Switzerland

Switzerland


Education

There are five different levels of education in Switzerland. They are kindergarten, elementary school, apprenticeship, secondary school, and university. Kindergarten is not required to go to but most children go. They do not learn to read and write but they develop social capabilities and learn to sit and be quiet and pay attention to the teacher . Elementary school is mandatory for all Swiss children. Elementary school starts at the age of seven and lasts at least eight but usually nine years. In Switzerland, most kids start an apprenticeship after elementary school. Depending on the profession, an apprenticeship takes two to four years. Apprenticeships include all kinds of professions, from mechanics, to a carpenter, to a baker or a hairdresser, to an office worker. Secondary schools a school that teaches Latin plus at least two other languages, but also includes the math and science subjects as well. There are eleven universities in Switzerland, nine of them are run by a canton (one of the states run by the Swiss confederation), and two are run by the confederation.

Culture

One of the key features in Switzerland is it’s cultural diversity. The people who live in this country today have their origins in several different cultures. The most obvious result of this cultural variety is the factthat their are four different official languages: German (74%), French (20%), Italian (4%), Romansch (1%), with the remaining 1% speaking other languages.

Anthem

When the morning skies grow red and over us their radiance shed Thou, O Lord, appeareth in their light when the Alps glow bright with splendor, pray to God, to Him surrender for you feel and understand that He dwelleth in this land. In the sunset Thou art night and beyond starry sky Thou, O loving father, every 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. When the 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 cower with Thy sunshine’s cleansing power then we’ll feel and understand that God dwelleth in this land.

Geography

About two thirds of the area of Switzerland is covered with forests, lakes, and mountains. Since Switzerland has no mineral resources, it must import, process and resell them as products.

Economy

Services are the most important part of the economy. This includes banking, assurances, and tourism. Farming is also an important part of the economy. But the production of the Swiss farmers does not fulfill the needs of all people, so switzerland must rely on imparted goods from other countries. About 40% of the Swiss population is employed in the industry, trade, and handicraft. More than 50% of the population is employed in the territory sector. This sector includes banking, assurances, and tourism and so on. Banking is one of the most important businesses in Switzerland. Many of the banks have started to use the internet for business purposes.

Miscellaneous
    Location- Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy
    Area- 41,285 km2
    Highest elevation-     Mount Monte Rosa 4,634 m.a.s.
    Lowest elevation- Lake Maggiore 193 m.a.s.
    Time zone- Central european time zone
    Largest lake- Lake Geneva 584 km2
    Climate- Temperate, but varies with altitude’ cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, clody, humid summers with occasional showers.
    Terrain- Mostly mountains, with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes.
    Government-Federal republic
    Capital- Bern
    National holiday- Founding of the Swiss confederation (1, August)
    Geographic coordinates- 47 N 8 E
    Population- 7,318,638
    Religion- Roman Catholic (46.1%), Protestant (40%), other (5%), and none (8.9)

Bibliography
Created by: Cody and Nick
Date created: April 1, 2004
Return to Countries Project Page