Switzerland, one of Europe's smallest countries, is located in the heart of Europe, surrounded by France, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein and Italy. Its size is about equal to the combined areas of Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Approximately 70 percent of the country is covered by mountains. Of the country's seven million people, about 18 percent of them speak French. There are three other languages and each culture tries to enjoy each other's differences, rather than fight over them. The literacy rate is 100 percent: the best in the world.

In keeping with its tradition of neutrality, Switzerland voted to become a non-member of the European Union (EU). Since the country is separate, they use the Swiss franc. Swiss currency is quite beautiful, often printed with images of Swiss culture and the arts.

Switzerland's snow-covered mountains are world-famous as a winter paradise for skiing. One third of the Swiss people ski. Besides skiing down mountainsides, they enjoy cross-country skiing, bobsledding, tobogganing, snowboarding and skijoring. Skijoring involves riding on skis across a frozen lake or flat meadow, pulled by a galloping horse. In the summer, the Swiss enjoy climbing, hiking, bicycling, swimming, boating, river rafting, horseback riding and sports such as soccer. Another sport, Hornussen, played only in Switzerland, is a sport that resembles baseball, but uses a wooden disc instead of a ball. Two teams swing eight-foot wooden clubs and fielders catch the disc with wooden rackets.

French-speaking Swiss have a reputation for being easy-going, friendly and open and the Swiss in general are known to be a very polite and hardworking people. They usually go to bed early, though there is a lively nightlife in the French-speaking cities of Geneva and Lausanne. There is a cathedral in Lausanne that is known as the finest gothic building in all of Switzerland. Geneva is famous for its lakeside parks, warm summer temperatures, and the Palais des Nations make it one of Switzerland's most visited cities. Geneva was where the meetings were held to form the United Nations.

Typical Swiss food is healthy and always based on fresh ingredients. Many dishes feature cheese and milk. Depending on the region, there are differences among the Italian, French and German cooking styles. For instance, out of the amazing variety of wonderful breads, there is a long, thin, white bread called Parisette that is served daily in the French-speaking regions.