Facts about the swiss alps downloads for all about learning press. The majority of the highest peaks, 48 out of the 82, that are higher than 4000 m are in switzerland, and the remaining are also within 20 kilometers of the swiss border. Since 2002, switzerland is part of the united nations. What is left of earths sliding and shifting is a unique geography with hundreds of valleys, river sources, lakes and peaks. Here are some interesting switzerland facts which were chosen and researched by kids especially for kids. The alps are spectacular, the lakes are a dream, during winter the snow is perfect, and people here love to make chocolate and cheese. Rigi germany is home to the worlds oldest food regulation law. Setting aside that part of graubunden which lies to the east of the hinterrhein valley a high valley like the engadin, which, with its extracontinental climate, is more typical of central europe the swiss alps, like the french ones, belong to the western alpine group, that. Places visited during the course of this program include zermatt, switzerland, grindelwald wengen switzerland and. From weggis, an aerial cableway leads directly to rigikaltbad. The alpine region of switzerland, conventionally referred to as the swiss alps represents a.
On the west, the alps run along the border between france and italy. Switzerland did not fight in world war i or world war ii. Good summer snow, glacier travel and granite ridges. Switzerland is geographically divided between the alps, the jura mountains and the swiss plateau though the caucasus mountains are higher and the urals are longer, those two mountain ranges lie on the territory of asia thus, the alps are the highest and the longest mountain range fully lying in europe. Swiss confederation schweizerische eidgenossenschaft in german international abbreviation. Switzerland germany austria fun facts about the austrian, german and swiss alps explore this alpine region with breathtaking landscapes and a rich history of innovation, culture and culinary delights. The name of this agreement was the congress of vienna. Although switzerland are known to make high quality and highly desired watches, you wouldnt have expected that only 40 years ago in the 1970s the swiss watch industry was in major decline. Before packing bags, make sure to go through these interesting facts about the alps mountain range. Avid climbers love to explore the alps more challenging peaks and ordinary tourists can be content with merely following the safer trails through this mountain range. Switzerland remains a safehaven for investors, because it has maintained a degree of bank secrecy and has kept up the francs longterm external value.
The matterhorn is one of the most popular mountains in the alps. Switzerlands history is one of a medieval defensive league formed during a time and in an area lacking imperial authority. Mont blanc, at 4,809 meters 15,777 feet, is the highest peak in the alps. About switzerland there are approximately 8 million people in switzerland. Most of the population of just over 7 million 1997 lives in the swiss. The western alps are higher, but their central chain is shorter and much curved. The division is along the line between lake constance and lake como, following the rhine. Switzerland facts for kids switzerland for kids geography. The different cantons traditionally called orte in german were to a large extent independent states that remained united through the shared defense of liberty, which was understood as the protection of imperial privileges and. Constance to lake geneva, and the swiss jura, a long range of fold mountains, form the three. The system was formed by the collision of the european and african tectonic plates. Abundant glaciers, scenic valleys and gorgeous alpine lakes add to the regions visual appeal. The alps are a row of mountains dividing southern europe from northern europe. Switzerlands administrative capital is bern, while lausanne serves as its judicial center.
The western alps are higher, but their central chain. France, switzerland, monaco, italy, liechtenstein, austria, germany, and slovenia. German is by far the most widely spoken language in switzerland. Compared to other oecd countries, switzerland ranks 2nd after iceland in terms of jobs. This glacier village is the largest and oldest resort in the jungfrau region. The alps are the highest and most extensive mountain range system that lies entirely in europe, and stretch approximately 1,200 kilometres 750 mi across eight alpine countries from west to east. Science and research in switzerland facts and figures switzerland is not only one of the worlds most innovative research nations, but also one of the most competitive. Switzerland ranks among the top 10 in the world for highest life expectancy. Alps mountain system in s central europe, extending c. The alps are the highest and most extensive mountain range system that lies entirely in europe, stretching approximately 1,200 kilometers 750 miles across eight alpine countries. Switzerland is a small treasure hidden amongst the alps with idyllic, peaceful mountain scenery, breathtaking. Essential facts this glacier village is the largest and oldest resort in the jungfrau region at 1034m surrounded by the 4000m peaks of the eiger and jungfrau 2km of pistes up to 2970m dual season with walking, fishing, and climbing in summer good choice for second home or retirement about 2hrs drive from zurich. Swiss political system facts and figures federalism and direct democracy reflect the great importance that the swiss political system places on the freedom of choice and selfdetermination.
