There is far more to Switzerland than beautiful landscape, delicious chocolate, watches, faceless bankers, and spotless cities. The true Switzerland is full of surprises and not bland. This small, rugged, landlocked country in the centre of Europe has been a confederation because the initial three cantons came together inside a defensive alliance in 1291. Four national dialects are spoken within its edges. Its present twenty-six cantons are generally autonomous and maintain their individual people. In this grassroots democracy genuine power lies with the people, who exercise it straight through regular referendums. Swissness is, most importantly, a nature of self-reliance and of communal participation.