ation:
19 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service
obligation - 7 to 17 months depending on conscript role; after
completing initial service soldiers have a reserve commitment until
the age of 47 (2004)

Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 2,082,776 (2004 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 1,821,394 (2004 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
males: 56,859 (2004 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$4.395 billion (FY01)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
2.1% (FY01)

Transnational Issues Sweden

Disputes - international:
none

This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005

======================================================================

@Switzerland

Introduction Switzerland

Background:
Switzerland's independence and neutrality have long been honored by
the major European powers, and Switzerland was not involved in
either of the two World Wars. The political and economic integration
of Europe over the past half century, as well as Switzerland's role
in many UN and international organizations, has strengthened
Switzerland's ties with its neighbors. However, the country did not
officially become a UN member until 2002. Switzerland remains active
in many UN and international organizations, but retains a strong
commitment to neutrality.

Geography Switzerland

Location:
Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy

Geographic coordinates:
47 00 N, 8 00 E

Map references:
Europe

Area:
total: 41,290 sq km
water: 1,520 sq km
land: 39,770 sq km

Area - comparative:
slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey

Land boundaries:
total: 1,852 km
border countries: Austria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740 km,
Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 334 km

Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)

Climate:
temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy
winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers

Terrain:
mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central
plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Lake Maggiore 195 m
highest point: Dufourspitze 4,634 m

Natural resources:
hydropower potential, timber, salt

Land use:
arable land: 10.42%
permanent