Switzerland is a small country even by European standard. You can travel by train or car from one end of the country to the other within a day, because it has excellent roads, tunnels and railways. The country has three official languages – French, German and Italian. Most Swiss also speak English as well. Yet no country has ever invaded Switzerland. Every able bodied man and many women are in the army. Many of them actually keep their weapons at home. Fighter jets are hidden in barns, tunnels and caves. More surprisingly, historical Switzerland has provided mercenaries for other European countries. Today you can still the Swiss mercenary guards at the Vatican, with their medieval costumes. Central Switzerland is situated on the Alps, which was created about 65 million years ago as Italy collided with Europe. Ever since it becomes a major barrier between northern Europe and Italy. The Gotthard Pass is the major link to cross Central Switzerland. Today the pass is replaced by a 17 km tunnel, St Gotthard Tunnel, cutting out nearly 50 hair-pin bends on the pass. It is a major artery for Europe traffic.