Geography

General facts

Switzerland has an area of 41,285 square kilometres (15,940 square miles). The productive area - i.e. the area without lakes, rivers, unproductive vegetation and without any vegetation - covers 30 753 km².

Switzerland has a population of 8.9 million. The population density is high at 215 inhabitants per square kilometre. However, the distribution of the population across the country is very different: The Alps, which make up a large part of the country in terms of area, are home to only 10% of the total population.

Switzerland at a glance

Capital:

Bern Cantons: 26

Area: 41,285 km2

Borders: altogether: 1852 km/Austria 164 km/France 573 km/Germany 334 km/Italy 740 km/Liechtenstein 41 km

Distance from north to south: 220 km (137 miles)

Distance from east to west: 346 km (216 miles)

Highest point: Dufour Peak, in the Monte Rosa Mountains, 4,634 m (15,203 feet)

Lowest point: Lake Maggiore (Ticino) 193 m (633 feet)

Lakes: 1,484

glaciers: 1'400


  • Switzerland: How to

    How do you dispose of rubbish in Switzerland? Will a foreign diploma be recognised? From Switzerland's visa requirements to how the school system works, here you'll find useful tips, facts and links to practical information about Switzerland from SWI...

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  • Security, Crime and Insurance

    Health and Insurance Drinking and eating in restaurants is hygienic and tap water can be drunk without hesitation. Personal travel insurance is highly recommended. Vaccinations for contagious diseases are only required if the person travelling has...

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  • Climate

    The climate is moderate with no excessive heat, cold or humidity. From July to August the daytime temperature range is 18 to 28 °C (65° - 82° F) and from January to February the range is -2 to 7 °C (28° - 45° F). In spring...

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  • Population

    8.9 million live in Switzerland. People. Multilingualism, the rising average age and the high proportion of foreigners in the total population characterise Switzerland's population development.

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  • Language distribution

    Switzerland has four unevenly distributed languages and a wealth of dialects. German (62.6 %) German is by far the most widely spoken language in Switzerland: 19 of the country’s 26 cantons are predominantly (Swiss) German-speaking. French...

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  • Religion

    The majority of people living in Switzerland are Christians. 30.7 % are Roman Catholic, and 19.5 % Protestant. There are also other religions represented in Switzerland such as 6.0 % Muslim and 0.2 % Jewish. The number of people with no religious...

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  • Politics

    1848: The founding of Switzerland The establishment of the modern state of Switzerland dates back to 1848. Prior to this, Switzerland consisted of a loose alliance of independent cantons. In 1848 Switzerland formed a modern constitution which made a...

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  • Swissness

    The language communities eat different things and have different traditions and customs. Even their shared history only goes back about two centuries. The Swiss themselves are sometimes puzzled about what they have in common apart from their...

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  • Economy

    Switzerland’s economy is based on a highly qualified labour force performing highly skilled work. The main areas include microtechnology, hitech, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, as well as banking and insurance know-how. The service sector now...

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  • Sustainability & environment

    Modest as we Swiss are, we rarely mention how sustainable our country actually is. Switzerland has a lot to show for it! Numerous rankings are proof of this. Switzerland regularly scores above average in international studies in terms of...

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