Switzerland is a small country in the middle of the Alps and Europe, situated at the crossing of different cultures and important means of communication. The geographical situation, with its numerous isolated little valleys, has always been reflected in the inhabitants. The strong desires of independance in each community have enhanced the federal system that we are still using and experiencing today.

Originally, the Helvetians, a celtic tribe, populated the country. Then various people settled in the territory of the country: the Germans to the north, the Burgundians to the west, the Lombards to the south and the Rhetians to the east. That is the reason why Switzerland today has four languages.

Swiss history starts with the pact from 1291, with which the three valleys of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden swore to help and support each other. This pact was above all to protect them from the invasions of forceful Dukes interested in the Gotthard. In the course of the years other cities and valleys joined the pact.

The country however always depended on a good relationship with its neighbours. A special emphasis was always placed on cultural and economical contacts. Profitable Treaties involving Swiss mercenaries used to be concluded with the neighbouring dukedoms. The Swiss confederation was also drawn into widespread international conflicts such as the Thirty Years War and the French Revolution. Civilian wars did not spare the country either.

Various constitutions were adopted between 1798 and 1848. As these constitutions did not always take into account the specificity of the Swiss people and their growing desire of independence, they had to be replaced one after the other. Finally, a federal state was created in 1848.