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Compare Switzerland (2004) - Holy See (Vatican City) (2008)

Compare Switzerland (2004) z Holy See (Vatican City) (2008)

 Switzerland (2004)Holy See (Vatican City) (2008)
 SwitzerlandHoly See (Vatican City)
Administrative divisions 26 cantons (cantons, singular - canton in French; cantoni, singular - cantone in Italian; kantone, singular - kanton in German); Aargau, Appenzell Ausser-Rhoden, Appenzell Inner-Rhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Bern, Fribourg, Geneve, Glarus, Graubunden, Jura, Luzern, Neuchatel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Sankt Gallen, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Vaud, Zug, Zurich none
Age structure 0-14 years: 16.8% (male 647,362; female 602,333)


15-64 years: 67.9% (male 2,555,089; female 2,503,331)


65 years and over: 15.3% (male 466,615; female 676,137) (2004 est.)
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Agriculture - products grains, fruits, vegetables; meat, eggs -
Airports 65 (2003 est.) -
Airports - with paved runways total: 42


over 3,047 m: 3


2,438 to 3,047 m: 5


1,524 to 2,437 m: 10


914 to 1,523 m: 8


under 914 m: 16 (2004 est.)
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Airports - with unpaved runways total: 23


under 914 m: 23 (2004 est.)
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Area total: 41,290 sq km


land: 39,770 sq km


water: 1,520 sq km
total: 0.44 sq km


land: 0.44 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey about 0.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
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, has strengthened Switzerland's ties with its neighbors. However, the country did not officially become a UN member until 2002. Switzerland remains active in many UN and international organizations, but retains a strong commitment to neutrality. Popes in their secular role ruled portions of the Italian peninsula for more than a thousand years until the mid 19th century, when many of the Papal States were seized by the newly united Kingdom of Italy. In 1870, the pope's holdings were further circumscribed when Rome itself was annexed. Disputes between a series of "prisoner" popes and Italy were resolved in 1929 by three Lateran Treaties, which established the independent state of Vatican City and granted Roman Catholicism special status in Italy. In 1984, a concordat between the Holy See and Italy modified certain of the earlier treaty provisions, including the primacy of Roman Catholicism as the Italian state religion. Present concerns of the Holy See include religious freedom, international development, the environment, the Middle East, China, the decline of religion in Europe, terrorism, interreligious dialogue and reconciliation, and the application of church doctrine in an era of rapid change and globalization. About 1 billion people worldwide profess the Catholic faith.
Birth rate 9.83 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) -
Budget revenues: $123.2 billion


expenditures: $128 billion, including capital expenditures of NA (2003 est.)
revenues: $310 million


expenditures: $307 million (2006)
Capital Bern name: Vatican City


geographic coordinates: 41 54 N, 12 27 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
Climate temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to May) with hot, dry summers (May to September)
Coastline 0 km (landlocked) 0 km (landlocked)
Constitution revision of Constitution of 1874 approved by the Federal Parliament 18 December 1998; adopted by referendum 18 April 1999; officially entered into force 1 January 2000 new Fundamental Law promulgated by Pope JOHN PAUL II on 26 November 2000, effective 22 February 2001 (replaces the first Fundamental Law of 1929)
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: The Holy See (State of the Vatican City)


conventional short form: Holy See (Vatican City)


local long form: Santa Sede (Stato della Citta del Vaticano)


local short form: Santa Sede (Citta del Vaticano)
Currency Swiss franc (CHF) -
Death rate 8.44 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) -
Debt - external NA (2000) -
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Pamela P. WILLEFORD


embassy: Jubilaumsstrasse 93, CH-3005 Bern


mailing address: use embassy street address


telephone: [41] (031) 357 70 11


FAX: [41] (031) 357 73 44
chief of mission: Ambassador Mary Ann GLENDON


embassy: Villa Domiziana, Via delle Terme Deciane 26, 00153 Rome


mailing address: PSC 59, Box 66, APO AE 09624


telephone: [39] (06) 4674-3428


FAX: [39] (06) 575-8346
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Christian BLICKENSTORFER


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: Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Pietro SAMBI


chancery: 3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 333-7121


FAX: [1] (202) 337-4036
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - donor ODA, $1.1 billion (1995) -
Economy - overview Switzerland is a prosperous and stable modern market economy with low unemployment, a highly skilled labor force, and a per capita GDP larger than that of the big Western European economies. The Swiss in recent years have brought their economic practices largely into conformity with the EU's to enhance their international competitiveness. Switzerland remains 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. Reflecting the anemic economic conditions of Europe, GDP growth dropped in 2001 to about 0.8%, to 0.2% in 2002, and to -0.3% in 2003. This unique, noncommercial economy is supported financially by an annual contribution (known as Peter's Pence) from Roman Catholic dioceses throughout the world; by the sale of postage stamps, coins, medals, and tourist mementos; by fees for admission to museums; and by the sale of publications. Investments and real estate income also account for a sizable portion of revenue. The incomes and living standards of lay workers are comparable to those of counterparts who work in the city of Rome.
Electricity - consumption 53.43 billion kWh (2001) NA kWh
Electricity - exports 34.54 billion kWh (2001) -
Electricity - imports 24.1 billion kWh (2001) NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by Italy
Electricity - production 68.68 billion kWh (2001) NA kWh
Elevation extremes lowest point: Lake Maggiore 195 m


