Switzerland

=**Switzerland **=

=By: Kira N. Shaylah B. Kelsey H. Ashley S. =

media type="custom" key="3927189" Switzerland, like every other country, has a story behind it. But every countries story is unique. Switzerland’s legend of Wilhelm “William” Tell (citation 1) is one such story. It may not be proven yet as to whether or not Wilhelm Tell actually existed, but to Switzerland, Tell was very much alive, and took place in 1516. Wilhelm was forced by the bailiff Gessler, after he refuses to do what he was told, to shoot an apple off of his sons head. Were he to miss, Wilhelm had an extra arrow which he would have used to kill the bailiff. Wilhelm was imprisoned, and, on a boat bound for Kussnacht, the bailiff’s castle, Wilhelm Tell jumps on to a nearby rock with his crossbow, and kills the bailiff.
 * A little piece of Switzerland’s History **

// A statue stands in honor of Wilhelm tell, in Altdorf. // A war known as the peasant wars (citation 2) broke out in 1653, between Bern and Lucerne, it was rebel peasants against undemocratic rules of the city. Unfortunately the rebels lost and were punished greatly for the revolt. Many years later there were also peasant uprisings in Wilchingen, and Werdenberg. In 1790 all over Switzerland, petitioning for the cause of equal rights, and rising against taxes. Few were successful. In the late 1700’s, Switzerland was one of the first few industrialized countries in Europe, producing products such as chocolate production, and watch making. Also in the 1700’s, the Alps were “discovered” by artists, scientists, etc. Above all others though, here is one piece of history that is extremely important, and has changed the world for the better.

In the eventful year of 1875 a truly brilliant man named Daniel Peter, invented milk chocolate, which in my opinion there should be an international milk chocolate holiday. A tribute to Daniel Peter: Dear Mr. Peter, YOU ROCK!!!!! By Shaylah B. (that’s me!) (Citation 3) Citations:
 * 1) "The Legend of William Tell." History of Switzerland. © Copyright 2004. History of Switzerland. 02 June 2008 .
 * 2) "A Short History of Switzerland." History of Switzerland. © Copyright 2004. GESCHICHTE-SCHWEIZ.CH. 1 June 2009 .
 * 3) "Peter'ss - The Original Swiss Milk Chocolate." //Duke University Libraries//. Copyright © 2007 . Duke University Libraries. 4 Jun 2009

=__Geography of Switzerland__=

Switzerland is a very unique country when it comes to it's geography. First of all, Switzerland is a landlocked country in central Europe and is sometimes referred to as the "heart of Europe". Bordering Switzerland is Italy to the south, France to the west, Germany to the north and Austria and Liechtenstein to the east. Switzerland is the smallest federal state and has a size of 15,940 square miles and contains 26 cantons(states). They have a high population density of 606 people per square mile. Just like most places, Switzerland has four different seasons- winter(November- March), spring(March- May), summer(May- September) and autumn(September- November). Switzerland has 3 geological regions- The Jura Mountains, Plateau, and the Alps. The Jura Mountains are partly in France and partly in Switzerland. They are along the western border and extend over 6 different cantons. The Plateau is most of the land in between the Jura and the Alps. This is where most of the population lives. The Swiss Alps cover about three fifths of Switzerland and are the biggest of the Alps. They are also very rugged and are usually covered in snow in the higher elevations. The highest point in Switzerland is Mt. Defourspitze of Monte Rosa, which is 4,634 meters high. The lowest point is Lake Maggiore which is 195 meters above sea level. Switzerland has one of the most diverse geographies! By Kira Nuebel media type="custom" key="3930365" Music of Switzerland media type="youtube" key="Cv2YWM5ntqc" height="344" width="425" http://delicious.com/bruinvollyball8 http://delicious.com/katt_in_hatt http://delicious.com/shaylers http://delicious.com/amber_k9_12