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SWITZERLANDInteresting Facts About SwitzerlandBy : Julianne Shea

ReligionPopulationCustomsGovernmentSports ClimateEducation Food & drinkMapsFlag CurrencyCurrent eventsPicturesI Spy SomethingFun facts QuizINDEX

ReligionSwitzerland has no official religion; however, the two churches that are most recognized country-wide are the Catholic Church and Swiss Reformed Church.Christianity is the most popular religion.Of all of the minor religions practiced in Switzerland, the largest is Islam.

PopulationIn 2009 the population was 7,782,400, which represents an increase over 2007 of 7,593,500.

CustomsA bottle of wine is a standard gift when invited to someone's house.For business, an exceptional gift is Swiss chocolate

GovernmentSwitzerland’s government: Federal RepublicThe Swiss government is ruled with a parliamentary system, which consists of an executive branch (executes laws) and legislative branch (makes laws). Switzerland has a head of government and head of state.The head of government is known as the Federal Chancellor. The current chancellor is Corina Casanova.The head of state is a figure head (such as a queen, princess, king or prince).

SportsThe Swiss participate in many sports. Two that are unique to their country are Schwingen and boulder throwing.Schwingen is a type of Swiss wrestling. Each wrestler wears special pants. Each wrestler grabs the waistband of his opponent with his right hand and a band on his opponent's leg with his left hand. Then he tries to lift his opponent, throw him down and hold his back to the ground. When a wrestler loses both handholds or when his shoulder blades touch the ground, he is defeated. Traditionally a man's sport, women are now starting to compete. (Sorry boys.) Another competition that the Swiss compete in is boulder throwing. The competitor who throws an 83.5-kilogram granite stone the farthest is the winner.

climateSummer-can go up to 86 degreesWinter-rarely drops below 5 degrees

EducationEvery child has to attend at least elementary school.Children don’t have to attend kindergarten. They usually are six or seven when they do attend.Volksschule means elementary school. There are two types of schools: private or public.There are only five universities in Switzerland.

Food & DrinkSwiss culinary tastes are world famous. A few of the most well known include chocolate, dairy and wine. Chocolate: The Swiss started making chocolate in the 17th century. Some of the original Swiss chocolate manufacturers have grown into the world’s largest and most famous companies including Nestlé's and Kraft Foods. The Swiss eat chocolate all day long. (There is never a bad time to eat chocolate.)Dairy: Cheese, yogurt and milk are a staple in the Swiss diet. The best known Swiss dairy export is Swiss cheese. Dairy is consumed for all three meals.Wine: Swiss weather and fertile ground create one of the world’s best environments for making wine. Although wine is served at most dinners, it is not uncommon for the Swiss to drink wine at lunch. Children are also known to drink a small glass with their meals.Swiss culinary tastes are world famous. A few of the most well known include chocolate, dairy and wine. Chocolate: The Swiss started making chocolate in the 17th century. Some of the original Swiss chocolate manufacturers have grown into the world’s largest and most famous companies including Nestlé's and Kraft Foods. The Swiss eat chocolate all day long. (There is never a bad time to eat chocolate.)

Dairy: Cheese, yogurt and milk are a staple in the Swiss diet. The best known Swiss dairy export is Swiss cheese. Dairy is consumed for all three meals.

Wine: Swiss weather and fertile ground create one of the world’s best environments for making wine. Although wine is served at most dinners, it is not uncommon for the Swiss to drink wine at lunch. Children are also known to drink a small glass with their meals.mapsCapital – BernLargest city – Zurich

FLAGThe red part of the flag means hardiness bravery strength & valor.The white part of the flag means peace and honesty.

currencyThe official Swiss currency is the franc.Within the past 10-15 years when the European Union was formed, all countries in western Europe were invited to join. Those that did got rid of their own currency and converted to the European Union’s “Euro”, which is the standard currency in western Europe.The Swiss have chosen not to join the European Union and are one of the last western European countries that have kept their original currency.

Current EventsWomen take control of Swiss governmentFor the first time in its history, the majority of the government’s seven-member council are women.The Swiss continue to honor Mark TwainAlthough he did not live in Switzerland, the author continues to be honored in the city of Lucerne. The residents of this town recently established a walking trail and and a city tour of where Twain lived while a visitor here.

SWITZERLAND’S PARLIMENT2006 world cup-SwitzerlandCastle in SwitzerlandSwiss cheeseBuilding in GenevaFLAGCapital- BernArmyknifechocolateSwiss army

I Spy SomethingThis game can be played by two to five people. It lasts between five seconds and five minutes. There is a questioner and the others have to guess what color object that he/she is thinking of. (example…it is the green plant.) The questioner, instead of saying yes or no, he/she says warm, warmer, hot or cold, colder, very cold to give a hint of which direction the green object is. Whoever finds out what the questioner is thinking of first, wins.

FUN FACTSThe average Swiss eats 23 pounds of chocolate each year.Switzerland has more than 1,500 lakes.Every citizen is required by law to have a bomb shelter or have access to one.Women are expected to live 6 years longer than menSwiss army knives are red so they can be seen in the snow

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