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Compare Switzerland (2001) - Canada (2001)

Compare Switzerland (2001) z Canada (2001)

 Switzerland (2001)Canada (2001)
 SwitzerlandCanada
Administrative divisions 26 cantons (cantons, singular - canton in French; cantoni, singular - cantone in Italian; kantone, singular - kanton in German); Aargau, Ausser-Rhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Bern, Fribourg, Geneve, Glarus, Graubunden, Inner-Rhoden, Jura, Luzern, Neuchatel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Sankt Gallen, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Vaud, Zug, Zurich 10 provinces and 3 territories*; Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Northwest Territories*, Nova Scotia, Nunavut*, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory*
Age structure 0-14 years:
16.97% (male 634,030; female 601,929)

15-64 years:
67.73% (male 2,505,450; female 2,427,408)

65 years and over:
15.3% (male 453,366; female 661,091) (2001 est.)
0-14 years:
18.95% (male 3,067,102; female 2,918,839)

15-64 years:
68.28% (male 10,846,151; female 10,725,800)

65 years and over:
12.77% (male 1,715,071; female 2,319,842) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products grains, fruits, vegetables; meat, eggs wheat, barley, oilseed, tobacco, fruits, vegetables; dairy products; forest products; fish
Airports 67 (2000 est.) 1,417 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total:
42

over 3,047 m:
3

2,438 to 3,047 m:
4

1,524 to 2,437 m:
13

914 to 1,523 m:
7

under 914 m:
15 (2000 est.)
total:
517

over 3,047 m:
18

2,438 to 3,047 m:
15

1,524 to 2,437 m:
151

914 to 1,523 m:
244

under 914 m:
89 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total:
25

under 914 m:
25 (2000 est.)
total:
900

1,524 to 2,437 m:
74

914 to 1,523 m:
362

under 914 m:
464 (2000 est.)
Area total:
41,290 sq km

land:
39,770 sq km

water:
1,520 sq km
total:
9,976,140 sq km

land:
9,220,970 sq km

water:
755,170 sq km
Area - comparative slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey slightly larger than the US
Background Switzerland's independence and neutrality have long been honored by the major European powers and Switzerland was not involved in either of the two World Wars. The political and economic integration of Europe over the past half century, as well as Switzerland's role in many UN and international organizations, may be rendering obsolete the country's concern for neutrality. A land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada became a self-governing dominion in 1867 while retaining ties to the British crown. Economically and technologically the nation has developed in parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south across an unfortified border. Its paramount political problem continues to be the relationship of the province of Quebec, with its French-speaking residents and unique culture, to the remainder of the country.
Birth rate 10.12 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) 11.21 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues:
$32.66 billion

expenditures:
$34.89 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.3 billion (1998 est.)
revenues:
$126.1 billion

expenditures:
$125.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $14.8 billion (2000)
Capital Bern Ottawa
Climate temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north
Coastline 0 km (landlocked) 243,791 km
Constitution 29 May 1874 17 April 1982 (Constitution Act); originally, the machinery of the government was set up in the British North America Act of 1867; charter of rights and unwritten customs
Country name conventional long form:
Swiss Confederation

conventional short form:
Switzerland

local long form:
Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft (German), Confederation Suisse (French), Confederazione Svizzera (Italian)

local short form:
Schweiz (German), Suisse (French), Svizzera (Italian)
conventional long form:
none

conventional short form:
Canada
Currency Swiss franc (CHF) Canadian dollar (CAD)
Death rate 8.77 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) 7.47 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $NA $1.9 billion (2000)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission:
Ambassador J. Richard FREDERICKS

embassy:
Jubilaeumstrasse 93, 3001 Bern

mailing address:
use embassy street address

telephone:
[41] (31) 357 70 11

FAX:
[41] (31) 357 73 44
chief of mission:
Ambassador Gordon D. GIFFIN

embassy:
490 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 1G8

mailing address:
P. O. Box 5000, Ogdensburg, NY 13669-0430

telephone:
[1] (613) 238-5335, 4470

FAX:
[1] (613) 238-5720

consulate(s) general:
Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec, Toronto, and Vancouver
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission:
Ambassador Alfred DEFAGO

chancery:
2900 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:
[1] (202) 745-7900

