Switzerland is in central Europe, both mentally and geographically. The original Swiss Confederation was formed in 1291 as a defensive alliance by the cantons of Schwyz, Uri, and Unterwalden and by 1353 also included Glarus and Zug plus the city-states of Lucerne, Zürich and Berne.
Switzerland's independence from the Holy Roman Empire was recognized in the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648, but the armies of the French Revolution conquered Switzerland in 1798 and centralized the government creating the “Helvetic Republic”, effectively abolishing the cantons. In 1803 Napoleon having bigger problems in Europe, met with the leading Swiss politicians in Paris, restored Swiss autonomy and introduced a Confederation of 19 cantons (Act of Mediation).
The Congress of Vienna fully re-established Swiss independence in 1815 and the European powers agreed to recognize Swiss neutrality. The treaty also allowed Switzerland to increase its territory, with the admission of the cantons of Valais, Neuchâtel and Geneva.
Switzerland's has long been involved with various international organizations including the UN, as well as having extensive treaties with its neighbors. Switzerland, however, did not actually join the UN until Sept 10, 2002. Switzerland is active in many UN and international organizations but retains a strong commitment to neutrality. Switzerland's neutrality has long been honored and often criticized by the major powers.
The 26 Swiss cantons are:
| Aargau | Graubünden | St. Gallen |
| Appenzell Innerrhoden | Jura | Thurgau |
| Appenzell Ausserrhoden | Lucerne | Ticino |
| Basel-Stadt | Neuchâtel | Uri |
| Basel-Landschaft | Nidwalden | Valais |
| Bern | Obwalden | Vaud |
| Fribourg | Schaffhausen | Zug |
| Geneva | Schwyz | Zürich |
| Glarus | Solothurn |
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