Swit·zer·land (sw t s r-lnd) A country of west-central Europe. The region was conquered by Germanic tribes in the 5th century and by Swabia and Burgundy in the 9th, becoming part of the Holy Roman Empire in 1033. Protesting Hapsburg control in the 13th century, the Swiss formed a defense league made up of cantons that became the basis of their confederation, and by 1499 they had achieved independence. The Reformation in the 16th century led to religious civil wars that lasted through the next two centuries. The French took brief control of Switzerland during the French Revolution, but the confederacy was restored in 1815. Switzerland later adopted a federal constitution (1848) and maintained a policy of neutrality through both World Wars. Bern is the capital and Zurich the largest city. Population: 7,550,000. |   |
Switzerland [ˈswɪtsələnd]
n
(Placename) a federal republic in W central Europe: the cantons of Schwyz, Uri, and Unterwalden formed a defensive league against the Hapsburgs in 1291, later joined by other cantons; gained independence in 1499; adopted a policy of permanent neutrality from 1516; a leading centre of the Reformation in the 16th century. It lies in the Jura Mountains and the Alps, with a plateau between the two ranges. Official languages: German, French, and Italian; Romansch minority. Religion: mostly Protestant and Roman Catholic. Currency: Swiss franc. Capital: Bern. Pop.: 7 222 000 (2001 est.). Area: 41 288 sq. km (15 941 sq. miles) German name Schweiz French name Suisse Italian name Svizzera Latin name Helvetia [hɛlˈviːʃə]
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  Switzerland - a landlocked federal republic in central Europebattle of Sempatch, Sempatch - the Swiss Confederation escaped Hapsburg domination by their victory in 1386 International Relations and Security Network, ISN - Switzerland's information network for security and defense studies and for peace and conflict research and for international relations commune - the smallest administrative district of several European countries Savoy - a geographical region of historical importance; a former duchy in what is now southwestern France, western Switzerland, and northwestern Italy Swiss canton - one of the cantons of Switzerland Geneva, Geneve, Genf - a city in southwestern Switzerland at the western end of Lake Geneva; it is the headquarters of various international organizations Interlaken - a popular resort town in the Alps in west central Switzerland Lausanne - a city in western Switzerland; cultural and commercial center Zurich - the largest city in Switzerland; located in the northern part of the country; "Zurich is the center of the German-speaking part of Switzerland" Alps, the Alps - a large mountain system in south-central Europe; scenic beauty and winter sports make them a popular tourist attraction Europe - the 2nd smallest continent (actually a vast peninsula of Eurasia); the British use `Europe' to refer to all of the continent except the British Isles Lake Geneva, Lake Leman - a lake between southwestern Switzerland and France that is crossed from east to west by the Rhone Matterhorn - a mountain in the Alps on the border between Switzerland and Italy (14,780 feet high); noted for its distinctive shape Rhein, Rhine River, Rhine - a major European river carrying more traffic than any other river in the world; flows into the North Sea Rhone, Rhone River - a major French river; flows into the Mediterranean near Marseilles; "the valley of the Rhone is famous for its vineyards" Weisshorn - a mountain in the Alps in Switzerland (14,804 feet high) |
Translations
Switzerland
n → die Schweiz; to Switzerland → in die Schweiz; French-/German-/Italian-speaking Switzerland → die französische/deutsche/italienische Schweiz, die französisch-/deutsch-/italienischsprachige Schweiz
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