Flag of Switzerland
Switzerland Flag Meaning
The flag was officially adopted on April 6, 1862. For a long time, the country was without a common national flag. During the Middle Ages, there were only individual flags for the various cantons, or states, in the country. The flag is based a bit on the canton of Schwyz which was used as a common field sign during the battles of Laupen in 1339. Since the time of the Crusades, however, Switzerland has used a white Greek cross on a red flag.
The Red Cross symbol is based on the Swiss flag. The national flag is square, like the flag of the Vatican City State, and it is quite unusual as most flags assume a more rectangular shape. However, their trade flag is not square.
Switzerland Overview
| Population | 7.1 million |
| Currency | Swiss franc |
| Area | 41.284 km2 |
| Capital city | Bern |
| Population density | 174.4 inbound / km2 |
| HDI location | 13 |
Small country in Central Europe that is covered by mountains for three-quarters. It consists of three natural areas: the northwest corner borders France and consists of the Jura mountain area. It is used for agricultural production and also watch production. Mittelland is the subalpine area between the Jurassic and the Alps. It contains a large number of lakes formed by the glaciers. It is the country’s economically most important area where industry is concentrated. Furthermore, it is characterized by agricultural production and intensive cattle farming. The Alps cover half of the country’s surface, extend in an east-west direction and have peaks above 4,000 meters. The most important economic activity in this area is milk production and tourism. The ecosystem is first and foremost threatened by acid rain.
The people: 64% of the population speak German, 20% French and 7% Italian. 9% of the residents are of second origin. 21% of the population have a different nationality than Swiss. The majority come from countries in the UE, with the Italians with 4% being the largest group.
Religion: 47.6% Catholics, 44.3% Protestants, 2.2% Muslims, 1% Christian Orthodox
Languages: Official languages are German, French and Italian. A minority of 0.4% in the Canton of Graubünden to the east speaks Romanesque – a Latin language.
Political parties: Social democracy, center-right. The Radical Party, center-right. Christian Democrats, center-right. Socialist Party, center-leftist. The Democratic Center Union, the center. The Liberal Party, right-wing. The Independent Party, the center. The Labor Party, Leftist. The Greens.
Social organizations: LO with 480,000 members. The Association of Christian Trade Unions with 110,000 Members. The Federation of Swiss Employees’ Associations with 160,000 members.
Official Name: Confederaziun Svizra (Romanesque); Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft (German); Confédération Suisse (French); Confederazione Svizzera (Italian).
Administrative division: 20 cantons, 6 cantons
Capital: Administrative: Bern, 349,000 residents; Legal: Lausanne, 122,284 residents (2008).
Other important cities: Zurich, 958,100 residents; Geneva, 172,900 residents; Basel 163,600 residents (2000).
Government: Doris Leuthard, President of the Council of State in 2017. Since January 2016, Walter Thurnherr is the country’s chancellor. Parliamentary Republic with strong elements of direct democracy. Parliament has two chambers: the 46-member Cabinet and the 200-member National Assembly. The executive power is vested in the 7-member Federal Council elected by Parliament. The term of office is 4 years. The Bureau rotates annually among the leaders of the four coalition parties in power.
National Day: August 1 (1291, founding of the Confederation Switzerland)
Armed Forces: 3,400 regular soldiers (1995) and over 28,000 recruits annually. They complete a 15-week course
Paramilitary Forces: Civil Defense 480,000.