highest point: Dufourspitze 4,634 m
lowest point: unnamed location 19 m


highest point: unnamed location 75 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 NA
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
party to: Climate Change


signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution, Environmental Modification
Ethnic groups German 65%, French 18%, Italian 10%, Romansch 1%, other 6% Italians, Swiss, other
Exchange rates Swiss francs per US dollar - 1.3467 (2003), 1.5586 (2002), 1.6876 (2001), 1.6888 (2000), 1.5022 (1999) euros per US dollar - 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003)
Executive branch chief of state: President Samuel SCHMID (since 1 January 2005); Vice President Moritz LEUENBERGER (since 1 January 2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: President Samuel SCHMID (since 1 January 2005); Vice President Moritz LEUENBERGER (since 1 January 2005); 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 usually 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 8 December 2004 (next to be held December 2005)


election results: Samuel SCHMID elected president; percent of Federal Assembly vote - 70.7%; Moritz LEUENBERGER elected vice president; percent of legislative vote - 64.8%
chief of state: Pope BENEDICT XVI (since 19 April 2005)


head of government: Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio BERTONE (since 15 September 2006)


cabinet: Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City appointed by the pope


elections: pope elected for life by the College of Cardinals; election last held 19 April 2005 (next to be held after the death of the current pope); secretary of state appointed by the pope


election results: Joseph RATZINGER elected Pope BENEDICT XVI
Exports 10,420 bbl/day (2001) -
Exports - commodities machinery, chemicals, metals, watches, agricultural products -
Exports - partners Germany 20.8%, US 11.3%, France 8.7%, Italy 8.3%, UK 4.9%, Japan 4% (2003) -
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the center that does not extend to the edges of the flag two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white with the arms of the Holy See, consisting of the crossed keys of Saint Peter surmounted by the three-tiered papal tiara, centered in the white band
GDP purchasing power parity - $239.3 billion (2003 est.) -
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 1.5%


industry: 34%


services: 64.5% (2003 est.)
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GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $32,700 (2003 est.) -
GDP - real growth rate -0.5% (2003 est.) -
Geographic coordinates 47 00 N, 8 00 E 41 54 N, 12 27 E
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 landlocked; enclave in Rome, Italy; world's smallest state; beyond the territorial boundary of Vatican City, the Lateran Treaty of 1929 grants the Holy See extraterritorial authority over 23 sites in Rome and five outside of Rome, including the Pontifical Palace at Castel Gandolfo (the Pope's summer residence)
Heliports 2 (2003 est.) -
Highways total: 71,011 km


paved: 71,011 km (including 1,638 of expressways)


unpaved: 0 km (2000)
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Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: 2.6%


highest 10%: 25.2% (1992)
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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 and Southwest Asian heroin -
Imports 289,500 bbl/day (2001) NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by Italy
Imports - commodities machinery, chemicals, vehicles, metals; agricultural products, textiles -
Imports - partners Germany 32.3%, France 10.8%, Italy 10.7%, US 5.5%, Netherlands 5%, Austria 4.2%, UK 4.1% (2003) -
Independence 1 August 1291 (founding of the Swiss Confederation) 11 February 1929 (from Italy); note - the three treaties signed with Italy on 11 February 1929 acknowledged, among other things, the full sovereignty of the Vatican and established its territorial extent; however, the origin of the Papal States, which over the years have varied considerably in extent, may be traced back to the 8th century
Industrial production growth rate 0.4% (2003) -
Industries machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments printing; production of coins, medals, postage stamps; a small amount of mosaics and staff uniforms; worldwide banking and financial activities
Infant mortality rate total: 4.43 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 4.94 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 3.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
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Inflation rate (consumer prices) 0.6% (2003 est.) -
International organization participation ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA, ESA, FAO, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MONUC, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC CE (observer), CPLP (associate), IAEA, IOM (observer), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, NAM (guest), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNHCR, Union Latina (observer), UNWTO (observer), UPU, WIPO, WTO (observer)
Irrigated land 250 sq km (1998 est.) 0 sq km
Judicial branch Federal Supreme Court (judges elected for six-year terms by the Federal Assembly) there are three tribunals responsible for civil and criminal matters within Vatican City; three other tribunals rule on issues pertaining to the Holy See


