What does the term Switzerland mean?

Switzerland means "Land of the Swiss" and is derived from the Old High German word "switz", which means "strong" or "independent". The name alludes to the Swiss people, who have a reputation for being independent, neutral and self-reliant. The term "Switzerland" has been in use since the late 15th century and has been officially adopted as the country's name since the creation of the Swiss Federal State in 1848.