ABOUT SWITZERLAND
Switzerland is a small, landlocked country in the heart of Europe. It has a strategic location at the crossroads of central Europe with many easily traversable passes ("Passstrasse", short term "Pass"). Switzerland is a major player in international trade and follows a liberal trade policy so, while this is not an ideal market for companies new to exporting, it has potential for more established exporters. The Swiss, who enjoy one of the world's highest levels of income per person, have a taste for well-designed, quality products. The climate is temperate but varies with altitude.
GEOGRAPHY & CLIMATE :
The weather in Switzerland varies greatly between different places. The highest snow received at Rochers de Nave, a mountain near Montreux (VD) with approximately 260 cm per year.
CURRENCY :
EDUCATION :
There are eight Universitäten ("universities") in Switzerland, six of them are run by a canton, and two are run by the confederation. In general, the universities run by the cantons provide non-technical subjects, whereas the universities run by the confederation provide technical subjects. The later are therefore called "Swiss federal institutes of technology". To be able to attend a university, a student must own a graduation diploma. The study at a university usually lasts four and a half years.
MAJOR CITIES :
Altenrhein, Basel, Bern Chiasso Chur, Geneva, Lausanne, Lugano, Luzern, St. Gallen, Zürich.