FAX:
[1] (202) 387-2564

consulate(s) general:
Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco

consulate(s):
Boston
chief of mission:
Ambassador Michael KERGIN

chancery:
501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001

telephone:
[1] (202) 682-1740

FAX:
[1] (202) 682-7726

consulate(s) general:
Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, and Seattle

consulate(s):
Miami, Princeton, San Francisco, and San Jose
Disputes - international none maritime boundary disputes with the US (Dixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, Machias Seal Island)
Economic aid - donor ODA, $1.1 billion (1995) ODA, $1.3 billion (1999)
Economy - overview Switzerland, a prosperous and stable modern market economy with a per capita GDP 20% above that of the big western European economies, experienced solid growth of 3% in 2000, but growth is expected to fall back to about 2% in 2001. The Swiss in recent years have brought their economic practices largely into conformity with the EU's to enhance their international competitiveness. Although the Swiss are not pursuing full EU membership in the near term, in 1999 Bern and Brussels signed agreements to further liberalize trade ties, and the agreements should come into force in 2001. Switzerland is still considered a safe haven for investors, because it has maintained a degree of bank secrecy and has kept up the franc's long-term external value. As an affluent, high-tech industrial society, Canada today closely resembles the US in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. Since World War II, the impressive growth of the manufacturing, mining, and service sectors has transformed the nation from a largely rural economy into one primarily industrial and urban. Real rates of growth have averaged nearly 3.0% since 1993. Unemployment is falling and government budget surpluses are being partially devoted to reducing the large public sector debt. The 1989 US-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) (which included Mexico) have touched off a dramatic increase in trade and economic integration with the US. With its great natural resources, skilled labor force, and modern capital plant Canada enjoys solid economic prospects. Two shadows loom, the first being the continuing constitutional impasse between English- and French-speaking areas, which has been raising the possibility of a split in the federation. Another long-term concern is the flow south to the US of professional persons lured by higher pay, lower taxes, and the immense high-tech infrastructure.
Electricity - consumption 51.862 billion kWh (1999) 497.532 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 31.955 billion kWh (1999) 42.911 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 21.723 billion kWh (1999) 12.953 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 66.768 billion kWh (1999) 567.193 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel:
3.44%

hydro:
59.16%

nuclear:
35.43%

other:
1.97% (1999)
fossil fuel:
26.38%

hydro:
60%

nuclear:
12.31%

other:
1.31% (1999)
Elevation extremes lowest point:
Lake Maggiore 195 m

highest point:
Dufourspitze 4,634 m
lowest point:
Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point:
Mount Logan 5,959 m
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 air pollution and resulting acid rain severely affecting lakes and damaging forests; metal smelting, coal-burning utilities, and vehicle emissions impacting on agricultural and forest productivity; ocean waters becoming contaminated due to agricultural, industrial, mining, and forestry activities
Environment - international agreements party to:
Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified:
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea
party to:
Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:
Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation
Ethnic groups German 65%, French 18%, Italian 10%, Romansch 1%, other 6% British Isles origin 28%, French origin 23%, other European 15%, Amerindian 2%, other, mostly Asian, African, Arab 6%, mixed background 26%
Exchange rates Swiss francs per US dollar - 1.6303 (January 2001), 1.6888 (2000), 1.5022 (1999), 1.4498 (1998), 1.4513 (1997), 1.2360 (1996) Canadian dollars per US dollar - 1.5032 (January 2001), 1.4851 (2000), 1.4857 (1999), 1.4835 (1998), 1.3846 (1997), 1.3635 (1996)
Executive branch chief of state:
President Moritz LEUENBERGER (since 1 January 2001); Vice President Kaspar VILLIGER (since 1 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government:
President Moritz LEUENBERGER (since 1 January 2001); Vice President Kaspar VILLIGER (since 1 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

cabinet:
Federal Council or Bundesrat (in German), Conseil Federal (in French), Consiglio Federale (in Italian) elected by the Federal Assembly from among its own 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 one-year terms that run concurrently; election last held 6 December 2000 (next to be held NA December 2001)

election results:
Moritz LEUENBERGER elected president; percent of Federal Assembly vote - 76%; Kaspar VILLIGER elected vice president; percent of legislative vote - 72%
chief of state:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Adrienne CLARKSON (since 7 October 1999)

head of government:
Prime Minister Jean CHRETIEN (since 4 November 1993)

cabinet:
Federal Ministry chosen by the prime minister from among the members of his own party sitting in Parliament

