Country Guide

Syria Facts

Geography People and Society Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues

Geography

Location:
Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Lebanon and Turkey


Geographic coordinates:
35 00 N, 38 00 E


Map references:
Middle East


Area:
total:185,180 sq kmcountry comparison to the world: 89
land:183,630 sq km
water:1,550 sq km
note:includes 1,295 sq km of Israeli-occupied territory


Area - comparative:
Area comparison map: '>


Land boundaries:
total:2,253 km
border countries:Iraq 605 km, Israel 76 km, Jordan 375 km, Lebanon 375 km, Turkey 822 km


Coastline:
193 km


Maritime claims:
territorial sea:12 nm
contiguous zone:24 nm


Climate:
mostly desert; hot, dry, sunny summers (June to August) and mild, rainy winters (December to February) along coast; cold weather with snow or sleet periodically in Damascus


    Terrain:
primarily semiarid and desert plateau; narrow coastal plain; mountains in west


Elevation extremes:
lowest point:unnamed location near Lake Tiberias -200 m
highest point:Mount Hermon 2,814 m


Natural resources:
petroleum, phosphates, chrome and manganese ores, asphalt, iron ore, rock salt, marble, gypsum, hydropower


Land use:
arable land:24.9%
permanent crops:5.69%
other:69.41% (2011)


Irrigated land:
13,410 sq km (2010)


Total renewable water resources:
16.8 cu km (2011)


Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
16.8 cu km (2011)

Natural hazards:
dust storms, sandstorms


Environment - current issues:
deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution from raw sewage and petroleum refining wastes; inadequate potable water


Environment - international agreements:
party to:Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:Environmental Modification


Geography - note:
the capital of Damascus - located at an oasis fed by the Barada River - is thought to be one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities; there are 41 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights (2010 est.)

People and Society

Nationality:
noun: Syrian(s)
adjective:Syrian


Ethnic groups:
Arab 90.3%, Kurds, Armenians, and other 9.7%


Languages:
Arabic (official), Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian (widely understood); French, English (somewhat understood)


Religions:
Muslim 87% (official; includes Sunni 74% and Alawi, Ismaili, and Shia 13%), Christian (includes Orthodox, Uniate, and Nestorian) 10% (includes Orthodox, Uniate, and Nestorian), Druze 3%, Jewish (few remaining in Damascus and Aleppo)


Population:
17,951,639country comparison to the world: 61
note:approximately 18,900 Israeli settlers live in the Golan Heights (2012) (July 2014 est.)



Age structure:
0-14 years:33.1% (male 3,046,922/female 2,898,060)
15-24 years:20.2% (male 1,833,802/female 1,789,854)
25-54 years:37.9% (male 3,406,744/female 3,396,756)
55-64 years:4.8% (male 429,644/female 440,980)
65 years and over:3.9% (male 320,946/female 387,931) (2014 est.)


Dependency ratios:
total dependency ratio:63.9 %
youth dependency ratio:57 %
elderly dependency ratio:6.9 %
potential support ratio:14.6 (2014 est.)


Median age:
total:23.3 years
male:22.9 years
female:23.7 years (2014 est.)


Population growth rate:
-9.73% (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 233


Birth rate:
22.76 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 74


Death rate:
6.51 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 151


Net migration rate:
-113.51 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 222


Urbanization:
urban population:56.1% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization:2.36% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)


Major urban areas - population:
Aleppo 3.164 million; DAMASCUS (capital) 2.65 million; Hims 1.369 million; Hamah 933,000 (2011)


Sex ratio:
at birth:1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years:1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years:1.03 male(s)/female
25-54 years:1 male(s)/female
55-64 years:1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.85 male(s)/female
total population:1.03 male(s)/female (2014 est.)


Maternal mortality rate:
70 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)


Infant mortality rate:
total:15.79 deaths/1,000 live birthscountry comparison to the world: 103
male:18.14 deaths/1,000 live births
female:13.31 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)


    Life expectancy at birth:
total population:68.41 yearscountry comparison to the world: 161
male:61.4 years
female:75.84 years (2014 est.)


Total fertility rate:
2.68 children born/woman (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 73


Contraceptive prevalence rate:
58.3% (2006)


Health expenditures:
3.7% of GDP (2011)


Physicians density:
1.5 physicians/1,000 population (2008)


Hospital bed density:
1.5 beds/1,000 population (2010)


Drinking water source:
improved:
urban: 92.3% of population
rural: 87.2% of population
total: 90.1% of population
unimproved:
urban: 7.7% of population
rural: 12.8% of population
total: 9.9% of population (2012 est.)


Sanitation facility access:
improved:
urban: 96.2% of population
rural: 95.1% of population
total: 95.7% of population
unimproved:
urban: 3.8% of population
rural: 4.9% of population
total: 4.3% of population (2012 est.)


HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2001 est.)country comparison to the world: 146


HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
fewer than 500 (2003 est.)country comparison to the world: 158


HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2003 est.)country comparison to the world: 110


Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
27.1% (2008)country comparison to the world: 41


Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
10.1% (2009)country comparison to the world: 70


Education expenditures:
5.1% of GDP (2009)country comparison to the world: 70

Literacy:
definition:age 15 and over can read and write
total population:84.1%
male:90.3%
female:77.7% (2011 est.)


