About 22 percent in western Switzerland speak French, while Italian represents about eight percent mostly in the southern canton of Ticino. Only a small minority less than one percent of the Swiss speak Romansch. A standing Helvetia figure is featured on the Swiss two-franc coin resting her hand on the Swiss coat of arms.
Helvetia is also the symbolic Swiss female figure similar to the US Lady Liberty that dates from the late s, and is also depicted on some Swiss coins. That name is derived from the Celtic Helvetii people who first entered the area around B. Helvetia was also the Roman name for the region that is now western Switzerland.
Switzerland Today Modern Switzerland has maintained its independent, isolationist, neutral attitude by refusing to join the European Union or to use the euro currency. The Swiss franc CHF has been in use since Switzerland did not become a full member of the United Nations until Women were not allowed to vote or hold office at the federal level in Switzerland until Although not a member of the European Union EU , Switzerland has cooperative agreements with all of its bordering countries and most of the EU.
Next Switzerland: Facts and Figures. You must be logged in to post a comment. The farmers managed to compensate the losses by joining together to form agricultural co-operatives and exporting dairy products like chocolate, condensed milk and cheese. The chemical industry and the machine-building industry developed and complemented the textile industry and watch- and clock-making industry.
Railway building was a significant factor in this expansion in order to be able to export products quickly. The amount of track was more than doubled between and , and the major achievement was the opening of the Gotthard tunnel in The horse post coaches were replaced by post cars from Trains and post cars still play a major role in today's transportation. Most places in Switzerland can be reached by public transport, or sometimes by public transport only.
The rail station and post office often are central places in many towns, where one also finds other services like the tourist information, ATM's and shops. Switzerland maintained its neutrality during the First World War between and , although there were differing opinions among Swiss communities.
The civilian army was mobilized which affected wages, while food prices doubled. This period shows a shift away from production towards services, which is still an important sector in Switzerland. Switzerland also did not get involved in the Second World War between and Germany made clear that it did not appreciate a country with such a cultural diversity, as it did not fit their racist philosophy and propaganda.
Certain Swiss politicians inclined towards a policy of conciliation with the Nazis. Censors tried to suppress journalistic resistance against the Nazis, and the granting of asylum to refugees was severely limited at the German's behest. Switzerland emphasized its ability to defend itself in order to prevent being attacked, and mobilized everyone eligible for militairy service.
With a lot of difficulty Switzerland managed to maintain its neutrality again. In many respects, thriving Switzerland makes rather progressive choices. There are far-reaching measurements in order to protect the environment and living conditions, the services sector is of excellent quality, there is modern industry, a good network of transportation and the population has a great deal of influence on political decisions such as the construction of major infrastructural projects.
However, in other areas, choices that have been made in surrounding countries are adopted by the Swiss rather late: it was not until that the Swiss chose to entitle women to vote. The choice to be neutral and independent that had been made years earlier resulted in a large majority of the population that voted against joining in the UN United Nations in Switzerland did accept to actively join some special agencies and UN-programs. One of the results was the establishment of the European UN headquarters in Geneva.
Switzerland does not share the opinion of many other countries to have a single European currency. For the time being, the country holds on to its Swiss franc while surrounding countries are using the Euro. Swiss neutrality remains subject of discussion. By that, many trading barriers between the involved countries were cleared. In March , the Swiss people again got the chance to express their opinion on participating in the UN United Nations.
President Villiger emphasized that Switzerland joins the UN as a neutral country, always in accordance with the wishes of the Swiss people but in the interest of global solidarity as well.
It allowed Switzerland to simplify border checks as surrounding countries were Schengen members already, and checks on the external borders of Schengen are very strict.
Active participation to Schengen started on 12 December, Switzerland is not a member of the European Union or the Eurozone countries using the uro as their currency. Meanwhile, other important decisions have been made too. Switzerland is a major transit country for both passengers and freight between northern and southern Europe. The Swiss people voted for expanding rail traffic rather than road traffic, although maintaining existing roads is a priority too.
As a result, sensitive alpine regions remain attractive to locals and tourists, CO 2 emission is limited, traveling times are reduced and transport capacity is growing. On the Zurich to Italy route, the Gotthard base tunnel was opened in December Planning your trip is much easier with a free MySwissAlps account.
Learn all about Switzerland and get in touch with us quickly if you have questions. Learn more. Book 11 months in advance. Stone Age Hunters using weapons and tools made from stones in Europe. Bronze Age Weapons and tools made from bronze. Iron Age Helvetians Weapons and tools made from iron. Celtic tribes all over Western Europe. Roman Period Helvetians stopped by roman commander C.
Julius Cesar when trying to move towards Southern France. Switzerland occupied by roman troops, beginning of written history in this region. Feudal system. Monasteries keep up roman and greek heritage reading and writing and develop new agricultural methods. Cities join the confederacy. They conquer territories in northern and southern Switzerland. Calvin's doctrine has influenced denominations in many other countries. A few families control state affairs.
Several rebellions put down by military force: repressed aspects of history in a country so proud of it's tradition of democracy. Farmers in occupied territories become free citizens.
Centralistic parliamentary republic according to French model. Occupation by French troops and some battles of Napoleon vs. Austria and Russia in Switzerland. French emperor Napoleon enforces a constitution negociated under his "mediation" - Restauration Confederacy reestablished, however with 22 cantons [member states]. Liberals in minority position. Some federal states with liberal governments and new constitutions.
The conservative catholic governments of some cantons [federal states] set up a secret Special Alliance ["Sonderbund"] against the liberal governments of other cantons.
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