Switzerland

Switzerland is a landlocked country located in Central Europe, bordered by France to the west, Germany to the north, Austria and Liechtenstein to the east, and Italy to the south. It lies at the heart of the Alps, giving it a highly mountainous character and making it one of Europe’s most geographically diverse countries despite its relatively small size. The capital is Bern, while major global cities such as Zurich, Geneva, and Basel serve as important financial, diplomatic, and cultural centres.

Geographically, Switzerland is dominated by three major natural regions: the Alps in the south and east, the Swiss Plateau (Mittelland) in the central region, and the Jura Mountains in the northwest. The Alps cover about 60% of the country and include some of Europe’s highest peaks, glaciers, and deep valleys. The Swiss Plateau, although only about 30% of the territory, is the most densely populated and economically developed region, containing most cities, industry, and agricultural land. The Jura Mountains form a forested limestone range along the French border. Switzerland is also rich in freshwater resources, with major rivers such as the Rhine, Rhône, Aare, and Ticino originating or flowing through its territory. It has numerous lakes, including Lake Geneva, Lake Zurich, Lake Lucerne, and Lake Constance. The climate varies significantly with altitude, ranging from temperate conditions on the plateau to alpine climates in higher regions.
Historically, Switzerland’s identity developed through a gradual process of alliance-building among small alpine communities. In 1291, the original cantons of Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden formed a defensive confederation, marking the traditional founding of the Swiss Confederation. Over time, additional cantons joined, and Switzerland gradually gained autonomy from the Holy Roman Empire. After the Napoleonic Wars, the modern Swiss state began to take shape, and in 1848 a federal constitution established Switzerland as a modern federal state.

Switzerland maintained a policy of armed neutrality in both World Wars and has continued this stance into the present day. Despite its neutrality, it plays a significant role in international diplomacy, hosting numerous global organizations in Geneva, including parts of the United Nations, the Red Cross, and many NGOs. Switzerland is known for its political stability, direct democracy system, and strong tradition of federalism, where significant power is held by the 26 cantons.

Agriculture in Switzerland is shaped by its mountainous terrain and limited arable land, with only a small portion of the country suitable for crop production. Farming is concentrated on the Swiss Plateau and in alpine valleys. Major agricultural products include dairy, beef, pork, cereals (such as wheat and barley), potatoes, and sugar beets. Dairy farming is especially important, producing milk used for world-famous Swiss cheeses such as Emmental, Gruyère, and Appenzeller. Alpine farming traditions, including seasonal cattle grazing in mountain pastures (transhumance), remain an important cultural and economic practice. Swiss agriculture is highly subsidized and focused on sustainability, landscape preservation, and high-quality production rather than mass output.

Fishery is relatively small-scale due to Switzerland’s landlocked position, but it exists primarily in freshwater lakes and rivers. Commercial and recreational fishing takes place in lakes such as Geneva, Neuchâtel, Zurich, and Constance. Common species include perch, pike, trout, whitefish (coregonus), and carp. Aquaculture is limited but present, and strict environmental regulations ensure sustainable management of aquatic ecosystems.

Forestry is an important environmental and economic sector in Switzerland. About one-third of the country is forested, with dense woodlands found in both lowland and mountainous regions. Tree species include beech, oak, spruce, fir, and pine, varying with altitude. Swiss forestry is managed under strict sustainability principles, with reforestation generally balancing or exceeding timber harvesting. Forests provide timber for construction and energy, protect against natural hazards such as avalanches and landslides, and serve as important recreational and biodiversity areas.

Overall, Switzerland is a highly developed country where mountainous geography has strongly influenced settlement, agriculture, and economic specialization. Its history of political neutrality, combined with strong institutions and a decentralized political system, has helped it become one of the world’s most stable and prosperous nations, with a strong emphasis on sustainability, precision industries, and environmental stewardship.

Gerold and Klaudia have been many times in Switzerland, starting 1983. In the Rhine Falls across the border and on the way to the Dolomites. Since then I have been to Switzerland very often, perhaps the country where I was most, except for Germany. I once visited Sigrid Kortenhaus in Dornach in 1985, then Gundi in 1987 and 1988 on the Schlanz Alp. In the nineties then only 1991 with the pregnant Klaudi on the Alp Schlanz near Jogi and Fluela near Davos. I was only in Switzerland again in 2000 at the IFOAM conference in Basel. Slept in Dornach. Then I was in Switzerland once or several times every year. So in 2003 and 2004 we went on holiday on the Schüderli Älpli near Gundi (one week each). Then we visited FiBL even more frequently: for closed conferences, to get to know each other, for DOC rehearsals or project discussions. In 2006 I flew to Dornach to visit Nicolai Fuchs as Section Leader of the Goetheanum.

• 2007 Klaudia visited the alp Flüela (Davos) for 5 days. She is a shepherdess there. A beautiful world.
• In 2008 I visited Switzerland 3 times: Alp, Frick (2x).
• The same in 2009: in Zurich in March there was the scientific conference on organic farming, where I took part for 3 days.
• In summer 2009 and 2012 again on the Flüela-Alp. 
• On the hayloft of Alp Schlanz I wrote my diploma thesis about Malawi in 1989.
• Here on Alp Schlanz I typed my diploma thesis (Malawi) on the hayloft.
• In 2010 I was with Klaudia for 4 days on the Möschberg together with the Federal Expert Committee "Basics" of the Bioland Association. This place in Emmental has a deep meaning for organic agriculture. After the Second World War, Mrs. Müller and Mr. Müller helped to design organic-biological agriculture here.
• 2012 again in Switzerland, because of work in Frick (FibL) for 2 days.
• Then again in 2015 for 3 days, once again in Dornach at the agricultural conference of the Anthroposophical Society.
  
• 2021 I joined the Bioland excursion to sheep keeping farms in Graubünden. 
• 2023 Klaudia and I visited Urs Niggli and Helga Willer in Frick for one nigth, and did some hiking in the mountains close to San Bernadino in Sufers and Splügen. 
• 2025 I was 3 days for a visit in Kreuzlingen and Stein am Rhein and one day at the World championship Biathlon in Lenzerheide (close to Chur). In November Gerold and Klaudia have attended an Organic conference (as keynote speaker) in Luzern and spent 4 days in the countriy.