Following list of interesting facts about the swiss alps. The alps are one of the more popular tourist destinations in the world with many resorts such oberstdorf, in bavaria, saalbach in austria, davos in switzerland, chamonix in france, and cortina dampezzo in italy recording more than a million annual visitors. On a geological timescale the alps are a young mountain range, still developing. Sep 03, 2016 switzerland was pretty flat a few million years ago. Switzerland s highest elevation is situated at the dufourspitze of monte rosa, situated on switzerland s border with italy in the pennine alps, at 4,634 meters. The highest mountain peak situated entirely within switzerland is the dom, at 4,545 meters high, which is also located in. This is an american brand of hot chocolate that simply uses the swiss alps as part of its branding to show that this hot chocolate is perfect and portable for cold temperatures and active. Grand tour of switzerland l 45 48 49 58 73 71 81 20 79.
Places visited during the course of this program include zermatt, switzerland, grindelwald wengen switzerland and chamonix, france. Best of swiss alps, switzerland tourism tripadvisor. From confoederatio helvetica in latin, which means swiss confederation, thus the country code abbreviation is ch. Swiss alps vacation swiss alps travel guide magic switzerland. See more ideas about switzerland, world thinking day and switzerland flag. Since 125 years legislation has ensured that 30 percent of switzerlands surface is made up of forests and woodlands tendency increasing.
The alps are famous across the world for mountain climbing, swimming, boating, skiing and much more. Austria, france, germany, italy, liechtenstein, monaco, slovenia, and switzerland the alps are the youngest and most densely populated mountain range in europe. The alps is a range of mountains that form a crescent shape in europe, that covers a distance of 1,200 km 750 miles. The alps cover 65% of switzerland s total land mass, making it one of the most mountainous of european countries. The alps stretch from austria and slovenia in the east, through italy, switzerland, liechtenstein and germany to france in the west. Alps of switzerland frozen lake at bernina ospitz 24152193174. About 64% of the people speak german as their first language, in northern and central switzerland. The cultural history of the alps is often recounted as a master narrative of conceptual. The alps fill most of switzerland and liechtenstein and extend into france, germany, austria, italy, croatia, bosnia and herzegovina, montenegro, albania, and slovenia. Despite the fact that switzerland covers only 14% of the alps total 192,753 square kilometres 74,422 sq mi area, 48 out of 82 alpine fourthousanders are located in the swiss alps and practically all numbers needed of the remaining 34 are within 20. However, the building structure is still basically the same in 2020.
Switzerland was pretty flat a few million years ago. Switzerland is known for its high mountains, the alps in south and jura in northwest with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes. Switzerland is a mountainous destination that we have all heard and dreamed about. Reflecting the anemic economic conditions of europe, gdp growth stagnated during the 200103 period, improved during 200405, and jumped to 2. Although the swiss alps cover most of switzerland, it is a lesser populated region of the country, although it is popular among outdoor enthusiasts for hiking and trekking tours. If offers people with a lot of fascinating activities such as skiing, trekking, mountaineering and many other winter sports. The mountains were formed over tens of millions of years as the african and eurasian tectonic plates collided. The summit view onto lakes, into the alps and towards the black forest delights guests from near and far.
