SITUATION
Switzerland is a federal state in Central and Western Europe, made up of 26 cantons. It is bordered by Germany to the north, Austria and Liechtenstein to the east-northeast, Italy to the south and southeast and France to the west. It is a landlocked country, geographically divided between the Alps, which occupy 60% of the territory, the Swiss Plateau and the Jura.

AREA
Total: 41,291 square kilometers.

POPULATION
Total: 9,002,763 (2024).

CLIMATE
The climate of Switzerland is a transitional temperate climate, influenced by the oceanic climate of Western Europe, the humid continental climate of Central Europe, the Mediterranean climate and the mountain climate. Precipitation is distributed throughout the year, sometimes in the form of snow in winter. The four seasons are well marked, with a difference of around 20°C between the average temperature of the hottest month (July) and the coldest month (January).

CAPITAL
The capital is Bern and the largest cities are Zurich, Geneva, Basel and Lausanne.