Switzerland

Relief of Switzerland:

Switzerland has a mostly mountainous relief with many peaks over 4.000 m height. The Alps cover the most part of the country in its central and southern part and Jura Mountains cover a much smaller area in the north and north-western parts at the border with France. Between the two mountain chains is a downy area with an elevation around 400-500 m height. The most renowned peaks very attractive for the mountaineers are Matterhorn and Monte Rosa with 4.477 m respective 4.634 height at the border with Italy, the 2nd one being also the highest Swiss peak.

Lakes, rivers and climate:

Switzerland has an impressive number of lakes, more than 1.500 and among the most important are Geneva, Maggiore, Luzern, Bodensee and Konstanz lakes. The longest and most important rivers are the Rhine and the Rhone which flows into the North Sea respective into the Mediterranean Sea. Swiss climate varies according to the elevation, but is mostly temperate, glacial in the highest mountains and warm and mild in the flat low areas. The warm winds called fohn are encountered in the northern part of the Alps and they bring humidity. Summers are warm and wet and winters are cold and dry.

Economy, agriculture, population and other facts about Switzerland:

Because of the mountainous relief, the agriculture is very tough, but the inhabitants are very good in production of cattle meat, dairy products and wheat. (Find more journeys on blog.worldlifetimejourneys.com) The best known products exported everywhere in the world are the different types of cheese and the delicious chocolate. Switzerland doesn’t have too many natural resources but they are very good in fabricating watches (famous in the world), medicines and handmade products. Although the population is not big, the locals speak many languages: more than 65% speak German, more than 20% speak French, more than 5% speak Italian and the rest speak other dialects, among is Romansh.

Switzerland was always a neutral country not involved in wars or conflicts and its inhabitants have a higher and higher standard of living. The financial and bank systems are very good. The country is the place for the Red Cross organization founded by Henri Dunant in 1863 and for the World’s Organization of Health in Geneva. The headquarters of the United Nations organization is also here. However the capital is Bern, the largest cities are Geneva, Zurich and Basel. Visit Switzerland!

Mountain Holidays in Switzerland please visit our Switzerland Mountain Holiday Offers

City Breaks in Switzerland please visit our Switzerland City Breaks

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Train passing through Bernese
Oberland Region in Switzerland