In the sport of curling, a stone is propelled toward a target. The rolex learning center at the swiss federal institute of technology lausanne was opened in 2010. The swiss alps are a large mountain range in europe that spans seven countries. Learn more about switzerland below and on our history of switzerland page. Switzerland is a landlocked country geographically divided between the alps, the central plateau and the jura. Switzerlands highest elevation is situated at the dufourspitze of monte rosa, situated on switzerlands border with italy in the pennine alps, at 4,634 meters. The highest mountain in the alps is mont blanc, at 4,808 metres 15,774 ft, on the. Switzerland was neutral during world war ii, it is a model of democracy, the man who invented the international committee of the red cross was swiss and so was audrey hepburn. Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome alps is a rare genetic disorder of the immune system first described by nih scientists in the mid1990s that affects both children and adults. If you are planning for some adventurous sports, visiting alps could be the most appropriate decision. The assessed factors are employment rate, longterm unemployment rate, job security and average earnings oecd better life index, 2017.
Rigi germany is home to the worlds oldest food regulation law still in use today. Switzerland is situated between the 45th and the 48th degrees of latitude and the. Swiss alps, the hilly mittelland region that stretches from lake. The 15 best things to do in swiss alps 2020 with photos. Fun facts about the austrian, german and swiss alps. The international committee of the red cross icrc was founded in 1863 in geneva, and it is still based there. France, italy, switzerland, liechtenstein, germany, austria, and slovenia. Mountain railway trip on the rigi switzerland tourism. The alps cover 60% of switzerland s total 41,285 square kilometres 15,940 sq mi surface area, making it one of the most alpine countries. All the larger swiss cities lie on the plateau, including the city of zurich, which is switzerlands largest with a population of 376,990. Apr 03, 20 the alps is a range of mountains that form a crescent shape in europe, that covers a distance of 1,200 km 750 miles.
In alps, unusually high numbers of white blood cells called lymphocytes accumulate in the lymph nodes, liver, and spleen and can lead to enlargement of these organs. The highest peak in the alps is mont blanc in france, at 15,771 feet 4,807 meters. With over 120 million visitors a year, tourism is integral to the alpine economy with. At 1034m surrounded by the 4000m peaks of the eiger and. The mountains are divided into the western alps and the eastern alps. Only 1% of the people speak romansh, in the southeastern part of switzerland. Highaltitude erratics in the bernese alps switzerland. Switzerland nation of recyclers swiss citizens are champions when it boils down to recycling and 94% of old glass and 81% of pet containers make their way to special collection points instead of household bins. Switzerland is a small mountainous country located in central europe. The constitution of switzerland that was made in 1848 was replaced in 1999. Ch from the latin confoederatio helvetica government. Switzerland is officially named the swiss confederation.
This photo is from a number of years ago before any of us was born, as one can see by the clothing the people are wearing. Its a small mountainous country located in a center of western europe in the alps and it is bordered by italy to the south, france to the west, germany to the north and austria and liechtenstein to. The highest mountain peak situated entirely within switzerland is the dom, at 4,545 meters high, which is also located in the pennine alps of southern switzerland. Swiss alps, switzerland a magnet for skiers and hikers, these dramatic peaks including the iconic matterhorn range from 3,000 to 15,000 feet and spread across threefifths of the country. The eastern alps main ridge elongated and broad belong to austria, germany, italy, slovenia and switzerland. Switzerland is one of the most mountainous countries in europe as 65% of its total land mass is covered under the alps. The alps can be found in austria, italy, slovenia, germany, france, switzerland, liechtenstein, and monaco. This was until the plates started moving, creating the alps as we know them today. Other countries made an agreement that switzerland was free. Science and research in switzerland facts and figures. The alps cover 60% of switzerlands total 41,285 square kilometres 15,940 sq mi surface area, making it one of the most alpine countries. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in swiss alps, switzerland on tripadvisor. Setting aside that part of graubunden which lies to the east of the hinterrhein valley a high valley like the engadin, which, with its extracontinental climate, is more typical of central europe the swiss alps, like the french ones, belong to the western alpine group, that is, to the steepest and most contorted chain. One can recognize a young mountain range by its high and roughly shaped tops.