7,085,000 (1997).

171.6 per sq km.

Bern.

129,400 (1997).

Switzerland is bordered by France to the west, Germany to the north, Austria to the east and Italy to the south. It has the highest mountains in Europe, with waterfalls and lakes set amid green pastures. The highest peaks are Dufour Peak, 4634m (15,217ft), on the Italian border; the Dom, 4545m (14,912ft); the Matterhorn, 4478m (14,692ft); and the Jungfrau, 4166m (13,669ft).

Federal Republic since 1848. Head of State and Government: President Adolf Ogi since 2000.

65-70% German in central and eastern areas, 19% French in the west and 8% Italian in the south. Raeto-Romansch is spoken in the southeast by 1%. English is spoken by many. Overlapping cultural influences characterise the country.

Roman Catholic (49%) and Protestant (48%).

GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).

220 volts AC, 50Hz.

Telephone: Full IDD is available. Country code: 41. Outgoing international code: 00. Phonecards are available for use in payphones. Fax: Facilities are available in all telegraph offices, most major hotels and post offices. Telegram: These can be sent from post offices or arranged by dialling 110 on the telephone. Post: Airmail within Europe takes three days. Poste Restante is available at all post offices. Post office hours: 0730-1200 and 1345-1830 Monday to Friday. Saturday closing is at 1100 except in major cities. Press: The high level of interest in local politics throughout Switzerland has led to a large number of regional newspapers. However, the most popular dailies are Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Blick and Tages-Anzeiger Zürich. European and international newspapers in English including The Herald Tribune and USA Today are also widely available.