Bern is the capital of Switzerland and the capital of Kanton Bern. It is located in the central mountainous region of the Swiss plateau. The city covers an area of 51.6 square kilometers and has a population of 140,000. The Swiss Federal Government and Parliament are located in the city, and embassies of various countries and some international institutions gather here. The city of Bern is also the center of traditional Swiss watch industry and the largest shopping area with medieval characteristics in Europe.