Switzerland has a population of over 7 million.
National composition:
- Germans;
- French people;
- Italians;
- other nations (citizens of the EU and countries of the former Yugoslavia).
The indigenous peoples of Switzerland are Germanic-Swiss (they live in the central and eastern cantons of the country, and use upper German dialects in their speech), Italo-Swiss (they settled the southern cantons and speak Italian), Romans (their habitat is in the highlands the canton of Graubünden, and the languages of communication are Romansh, German and Italian) and the Franco-Swiss (they settled the western cantons and use South French dialects in speech).
180 people live per 1 sq. Km, but the most populated areas are the Swiss plateau and the north-east of the country (population density is 250 people per 1 sq. Km), and the mountainous, eastern, central and southern parts of Switzerland are the least populated (with the exception of the canton Tessin) - 20-50 people live here per 1 sq. Km.
State languages - German, Italian, Romansh, French.
Major cities: Zurich, Bern, Geneva, Basel, Lausanne, Lucerne, Davos, Friborg.
The inhabitants of Switzerland profess Catholicism, Protestantism, Orthodoxy.
Life span
The Swiss are considered one of the longest-lived nations in the world, with an average life expectancy of 82 years (males live on average up to 81 years, and females up to 85 years).
Excellent results are largely due to the fact that the state deducts $ 5600 per person per year for healthcare (this is higher than the average for Europe).
The Swiss hold the record for low obesity: only 8% of people in the country are overweight. In addition, in Switzerland significantly fewer people die from cancer and cerebrovascular diseases than in other countries. But, nevertheless, Switzerland is a drinking and smoking country (there are 1722 cigarettes per inhabitant per year).
Traditions and customs of the inhabitants of Switzerland
The Swiss honor ancient traditions: they love to take part in competitions of ancient costumes, in competitions among singers and shooters, and also to watch the colorful processions of the standard bearers.
Cheese is of particular importance in Switzerland - it is not only a tradition, but also the soul of the country: 600 cheese dairies have been opened here, producing 450 types of cheese (real Alpine cheese is made in the mountains in summer).
Summer is a special time in Switzerland: at this time, every village, town, village and town celebrates its own, special holidays. For example, the Francophone part of Switzerland celebrates Fete de Vendanges - the holiday is accompanied by grateful processions in honor of the harvested grape harvest.
If a Swiss invites you to visit, be punctual and present the hosts of the house with a small present.
