Switzerland's geographical location and religious beliefs

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geography

It is often said that Switzerland is located in the center of Europe. Geographically, that's not entirely correct. However, the main route connecting northern and southern Europe does pass through the Alps.

Switzerland borders Germany in the north, Austria and Liechtenstein in the east, Italy in the south and France in the west. This means that three important European cultures meet in Switzerland-German-speaking area, French-speaking area and Italian-speaking area.

Geographical survey

People often call Switzerland "the heart of Europe". Geographically, Switzerland is not located in the center of Europe; But the main trunk line connecting northern and southern Europe runs through the Swiss Alps.

Switzerland borders Germany in the north, Austria and Liechtenstein in the east, Italy in the south and France in the west. Three important European cultures merged in Switzerland, forming different regions, namely German-speaking region, French-speaking region and Italian-speaking region.

Area, region, population

The area of Switzerland is 4 1285 square kilometers (15940 square miles). The production area, that is, the area without lakes, rivers, unproductive vegetation and no vegetation at all, covers an area of 30,753 square kilometers (1 1, 870 square miles).

Jura Mountain, Plateau and Alps constitute the three main geographical regions of the country.

7.4 million people-just over one thousandth (0. 1%) of the global population live in Switzerland.

Switzerland has a high population density, with a production area of 234 people per square kilometer (606 people per square mile) in 2000. In the gathering area covering about 20% of the total surface area, the density is 590 per square kilometer (per square mile 1528).

Area, region, population

The total land area of Switzerland is 4 1.285 square kilometers, accounting for only 1.5% of the global area. The production area, that is, the area without lakes, rivers and vegetation, is 30,753 square kilometers.

The Jura Mountains, the Central Plains and the Alps constitute the three main regions of Switzerland.

Switzerland has a population of 7.3 million, accounting for only one thousandth of the global population.

Switzerland has a high population density, with a population density of 237 people per square kilometer in the production area. The urban agglomeration accounts for about 20% of the total area of Switzerland, with a population density of 590 people per square kilometer.

Religious territory

In recent years, the number of members of the Christian church has decreased. In an extensive public opinion survey on Swiss attitudes in 2000, only 16% of Swiss people thought that religion was "very important" to them, far below their family, work, sports or culture. Another survey released in the same year showed that the number of people who regularly went to church decreased by 10% during the period of10. Among Christians, 38.5% said they didn't go to church, while among Protestants, the figure was 50.7%. Only 7 1% of the respondents said they believed in God. In the past 30 years, the demand for church baptisms, weddings and funerals has fallen sharply. The census in 2000 showed that both Roman Catholicism and mainstream Protestantism (Reformed-Evangelical) declined in absolute number (number of members) and relative number (proportion to the total population). )

On the other hand, the proportion of smaller branches of these two churches is the same as before. Free evangelical churches account for 2.2% of the population; The Christian Catholic Church accounts for 0.2%.

The Jewish community has also remained more or less unchanged. Recent immigrants have brought members of other faiths to Switzerland, especially Islam and Orthodox Church.

Even though the church is no longer relevant to many people's lives, Roman Catholicism and Protestantism have played a key role in shaping the way modern Switzerland and Swiss people see themselves.

Religious distribution

In recent years, the number of Christian members has decreased significantly. In 2000, in a large-scale vote on religious attitudes, only 16% of Swiss people thought religion was "very important"; But compared with family, career, fitness and culture, there is still a big gap. Another study in the same year showed that the number of people going to church regularly dropped by 10 percentage point in ten years. 38.5% Catholics admit not to go to church; Protestants who don't go to church account for 50.7%. Of the two major religions surveyed, only 7 1% believe in God. In the past 30 years, fewer and fewer people have been baptized in churches, and weddings and funerals have been held. The census in 2000 showed that the absolute number (the number of believers) and the relative number (the proportion of the total population) of Roman Catholicism and the main Protestantism (innovative evangelicals) decreased greatly.

Except for the accidents of the two major sects, the proportion of other smaller sects is balanced. The number of liberal evangelicals accounts for 2.2% of the total population; While Catholicism accounts for 0.2%.

In addition, the number of Jews has remained basically the same.

Although the position of the church in people's lives is no longer very important, Catholicism and Protestantism still play a shaping role in modern Swiss society, affecting Swiss attitudes towards themselves.

Catholicism

Roman Catholicism is often associated with conservatism and the preservation of traditional values, including regional autonomy and commitment to local communities. Roman Catholic states include Uri (more than 90%), Schweitz, Nizhny Walden and obwalden. These alpine states signed the 129 1 alliance oath, which is regarded as the foundation of modern Switzerland. At that time, they joined forces to defend their right to rule themselves in the face of external forces. Today, these regions vote against any move that they think will bring Switzerland closer to its neighbors and threaten its neutrality.

