Switzerland History Facts for Kids

Switzerland boasts of a rich heritage that the Swiss are very proud of. The Switzerland history has always been a good read for anyone. For a start the country of Switzerland is a relatively small one as opposed to the other major European nations.

The total area of the country is around 15,940 square miles and has a population of 440/square mile. Located in central Europe the country shares its borders with Germany, Austria, Italy and France.

The history of Switzerland can be traced as back as the Stone Age. Findings through Archaeological survey have revealed the signs of the early dwellers of the caves and hunters. Their weapons being the stone splinters and the bones of animals can still be found in fossilized conditions. The lake dwellers even erected their houses around the Switzerland lakes.

During the metal era of the Bronze and the Iron Age, Switzerland was the pinnacle of success in the entire of Europe owing the rich reserves that the region is blessed with.

Later on the Celtic tribes came and settled in Switzerland and their language Helvetia became one of the major spoken in the country. The Helvetians in their attempt to move outwards were thwarted by Julius Cesar. From there on Romans ruled the country for a considerable amount of time and many cities like the Basel, Zurich, Geneva, Laussanne and Chur were founded.

It was during the migration of the nations that the Roman Empire was threatened and he German tribes settled in some parts of Switzerland and the present day Germany.

Contrary to the popular belief there was no bloody battle between the German tribes and the Romans. It was more like the Germans occupied the regions which were not inhabited by the Romans.

With the falling of the feudal system during which many monasteries were built, the Swiss confederacy was formed. The federal capitals were formed and structural wonders like that of the Teufelsbrucke or the devils bridge was erected. Trades and roadways were developed and people started crossing through the Alps as well.

Later on during the renaissance reforms came in the church ruling and Huldrych Zwingli's teachings helped to build the society from the scratch.

The Helvetic period saw the might of Napoleon which later on paved the path for the modern democratic Switzerland.