School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total:12 years
male:12 years
female:12 years (2011)


Child labor - children ages 5-14:



Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
total:19.2%country comparison to the world: 63
male:15.3%
female:40.2% (2010)

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Syrian Arab Republic
conventional short form:Syria
local long form:Al Jumhuriyah al Arabiyah as Suriyah
local short form:Suriyah
former:United Arab Republic (with Egypt)


Government type:
republic under an authoritarian regime


Capital:
name:Damascus
geographic coordinates:33 30 N, 36 18 E
time difference:UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time:+1hr, begins midnight on the last Friday in March; ends at midnight on the first Friday in November


Administrative divisions:
14 provinces (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Hasakah, Al Ladhiqiyah (Latakia), Al Qunaytirah, Ar Raqqah, As Suwayda', Dar'a, Dayr az Zawr, Dimashq (Damascus), Halab, Hamah, Hims (Homs), Idlib, Rif Dimashq (Damascus Countryside), Tartus


Independence:
17 April 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration)


National holiday:
Independence Day, 17 April (1946)


Constitution:
several previous; latest issued 15 February 2012, passed by referendum 26 February 2012 (2013)


Legal system:
mixed legal system of civil and Islamic law (for family courts)


International law organization participation:
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt


Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal


Executive branch:
chief of state:President Bashar al-ASAD (since 17 July 2000); Vice President Farouk al-SHARA (since 21 February 2006); Vice President Najah al-ATTAR (since 23 March 2006)
head of government:Prime Minister Wael al-HALQI (since 9 August 2012); Deputy Prime Ministers Fahd Jasim al-FURAYJ, Lt. Gen. Walid al-MUALEM
cabinet:Council of Ministers appointed by the president; note - new Council appointed on 14 April 2011
elections:president approved by popular referendum (the 2012 constitution allows for two successive 7-year terms); referendum last held in 3 June 2014 (next to be held in June 2021); the president appoints the vice presidents, prime minister, and deputy prime ministers
election results:Bashar al-ASAD approved as president; percent of vote - Bashar al-ASAD 88.7%, Hassan al-NOURI 4.3%, Maher HAJJER 3.2%, other/invalid 3.8%


Legislative branch:
unicameral People's Assembly or Majlis al-Shaab (250 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections:last held on 7 May 2012 (next to be held in 2016)
election results:percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA


Judicial branch:
highest court(s):Court of Cassation (organized into civil, criminal, religious, and military divisions, each with 3 judges); Supreme Constitutional Court (consists of 4 members)
judge selection and term of office:Court of Cassation judges appointed by the Supreme Judicial Council or SJC, a judicial management body headed by the minister of justice with 7 members including the national president; judge tenure NA; Supreme Constitutional Court judges nominated by the president and appointed by the SJC; judges appointed for 4-year renewable terms
subordinate courts:courts of first instance; magistrates' courts; religious and military courts; Economic Security Court


    Political parties and leaders:
Free Syrian Army
Syrian Muslim Brotherhood or SMB [Muhammad Riyad al-SHAQFAH] (operates in exile in London)
Syrian Opposition Coalition or National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces [al-Asi- al-JARBAL]
note:there are also hundreds of local groups that organize protests and stage armed attacks


International organization participation:
ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)


Diplomatic representation in the US:
note:embassy ceased operation since 18 March 2014
chief of mission:Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Mounir KOUDMANI
chancery:2215 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:[1] (202) 232-6313
FAX:[1] (202) 265-4585


Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Robert Stephen FORD (since 7 January 2011); note - on 6 February 2012, the US closed its embassy in Damascus
embassy:Abou Roumaneh, Al-Mansour Street, No. 2, Damascus
mailing address:P. O. Box 29, Damascus
telephone:[963] (11) 3391-4444
FAX:[963] (11) 3391-3999


Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; two small, green, five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered in the white band; the band colors derive from the Arab Liberation flag and represent oppression (black), overcome through bloody struggle (red), to be replaced by a bright future (white); identical to the former flag of the United Arab Republic (1958-1961) where the two stars represented the constituent states of Syria and Egypt; the current design dates to 1980


National symbol(s):
hawk


National anthem:
name:'Humat ad-Diyar' (Guardians of the Homeland)

lyrics/music:Khalil Mardam BEY/Mohammad Salim FLAYFEL and Ahmad Salim FLAYFEL
note:adopted 1936, restored 1961; between 1958 and 1961, while Syria was a member of the United Arab Republic with Egypt, the country had a different anthem

Economy

Economy - overview:
Despite modest economic growth and reform prior to the outbreak of unrest, Syria's economy continues to deteriorate amid the ongoing conflict that began in 2011. The economy further contracted in 2013 because of international sanctions, widespread infrastructure damage, reduced domestic consumption and production, and sharply rising inflation. The government has struggled to address the effects of economic decline, which include dwindling foreign exchange reserves, rising budget and trade deficits, and the decreasing value of the Syrian pound. The ongoing conflict and economic decline have created a humanitarian crisis, prompting widespread need for international aid. Prior to the unrest, Damascus began liberalizing economic policies, including cutting lending interest rates, opening private banks, consolidating multiple exchange rates, raising prices on some subsidized items, and establishing the Damascus Stock Exchange. The economy remains highly regulated by the government. Long-run economic constraints include foreign trade barriers, declining oil production, high unemployment, rising budget deficits, increasing pressure on water supplies caused by heavy use in agriculture, rapid population growth, industrial expansion, and water pollution.


