Switzerland (officially: Swiss Confederation) is a country in central Europe. It borders on France, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein and Italy. Switzerland is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons. The capital of the country is Bern (also spelt as Berne). The southern half of the country is located in the mountainous region of central Europe, the northern half presents a beautiful terrain formed by lakes and hills. Switzerland is relatively small, it has an area of 41,284 square kilometres (15,940 square miles). Its population is about 7.5 million people. It is also a peculiar country because it is multilingual and has four national languages: German, French, Italian and Romansh. The important Swiss industries include banking, tourism, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, precision instruments and others.

Switzerland: a Popular Holiday Destination

The rich national culture and the picturesque alpine landscapes of Switzerland make it one of the most popular holiday destinations. If you visit Switzerland in summer (it lasts roughly from June to September), you’ll enjoy the warm climate and see the beauty of the nature in this region. On the other hand, many tourists come here in summer, so the places of interest can be pretty crowded and the prices are often relatively high. Moreover, accommodation might present a problem in this season. That is why some people prefer spring and autumn. Those who like winter sports come to the resorts in the Alps in December. The season lasts until April when the snow starts to melt.