O-STA

New format for Switzerland's information portal

Berne, Schwitzerland -

Cross reference: Picture is distributed via EPA (European Pressphoto Agency) and can be downloaded free of charge at:

http://www.presseportal.ch/de/pm/100003881/

On 1 August, the national holiday, Switzerland's information portal swissworld.org, which is run by Presence Switzerland, changes to a new format with a rejuvenated, more user-friendly presentation and content. Its offer will be enhanced by restructured content, alternative access and the Swiss Blog.

swissworld.org is available in eight languages and addresses a foreign audience that wishes to know more about Switzerland. Its impartial view shows Switzerland as open and communicative. The regularly updated website provides information on topics such as geography, history, people, culture and the Swiss political system, making it a multi-media reference work on a wide range of topics.

New interactive elements "Swiss Tags" uses key concepts to give an overview of topics covered, weighted according to popularity. Every picture in the comprehensive picture gallery can now be sent as an e-card. The Resources section contains a selection of DVDs, animations and teaching aids about Switzerland. The Swiss Blog platform allows authors from all over the world to publish their experiences in or with Switzerland on the internet.

Worldwide link competition In this online competition, the seven contestants who from 1 August to 30 November 2007 do most to increase the number of links to swissworld.org will win a five-day study trip to Switzerland.

Story Switzerland ("It all adds up") swissworld.org presents ten success stories from Story Switzerland, which Presence Switzerland has chosen as the basis for its activities abroad. The stories illustrate special features, values and achievements of Switzerland that are unique in the world.

Presence Switzerland was established by the Federal Council and Parliament in 2000 to strengthen and to coordinate Switzerland's presence abroad. Its aim is to communicate an authentic, original and lively image of our country. It does this through projects abroad, by receiving foreign delegations in Switzerland and by disseminating information about Switzerland.

Further informationwww.swissworld.orgwww.presence.ch

Download swissworld.org logowww.swissworld.org/en/switzerland/resources/download/logos/

Further information:

Presence Switzerland,

Barbara Kull,

Corporate Communications,

Tel. +41 31 322 01 83,

prs@eda.admin.ch