GDP (purchasing power parity):
$107.6 billion (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
$110.1 billion (2010 est.)
$106.5 billion (2009 est.)
note:data are in 2011 US dollars
the war driven deterioration of the economy resulted in a disappearance of quality national level statistics in 2012-13


GDP (official exchange rate):
$64.7 billion (2011 est.)


GDP - real growth rate:
-2.3% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 213
3.4% (2010 est.)


GDP - per capita (PPP):
$5,100 (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
$5,100 (2010 est.)
$5,200 (2010 est.)
note:data are in 2011 US dollars


Gross national saving:
5.4% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
12.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
15% of GDP (2011 est.)


GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption:68.3%
government consumption:19.7%
investment in fixed capital:20.1%
investment in inventories:9.3%
exports of goods and services:11.3%
imports of goods and services:-28.6%
(2013 est.)


GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture:17.6%
industry:22.2%
services:60.2% (2013 est.)


Agriculture - products:
wheat, barley, cotton, lentils, chickpeas, olives, sugar beets; beef, mutton, eggs, poultry, milk


Industries:
petroleum, textiles, food processing, beverages, tobacco, phosphate rock mining, cement, oil seeds crushing, automobile assembly


Industrial production growth rate:
-20.6% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194

Labor force:
5.014 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75


Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture:17%
industry:16%
services:67% (2008 est.)


Unemployment rate:
17.8% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
18% (2012 est.)


    Population below poverty line:
11.9% (2006 est.)


Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%:NA%
highest 10%:NA%


Budget:
revenues:$2.38 billion
expenditures:$7.56 billion (2013 est.)


Taxes and other revenues:
3.7% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 214

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-8% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194


Public debt:
58.9% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
52.4% of GDP (2012 est.)


Fiscal year:
calendar year


Inflation rate (consumer prices):
59.1% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 223
36.9% (2012 est.)


Central bank discount rate:
0.75% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
5% (31 December 2012 est.)


Commercial bank prime lending rate:
10.5% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
11.7% (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of narrow money:
$8.097 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
$16.78 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of broad money:
$12.77 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
$27.11 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of domestic credit:
$7.777 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
$17.41 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA


Current account balance:
-$5.879 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
-$6.706 billion (2012 est.)


Exports:
$2.675 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
$3.876 billion (2012 est.)


Exports - commodities:
crude oil, minerals, petroleum products, fruits and vegetables, cotton fiber, textiles, clothing, meat and live animals, wheat


Exports - partners:
Iraq 58.4%, Saudi Arabia 9.7%, Kuwait 6.4%, UAE 5.5%, Libya 4.1% (2012)


Imports:
$8.917 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
$10.78 billion (2012 est.)


Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, electric power machinery, food and livestock, metal and metal products, chemicals and chemical products, plastics, yarn, paper


Imports - partners:
Saudi Arabia 22.8%, UAE 11.2%, Iran 8.3%, China 7.3%, Iraq 6.8% (2012)


Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$1.895 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
$4.793 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Debt - external:
$9.796 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
$8.394 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Exchange rates:
Syrian pounds (SYP) per US dollar -
105.3 (2013 est.)
64.392 (2012 est.)
11.225 (2010 est.)
46.708 (2009)
46.5281 (2008)

Energy

Electricity - production:
43.76 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55


Electricity - consumption:
35.61 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57


Electricity - exports:
1.043 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57


Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203


Electricity - installed generating capacity:
8.323 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63


Electricity - from fossil fuels:
89.2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78


Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182


Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
10.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111


Electricity - from other renewable sources:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125


Crude oil - production:
182,500 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40


Crude oil - exports:
152,400 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34


Crude oil - imports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124


    Crude oil - proved reserves:
2.5 billion bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33


Refined petroleum products - production:
253,600 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48


Refined petroleum products - consumption:
258,800 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49


Refined petroleum products - exports:
36,210 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65


Refined petroleum products - imports:
104,800 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50


Natural gas - production:
7.87 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45


Natural gas - consumption:
9.63 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48


Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187


Natural gas - imports:
250 million cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69


Natural gas - proved reserves:
240.7 billion cu m (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45


Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
63.14 million Mt (2011 est.)

