Switzerland – Land Of Beauty And Mystery

By | April 25, 2019

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Swiss Flag. Source: (imagui.eu)

Switzerland is a small country centrally located in Europe surrounded by France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, and Italy. It is a unique country in comparison to other countries.

Switzerland was founded in 1848, forming a modern constitution that made a federal state of the confederation. Their government is a parliamentary democracy in which the voters elect the parliament, who then forms the government. The Federal Assembly has a bicameral parliament, which is one that contains two separate assemblies (House of Lords and House of Commons) and both must agree on new laws that are made. Citizens have an active role in influencing the government with direct participation in making decisions.

Switzerland is known as a neutral country and did not directly take part in large wars. Since the end of World War I, Geneva has been the location for the League of Nations symbolizing their desire for peace.

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Castle of Chillon. Source: (picture-newsletter.com)

Part of Switzerland’s history includes old medieval castles. Chillon Castle is one of them and sits near Lake Geneva, Switzerland. It was built in the 9th century and was occupied for 1,000 years. From the 12th century until the 16th century, the Counts of Savoy occupied it and also used it a tool for controlling trade along the shore of the lake. After that, the Bernice took it over and used it as a prison from 1536 until the latter part of the 18th century. From 1532 to 1536, the monk named François Bonivard was a prisoner in the dungeon. A romantic poem, “The Prisoner Of Chillon,” was written about him by Lord Byron, the English poet who visited the castle one summer. It inspired him to write a poem about Bonivard’s experience. The castle is now an attraction where visitors come from all over to view it with its medieval kitchens and rooms as well as the dungeon.