elections:
none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister for a five-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party in the House of Commons is automatically designated by the governor general to become prime minister
Exports $91.3 billion (f.o.b., 2000) $272.3 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)
Exports - commodities machinery, chemicals, metals, watches, agricultural products motor vehicles and parts, newsprint, wood pulp, timber, crude petroleum, machinery, natural gas, aluminum, telecommunications equipment, electricity
Exports - partners EU 65.8% (Germany 22.6%, France 9.2%, Italy 8.0%, UK 5.5%, Austria 3.2%), US 12.4%, Japan 4.0% (1999) US 86%, Japan 3%, UK, Germany, South Korea, Netherlands, China (1999)
Fiscal year calendar year 1 April - 31 March
Flag description red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the center that does not extend to the edges of the flag three vertical bands of red (hoist side), white (double width, square), and red with a red maple leaf centered in the white band
GDP purchasing power parity - $207 billion (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $774.7 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
2.8%

industry:
31.1%

services:
66.1% (1995)
agriculture:
3%

industry:
31%

services:
66% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $28,600 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $24,800 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 3% (2000 est.) 4.3% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 47 00 N, 8 00 E 60 00 N, 95 00 W
Geography - note landlocked; crossroads of northern and southern Europe; along with southeastern France and northern Italy, contains the highest elevations in Europe second-largest country in world (after Russia); strategic location between Russia and US via north polar route; approximately 85% of the population is concentrated within 300 km of the US/Canada border
Heliports - 18 (2000 est.)
Highways total:
71,059 km (including 1,638 km of expressways)

paved:
71,059 km

unpaved:
0 km (1999)
total:
901,902 km

paved:
318,371 km (including 16,571 km of expressways)

unpaved:
583,531 km (1999)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%:
2.8%

highest 10%:
25.2% (1992)
lowest 10%:
2.8%

highest 10%:
23.8% (1994)
Illicit drugs because of more stringent government regulations, used significantly less as a money-laundering center; transit country for and consumer of South American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic drug market; use of hydroponics technology permits growers to plant large quantities of high-quality marijuana indoors; transit point for heroin and cocaine entering the US market
Imports $91.6 billion (f.o.b., 2000) $238.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)
Imports - commodities machinery, chemicals, vehicles, metals; agricultural products, textiles machinery and equipment, crude oil, chemicals, motor vehicles and parts, durable consumer goods, electricity
Imports - partners EU 77.7% (Germany 31.0%, France 12.0%, Italy 9.7%, Netherlands 5.1%, UK 5.7%), US 7.1%, Japan 2.9% (1999) US 76%, Japan 3%, UK, Germany, France, Mexico, Taiwan, South Korea (1999)
Independence 1 August 1291 (Founding of the Swiss Confederation) 1 July 1867 (from UK)
Industrial production growth rate 8.6% (2000 est.) 4.5% (2000 est.)
Industries machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments processed and unprocessed minerals, food products, wood and paper products, transportation equipment, chemicals, fish products, petroleum and natural gas
Infant mortality rate 4.48 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 5.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 1.5% (2000 est.) 2.6% (2000)
International organization participation ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA, FAO, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MONUC, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC ABEDA, ACCT, AfDB, APEC, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CCC, CDB (non-regional), CE (observer), EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, ESA (cooperating state), FAO, G- 7, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURCA, MIPONUH, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNTAET, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 44 (Switzerland and Liechtenstein) (2000) 760 (2000 est.)
Irrigated land 250 sq km (1993 est.) 7,100 sq km (1993 est.)
Judicial branch Federal Supreme Court (judges elected for six-year terms by the Federal Assembly) Supreme Court of Canada (judges are appointed by the prime minister through the governor general); Federal Court of Canada; Federal Court of Appeal; Provincial Courts (these are named variously Court of Appeal, Court of Queens Bench, Superior Court, Supreme Court, and Court of Justice)
Labor force 3.9 million (964,000 foreign workers, mostly Italian) (1998 est.) 16.1 million (2000)
Labor force - by occupation services 69.1%, industry 26.3%, agriculture 4.6% (1998 est.) services 74%, manufacturing 15%, construction 5%, agriculture 3%, other 3% (2000)
Land boundaries total:
1,852 km

border countries:
Austria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740 km, Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 334 km
total:
8,893 km