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use:
4.425 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 36


Telephones - mobile cellular:
12.928 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 66


Telephone system:
general assessment:fair system currently undergoing significant improvement and digital upgrades, including fiber-optic technology and expansion of the network to rural areas; the armed insurgency that began in 2011 has led to major disruptions to the network and has caused telephone and Internet outages throughout the country
domestic:the number of fixed-line connections has increased markedly since 2000; mobile-cellular service growing with telephone subscribership nearly 60 per 100 persons in 2011
international:country code - 963; submarine cable connection to Egypt, Lebanon, and Cyprus; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region); coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey; participant in Medarabtel (2011)



    Broadcast media:
state-run TV and radio broadcast networks; state operates 2 TV networks and a satellite channel; roughly two-thirds of Syrian homes have a satellite dish providing access to foreign TV broadcasts; 3 state-run radio channels; first private radio station launched in 2005; private radio broadcasters prohibited from transmitting news or political content (2007)


Internet country code:
.sy


Internet hosts:
416 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 187


Internet users:
4.469 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 52

Transportation

Airports
90 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 62


Airports - with paved runways
total:29
over 3,047 m:5
2,438 to 3,047 m:16
914 to 1,523 m:3
under 914 m:5 (2013)


Airports - with unpaved runways
total:61
1,524 to 2,437 m:1
914 to 1,523 m:12
under 914 m:
48 (2013)


Heliports
6 (2013)


Pipelines
gas 3,170 km; oil 2,029 km (2013)


Railways
total:2,052 kmcountry comparison to the world: 72
standard gauge:1,801 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge:251 km 1.050-m gauge (2008)


    Roadways
total:69,873 kmcountry comparison to the world: 67
paved:63,060 km
unpaved:6,813 km (2010)


Waterways
900 km (navigable but not economically significant) (2011)
country comparison to the world: 69


Merchant marine
total:19country comparison to the world: 95
by type:bulk carrier 4, cargo 14, carrier 1
registered in other countries:166 (Barbados 1, Belize 4, Bolivia 4, Cambodia 22, Comoros 5, Dominica 4, Georgia 24, Lebanon 2, Liberia 1, Malta 4, Moldova 5, North Korea 4, Panama 34, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 9, Sierra Leone 13, Tanzania 23, Togo 6, unknown 1) (2010)



Ports and terminals
major seaport(s):Baniyas, Latakia, Tartus

Military

Military branches
Syrian Armed Forces: Land Forces, Naval Forces, Air Forces (includes Air Defense Forces) (2013)


Military service age and obligation
18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation is 18 months; women are not conscripted but may volunteer to serve; re-enlistment obligation 5 years, with retirement after 15 years or age 40 (enlisted) or 20 years or age 45 (NCOs) (2012)


Manpower available for military service
males age 16-49:5,889,837
females age 16-49:5,660,751 (2010 est.)


    Manpower fit for military service
males age 16-49:5,055,510
females age 16-49:4,884,151 (2010 est.)


Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
male:256,698
female:244,712 (2010 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international
Golan Heights is Israeli-occupied with the almost 1,000-strong UN Disengagement Observer Force patrolling a buffer zone since 1964; lacking a treaty or other documentation describing the boundary, portions of the Lebanon-Syria boundary are unclear with several sections in dispute; since 2000, Lebanon has claimed Shab'a Farms in the Golan Heights; 2004 Agreement and pending demarcation settles border dispute with Jordan


Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees (country of origin):146,200 (Iraq) (2013); 517,255 (Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA)) (2014)
note:the ongoing civil war had created more than 2.8 million Syrian refugees - dispersed in Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey - as of February 2014
IDPs:6.5 million (ongoing civil war since 2011) (2014)
stateless persons:221,000 (2012); note - Syria's stateless population is composed of Kurds and Palestinians; stateless persons are prevented from voting, owning land, holding certain jobs, receiving food subsidies or public healthcare, enrolling in public schools, or being legally married to Syrian citizens; in 1962, some 120,000 Syrian Kurds were stripped of their Syrian citizenship, rendering them and their descendants stateless; in 2011, the Syrian Government granted citizenship to thousands of Syrian Kurds as a means of appeasement; however, resolving the question of statelessness is not a priority given Syria's ongoing civil war



    Trafficking in persons



Illicit drugs
a transit point for opiates, hashish, and cocaine bound for regional and Western markets; weak anti-money-laundering controls and bank privatization may leave it vulnerable to money laundering
 Information/ Data by CIA - The World Factbook

LookForAttorney.com | Country Guide of Switzerland

Country Guide

Switzerland Facts

Geography People and Society Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues

Geography

Location:
Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy


Geographic coordinates:
47 00 N, 8 00 E


Map references:
Europe


Area:
total:41,277 sq kmcountry comparison to the world: 136
land:39,997 sq km
water:1,280 sq km


Area - comparative:
slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey


Land boundaries:
total:1,852 km
border countries:Austria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740 km, Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 334 km


Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)


Maritime claims:
lowest point:Lake Maggiore 195 m
highest point:Dufourspitze 4,634 m


Natural resources:
hydropower potential, timber, salt


Land use:
arable land:9.8%
permanent crops:0.57%
other:89.63% (2011)


    Irrigated land:
550 sq km (2007)


Total renewable water resources:
53.5 cu km (2011)


Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
53.5 cu km (2011)

Natural hazards:
avalanches, landslides; flash floods


Environment - current issues:
air pollution from vehicle emissions and open-air burning; acid rain; water pollution from increased use of agricultural fertilizers; loss of biodiversity


Environment - international agreements:
party to:Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified:Law of the Sea


Geography - note:
landlocked; crossroads of northern and southern Europe; along with southeastern France, northern Italy, and southwestern Austria, has the highest elevations in the Alps

People and Society

Nationality:
noun: Swiss (singular and plural)
adjective:Swiss


Ethnic groups:
German 65%, French 18%, Italian 10%, Romansch 1%, other 6%


Languages:
German (official) 64.9%, French (official) 22.6%, Italian (official) 8.3%, Serbo-Croatian 2.5%, Albanian 2.6%, Portuguese 3.4%, Spanish 2.2%, English 4.6%, Romansch (official) 0.5%, other 5.1%


Religions:
Roman Catholic 38.2%, Protestant 26.9%, Muslim 4.9%, other Christian 5.7%, other 1.6%, none 21.4%, unspecified 1.3% (2012 est.)


