SWITZERLAND Globus（瑞士球）.pdfVIP

SWITZERLAND Capital: Bern Language: German, French, Italian, Rumantsch Population: 7.8 million Time Zone: EST plus 6 hours Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF) Electricity: 230V. 50Hz Fun Facts ● In Switzerland, a new president is elected every year, while seven members of the Swiss Federal Council (Executive branch) are elected every four years. Switzerland is the first and only country to implement a peoples rights system of government—also called direct democracy—involving the constitutional initiative (public petitions) and referendum. ● Switzerland has the second-highest life expectancy in Europe (after Sweden). ● The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was founded in 1863 in Geneva, and it is still based there. Switzerland is a small treasure hidden amongst the Alps with idyllic, peaceful mountain scenery, breathtaking panoramas, unspoilt lakes, dark wooden chalets bedecked with flowers, the relaxing sound of cow bells, a warm atmosphere of friendship around a cheese fondue, spotless ski runs, and picturesque, friendly towns, including the capital (Bern), Lucerne, Zermatt, and Lugano. Who could imagine such a variety of attractions, ways of life, culture, and traditions in such a small country? One-tenth the size of California with a population of almost eight million, Switzerland is also an economic miracle. Because 70% of its territory is covered by mountains with no raw materials (except water, which besides providing magnificent scenery with glaciers, rivers, and nearly 1500 lakes, yields vital hydro-electric power), and it has four diff