Country Profile - Switzerland Essay

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Switzerland is a mountainous country, geographically positioned in central Europe. Determined neutrality has given it the admittance and political constancy to become one of the nation’s wealthiest countries, mainly through its banking industry (BBC News, 2009).
Switzerland was known to join the United Nations (UN) only in September 2002. Surrounded by the European Union, they progressively involve strongly with other international organizations (BBC News, 2009).
Most of Switzerland’s trade is with its European neighbors, it is not an EU member. At the same time Switzerland has been steadily complying with international demands to permit better analysis of its famously reserved banking sector, among growing trepidation about money-laundering and the financing of terrorist groups (BBC News, 2009).
Switzerland has numerous global companies, out of which four are ranked the largest amongst the top ten in Continental Europe. The Swiss economy is well-developed, highly export-orientated and industrially mechanized. Famous for its excellent meticulously engineering industry, Switzerland proves its success in other regions such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, telecommunications, food processing and packaging, graphics and electrical and mechanical engineering. Certain sectors, such as pharmaceuticals, banking, insurance and re-insurance, recorded tremendous profits in 2006 (Foreign & Common Wealth Office, 2009).

COUNTRY OVERVIEW

Historical Overview:
Formerly colonized by the Helvetians, the province including contemporary Switzerland was under Roman imperative throughout the Gallic wars in the 1st century BC and remained there until the 4th century AD. Under Roman authority, the population elevated to a high level of civilization and had a blooming commerce (U.S. Department of State, 2009). After the demur of the Roman Dynasty, Switzerland was occupied by Germanic tribes. Switzerland mechanized swiftly during the 19th century...