Population:
8,061,516 (July 2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 96


Age structure:
0-14 years:15.1% (male 627,952/female 591,528)
15-24 years:11.4% (male 469,536/female 451,547)
25-54 years:43.9% (male 1,775,571/female 1,760,456)
55-64 years:12% (male 484,278/female 486,220)
65 years and over:17.3% (male 616,009/female 798,419) (2014 est.)


Dependency ratios:
total dependency ratio:48.5 %
youth dependency ratio:21.8 %
elderly dependency ratio:26.7 %
potential support ratio:3.7 (2014 est.)


Median age:
total:42 years
male:41 years
female:42.9 years (2014 est.)


Population growth rate:
0.78% (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 141


Birth rate:
10.48 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 185


Death rate:
8.1 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 95


Net migration rate:
5.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 26


Urbanization:
urban population:73.7% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization:0.49% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)


Major urban areas - population:
Zurich 1.194 million; BERN (capital) 353,000 (2011)


Sex ratio:
at birth:1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years:1.06 male(s)/female
15-24 years:1.04 male(s)/female
25-54 years:1.01 male(s)/female
55-64 years:0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.76 male(s)/female
total population:0.97 male(s)/female (2014 est.)


Mother's mean age at first birth:
30.2 (2010 est.)


Maternal mortality rate:
8 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)


Infant mortality rate:
total:3.73 deaths/1,000 live birthscountry comparison to the world: 203
male:4.12 deaths/1,000 live births
female:3.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)


    Life expectancy at birth:
total population:82.39 yearscountry comparison to the world: 8
male:80.1 years
female:84.81 years (2014 est.)


Total fertility rate:
1.54 children born/woman (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 188


Health expenditures:
10.9% of GDP (2011)


Physicians density:
4.08 physicians/1,000 population (2010)


Hospital bed density:
5 beds/1,000 population (2010)


Drinking water source:
improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0% of population
rural: 0% of population
total: 0% of population (2012 est.)


Sanitation facility access:
improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0% of population
rural: 0% of population
total: 0% of population (2012 est.)


HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.4% (2009 est.)country comparison to the world: 80


HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
18,000 (2009 est.)country comparison to the world: 85


HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2009 est.)country comparison to the world: 148


Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
17.5% (2008)country comparison to the world: 111


Education expenditures:
5.2% of GDP (2010)country comparison to the world: 66

Literacy:
definition:age 15 and over can read and write
total population:99%
male:99%
female:99% (2003 est.)


School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total:16 years
male:16 years
female:16 years (2011)


Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
total:8.4%country comparison to the world: 119
male:8.8%
female:8.1% (2012)

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Swiss Confederation
conventional short form:Switzerland
local long form:Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft (German); Confederation Suisse (French); Confederazione Svizzera (Italian); Confederaziun Svizra (Romansh)
local short form:Schweiz (German); Suisse (French); Svizzera (Italian); Svizra (Romansh)


Government type:
formally a confederation but similar in structure to a federal republic


Capital:
name:Bern
geographic coordinates:46 55 N, 7 28 E
time difference:UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time:+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October


Administrative divisions:
26 cantons (cantons, singular - canton in French; cantoni, singular - cantone in Italian; Kantone, singular - Kanton in German); Aargau, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Bern/Berne, Fribourg/Freiburg, Geneve, Glarus, Graubuenden/Grischun/Grigioni, Jura, Luzern, Neuchatel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Sankt Gallen, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Valais/Wallis, Vaud, Zug, Zuerich


Independence:
1 August 1291 (founding of the Swiss Confederation)


National holiday:
Founding of the Swiss Confederation, 1 August (1291)


Constitution:
previous 1848, 1874 (extensive revision of 1848 version); latest adopted by referendum 18 April 1999, effective 1 January 2000; amended several times, last in 2012 (2012)


Legal system:
civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts, except for federal decrees of a general obligatory character


International law organization participation:
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction


Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal


Executive branch:
chief of state:President of the Swiss Confederation Didier BURKHALTER (since 1 January 2014); Vice President Simonetta SOMMARUGA (since 1 January 2014; note - the Federal Council, which is comprised of seven federal councillors, constitutes the federal government of Switzerland; council members rotate in one-year terms as federal president (chief of state and head of government)
head of government:President of the Swiss Confederation Didier BURKHALTER (since 1 January 2014); Vice President Simonetta SOMMARUGA (since 1 January 2014)
cabinet:Federal Council or Bundesrat (in German), Conseil Federal (in French), Consiglio Federale (in Italian) is elected by the Federal Assembly usually from among its members for a four-year term
elections:president and vice president elected by the Federal Assembly from among the members of the Federal Council for a one-year, non-consecutive term; election last held on 5 December 2012 (next to be held in early December 2013)
election results:Didier BURKHALTER elected president; Federal Assembly vote - 183 of 202; Simonetta SOMMARUGA elected vice president