note: judicial duties were established by the Motu Proprio of Pope PIUS XII on 1 May 1946
Labor force 3.72 million (2003) NA
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 4.6%, industry 26.3%, services 69.1% (1998) note: essentially services with a small amount of industry; nearly all dignitaries, priests, nuns, guards, and the approximately 3,000 lay workers live outside the Vatican
Land boundaries total: 1,852 km


border countries: Austria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740 km, Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 334 km
total: 3.2 km


border countries: Italy 3.2 km
Land use arable land: 10.42%


permanent crops: 0.61%


other: 88.97% (2001)
arable land: 0%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 100% (urban area) (2005)
Languages German (official) 63.7%, French (official) 19.2%, Italian (official) 7.6%, Romansch (official) 0.6%, other 8.9% Italian, Latin, French, various other languages
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 Code of Canon Law and revisions to it
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 the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms)


elections: Council of States - last held in most cantons 19 October 2003 (each canton determines when the next election will be held); National Council - last held 19 October 2003 (next to be held NA October 2007)


election results: Council of States - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CVP 15, FDP 14, SVP 8, SPS 6, other 3; National Council - percent of vote by party - SVP 26.6%, SPS 23.3%, FDP 17.3%, CVP 14.4%, Greens 7.4%, other small parties all under 5%; seats by party - SVP 55, SPS 54, FDP 36, CVP 28, Green Party 13, other small parties 14
unicameral Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City
Life expectancy at birth total population: 80.31 years


male: 77.51 years


female: 83.27 years (2004 est.)
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Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 99% (1980 est.)


male:


female:
definition: NA


total population: 100%


male: 100%


female: 100%
Location Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome (Italy)
Map references Europe Europe
Maritime claims none (landlocked) none (landlocked)
Merchant marine total: 30 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 604,843 GRT/1,050,914 DWT


by type: bulk 15, cargo 6, chemical tanker 3, container 3, petroleum tanker 2, specialized tanker 1


foreign-owned: Belgium 1, Netherlands 1, United Kingdom 6, United States 1


registered in other countries: 182 (2004 est.)
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Military - note - defense is the responsibility of Italy; ceremonial and limited security duties performed by Pontifical Swiss Guard
Military branches Land Forces, Air Force Pontifical Swiss Guard (Corpo della Guardia Svizzera Pontificia)
Military expenditures - dollar figure $2.548 billion (FY01) -
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1% (FY01) -
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 1,890,091 (2004 est.) -
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 1,606,391 (2004 est.) -
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males: 45,654 (2004 est.) -
National holiday Founding of the Swiss Confederation, 1 August (1291) Coronation Day of Pope BENEDICT XVI, 24 April (2005)
Nationality noun: Swiss (singular and plural)


adjective: Swiss
noun: none


adjective: none
Natural hazards avalanches, landslides, flash floods NA
Natural resources hydropower potential, timber, salt none
Net migration rate 4.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) -
Pipelines gas 1,831 km; oil 94 km; refined products 7 km (2004) -
Political parties and leaders 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) [Ruth GENNER]; 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) [Doris LEUTHARD, president]; Radical Free Democratic Party (Freisinnig-Demokratische Partei der Schweiz or FDP, Parti Radical-Democratique Suisse or PRD, Partitio Liberal-Radicale Svizzero or PLR) [Marianne KLEINER-SCHLAEPFER, 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) [Hans-Juerg FEHR, 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 none
Political pressure groups and leaders NA none (exclusive of influence exercised by church officers)
Population 7,450,867 (July 2004 est.) 821 (July 2007 est.)
Population below poverty line NA NA%
Population growth rate 0.54% (2004 est.) 0% (2007 est.)
Ports and harbors Basel -
Radio broadcast stations AM 4, FM 113 (plus many low power stations), shortwave 2 (1998) AM 4, FM 3, shortwave 2 (2004)
Railways total: 4,533 km


standard gauge: 3,483 km 1.435-m gauge (3,472 km electrified)


narrow gauge: 1,004 km 1.000-m gauge (974 km electrified); 46 km 0.800-m gauge (46 km electrified) (2003)
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Religions Roman Catholic 46.1%, Protestant 40%, other 5%, none 8.9% (1990) Roman Catholic
Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female


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


total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
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Suffrage 18 years of age; universal limited to cardinals less than 80 years old
Telephone system general assessment: excellent domestic and international services


domestic: extensive cable and microwave radio relay networks


international: country code - 41; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean)
general assessment: automatic digital exchange


domestic: connected via fiber optic cable to Telecom Italia network


international: country code - 39; uses Italian system
Telephones - main lines in use 5.419 million (2002) 5,120 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular 6.172 million (2003) -
Television broadcast stations 115 (plus 1,919 repeaters) (1995) 1 (2005)
Terrain mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes urban; low hill
Total fertility rate 1.42 children born/woman (2004 est.) -
Unemployment rate 3.7% (2003 est.) -
Waterways 65 km


note: Rhine River between Basel-Rheinfelden and Schaffhausen-Bodensee, some canals, and 12 navigable lakes (2003)
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