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Federation Maps and Fact Sheets
Switzerland
Swiss Confederation dates back to 1291
Current Federal Constitution adopted in 1848
Official Website of the Federal Authorities of
Swiss Confederation
| Official name |
|
Swiss Confederation |
| Population |
7 123 537 (1998 est.) |
| Capital |
Berne |
Constituent units
- 26 cantons: Appenzell Inner-Rhodes; Appenzell Outer-Rhodes; Argovia;
Basle-Country; Basle-Town; Berne; Fribourg; Geneva; Glarus; Grisons; Jura;
Lucerne; Neuchâtel; Nidwalden; Obwalden; Saint-Gall; Schaffhausen; Schwyz;
Solothurn; Thurgovia; Ticino; Uri; Valais; Vaud; Zug; Zurich.
Constitutional distribution of powers
- The Swiss
Constitution (PDF only), in particular:
- Tasks of the Confederation (Article 42)
- Tasks of the Cantons (Article 43)
- Cooperation Confederation/Cantons (Articles 44-49)
- Powers
- Relations with Foreign Countries (Articles 54-56)
- Security, National and Civil Defence ( Articles 57-61)
- Education, Research, Culture (Articles 62-72)
- Environment and Zoning (Articles 73-80)
- Public Works and Transportation (Articles 81-88)
- Energy and Communication (Articles 89-93)
- Economy (Articles 94-107)
- Housing, Work, Social Security, Health (Articles 108-120)
- Residence and Domicile of Foreigners (Articles 121)
- Civil, Criminal Law, Weights & Measures (Articles 122-125)
- Federal Authorities Powers
- Foreign Relations and International Treaties (Article 166)
- Relations between the Confederation and the Cantons (Article 172)
- Further Tasks and Powers (Article 173)
(Source: The Federal
Authorities of the Swiss Confederation)
Legislative institutions
- Federal: Bicameral Federal Assembly composed of the Council of
States and the National Council. The Council of States represents the Swiss
Cantons. It is composed of 46 elected members. Election procedure is
determined by cantonal law.
- Cantons: Unicameral Parliaments
Official languages
The Constitution of 1999 stipulates that German, French and Italian are the
official languages and that Romansch is an official language for communications
between the Federal Authorities and citizens of Romansh language. The
Constitution also states that Cantons can adopt their official language(s).
Other links of interest
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