Flag Description

red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the center that does not extend to the edges of the flag; various medieval legends purport to describe the origin of the flag; a white cross used as identification for troops of the Swiss Confederation is first attested at the Battle of Laupen (1339)

Background:The Swiss Confederation was founded in 1291 as a defensive alliance among three cantons. In succeeding years, other localities joined the original three. The Swiss Confederation secured its independence from the Holy Roman Empire in 1499. A constitution of 1848, subsequently modified in 1874, replaced the confederation with a centralized federal government. Switzerland's sovereignty and neutrality have long been honored by the major European powers, and the country was not involved in either of the two world wars. The political and economic integration of Europe over the past half century, as well as Switzerland's role in many UN and international organizations, has strengthened Switzerland's ties with its neighbors. However, the country did not officially become a UN member until 2002. Switzerland remains active in many UN and international organizations but retains a strong commitment to neutrality.

Total Area: 41,277 sq km

Land Area:39,997 sq km

Water Area:1,280 sq km

Land Boundries Total:1,770 km

Border Countries:Austria 158 km, France 525 km, Italy 698 km, Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 348 km

Coastline:0 km (landlocked)

Lowest Point:Lake Maggiore 195 m

Highest Point:Dufourspitze 4,634 m

Population:8,061,516 (July 2014 est.)

Population Growth Rate:0.78% (2014 est.)

Religion:Roman Catholic 38.2%, Protestant 26.9%, Muslim 4.9%, other Christian 5.7%, other 1.6%, none 21.4%, unspecified 1.3% (2012 est.)

Literacy(%):0.99

Literacy(%) Male:0.99

Literacy(%) Female:99% (2003 est.)

Independence Day:1 August 1291 (founding of the Swiss Confederation)

National Holiday:Founding of the Swiss Confederation, 1 August (1291)

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