About this item
There is far more to Switzerland than beautiful scenery, chocolate, watches, faceless bankers, and spotless cities. The real Switzerland is full of surprises and anything but bland. This small, rugged, landlocked country at the heart of Europe has been a confederation since the first three cantons came together in a defensive alliance in 1291. Four national languages are spoken within its borders. Its present twenty-six cantons are largely autonomous and retain their individual characters. In this grassroots democracy real power lies with the people, who exercise it directly through frequent referendums. "Swissness" is, above all, a spirit of independence and of communal involvement. Although it is a model of peace and multicultural cooperation, with one of the highest standards of living in Europe, Switzerland's prosperity has been hard-won.
About the Author
Kendall Hunter is a freelance journalist and the author of two books: Black Taxi: Shooting South Africa and Culture Smart!: Switzerland (written as Kendall Maycock) . She now lives in her home town of Banff, in the Canadian Rockies, with her two daughters after living 10 years in Zurich, and is working on her third book. She has freelanced for Canada's Globe & Mail; has been a regular contributor to the Swiss parenting magazine, The New Stork Times and has most recently written for InCulture Parent Magazine, Literary Mama, The Oregonian and The Women's Media Center.
