Switzerland
Switzerland The Swiss Confederation is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the headquarters of the federal authorities. Switzerland is located in western Europe, where it is bordered by Germany to the north, France to the west, Italy to the south, Austria and Liechtenstein to the east. The Swiss Confederation was formed over several centuries, but since the end of the thirteenth century it has been distinguished by its keenness on neutrality and its distance from entering into wars with its neighbors. Although it is located in the heart of the European continent, it is distinguished from most of its neighboring countries by its religious and linguistic diversity and its adherence to the practice of direct democracy. Switzerland is also the cradle of the Red Cross; it is home to a large number of international organizations, including the second largest United Nations office. At the European level, it is a founding member of the European Free Trade ...