The CIA World Factbook Every edition, 1999 to 2025 Europe

Background Switzerland, in 27 editions.

The entry for Switzerland published Background in 27 editions of 36, from 1999 to 2025. The text changed in 12 editions. Each is shown as published. Background in every entry.

editions changed the text
12
the first edition with it
1999
the latest edition with it
2025

Published as “Background” (1999 to 2025).

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2025 edition

Same as 2024

Open the 2025 entry

The same text in 2024 and 2025.

The Swiss Confederation was founded in 1291 as a defensive alliance among three cantons. In succeeding years, other localities joined the original three. The Swiss Confederation secured its independence from the Holy Roman Empire in 1499. A constitution of 1848, which was modified in 1874 to allow voters to introduce referenda on proposed laws, replaced the confederation with a centralized federal government. The major European powers have long honored Switzerland's sovereignty and neutrality, and the country was not involved in either World War.

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.

The Swiss Confederation was founded in 1291 as a defensive alliance among three cantons. In succeeding years, other localities joined the original three. The Swiss Confederation secured its independence from the Holy Roman Empire in 1499. A constitution of 1848, subsequently which was modified in 1874 to allow voters to introduce referenda on proposed laws, replaced the confederation with a centralized federal government. Switzerland's sovereignty and neutrality The major European powers have long been honored by the major European powers, Switzerland's sovereignty and neutrality, and the country was not involved in either of the two World Wars. War. The political and economic integration of Europe over the past half century, 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.

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Central Intelligence Agency. “Switzerland: Background.” The World Factbook, 1999–2025 editions. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/switzerland/background.

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