History: * The Swiss confederation achieved independence from the Holy Roman Empire in 1648 * Remained neutral in World war 1 and 2. * 1963 joined the Council of Europe * September 10 2002 abounded their neutrality to become the 190th member of the U.N. * 1648 declaration of independence Switzerland becomes an independent nation * 2011 they had a female president. 1st female president in 1999 * Women did not have the right to vote or to hold office until 1971. * Inhabited by the Celtsin in the West, Helvetii in the North, Raetians in the East. * August 1st is national day. Similar to the fourth of July a lot of fireworks. * Strong local government. * The Swiss National Park, founded in 1914, is the oldest in the Alps. * Bellinzona are among the most important examples of medieval defensive architecture in the Alps. With its castles, walls, towers, battlements and gates, this impressive fortress is a source of wonder and amazement. Bellinzona was a very important line of defence for the ancient Romans, and the first written reference dates back to 590.

Population: * 7.5 million people * 55% Catholic. Others are Jews, Buddhists, and Mormon. Religion is not discussed in public. * Bern: Bern Historical Museum (Bernisches Historisches Museum) * This museum features furniture and other antiques that demonstrate how people have lived in Switzerland for the past two centuries. * Capital of Switerland is Bern * Largest city is Zunich which has 1,143 million people * Zurich, the most populous city of Switzerland, is famous for its financial institutions and shops on "Bahnhofstrasse" as well as for its superb art galleries - all coexisting happily side by side. Lake Zurich offers endless opportunities for swimming, sunbathing and pick nicking. * * Some of the highest mountains in the Apls. * The Matterhorn in Zermatt is certainly the most famous of all mountain peaks and is a must for every visitor of Switzerland. * As population growth curbs, the percentage of elderly people increases. The predicted age structure for 2050 is: * 0-20 years: 1,4 million (18%) * 20-64 years: 4,4 million (55%) * 65 and over: 2,2 million (27%) * More women then men. * life expectancy stands at 79.7 years for men and 84.4 years for women, for an overall average of 82.1 years for the populace as a whole.[11] * Culture: * French, German, and Italian are the main languages * Southwestern region speaks French. Romansch is a romance language. German is spoke is most regions along with English. * Environmentally friendly. * They all find unity together with the devotion to family, work, and pride in their country. * The flag has a white cross that represents the cross Jesus was put on. The background is red to represent Jesus blood. * Never more than 13 miles from a lake or river that you can safely swim in. * It’s only proper to eat fondue during the winter time. * In Neuhausen on the border to Germany, visitors see the Rhine River with its glorious spectacle of the largest waterfall in Europe.
Business:
* International Red Cross was founded in Geneva in 1863 * Unemployment rate is 3.1% * Natural resources are hydropower potential, timber, and salt. * Exports $308.3 billion each year * World leaders in technology, trade, and finance * Art is a part of their everyday life. About 980 art museums * The Swiss Art Council are culture programs that are very supported by the country *
Dress Attire * DO dress conservatively and neatly. * DO wear a suit and tie to a business meeting if you are a man or a suit or dress if you are a woman. * Table Manners * DON'T drink until after the first toast. The first toast is always given by the host. * DON'T rest your hands in your lap during a meal. Keep your hands on the table, but keep your elbows off the table! * DO use your fork to cut food such as salad and potatoes instead of a knife. * DO break bread with your hand, but most other food should be eaten with utensils. * DON'T ask for salt and pepper if it's not already on the table. * DO eat everything off your plate and sample a little bit of everything, especially when dining at someone's home. * Tipping * DON'T feel obligated to tip. A service charge is included in restaurants and hotels. However, in a more expensive restaurant, it is customary to round the bill up or leave a few extra Swiss Francs. * Gift Giving and Accepting Gifts * DON'T give anything sharp as a gift, such as knives or scissors. This signifies severing off the friendship. * DO give gifts such as books, candy, chocolate, pastries, wine, or whiskey. * DON'T give large or expensive gifts. It can be seen as tacky or even as a form of bribery. * DON'T give red roses or carnations, as they signify romantic intentions. White chrysanthemums and white lilies should be avoided too, because they're for funerals. Flowers should always be given in odd numbers. * Body Gestures * DO maintain good posture. * DON'T put your hands in your pockets while talking to people. * DON'T chew gum, litter, or clean your nails in public. * DON'T point your index finger to your head. It's considered an insulting gesture. * Greetings * DO shake hands upon meeting someone. Shake hands with all who are present, including children. * DON'T address someone by their first name until invited to do so. Use surnames and titles instead. * Language Etiquette * DO recognize that Switzerland has four official languages: German, Italian, French, and Romansch. Romansch is the least commonly spoken language in Switzerland. * Visitors Etiquette * DON'T ask your hosts for a tour of their home. * DON'T leave a party later than midnight. * DON'T put your feet up on the furniture. * DO be more than 30 minutes late to a dinner party, although showing up 15 minutes late is acceptable. * DON'T be more than 30 minutes late to a dinner party, although showing up 15 minutes late is acceptable. * Business Meetings * DO be on time and call with an explanation if you are running late. * DO give a business card to everyone you meet. * DO be conservative in business environments. There is not much small talk and meetings tend to be very orderly. * DO be prepared to give a gift in case you are offered one, although gifts are not usually exchanged at business meetings. * Socializing and Conversation * DO be polite. You will find that when talking to a waiter or a store employee, the Swiss will greet you with a "hello" or "excuse me", and say "please" and "thank you" a lot. It may seem overly formal, but not speaking this way can be viewed as rude. * DON'T ask personal questions, such as questions about salary, age, or religion. * DON'T speak loudly in public, especially on a cell phone.