Introduction.Mention Switzerland and people typically think of the Alps, Heidi, cheese, yodeling, chocolate and St. Bernards. Yet, this relatively small country 15,941 square miles (41,290 square km) of land and inland water offers much more than you might expect.Nestled in the heart of Europe, the Swiss Confederation (the country’s official title) is home to over 7.5 million people who speak four national languages, including their indigenous tongue, Romansh. The Latin name for Switzerland is “Confederatio Helvetica,” from which the abbreviation “CH” co¬mes. You’ll notice the “CH” on many buildings, products, cars and on postal codes throughout Switzerland.