Les Eplatures, Switzerland
Bern / Belp, Switzerland
Saint Gallen-Altenrhein, Switzerland
Location: Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy
Geographic coordinates: 47 00 N, 8 00 E
Map references: Europe
total: 41,290 sq km
land: 39,770 sq km
water: 1,520 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of
total: 1,852 km
border countries: Austria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740
km, Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 334 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy,
rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional
Terrain: mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest)
with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes
lowest point: Lake Maggiore 195 m
highest point: Dufourspitze 4,634 m
Natural resources: hydropower potential, timber, salt
arable land: 10%
permanent crops: 2%
permanent pastures: 28%
forests and woodland: 32%
other: 28% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 250 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: avalanches, landslides, flash floods
Environment - current issues: air pollution from vehicle
emissions and open-air burning; acid rain; water pollution from
increased use of agricultural fertilizers; loss of biodiversity
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile
Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,
Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear
Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber
83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic
Pollutants, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Law of the Sea
Geography - note: landlocked; crossroads of northern and
southern Europe; along with southeastern France and northern Italy,
contains the highest elevations in Europe
Switzerland is bounded on the north by France and Germany, on the
east by Austria and Liechtenstein, on the south by Italy,and on
the west by France.
It is one of the most mountainous countries of Europe, with more
than 70 percent of its area covered by the Alps, in the central
and southern sections, and the Jura, in the northwest. The Swiss
Alps are part of the largest mountain system in Europe and are famous
for their jagged peaks and steep gorges.
There are several ranges within the Alps, including the Pennine
range, which has Switzerlands highest peak,4,634 meter. Dufourspitze
of Monte Rosa. The Jura (Celtic for 145forest) are much
lower and smaller than the Alps and are popular for crosscountry
skiing. The renowned Swiss watchmaking industry began in the Jura
Between these two mountain systems lies the Swiss plateau, an average
of 400 meters ,above sea level and some 50 kilometers ; it extends
from Lake Geneva (Lac Lιman) in the extreme southwest to the
Lake of Constance (Bodensee) in the extreme northeast.
The plateau is thickly studded with hills. Between the ranges of
the Alps and Jura also stretch long valleys connected by transverse
gorges; one such valley is the Engadine along the Inn River in the
southeast. Nearly every Swiss valley is traversed by streams, often
interrupted by picturesque waterfalls, including the Staubbach Falls
(about 290 meters / 950 feet) in the canton of Bern.
The principal river system is formed by the Rhine and its tributaries.
Other important rivers are the Rhone, Ticino, and Inn. However,
Swiss rivers are not navigable for any appreciable extent. Switzerland
is famous for its many lakes, particularly those of the Alpine region,
known for their scenic beauty.
The most important include Lake Geneva, Lake of Constance, Lake
of Lugano, and Lake Maggiore (at which lies Switzerlands
lowest point, 194 meters / 636 feet above sea level), which
are not wholly within Swiss borders; and Lake of Neuchβtel, Lake
of Lucerne and Zόrichsee, Brienzersee, and Thunersee, which are
entirely within Switzerland.
The climate is moderate with no excessive heat, cold or humidity.
From July to August the daytime temperature range is 65-80F from
January to February the range is 30-40F. Depending on the altitude
the temperature range may vary.
Under normal cirumstances, summer in all parts of Swizerland should
be sunny and warm but unfortunately we have no means of giving long
During spring, summer and autumn it is advisable to take good clothes,
including a warm jacket and good walking shoes, as excursions are
often to mountains which are snow-covered during summer. A warm
jacket, good trousers and shoes are necessary in the winter months.
Switzerland's independence and neutrality have long been honored
by the major European powers and Switzerland did not participate
in either World War I or II.
The political and economic integration of Europe since World War
II may be rendering obsolete Switzerland's concern for neutrality.
Switzerland is a small European country known for its beautiful,
snow-capped mountains and freedom-loving people. The Alps and the
Jura Mountains cover more than half of Switzerland.
But most of the Swiss people live on a plateau that extends across
the middle of the country between the two mountain ranges. In this
region are most of Switzerland's industries and its richest farmlands.
Switzerland's capital, Bern, and largest city, Zurich, are also