The economy of Switzerland is one of the world's most stable due to its long-term monetary security and political stability which has made it a safe haven for investors. It has a highly specialized industry and trade sector and achieved one of the highest per capita incomes in the world with low unemployment. After the decline of the Roman Empire, Switzerland was invaded by Germanic tribes and later became part of Charlemagne's empire. In 1291, the ruling families from Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden signed a charter pledging mutual support in upholding autonomous rule, celebrated today as Switzerland's National Day.

2. The economy of Switzerland
• The economy of Switzerland is one of the world's most
stable economies. Its policy of long-term monetary security
and political stability has made Switzerland a safe haven for
investors, creating an economy that is increasingly
dependent on a steady tide of foreign investment.
• Because of the country's small size and high labor
specialization, industry and trade are the keys to
Switzerland's economic livelihood. Switzerland has
achieved one of the highest per capita incomes in the world
with low unemployment rates and a balanced budget. The
service sector has also come to play a significant economic
role. The economy of Switzerland ranks first in the world in
the 2015 Global Innovation Index.

3. The politics of Switzerland
• The politics of Switzerland take place in the framework of a multi-party federal
directorial democratic republic, whereby the Federal Council of Switzerland is the
collective head of government and head of state. Executive power is exercised by
the government and the federal administration and is not concentrated in any one
person. Federal legislative power is vested in both the government and the two
chambers of the Federal Assembly of Switzerland. The judiciary is independent of
the executive and the legislature.
• Switzerland is the closest state in the world to a direct democracy. For any change
in the constitution, a referendum is mandatory (mandatory referendum); for any
change in a law, a referendum can be requested (optional referendum). Through
referenda, citizens may challenge any law voted by federal parliament and through
federal popular initiative introduce amendments to the federal constitution.
• The same system is used for the three administrative levels municipality, canton,
country. If the community is small enough like in little villages, the parliament
representing the people does not exist. Also the ordinary law does then not exist,
only the constitution of the village. The term "council" is used ambiguously,
sometimes it refers to legislation, i.e. parliament, sometimes to the execution, i.e.
government.

4. The history of Switzerland
• After the decline of the Roman Empire, Switzerland was invaded by
Germanic tribes from the north and west. Some tribes, such as the
Alemanni in central and northeastern Switzerland, and the Burgundians,
who ruled western Switzerland, settled there. In 800, the country became
part of Charlemagne's empire. It later passed under the dominion of the
Holy Roman emperors in the form of small ecclesiastic and temporal
holdings subject to imperial sovereignty.
• With the opening of a new important north-south trade route across the
Alps in the early 13th century, the Empire's rulers began to attach more
importance to the remote Swiss mountain valleys, which were granted
some degree of autonomy under direct imperial rule. Fearful of the
popular disturbances flaring up following the death of the Holy Roman
Emperor in 1291, the ruling families from Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden
signed a charter to keep public peace and pledging mutual support in
upholding autonomous administrative and judicial rule. The anniversary of
the charter's signature (August 1, 1291) today is celebrated as
Switzerland's National Day.