Today for Team Switzerland Day, we wanted to do something a little different … we want to talk about what it means to be “Team Switzerland,” in the very literal sense. Plus, this is another opportunity for Novel Novice Twilight to show how you can expand your education through Twilight.
Yep, that’s right. You’re going to learn something today. Brace yourselves.
Team Switzerland Day: A Lesson in Neutrality
I want you to know something — when it comes to all this enemies nonsense, I’m out. I am a neutral country. I am Switzerland. I refuse to be affected by territorial disputes between mythical creatures [...] I don’t care who’s a werewolf and who’s a vampire.
— Eclipse, Stephenie Meyer
Why is Switzerland neutral?
Switzerland has a long history of neutrality, and has not been at war in nearly 200 years — not since the Napoleonic Wars in 1815! In that year, the 
Congress of Vienna fully re-established Swiss independence following the French invasion, and European powers agreed to permanently recognize Swiss neutrality. Traditionally, Switzerland avoids alliances that might lead to military, polical or direct economic action. By declaring itself a neutral country, Switerzland agreed it would not take sides in all future wars. This is why Bella claims she is “Switzerland” in Eclipse. In the “war” between vampires and shapeshifters, she has chosen to remain neutral — she refuses to pick a side.
As a neutral country, Switzerland has also served as an intermediary between other countries and maintains diplomatic relations with almost all other countries. Interestingly, however, Switzerland did not become a full member of the United Nations until 2002. Switzerland is also independent of the European 
Union — the Swiss have rejected membership in the Union since the early 1990s.
Switzerland’s neutrality is a large reason many international institutions call the country home. These include the World Health Organization, the International Economic Forum and the Red Cross.
And because of its neutrality, the Swiss armed forces do not take part in any armed conflicts in other countries. Instead, Swiss troops take part in peacekeeping missions around the world. The Swiss Guard is also the official policing unit for Vatican City.
The Eclipse love triangle … and Switzerland’s geographic love triangle
There are three main players in the love triangle in Eclipse: Bella, Edward and Jacob. Switzerland — though neutral — is equally divided into three geographic regions: Swiss-Italian, Swiss-German and Swiss-French. Each region embodies the linguistic and cultural identies of the regions for which they are named. As a land-locked country, Switzerland is bordered mainly by Italy, Germany and France (though it also shares a border with Austria and Liechtenstein). Because of this diverse regions, parts of Switzerland show stronger influences from Germany, Italy or France.
What’s so great about Switzerland, anyway?
You’ve heard about Swiss cheese and Swiss chocolates, right? That’s because Switzerland is known for its delicious cheeses and chocolates! Fondue? It’s from Switzerland. So is Ovaltine. The liquor Absinthe is also originally from Switzerland. Learn more about Swiss cuisine here.
But it’s also home to two of Europe’s greatest cities — Zurich and Geneva.
Switzerland is also nestled in the midst of the Alps, including the famous Matterhorn – which sits on the border between Switzerland and Italy. (It’s also the namesake of a popular ride at Disneyland!)
Swiss Facts
Switzerland is probably featured in popular culture more than you think. Here’s reasons you may know about Switzerland, besides The Twilight Saga:
- The city of Zurich was home to none other than Albert Einstein
- Zurich also played home to writer James Joyce
- CERN – the scientific research center featured in Dan Brown’s novel Angels & Demons (the movie adaptation came out earlier this year)
- The Sound of Music … you know, “The hills are alive” … the movie-musical starring Julie Andrews? Yep, at the end of the movie the Von Trapps escape from the Nazis into the Swiss Alps
- Heidi by Johanna Spyri is still one of the most beloved characters of children’s literature. The book was written in Switzerland, and takes place in the Alps
- Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein – Dr. Frankenstein goes to study in Geneva, and it is here that he conceives of his creation
- In the TV series “Babylon 5,” the capital of the Earth Alliance is in Geneva
- Scenes from the 1964 James Bond movie Goldfinger take place in Geneva
What do you know about Switzerland? Tell us in the comments!
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My thanks to Novel Novice for illuminating other Twihards about Switzerland!
Being Swiss myself I can’t help but correct a few inaccuracies (please don’t be put out with me).
Switzerland is indeed a “neutral” country; if any country that engages in trade and political and diplomatic exchange with other countries can be called “neutral”. It is, however, largely dependent on the European Union, although Switzerland is not a member, because most import and export goes to and comes from the European Union.
Second, there are three major language areas in Switzerland, but there’s a forth one in the eastern part where they speak Rumantsch.
Zürich and Geneva are the best known cities of Switzerland, but equally important to Einstein’s thesis of relativity was Bern, the capital city.
Geneva is also home to the European branch of the United Nations.
J.R.R. Tolkien once visited Switzerland and used its countryside as a model for the Shire.
Obviously I could go on and on, but bragging makes me uncomfortable. The Swiss are not very patriotic people.
Thanks for sharing with us! We’re not put out. We were Switzerland novices, ourselves, when we researched this … so it’s nice to have an expert share more!
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