- published: 06 Jun 2016
- views: 6899
Switzerland (German: die Schweiz[ˈʃvaɪts]; French: Suisse [sɥis(ə)]; Italian: Svizzera [ˈzvit͡sːɛra]; Romansh: Svizra [ˈʒviːtsrɐ] or [ˈʒviːtsʁːɐ]), in its full name the Swiss Confederation (Latin: Confoederatio Helvetica, hence its abbreviation CH), is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in western Europe, where it is bordered by Germany to the north, France to the west, Italy to the south, and Austria and Liechtenstein to the east.
Switzerland is a landlocked country geographically divided between the Alps, the Swiss Plateau and the Jura, spanning an area of 41,285 km2 (15,940 sq mi). While the Alps occupy the greater part of the territory, the Swiss population of approximately 8 million people is concentrated mostly on the Plateau, where the largest cities are to be found. Among them are the two global cities and economic centres of Zurich and Geneva.
The Swiss Confederation has a long history of armed neutrality—it has not been in a state of war internationally since 1815—and did not join the United Nations until 2002. It pursues, however, an active foreign policy and is frequently involved in peace-building processes around the world. Switzerland is also the birthplace of the Red Cross and home to a large number of international organizations, including the second largest UN office. On the European level, it is a founding member of the European Free Trade Association and is part of the Schengen Area – although it is notably not a member of the European Union, nor the European Economic Area.
Jacob please don't go
I love you, I do
I'd follow your tracks through the snow just to find you
It's true
Cause I am Switzerland
The neutral starts here
I'm gray matter
Between a field of red
and a river of sun
I am content to be in the middle of my two loves
Edward can't you see
I'd die without you here
I'd cease to exist
So never let me go
Promise oh dear
I know you'll always be here
Cause I am Switzerland
The neutral starts here
I'm gray matter
Between a field of red
And a river of sun
I am content to be in the middle of my two loves
Why can't I have both?
Why do I have to choose?
They're both a part of me
Now they're both singing the blues
Cause I am Switzerland
The neutral starts here
I'm gray matter
Between a field of red
And a river of sun