Please find below some of the key facts about Switzerland. More general information can be found here.

Population: 8.6 Millions

Capital: Bern (Population: 143,043)

Main cities: Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland (Population:  434, 736); Geneva is the most international city in Switzerland (Population:  203,736)

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

Location: In the heart of Europe, neighbouring countries are France, Germany, Austria, Italy and Lichtenstein

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

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

Travel time: Approximately 1 hour 10 min by plane or 6 hours 30 mins 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 (4,634 m above sea level), Dom, Valais (4,545 m above sea level), Weisshorn, Valais (4,506 m above sea level), Matterhorn, Valais (4,478 m above sea level)

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

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

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

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

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

Number of lakes: 6,750

Number of glaciers: 112