, in particular due to several more 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 Emperor Maximilian I in 1499 amounted to de facto independence within the Holy Roman Empire. Download high resolution version (800x629, 201 KB) City of Zug (1548) File links The following pages link to this file: Switzerland Zug ...
Download high resolution version (800x629, 201 KB) City of Zug (1548) File links The following pages link to this file: Switzerland Zug ...
, capital of the Swiss canton of that name, is a picturesque little town at the northeastern corner of the lake of Zug, and at the foot of the Zugerberg (992 m (3255 ft. ...
Events Mary I of Scotland sent to France Births September 2 - Vincenzo Scamozzi, Italian architect (died 1616) September 29 - William V, Duke of Bavaria (died 1626) Francesco Andreini, Italian actor (died 1624) Giordano Bruno, Italian philosopher, astronomer, and occultist (burned at the stake) 1600 (died 1600) Honda Tadakatsu, Japanese general...
See also: Kanton Canton or canton may refer to: canton (country subdivision), a territorial subdivision of a country the upper left (hoist) quarter of a flag, see flag terminology canton (heraldry), a subordinary occupying the (shield holders) upper right-hand ninth of the field canton (liqueur), a ginger-flavored...
(French Glaris) is a canton in east central Switzerland. ...
(-German; French: Zoug; Italian: Zugo) is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland. ...
For other uses, see Lucerne (disambiguation). ...
For other uses of Zurich, see Zurich (disambiguation). ...
For other uses, see Berne (disambiguation). ...
The Battle of Sempach was fought on July 9, 1386 between Duke Leopold III of Austria and the Swiss Confederation. ...
Charles the Bold Charles, called the Bold (French: Charles le Téméraire) (November 10, 1433 – 1477) was Duke of Burgundy from 1467 to 1477. ...
Coat of arms of the second Duchy of Burgundy and later of the French province of Burgundy Burgundy (French: ; German: ) is a historic region of France, inhabited in turn by Celts (Gauls), Romans (Gallo-Romans), and various Germanic peoples, most importantly the Burgundians and the Franks; the former gave their...
Swiss mercenaries crossing the Alps (Luzerner Schilling) Swiss mercenaries were soldiers notable for their service in foreign armies, especially the armies of the Kings of France, throughout the Early Modern period of European history, from the Later Middle Ages into the Age of the European Enlightenment. ...
Belligerents Swabian League, forces of Holy Roman Empire Swiss Confederacy, Three Leagues of the Grisons The Swabian War of 1499 (Schwabenkrieg, also called Schweizerkrieg [Swiss War] in Germany and Engadiner Krieg [War of the Engadin] in Austria) was the last major armed conflict between the Old Swiss Confederacy and the...
The Swabian League, an association of German cities, principally in the territory which had formed the old duchy of Swabia. ...
The Holy Roman Emperor was, with some variation, the ruler of the Holy Roman Empire, the predecessor of modern Germany, during its existence from the 10th century until its collapse in 1806. ...
Maximilian I of Habsburg (March 22, 1459 – January 12, 1519) was Holy Roman Emperor from 1508 until his death. ...
This article is about the medieval empire. ...
The expansion of the federation, and the reputation of being invincible acquired during the earlier wars, suffered a first setback in 1515 with the Swiss defeat in the Battle of Marignano, which ended the so-called "heroic" epoch of Swiss history. The success of Zwingli's Reformation in some cantons led to inter-cantonal wars in 1529 and 1531 (Kappeler Kriege). Under the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648, European countries recognised Switzerland's independence from the Holy Roman Empire and its neutrality (ancien régime). In Early Modern Switzerland, the conflict between Catholic and Protestant cantons persisted, erupting in further violence at the battles of Villmergen in 1656 and 1712, and 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. The growth of the Old Swiss Confederacy began as an alliance between the communities of the valleys in the central Alps to facilitate the management of common interests such as free trade and to ensure the peace along the important trade routes through the mountains. ...
Combatants France, Republic of Venice Duchy of Milan Commanders Francis I, Gian Giacomo Trivulzio, Bartolomeo dAlviano, Louis de la Trémoille Maximilian Sforza, Cardinal Matthaeus Schiner Strength 30,000 Unknown The Battle of Marignano, in the phase of the Italian Wars (1494–1559) that is called the War of...
Zwinglis Successor Zwinglis successor, Heinrich Bullinger, was elected on December 9, 1531, to be the pastor of the Great Minster at Zürich, a position which he held to the end of his life (1575). ...
The Protestant Reformation in Switzerland was promoted initially by Huldrych Zwingli, who gained the support of the magistrate and population of Zürich in the 1520s. ...
The Ratification of the Treaty of Münster by Gerard Terborch (1648) The Peace of Westphalia, also known as the treaties of Münster and Osnabrück, is the series of treaties that ended the Thirty Years War and officially recognized the United Provinces and Swiss Confederation. ...
For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ...
A neutral country takes no side in a war between other parties, and in return hopes to avoid being attacked by either of them. ...
The Early Modern period of Swiss history, lasting from formal independence in 1648 to the French invasion of 1798 came to be referred as Ancien Régime retrospectively, in post-Napoleonic Switzerland. ...
Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Relation to other religions Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Christianity Portal This box: Protestantism encompasses the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated with the doctrines of the Reformation. ...
The Battles of Villmergen (Canton of Aargau, 47°21′ N 8°15′ E) were two battles between reformed and Catholic cantons. ...
Forms of government Part of the Politics series Politics Portal This box: This article applies to political and organizational ideologies. ...
Combatants Sweden Bohemia Denmark-Norway[1] Dutch Republic France Scotland England Saxony Holy Roman Empire Catholic League Austria Bavaria Spain Commanders Frederick V Buckingham Leven Gustav II Adolf †Johan Baner Cardinal Richelieu Louis II de Bourbon Vicomte de Turenne Christian IV of Denmark Bernhard of Saxe-Weimar Johann Georg I...
Combatants Peasant forces (from Lucerne, Berne, Solothurn, Basel, and the Aargau) City governments troops, Zürich, with soldiers from the Thurgau, Uri Commanders Niklaus Leuenberger, Christian Schybi, and others Conrad Werdmüller, Sigmund von Erlach, Sebastian Peregrin Zwyer The Swiss peasant war of 1653 was a popular revolt in the...
[edit] Napoleonic era -
 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. During the French Revolutionary Wars, the revolutionary armies boiled eastward, enveloping Switzerland in their battles against Austria. ...
Official seal of the Helvetic Republic (depicting William Tell). ...
The Act of Mediation was issued by Napoleon Bonaparte on 19 February 1803, abolishing the Helvetic Republic which had existed since the invasion of Switerland by French troops in 1798. ...
Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 400 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (2912 × 4368 pixel, file size: 1. ...
Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 400 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (2912 × 4368 pixel, file size: 1. ...
Ancien Régime, a French term meaning Former Regime, but rendered in English as Old Rule, Old Order, or simply Old Regime, refers primarily to the aristocratic social and political system established in France under the Valois and Bourbon dynasties. ...
The French Revolution (1789–1815) was a period of political and social upheaval in the political history of France and Europe as a whole, during which the French governmental structure, previously an absolute monarchy with feudal privileges for the aristocracy and Catholic clergy, underwent radical change to forms based on...
Official seal of the Helvetic Republic (depicting William Tell). ...
When war broke out between France and its rivals, Russian and Austrian forces invaded Switzerland. In 1803 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. Napoléon I, Emperor of the French (born Napoleone di Buonaparte, changed his name to Napoléon Bonaparte)[1] (15 August 1769; Ajaccio, Corsica – 5 May 1821; Saint Helena) was a general during the French Revolution, the ruler of France as First Consul (Premier Consul) of the French Republic from...
This article is about the capital of France. ...
The Act of Mediation was issued by Napoleon Bonaparte on 19 February 1803, abolishing the Helvetic Republic which had existed since the invasion of Switerland by French troops in 1798. ...
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, Neuchâtel and Geneva – this was also the last time Switzerland's territory expanded. The Congress of Vienna by Jean-Baptiste Isabey, 1819. ...
Capital Sion Population (2003) 278,200 (Ranked 9th) - Density 53 /km² Area 5224 km² (Ranked 3rd) Highest point Dufourspitze 4634 m Joined 1815 Abbreviation VS Languages French, German Executive Conseil dEtat, Staatsrat (5) Legislative Grand Conseil, Grosser Rat (130) Municipalities 160 municipalities Districts 13 districts, Bezirke Website www. ...
Neuchâtel is a canton of Switzerland. ...
The Republic and Canton of Geneva is the westernmost canton or state of Switzerland, surrounded on almost all sides by France and centered around the city of Geneva. ...
[edit] Federal state -
The 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 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. The Züriputsch: clashes on Zürich Paradeplatz The Restauration is the period of Swiss history lasting from 1814 to 1847. ...
In 1847, a civil war broke out between the Catholic and the Protestant cantons (Sonderbundskrieg). ...
The Züriputsch: clashes on Zürich Paradeplatz The Restauration is the period of Swiss history lasting from 1814 to 1847. ...
The Züriputsch of 6 September 1839 was a putsch of the rural population against the rule of the city of Zürich on the eve of the formation of the Swiss federal state. ...
In 1847, a civil war broke out between the Catholic and the Protestant cantons (Sonderbundskrieg). ...
For the demesne in The Keys to the Kingdom series, see The House An upper house is one of two chambers of a bicameral legislature, the other chamber being the lower house. ...
The Council of States of Switzerland (German: Ständerat, French Conseil des Etats, Italian Consiglio degli Stati) is the upper house of the Swiss parliament. ...
A lower house is one of two chambers of a bicameral legislature, the other chamber being the upper house. ...
The National Council of Switzerland (German: Nationalrat, French: Conseil National, Italian: Consiglio Nazionale) is the large Chamber of the parliament and has 200 seats. ...
The Swiss Constitution (Bundesverfassung in German, Constitution fédérale in French, Constituzione federale in Italian and Constituziun federala in Romansh) is at the highest level of Switzerlands judicial system. ...