Legislative branch:
bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung (in German), Assemblee Federale (in French), Assemblea Federale (in Italian) consists of the Council of States or Staenderat (in German), Conseil des Etats (in French), Consiglio degli Stati (in Italian) (46 seats; membership consists of 2 representatives from each canton and 1 from each half canton; members serve four-year terms) and the National Council or Nationalrat (in German), Conseil National (in French), Consiglio Nazionale (in Italian) (200 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation serve four-year terms)
elections:Council of States - last held in most cantons on 23 October 2011 (each canton determines when the next election will be held); National Council - last held on 23 October 2011 (next to be held in October 2015)
election results:Council of States - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CVP 13, FDP 11, SVP 5, SPS 11, other 6; National Council - percent of vote by party - SVP 26.6%, SPS 18.7%, FDP 15.1%, CVP 12.3%, Green Party 8.4%, GLP 5.4%, BDP 5.4%, other 8.1%; seats by party - SVP 54, SPS 46, FDP 30, CVP 28, Green Party 15, GLP 12, BDP 9, other small parties 6


Judicial branch:
highest court(s):Federal Supreme Court (consists of 38 judges and 31 substitutes and organized into 5 sections)
judge selection and term of office:judges elected by the Federal Assembly for 6-year terms; note - judges are affiliated with political parties and are elected according to linguistic and regional criteria in approximate proportion to the level of party representation in the Federal Assembly
subordinate courts:Federal Criminal Court (began in 2004); Federal Administrative Court (began in 2007); note - each of Switzerland's 26 cantons has its own courts


    Political parties and leaders:
Christian Democratic People's Party (Christlichdemokratische Volkspartei der Schweiz or CVP, Parti Democrate-Chretien Suisse or PDC, Partito Popolare Democratico Svizzero or PPD, Partida Cristiandemocratica dalla Svizra or PCD) [Christophe DARBELLAY]
Conservative Democratic Party (Buergerlich-Demokratische Partei Schweiz or BDP, Parti Bourgeois Democratique Suisse or PBD, Partito Borghese Democratico Svizzero or PBD, Partido burgais democratica Svizera or PBD) [Martin LANDOLT]
Free Democratic Party or FDP.The Liberals (FDP.Die Liberalen, PLR.Les Liberaux-Radicaux, PLR.I Liberali, Ils Liberals) [Philipp MUELLER]
Green Liberal Party (Grunliberale or GLP, Parti vert liberale or PVL, Partito Verde-Liberale or PVL, Partida Verde Liberale or PVL) [Martin BAEUMLE]
Green Party (Gruene Partei der Schweiz or Gruene, Parti Ecologiste Suisse or Les Verts, Partito Ecologista Svizzero or I Verdi, Partida Ecologica Svizra or La Verda) [Adele THORENS]
Social Democratic Party (Sozialdemokratische Partei der Schweiz or SPS, Parti Socialiste Suisse or PSS, Partito Socialista Svizzero or PSS, Partida Socialdemocratica de la Svizra or PSS) [Christian LEVRAT]
Swiss People's Party (Schweizerische Volkspartei or SVP, Union Democratique du Centre or UDC, Unione Democratica di Centro or UDC, Uniun Democratica dal Center or UDC) [Toni BRUNNER]
and other minor parties


Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA


International organization participation:
ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA, EITI (implementing country), ESA, FAO, FATF, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMISS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC


Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Manuel SAGER (since 1 November 2010)
chancery:2900 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:[1] (202) 745-7900
FAX:[1] (202) 387-2564
consulate(s) general:Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco
consulate(s):Boston


Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jeffrey R. CELLARS (since 22 July 2013); note - also accredited to Liechtenstein
embassy:Sulgeneckstrasse 19, CH-3007 Bern
mailing address:use Embassy street address
telephone:[41] (031) 357-70-11
FAX:[41] (031) 357-73-44


Flag description:
red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the center that does not extend to the edges of the flag; various medieval legends purport to describe the origin of the flag; a white cross used as identification for troops of the Swiss Confederation is first attested at the Battle of Laupen (1339)


National symbol(s):
Swiss cross (white cross on red field; arms equal length)


National anthem:
name:'Schweizerpsalm' [German] 'Cantique Suisse' [French] 'Salmo svizzero,' [Italian] 'Psalm svizzer' [Romansch] (Swiss Psalm)

lyrics/music:Leonhard WIDMER [German], Charles CHATELANAT [French], Camillo VALSANGIACOMO [Italian], and Flurin CAMATHIAS [Romansch]/Alberik ZWYSSIG
note:unofficially adopted 1961, official adoption 1981; the anthem has been popular in a number of Swiss cantons since its composition (in German) in 1841; translated into the other three official languages of the country (French, Italian, and Romansch), it is official in each of those languages