border countries:
US 8,893 km (includes 2,477 km with Alaska)
Land use arable land:
10%

permanent crops:
2%

permanent pastures:
28%

forests and woodland:
32%

other:
28% (1993 est.)
arable land:
5%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
3%

forests and woodland:
54%

other:
38% (1993 est.)
Languages German (official) 63.7%, French (official) 19.2%, Italian (official) 7.6%, Romansch 0.6%, other 8.9% English 59.3% (official), French 23.2% (official), other 17.5%
Legal system civil law system influenced by customary law; judicial review of legislative acts, except with respect to federal decrees of general obligatory character; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations based on English common law, except in Quebec, where civil law system based on French law prevails; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Legislative branch bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung (in German), Assemblee Federale (in French), Assemblea Federale (in Italian) consists of the Council of States or Standerat (in German), Conseil des Etats (in French), Consiglio degli Stati (in Italian) (46 seats - members serve four-year terms) and the National Council or Nationalrat (in German), Conseil National (in French), Consiglio Nazionale (in Italian) (200 seats - members are elected by popular vote on a basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms)

elections:
Council of States - last held in 1999 (each canton determines when the next election will be held); National Council - last held 24 October 1999 (next to be held NA October 2003)

election results:
Council of States - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - FDP 18, CVP 15, SVP 7, SPS 6; National Council - percent of vote by party - SPS 22.5%, SVP 22.6%, FDP 19.9%, CVP 15.8%, other small parties all under 5%; seats by party - SPS 51, SVP 44, FDP 43, CVP 35, Greens 9, other small parties 18
bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Senat (a body whose members are appointed to serve until reaching 75 years of age by the governor general and selected on the advice of the prime minister; its normal limit is 104 senators) and the House of Commons or Chambre des Communes (301 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections:
House of Commons - last held 27 November 2000 (next to be held 2005)

election results:
percent of vote by party as of January 2001 - Liberal Party 42%, Canadian Alliance 22%, Bloc Quebecois 13%, New Democratic Party 4%, Progressive Conservative Party 4%; seats by party as of January 2001 - Liberal Party 172, Canadian Alliance 66, Bloc Quebecois 38, New Democratic Party 13, Progressive Conservative Party 12
Life expectancy at birth total population:
79.73 years

male:
76.85 years

female:
82.76 years (2001 est.)
total population:
79.56 years

male:
76.16 years

female:
83.13 years (2001 est.)
Literacy definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
99% (1980 est.)

male:
NA%

female:
NA%
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
97% (1986 est.)

male:
NA%

female:
NA%
Location Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy Northern North America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and North Pacific Ocean, north of the conterminous US
Map references Europe North America
Maritime claims none (landlocked) contiguous zone:
24 NM

continental shelf:
200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin

exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM
Merchant marine total:
24 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 435,966 GRT/780,458 DWT

ships by type:
bulk 12, cargo 6, chemical tanker 5, petroleum tanker 1

note:
includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: UK 1 (2000 est.)
total:
121 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,767,259 GRT/2,633,290 DWT

ships by type:
barge carrier 1, bulk 67, cargo 13, chemical tanker 5, combination bulk 1, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 17, railcar carrier 2, roll on/roll off 7, short-sea passenger 3, specialized tanker 1 (2000 est.)
Military branches Army, Air Force, Frontier Guards, Fortification Guards Canadian Forces (includes Land Forces Command or LC, Maritime Command or MC, Air Command or AC, Communications Command or CC, Training Command or TC), Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
Military expenditures - dollar figure $3.1 billion (FY98) $7.5 billion (FY00/01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1.2% (FY98) 1.3% (FY00/01)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49:
1,849,034 (2001 est.)
males age 15-49:
8,325,084 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49:
1,570,918 (2001 est.)
males age 15-49:
7,114,851 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - military age 20 years of age 17 years of age
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males:
42,597 (2001 est.)
males:
215,627 (2001 est.)
National holiday Founding of the Swiss Confederation, 1 August (1291) Independence Day/Canada Day, 1 July (1867)
Nationality noun:
Swiss (singular and plural)

adjective:
Swiss
noun:
Canadian(s)