A referendum (plural: referendums or referenda) or plebiscite is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. ...
ISO 4217 Code CHF User(s) Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Campione dItalia Inflation 1. ...
A unitary currency can increase the economic stability of a country while enhancing trade within its borders. ...
A Watt steam engine, the steam engine that propelled the Industrial Revolution in Britain and the world. ...
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. Direct democracy, classically termed pure democracy,[1] comprises a form of democracy and theory of civics wherein sovereignty is lodged in the assembly of all citizens who choose to participate. ...
[edit] Modern history -
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.[7]. 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. During both World War I and World War II, Switzerland managed to keep a stance of armed neutrality, and was not involved militarily. ...
After World War II, Swiss authorities considered the construction of a nuclear bomb. ...
Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (476x640, 118 KB) Zmutt Valley with Mischabelhörner group, Valais, Alps of, Switzerland. ...
Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (476x640, 118 KB) Zmutt Valley with Mischabelhörner group, Valais, Alps of, Switzerland. ...
Zmutt Valley with Mischabelhörner group, 1890s photochrom postcard. ...
Zmutt Valley with Mischabelhörner group, Valais, Alps of, Switzerland - 1890 Painting Group of mountains in Switzerland. ...
Capital Sion Population (2003) 278,200 (Ranked 9th) - Density 53 /km² Area 5224 km² (Ranked 3rd) Highest point Dufourspitze 4634 m Joined 1815 Abbreviation VS Languages French, German Executive Conseil dEtat, Staatsrat (5) Legislative Grand Conseil, Grosser Rat (130) Municipalities 160 municipalities Districts 13 districts, Bezirke Website www. ...
This photochrom illustrates Hildesheim town hall in the 1890s, and shows the evocative coloration characteristic of the process. ...
Year 1890 (MDCCCXC) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar). ...
“The Great War †redirects here. ...
Vladimir Ilyich Lenin ( Russian: Влади́мир Ильи́ч Ле́нин listen?), original surname Ulyanov (Улья́нов) ( April 22 (April 10 ( O.S.)), 1870 – January 21, 1924), was a Russian revolutionary, the leader of the Bolshevik party, the first Premier of the Soviet Union, and the founder of the ideology of Leninism. ...
1939–1941 semi-official emblem Anachronous world map in 1920–1945, showing the League of Nations and the world Capital Not applicable¹ Language(s) English, French and Spanish Political structure International organization Secretary-general - 1920–1933 Sir James Eric Drummond - 1933–1940 Joseph Avenol - 1940–1946 Seán Lester Historical...
Anthem Ode to Joy (orchestral) ten founding members joined subsequently observer at the Parliamentary Assembly observer at the Committee of Ministers official candidate Seat Strasbourg, France Membership 47 European states 5 observers (Council) 3 observers (Assembly) Leaders - Secretary General Terry Davis - President of the Parliamentary Assembly Rene van der Linden...
During World War II, detailed invasion plans were drawn up by the Germans,[8] 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 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 Réduit. Switzerland was an important base for espionage by both sides in the conflict and often mediated communications between the Axis and Allied powers. During both World War I and World War II, Switzerland managed to keep a stance of armed neutrality, and was not involved militarily. ...
German troops march into Austria on 12 March 1938. ...
Nazi Germany, or the Third Reich, commonly refers to Germany in the years 1933–1945, when it was under the firm control of the totalitarian and fascist ideology of the Nazi Party, with the Führer Adolf Hitler as dictator. ...
Henri Guisan (monument at Avenches) Equestrian statue of Henri Guisan, in Lausanne, Switzerland Henri Guisan (21 October 1874 - 7 April 1960) was the most recent General of the Swiss army, as Commander in Chief during World War II, and probably Switzerlands most famous soldier. ...
Commonly, the réduit is a fortified defense structure which is used in order that the defending troops can survive and hold out an attack. ...
Switzerland's trade was blockaded by both the Allies and by the 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 an apex 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. 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.[9] This article is about the independent states that comprised the Allies. ...
Black: Zenith of the Axis Powers Capital Not applicable Political structure Military alliance Historical era World War II - Tripartite Pact September 27, 1940 - Anti-Comintern Pact November 25, 1936 - Pact of Steel May 22, 1939 - Dissolved 1945 This article is about the independent countries (states) that comprised the Axis powers. ...
Motto Travail, famille, patrie French: Unoccupied zone of Vichy France (until November 1942) Capital Vichy Capital-in-exile Sigmaringen (1944-1945) Language(s) French Religion Roman Catholic Government Dictatorship Chief of state - 1940 — 1944 Philippe Pétain President of the Council - 1940 — 1942 Philippe Pétain - 1942 — 1944 Pierre Laval...
The Hague Conventions were international treaties negotiated at the First and Second Peace Conferences at The Hague, Netherlands in 1899 and 1907, respectively, and were, along with the Geneva Conventions, among the first formal statements of the laws of war and war crimes in the nascent body of secular international...
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. The Grossmünster The Grossmünster (great minster) is a Romanesque-style church that played an important role in the history of the Protestant Reformation. ...
For other uses of Zurich, see Zurich (disambiguation). ...
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