Changes

Switzerland has a rich history of providing mercenaries to the battlefield of Europe, ever since the Middle Ages up until the Napoleonic period. Nowadays Swiss citizens are forbidden to join foreign armies, with the notable exception of the Pontifcial Swiss Guard (''Guardia Svizzera Pontificia'') which constitutes the tiny armed forces of [[Vatican City|the State of the Vatican City]]. In order to join, Swiss male citizens must have a proven Catholic faith and a certificate of good conduct from the Army, besides meeting physical criteria.

Switzerland has a rich history of providing mercenaries to the battlefield of Europe, ever since the Middle Ages up until the Napoleonic period. Nowadays Swiss citizens are forbidden to join foreign armies, with the notable exception of the Pontifcial Swiss Guard (''Guardia Svizzera Pontificia'') which constitutes the tiny armed forces of [[Vatican City|the State of the Vatican City]]. In order to join, Swiss male citizens must have a proven Catholic faith and a certificate of good conduct from the Army, besides meeting physical criteria.

During the [[Cold War]], Switzerland had plans to build [[Nuclear weapon|nuclear weapons]]. Detailed plans were produced, and Switzerland had a storage of [[uranium]] and unsuccessfully tried to purchase [[plutonium]]. However, the [[Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons]], signed in 1969 and ratified in 1977, seemed to be a better alternative, and the program wound down until it was dissolved in 1988.<ref>Edwards, Rob (May 25, 1996). [https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg15020310-500-swiss-planned-a-nuclear-bomb/ Swiss planned a nuclear bomb]. ''New Scientist''. Retrieved September 9, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/Nwfaq/Nfaq7-4.html 7.4 States Formerly Possessing or Pursuing Nuclear Weapons]. ''nuclearweaponarchive.org''. Retrieved September 9, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/Library/Swissdoc.html Swiss Nuclear Program]. ''nuclearweaponarchive.org''. Retrieved September 9, 2016.</ref>

During the [[Cold War]], Switzerland had plans to build [[nuclear weapon]]s. Detailed plans were produced, and Switzerland had a storage of [[uranium]] and unsuccessfully tried to purchase [[plutonium]]. However, the [[Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons]], signed in 1969 and ratified in 1977, seemed to be a better alternative, and the program wound down until it was dissolved in 1988.<ref>Edwards, Rob (May 25, 1996). [https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg15020310-500-swiss-planned-a-nuclear-bomb/ Swiss planned a nuclear bomb]. ''New Scientist''. Retrieved September 9, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/Nwfaq/Nfaq7-4.html 7.4 States Formerly Possessing or Pursuing Nuclear Weapons]. ''nuclearweaponarchive.org''. Retrieved September 9, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/Library/Swissdoc.html Swiss Nuclear Program]. ''nuclearweaponarchive.org''. Retrieved September 9, 2016.</ref>

==Economy==

==Economy==

==History==

==History==

[[File:Roman column - Nyon, Vaud, Switzerland.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Roman ruins in Nyon, Switzerland, along the shores of Lake Geneva.]]

[[File:Roman column - Nyon, Vaud, Switzerland.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Roman ruins in Nyon, Switzerland, along the shores of Lake Geneva.]]

Originally inhabited by the Helvetians, or Helvetic [[Celt|Celts]], the territory comprising modern Switzerland came under Roman rule during the Gallic wars in the 1st century BC and remained a Roman province until the 4th century AD. Under Roman influence, the population reached a high level of civilization and enjoyed a flourishing commerce. Important cities, such as [[Geneva]], [[Basel]], and [[Zurich]], were linked by military roads that also served as trade arteries between Rome and the northern tribes.  

Originally inhabited by the Helvetians, or Helvetic [[Celt]]s, the territory comprising modern Switzerland came under Roman rule during the Gallic wars in the 1st century BC and remained a Roman province until the 4th century AD. Under Roman influence, the population reached a high level of civilization and enjoyed a flourishing commerce. Important cities, such as [[Geneva]], [[Basel]], and [[Zurich]], were linked by military roads that also served as trade arteries between Rome and the northern tribes.  

After the decline of the [[Roman Empire]], Switzerland was invaded by [[Germanic tribe|Germanic tribes]] from the north and west. Some tribes, such as the Alemanni in central and northeastern Switzerland, and the [[Burgundian|Burgundians]], who ruled western Switzerland, settled there. In 800, the country became part of [[Charlemagne]]'s empire. It later passed under the dominion of the [[Holy Roman Emperor|Holy Roman emperors]] in the form of small ecclesiastic and temporal holdings subject to imperial sovereignty.

After the decline of the [[Roman Empire]], Switzerland was invaded by [[Germanic tribe]]s from the north and west. Some tribes, such as the Alemanni in central and northeastern Switzerland, and the [[Burgundian]]s, who ruled western Switzerland, settled there. In 800, the country became part of [[Charlemagne]]'s empire. It later passed under the dominion of the [[Holy Roman Emperor|Holy Roman emperors]] in the form of small ecclesiastic and temporal holdings subject to imperial sovereignty.

With the opening of a new important north-south trade route across the [[Alps]] in the early 13th century, the Empire's rulers began to attach more importance to the remote Swiss mountain valleys, which were granted some degree of autonomy under direct imperial rule. Fearful of the popular disturbances flaring up following the death of the Holy Roman Emperor in 1291, the ruling families from Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden signed a charter to keep public peace and pledging mutual support in upholding autonomous administrative and judicial rule. The anniversary of the charter's signature (August 1, 1291) today is celebrated as Switzerland's National Day.  

With the opening of a new important north-south trade route across the [[Alps]] in the early 13th century, the Empire's rulers began to attach more importance to the remote Swiss mountain valleys, which were granted some degree of autonomy under direct imperial rule. Fearful of the popular disturbances flaring up following the death of the Holy Roman Emperor in 1291, the ruling families from Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden signed a charter to keep public peace and pledging mutual support in upholding autonomous administrative and judicial rule. The anniversary of the charter's signature (August 1, 1291) today is celebrated as Switzerland's National Day.