Population: 8.6 million

Capital: Bern (population: 143,043)

Main cities: Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland (population: 434,736), while the second-largest city of Geneva (population: 203,736) is the most international

Area: 41,285km2 (roughly the size of Wales)

Location: At the heart of Europe, neighbouring countries are France, Germany, Austria, Italy and Liechtenstein

Languages: German (64%), French (19%), Italian (7.5%), Romansch (0.7%). Most people speak and understand English too!

Airlines: SWISS, British Airways, EasyJet, Helvetic, Edelweiss

Travel time: Approximately 1hr10 by plane or 8.5 hours by train

Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF)

Government: Parliamentary Federal State since 1848 direct democracy. The Swiss Confederation consists of 20 full cantons and 6 half cantons. Switzerland is not a member of the EU.

Highest mountains: Dufourspitze, Valais (4,634m above sea level), Dom, Valais (4,545m above sea level), Weisshorn, Valais (4,506m above sea level), Matterhorn, Valais (4,478m above sea level)

Lowest point: Lago Maggiore, Ticino (193m above sea level)

Largest lake in Switzerland: Lac de Neuchâtel (218km2)

Highest waterfall in Europe: Mürrenbach Falls, Bernese Oberland (750m above sea level)

Highest vineyard in Europe: Visperterminen, Valais (1,100m above sea level)

Longest glacier in Europe: Aletsch Glacier, Valais (24km, 117km2)

Number of lakes: 6,750

Number of glaciers: 112