The Roman Catholic Church in Switzerland is different because the secular authorities in ten Catholic states have an important say in nominating bishops. This is the result of the agreement reached between the Pope and the participating states in 1828.

After Protestants were in the majority in Switzerland for many years, Roman Catholicism became the largest religious group again in the middle of the 20th century due to immigrants from Catholic countries.

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Roman Catholicism tends to be conservative, reminiscent of regional autonomy and local beliefs. The Roman influence is very strong in the following states: Uri (more than 90%), Schweitz and Upper and Lower Walden. These countries in the Alps swore an oath together in 129 1 year, which is considered as the embryonic form of modern Switzerland. At that time, the alliance was to resist foreign forces and protect their rights. Nowadays, once the proposed innovation may bring Switzerland closer to its neighbors and damage Switzerland's neutral position, it will be strongly opposed by these States.

The Roman Catholic Church in Switzerland is unique: among the 65,438+00 Catholic countries, the secular regime has a very important say in the nomination of bishops. This is the result of the coordination between the Archbishop of Rome and these states in 1828.

For many years, Christians have been in the majority. But since the middle of the twentieth century, Catholicism has once again become the largest religion in Switzerland. This phenomenon is mainly caused by a large number of immigrants from Catholic countries.

Protestant faith

Switzerland is the hometown of ulrich zwingli and jean chauvin, two leaders of the Protestant Reformation that swept Europe in the 6th century. Generally speaking, rich rural areas and cities have developed into the industrial centers of Switzerland and adopted new religions. Geneva, in particular, became the base camp of Protestantism and the refuge of refugees (including Calvin himself) who fled the oppression of Catholic countries. These refugees, in turn, have made important contributions to the knowledge and economic life of this city. Protestants attach importance to reason and hard work, and regard wealth as God's reward, which laid the foundation for the prosperity of modern Switzerland.

1848 The Constitution created the Swiss Confederation as we know it today, which was drafted by Protestant radicals. They believed that greater centralization was essential for the development of the industrialized economy. The federal country created a single currency system to replace different state currencies and removed internal trade barriers.

Protestant faith

/kloc-In the 6th century, Christian reform swept across Europe. Ulrich, two important leaders of the reform? Ulrich zwingli and John? Jean Calvin is Swiss. Generally speaking, the wealthier villages and industrialized cities in Switzerland have accepted Protestantism. Geneva became the staunchest supporter of Christianity, providing refuge for exiled people oppressed by Catholicism such as Calvin. These exiles have made great contributions to the intellectual and economic life in Geneva. Christians attach importance to reason and hard work, and believe that health is a gift from God. This thought laid the foundation for the prosperity of modern Switzerland.

The Swiss Constitution of 1848 established today's federal regime. The constitution at that time was drafted by a radical Christian. He believes that higher centralization is indispensable for the development of industrialized economy. The federal government has established a unified monetary system, eliminating different forms of money in different States, thus eliminating obstacles to domestic trade.

Other religions

The third largest religious group in Switzerland is Islam. The census in 2000 showed that there were more than 300,000 Muslims in China, slightly more than twice that of 1990. Many of these Muslims are refugees or asylum seekers, but the number of Swiss nationals who are Muslims has increased from 7,700 to 36,500 in the past decade.

Other religions

The third largest religion in Switzerland is Islam. According to the religious census in 2000, there are more than 300,000 Muslims in Switzerland, almost twice as many as 1990. Most Muslims are asylum seekers from other countries. In a short period of 10, the number of Muslims among Swiss citizens increased from 7,700 to 36,500.

Due to immigrants from Central and Eastern European countries, the number of Orthodox Christians has also increased. They add up to more than 130000.

A large number of immigrants from Central and Eastern Europe have increased the number of Orthodox Christians. Its total number has exceeded 6.5438+0.3 million.

The number of followers of Judaism remains stable, about 17900.

The number of Jews is also growing steadily, and currently there are about 17900 people.

About 2 1 000 Buddhists follow different schools. More than half of Buddhists are Swiss. Wat Srinagarindravararam, the largest Buddhist temple in Switzerland, opened in Solotun in 2003. It follows Hinayana school.

The number of people claiming that they don't belong to any religion has risen sharply. They now account for just over 1 1% of the population, while the proportion of 1990 is 7.4%, 1. 1%.

There are about 2 1 000 followers of different Buddhist sects, half of whom are Swiss citizens. Wat Srinagarindravararams is the largest Buddhist temple in Switzerland, which was completed in Solotun in 2003. Followed by Theravada.

The number of atheists has also risen sharply, and currently accounts for more than 1 1% of the total population. In 1990, the proportion is 7.4%, and in 1970, it is only 1. 1%.