COUNTRY PROFILE: 
                                          SWITZERLAND

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Located in the geographical centre of Europe, Switzerland's long-standing neutral status has given it a political stability that has helped it become one of the world's wealthiest countries.

OVERVIEW

| FACTS | LEADERS | MEDIA

Although having declined both UN and Nato membership, Switzerland is 
a global financial centre and home to many international bodies, including 
the International Committee of the Red Cross and the World Trade Organisation.

The same four-party coalition has been in power for decades, but there have been recent rises in support for right-wing and green minority parties.

Uniquely in Europe, important decisions often rest on the results of national referenda.

Although the country was not directly involved in World Wars I or II, Swiss banks have been under fire for failing to help return deposited funds to the relatives of victims of the Nazi Holocaust.

FACTS

President  Moritz Leuenberger

SWITZERLAND FACTS Population: 7 million Capital: Bern Major languages: German, French, Italian, Romansch Major religion: Christianity Life expectancy: 75 years (men), 82 years (women) Monetary unit: 1 Swiss Franc = 100 centimes Main exports: Machinery and electronics, chemicals, precision instruments, watches Average annual income: US $38,380 Internet domain: .ch International dialling code: +41

LEADERS

President: Moritz Leuenberger

Under Switzerland's rotating presidency system, Moritz Leuenberger holds the post in 2001.

Born in 1946, he studied law at the University of Zürich and ran his own legal practice from 1972 to 1991.

Leuenberger joined the Social Democratic Party (SP) in 1969.

In May 1991 he was elected to the Cantonal Council of Zurich, where he was director of justice and internal affairs until he resigned at the end of October 1995.

Foreign Minister: Joseph Deiss Interior Minister: Ruth Dreifuss Finance Minister: Kaspar Villiger

MEDIA

Switzerland's press has full editorial freedom and mainly operates along regional lines which reflect the country's linguistic divisions.

There is a large overspill of foreign broadcasts available, giving the average Swiss household more than 20 TV channels.

The broadcasting market is dominated by the public service Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG/SSR), but many private radio and television stations operate at regional level.

Neue Zürcher Zeitung Tages-Anzeiger

Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, which includes: SF-DRS - in German RTSI - in Italian TSR - in French

Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, which includes: SR-DRS - German language RSR - French language RSI - Italian language RR - Romansch; and Swiss Radio International (Swissinfo) - external broadcaster, news pages in English

Swiss News Agency (SDA/ATS)

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