PROJECT Julia Kovalenko, Sweden

 

  

The flag of Switzerland consists of a red flag with a white cross in the centre. It is one of only two square sovereign-state flags, the other being the flag of the Vatican City.Only the dimensions of the cross are formally established since 1889: "The coat of arms of the federation is, within a red field, an upright white cross, whose arms of equal length are one and a sixth times as long as they are wide. "

  

The coat of arms of Switzerland shows the same white Greek cross as the flag of Switzerland, but on a red shield. The appearance of the coat of arms or shield varies greatly, but the federal resolution of 12 December 1889 on the coat of arms decrees that the four arms have equal lengths, in a ratio to their width of 7:6, and includes a drawing of the coat of arms.Like the Swiss flag, the coat of arms is used on many items, such as Swiss francs, Swiss car number plates, and Swiss-branded exports such as Swiss Army knives.The Coat of Arms of Switzerland is a white Greek cross on a red shield and surrounded by a wreath and tied with a banner. In Blazon, Gules, a Greek Cross Argent and surrounded by a wreath and tied with a banner.

 
Switzerland is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in western Europe, where it is bordered by Germany to the north, France to the west, Italy to the south, and Austria and Liechtenstein to the east.

 

 

Switzerland is a landlocked country geographically divided between the Alps, the Swiss Plateau and the Jura, spanning an area of 41,285 km2 (15,940 sq mi). While the Alps occupy the greater part of the territory, the Swiss population of approximately 8 million people is concentrated mostly on the Plateau, where the largest cities are to be found. Among them are the two global cities and economic centres of Zurich and Geneva.  
 

The Swiss Confederation has a long history of armed neutrality — it has not been in a state of war internationally since 1815—and did not join the United Nations until 2002. It pursues, however, an active foreign policy and is frequently involved in peace-building processes around the world. Switzerland is also the birthplace of the Red Cross and home to a large number of international organizations, including the second largest UN office. On the European level, it is a founding member of the European Free Trade Association and is part of the Schengen Area – although it is notably not a member of the European Union, nor the European Economic Area.

Switzerland is one of the richest countries in the world by per capita gross domestic product, and has the highest wealth per adult (financial and non-financial assets) of any country in the world. Zurich and Geneva have respectively been ranked as the cities with the second and third highest quality of life in the world. It has the world's nineteenth largest economy by nominal GDP and the thirty-sixth largest by purchasing power parity. It is the twentieth largest exporter and eighteenth largest importer of goods.

 Switzerland comprises three main linguistic and cultural regions: German, French, and Italian, to which the Romansh-speaking valleys are added. The Swiss, therefore, though predominantly German-speaking, do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. The strong sense of belonging to the country is founded on the common historical background, shared values (federalism and direct democracy) and Alpine symbolism. The establishment of the Swiss Confederation is traditionally dated to 1 August 1291; Swiss National Day is celebrated on the anniversary.

 Vocabulary

Consists – состоит

Cross – пересекать

square sovereign - площадь суверенного

dimensions – размеры

established – установленный

upright – вертикально

equal length - одинаковой длины

appearance - внешний вид

varies – меняется

decrees – указы

surrounded – окруженный

landlocked - имеющих выхода к морю

divided between - разделена между

spanning – охватывающей

occupy – занимать

approximately – приблизительно

concentrated – концентрированный

armed neutrality - вооруженный нейтралитет

pursues – преследует

peace-building processes around - процессах миростроительства вокруг

notably - особенно

richest - богатых

gross domestic - валовой внутренний

wealth per adult (financial and non-financial assets) - богатство взрослого (финансовые и нефинансовые активы)

respectively been ranked - соответственно, занимает первое место

purchasing - покупка

predominantly – преимущественно

belonging - принадлежащий

anniversary - юбилей