Western Europe.

GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).

41,284 sq km (15,940 sq miles).

7.4 million (official estimate 2005).

181 per sq km.

Bern. Population: 127,000 (2005).

Switzerland is bordered by France to the west, Germany to the north, Austria to the east and Italy to the south. It has the highest mountains in Europe, with waterfalls and lakes set amid green pastures. The highest peaks are Dufour Peak, 4634m (15,217ft), on the Italian border; the Dom, 4545m (14,912ft); the Matterhorn, 4478m (14,692ft); and the Jungfrau, 4166m (13,669ft).

The present constitution dates back to 1874. There are 26 cantons (three of which are subdivided) and more than 3000 communes. The Federal Assembly is bicameral, comprising a Council of State (upper house) with 46 members and a 200-strong National Council (lower house) whose members are elected every four years. Executive power is vested in the seven-member Federal Council, elected by the Assembly and headed by an annually elected president. Whatever the legislators decide, however, the Swiss people are aware that they can take the issue to referendum by raising 100,000 signatures. Popular referenda are a routine feature of Swiss political life.

Federal Republic since 1848. Head of State and Government: President Moritz Leuenberger since 2005. Recent history: Switzerland has long traditions of neutrality in its relations with the rest of the world, and it is not a member of the EU. There was a referendum in 2001 on whether to open talks about joining or not, and the result was negative. Nine years before membership of the European Economic Area was also rejected by referendum. Relations between Switzerland and the EU are now based on a wide range of bilateral agreements. There are signs that things may be slowly changing, however, as a referendum in 2005 supported membership of the EU, Schengen and Dublin agreements, bringing Switzerland into Europe's passport-free zone and increasing cooperation on crime and asylum issues. A further referendum the same year opened the job market to workers from the 10 newest EU member countries. On 10 December 2003, the National Assembly decided that the so-called 'Magic Formula' – in place since 1959 - regarding the composition of the Federal Council would have to change as a result of the right-wing Swiss People’s Party’s electoral success that same Autumn. There are seven seats in the Federal Council, and under the old formula, the four main parties divided these between them (two seats each for the Radicals, Christian Democrats and Social Democrats and one seat for the Swiss People's Party) in an effort to try to ensure that the main languages, religions and regions were represented in the Council. However, in 2003, the Swiss People's Party gained a seat at the expense of the Christian Democratic Party.

German in central and eastern areas, French in the west and Italian in the south. Raeto-Romansch is spoken in the southeast. English is spoken by many. Overlapping cultural influences characterise the country.

Roman Catholic (43 per cent) and Protestant (47 per cent).

It is customary to give unwrapped flowers to the hostess when invited for a meal. Avoid red roses; never give chrysanthemums or white asters as they are considered funeral flowers. Informal wear is widely acceptable. First-class restaurants, hotel dining rooms and important social occasions may warrant jackets and ties. Black tie is usually specified when required.

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