Economy

Economy - overview:
Switzerland is a peaceful, prosperous, and modern market economy with low unemployment, a highly skilled labor force, and a per capita GDP among the highest in the world. Switzerland's economy benefits from a highly developed service sector, led by financial services, and a manufacturing industry that specializes in high-technology, knowledge-based production. Its economic and political stability, transparent legal system, exceptional infrastructure, efficient capital markets, and low corporate tax rates also make Switzerland one of the world's most competitive economies. The Swiss have brought their economic practices largely into conformity with the EU's to enhance their international competitiveness, but some trade protectionism remains, particularly for its small agricultural sector. The fate of the Swiss economy is tightly linked to that of its neighbors in the euro zone, which purchases half of all Swiss exports. The global financial crisis of 2008 and resulting economic downturn in 2009 stalled export demand and put Switzerland in a recession. The Swiss National Bank (SNB) during this period effectively implemented a zero-interest rate policy to boost the economy as well as prevent appreciation of the franc, and Switzerland's economy began to recover in 2010. The sovereign debt crises currently unfolding in neighboring euro-zone countries pose a significant risk to Switzerland's financial stability and are driving up demand for the Swiss franc by investors seeking a safe-haven currency. The independent SNB has upheld its zero-interest rate policy and conducted major market interventions to prevent further appreciation of the Swiss franc, but parliamentarians have urged it to do more to weaken the currency. The franc's strength has made Swiss exports less competitive and weakened the country's growth outlook; GDP growth fell below 2% per year during 2011-13. Switzerland has also come under increasing pressure from individual neighboring countries, the EU, the US, and international institutions to reform its banking secrecy laws. Consequently, the government agreed to conform to OECD regulations on administrative assistance in tax matters, including tax evasion. The government has renegotiated its double taxation agreements with numerous countries, including the US, to incorporate the OECD standard, and is considering the possibility of imposing taxes on bank deposits held by foreigners. These steps will have a lasting impact on Switzerland's long history of bank secrecy.


GDP (purchasing power parity):
$371.2 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
$363.9 billion (2012 est.)
$360.1 billion (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


GDP (official exchange rate):
$646.2 billion (2013 est.)


GDP - real growth rate:
2% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
1% (2012 est.)
1.8% (2011 est.)


GDP - per capita (PPP):
$54,800 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
$53,300 (2012 est.)
$50,900 (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


Gross national saving:
31.5% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
31.5% of GDP (2012 est.)
27.3% of GDP (2011 est.)


GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption:57.4%
government consumption:11.5%
investment in fixed capital:20.3%
investment in inventories:0.7%
exports of goods and services:50.4%
imports of goods and services:-40.2%
(2013 est.)


GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture:0.7%
industry:26.8%
services:72.5% (2013 est.)


Agriculture - products:
grains, fruits, vegetables; meat, eggs


Industries:
machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments, tourism, banking, insurance


Industrial production growth rate:
2.2% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121

Labor force:
4.976 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77


Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture:3.4%
industry:23.4%
services:73.2% (2010)


Unemployment rate:
3.2% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
2.9% (2012 est.)


Population below poverty line:
7.6% (2011)


Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%:7.5%
highest 10%:19% (2007)


    Distribution of family income - Gini index:
28.7 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
33.1 (1992)


Budget:
revenues:$217.8 billion
expenditures:$208.5 billion
note:includes federal, cantonal, and municipal budgets (2013 est.)


Taxes and other revenues:
33.7% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
1.4% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23


Public debt:
33.8% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
34.9% of GDP (2012)
note:general government gross debt; gross debt consists of all liabilities that require payment or payments of interest and/or principal by the debtor to the creditor at a date or dates in the future; includes debt liabilities in the form of SDRs, currency and deposits, debt securities, loans, insurance, pensions and standardized guarantee schemes, and other accounts payable; all liabilities in the GFSM 2001 system are debt, except for equity and investment fund shares and financial derivatives and employee stock options


Fiscal year:
calendar year


Inflation rate (consumer prices):
-0.4% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
-0.7% (2012 est.)


Central bank discount rate:
0.5% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
0.75% (31 December 2009 est.)


Commercial bank prime lending rate:
2.7% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
2.69% (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of narrow money:
$525.9 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
$534.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of broad money:
$1.36 trillion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
$1.215 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of domestic credit:
$1.395 trillion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
$1.247 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)


Market value of publicly traded shares:
$1.079 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)


Current account balance:
$65.6 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
$63.82 billion (2012 est.)


Exports:
$229.2 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
$226 billion (2012 est.)
note:trade data exclude trade with Switzerland


Exports - commodities:
machinery, chemicals, metals, watches, agricultural products


Exports - partners:
Germany 18.5%, United States 11.61%, Italy 7.61%, France 6.96%, United Kingdom 5.67% (2013 est.)


Imports:
$200.5 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
$197.9 billion (2012 est.)


Imports - commodities:
machinery, chemicals, vehicles, metals; agricultural products, textiles


Imports - partners:
Germany 28.19%, Italy 10.46%, France 8.49%, United States 6.08%, China 5.75%, Austria 4.4% (2013 est.)


Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$536.3 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
$536.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Debt - external:
$1.544 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12
$1.424 trillion (31 December 2011)


Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$968.9 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
$955.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$1.432 trillion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
$1.381 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)


Exchange rates:
Swiss francs (CHF) per US dollar -
0.9542 (2013 est.)
0.9374 (2012 est.)
1.0429 (2010 est.)
1.0881 (2009)
1.0774 (2008)

Energy

Electricity - production:
68.02 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41


Electricity - consumption:
58.97 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41


Electricity - exports:
34.57 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5


Electricity - imports:
32.25 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6


Electricity - installed generating capacity:
18.07 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42


Electricity - from fossil fuels:
3.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200


Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
24.3% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5


Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
68% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24


Electricity - from other renewable sources:
5.5% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43


Crude oil - production:
3,613 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100


Crude oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187


Crude oil - imports:
258,200 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28


    Crude oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192


Refined petroleum products - production:
96,710 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74


Refined petroleum products - consumption:
258,200 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50


Refined petroleum products - exports:
7,585 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87


Refined petroleum products - imports:
157,600 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36


Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195


Natural gas - consumption:
3.2 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71


Natural gas - exports:
8.494 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31


Natural gas - imports:
11.77 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26


Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196


Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
41.84 million Mt (2011 est.)

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use:
4.382 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 38


Telephones - mobile cellular:
10.46 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 77


Telephone system:
general assessment:highly developed telecommunications infrastructure with excellent domestic and international services
domestic:ranked among leading countries for fixed-line teledensity and infrastructure; mobile-cellular subscribership roughly 125 per 100 persons; extensive cable and microwave radio relay networks
international:country code - 41; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean) (2011)



    Broadcast media:
the publicly owned radio and TV broadcaster, Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG/SSR), operates 7 national TV networks, 3 broadcasting in German, 2 in Italian, and 2 in French; private commercial TV stations broadcast regionally and locally; TV broadcasts from stations in Germany, Italy, and France are widely available via multi-channel cable and satellite TV services; SRG/SSR operates 18 radio stations that, along with private broadcasters, provide national to local coverage (2009)


Internet country code:
.ch


Internet hosts:
5.301 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 20


Internet users:
6.152 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 42

Transportation

Airports
63 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 78


Airports - with paved runways
total:40
over 3,047 m:3
2,438 to 3,047 m:2
1,524 to 2,437 m:12
914 to 1,523 m:6
under 914 m:17 (2013)


Airports - with unpaved runways
total:23
under 914 m:
23 (2013)


Heliports
2 (2013)


Pipelines
gas 1,800 km; oil 94 km; refined products 7 km (2013)


Railways
total:4,876 kmcountry comparison to the world: 37
standard gauge:3,846 km 1.435-m gauge (3,591 km electrified)
narrow gauge:1,020 km 1.000-m gauge (1,013 km electrified); 10 km 0.800-m gauge (10 km electrified) (2008)


    Roadways
total:71,464 kmcountry comparison to the world: 65
paved:71,464 km (includes 1,415 of expressways) (2011)


Waterways
1,292 km (there are 1,227 km of waterways on lakes and rivers for public transport and another 65 km on the Rhine River between Basel-Rheinfelden and Schaffhausen-Bodensee used for the transport of commercial goods) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 58


Merchant marine
total:38country comparison to the world: 78
by type:bulk carrier 19, cargo 9, chemical tanker 5, container 4, petroleum tanker 1
registered in other countries:127 (Antigua and Barbuda 7, Bahamas 1, Belize 1, Cayman Islands 1, France 5, Germany 2, Hong Kong 5, Italy 13, Liberia 25, Luxembourg 1, Malta 20, Marshall Islands 12, NZ 2, Panama 15, Portugal 3, Russia 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 7, Singapore 3, Spain 1) (2010)



Ports and terminals
river port(s):Basel (Rhine)

Military

Military branches
Swiss Armed Forces: Land Forces, Swiss Air Force (Schweizer Luftwaffe) (2013)


Military service age and obligation
19-26 years of age for male compulsory military service; 18 years of age for voluntary male and female military service; every Swiss male has to serve at least 260 days in the armed forces; conscripts receive 18 weeks of mandatory training, followed by seven 3-week intermittent recalls for training during the next 10 years (2012)


Manpower available for military service
males age 16-49:1,828,043
females age 16-49:1,786,552 (2010 est.)


Manpower fit for military service
males age 16-49:1,493,509
females age 16-49:1,459,450 (2010 est.)


    Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
male:46,562
female:42,585 (2010 est.)


Military expenditures
0.76% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 117
0.75% of GDP (2011)
0.76% of GDP (2010)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international
none


Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees (country of origin):13,106 (Eritrea) (2013)
stateless persons:69 (2012)



    Illicit drugs
a major international financial center vulnerable to the layering and integration stages of money laundering; despite significant legislation and reporting requirements, secrecy rules persist and nonresidents are permitted to conduct business through offshore entities and various intermediaries; transit country for and consumer of South American cocaine, Southwest Asian heroin, and Western European synthetics; domestic cannabis cultivation and limited ecstasy production
 Information/ Data by CIA - The World Factbook