La Switzerland is positioned in the central-southern sector of Europe: a predominantly Alpine country, with no direct outlets to the sea, which has always been a crossroads between the German world and the Latin-Mediterranean civilization. Its territory is characterized by three well-defined geographical areas: the Alps, which occupy a good 60%; L'Plateauo Plateau, 30%; and the Jura, about 10%.
The Alpine chain boasts an average altitude of around 1700 meters above sea level and only around a hundred peaks reach or exceed 4000 metres, such as the gigantic Dufour peak (4634 metres), in the Group of Monte Rosa, Followed by Dome des Mischabel (4545 meters), from Weisshorn (4505 meters), from Cervino (4478 meters) and from Grand Combination (4314 meters). THE crossings the most important are the Great St. Bernard and the Sempiome inValais Alps; the Gotthard, whose opening in the XNUMXth century contributed to canceling the isolation of the Central Switzerland; the Maloja, the Spluga and the Berninain Grisons Alps ; the San Bernardino in Ticino Alps; the grimsel between Uri Alps and those Bernese.
The rivers of Switzerland: the Rhine and the Rhone
Despite its modest size, Switzerland boasts two of the rivers most important in Europe, the Reindeer and the Rhone. Both were born in Gotthard massif: the first flows eastward, almost up to Chur, in the Grisons, dives into Lake Constance and marks the border with the Germany to Basel (375 km in total). The second instead flows westwards, crossing the Valais, flowing into the Lake of Geneva (264 km in total), and finally penetrating French territory. From the San Gottardo, the geographical center of gravity of the country, are also born the Ticino, which dives into Lake Maggiore; The reuss, entirely Swiss, with a course approximately 160 km long and the Aare. Finally, from Bernina was born theInn(104 km in Swiss territory), which crosses the Engadine before becoming a tributary of the Danubioin Austria.
The lakes of Switzerland
The lake heritage is noteworthy: the Switzerland It boasts 1484 natural basins, almost all of glacial origin, to which 44 artificial ones are added. The most extensive are the Lake Geneva (about 582 sq km), half Swiss and half French and that of constancy o Bodensee, (about 438 sq km), shared with Germany e Austria and then there is the lake of the four cantons.
Like many other countries, the Switzerland it is fertile ground for stereotypes. Cows, chocolate, banks, watches, multipurpose knives, cheese with holes and electric trains have defined its profile for centuries, leaving in the shadows aspects that a modern traveler cannot fail to consider.
Sifting through towns and cities, we discover that the Switzerland it is many countries, many languages, cultures, habits and customs. It turns out that it is a nation that, like few others, has always invested in culture and brains; which has always been a refuge for artistic avant-gardes and misunderstood geniuses; which is home to universities, museums, art galleries and cultural institutions, which the whole planet envies. Which is "blessed" by a nature towards which men still know how to use humility and devotion; which is the country of skiers, of runway da World Cup and stainless steel VIP stations.
Which is a nation that, despite having chosen the most rigorous neutrality, hides under the Alps one of the most efficient military arsenals in the world. Which, despite having no raw materials, direct outlets to the sea and vast cultivable surfaces, boasts a staggering per capita income. Which is the homeland of many microcosms called free cantoni, so free, that someone has even decided to not care about modernity and continue to discuss the problems of common interest in the public square and vote by simple show of hands. Which, despite being the cradle of Protestantism, has in the city how Zurich hotbeds of eccentric and ingenious fashions, of ultra-modern and non-conformist trends. There Switzerland in short, it is a patchwork unsuspected; for this reason he deserves many, many, many trips. And one will never be the same as the other.
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When to go to Switzerland
As you can easily guess, a trip to Switzerland it is always advisable: there is no more or less suitable season to visit it. And in this, the numerous and prestigious cultural and folkloristic events are also complicit: from Carnival of Basel (February-March) to Locarno International Film Festival (August); from the Bellinzona Harvest Festival (September) to Lucerne Comics Festival (April), perhaps passing through the traditional Bern Onion Market (November) or the Feast of St. Niklaus of Freiburg in December.
Health documents and advice for Switzerland
For entry into Switzerland the necessary documents to be shown are a passport or an identity card valid for travel abroad, both valid. Health care in Switzerland it is mainly private, therefore paid.
If necessary, you can contact public health facilities, at the emergency medical service, and you will be entitled to free treatment if you have the Health insurance card (European Health Insurance Card) which replaces the E111 model.
Where to sleep in Switzerland
There are many possibilities for staying in Switzerland thanks to accommodation of all types and for all budgets. In addition to hotels both privately owned and belonging to hotel chains, there are many typical hotels in Switzerland: country hotels, country inns, hotels on the water, etc. Whatever the choice, the privileged position on beauties of Switzerland is insured.
Also you can taste the typical Swiss cuisine, as well as finding useful advice from the hoteliers, who have profound knowledge of the area. There is no shortage of many campsites in Switzerland which allow a more direct relationship with nature. Also Bed & Breakfast they are increasingly popular and, although at reasonable prices, are equipped with comfort and regulated by strict regulations that guarantee their high quality. For those leaving in a group, there are two ideal solutions: holiday homes or the hostels in Switzerland.
The Swiss profile
- Country: Swiss confederation
- Area 41.285 km²
- Capital: Bern
- Population: 7,5 million inhabitants
- Language: Italian, German, French and Romansh
- Religion: the nation is divided between Catholicism and the Swiss Reformed Church (Protestant)
- State law: direct democracy, federal republic
- Major cities: Bern, Basel, Geneva, Lausanne, Lucerne, Lugano and Zurich
Useful information about Switzerland
- Currency: Swiss Franc (0,66 Euro)
- Country code: +41
- International license plate: CH
- Driving lane: right
- Entry documents: Identity Card or Passport
- Vaccination required: NN
- Electric current: 230 V
- Unit of measure: decimal metric
- Fixed date holidays: January 1st: New Year's Eve; April: Easter Monday; April: Easter; May 1st: Labor Day; Thursday 40 days after Easter: Ascension; Pentecost; August 1st: national holiday; December 25: Christmas; December 26: Boxing Day; Regional and local public holidays – such as January 2nd, May 1st (Labor Day), June 22nd (Corpus Christi) – and other public holidays are not recognized in all cantons
- Climate: mild, hot in summer and cold in winter
- Average temperatures: From July to August the daytime temperature fluctuates between 18° and 28°C, from January to February it ranges from -2° to 7°C. In spring and autumn the daytime temperature varies from 8° to 15°C.
- Transportation: National airline Swiss Air; and many others Ryanair, Air Dolomiti, FlyWest, etc. Trains: German Railways, Cisalpino of Trenitalia, French TGV, Elipsos from Spain.
- Airports: Bern, Zurich, Geneva, Lugano and Basel
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