adjective:
Canadian
Natural hazards avalanches, landslides, flash floods continuous permafrost in north is a serious obstacle to development; cyclonic storms form east of the Rocky Mountains, a result of the mixing of air masses from the Arctic, Pacific, and North American interior, and produce most of the country's rain and snow
Natural resources hydropower potential, timber, salt iron ore, nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, molybdenum, potash, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, petroleum, natural gas, hydropower
Net migration rate 1.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 6.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Pipelines crude oil 314 km; natural gas 1,506 km crude and refined oil 23,564 km; natural gas 74,980 km
Political parties and leaders Christian Democratic People's Party (Christichdemokratische Volkspartei der Schweiz or CVP, Parti Democrate-Chretien Suisse or PDC, Partito Democratico-Cristiano Popolare Svizzero or PDC, Partida Cristiandemocratica dalla Svizra or PCD) [Adalbert DURRER, president]; Green Party (Grune Partei der Schweiz or Grune, Parti Ecologiste Suisse or Les Verts, Partito Ecologista Svizzero or I Verdi, Partida Ecologica Svizra or La Verda) [Ruedi BAUMANN, president]; Radical Free Democratic Party (Freisinnig-Demokratische Partei der Schweiz or FDP, Parti Radical-Democratique Suisse or PRD, Partitio Liberal-Radicale Svizzero or PLR) [Franz STEINEGGER, president]; Social Democratic Party (Sozialdemokratische Partei der Schweiz or SPS, Parti Socialist Suisse or PSS, Partito Socialista Svizzero or PSS, Partida Socialdemocratica de la Svizra or PSS) [Christiane BRUNNER, president]; Swiss People's Party (Schweizerische Volkspartei or SVP, Union Democratique du Centre or UDC, Unione Democratica de Centro or UDC, Uniun Democratica dal Center or UDC) [Ueli MAURER, president]; and other minor parties Bloc Quebecois [Gilles DUCEPPE]; Canadian Alliance [Stockwell DAY]; Liberal Party [Jean CHRETIEN]; New Democratic Party [Alexa MCDONOUGH]; Progressive Conservative Party [Joe CLARK]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 7,283,274 (July 2001 est.) 31,592,805 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 0.27% (2001 est.) 0.99% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors Basel Becancour (Quebec), Churchill, Halifax, Hamilton, Montreal, New Westminster, Prince Rupert, Quebec, Saint John (New Brunswick), St. John's (Newfoundland), Sept Isles, Sydney, Trois-Rivieres, Thunder Bay, Toronto, Vancouver, Windsor
Radio broadcast stations AM 4, FM 113 (plus many low power stations), shortwave 2 (1998) AM 535, FM 53, shortwave 6 (1998)
Radios 7.1 million (1997) 32.3 million (1997)
Railways total:
4,492 km (1,564 km double track)

standard gauge:
3,317 km 1.435-m gauge (3,288 km electrified)

narrow gauge:
1,165 km 1.000-m gauge (1,165 km electrified); 10 km 0.800-m gauge (1998)
total:
36,114 km; note - there are two major transcontinental freight railway systems: Canadian National (privatized November 1995) and Canadian Pacific Railway; passenger service provided by government-operated firm VIA, which has no trackage of its own

standard gauge:
36,114 km 1.435-m gauge (156 km electrified) (1998)
Religions Roman Catholic 46.1%, Protestant 40%, other 5%, none 8.9% (1990) Roman Catholic 42%, Protestant 40%, other 18%
Sex ratio at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years:
1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over:
0.69 male(s)/female

total population:
0.97 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years:
1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over:
0.74 male(s)/female

total population:
0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment:
excellent domestic and international services

domestic:
extensive cable and microwave radio relay networks

international:
satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean)
general assessment:
excellent service provided by modern technology

domestic:
domestic satellite system with about 300 earth stations

international:
5 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (4 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) and 2 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region)
Telephones - main lines in use 4.82 million (1998) 18.5 million (1999)
Telephones - mobile cellular 1.967 million (1999) 4.207 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations 115 (plus 1,919 repeaters) (1995) 80 (plus many repeaters) (1997)
Terrain mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes mostly plains with mountains in west and lowlands in southeast
Total fertility rate 1.47 children born/woman (2001 est.) 1.6 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 1.9% (2000 est.) 6.8% (2000 est.)
Waterways 65 km

note:
The Rhine carries heavy traffic on the Basel-Rheinfelden and Schaffhausen-Bodensee stretches; there are also 12 navigable lakes
3,000 km (including Saint Lawrence Seaway)
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