Switzerland: Introduction

Switzerland is a landlocked country in Central Europe. Neighboring countries include Austria, France, Italy, Liechtenstein, and Germany. The geography of Switzerland is mostly mountains (Alps in the south, Jura in the northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes. The government system is formally a confederation but similar in structure to a federal republic; the president is the chief of state and head of government. Switzerland has a modern market economy in which the prices of goods and services are determined in a free price system. Switzerland is a member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).