Switzerland is a country in western Europe. It borders on several other European states, does not have an outlet to the sea, part of the border passes through the territory of the Alps. The old name of Switzerland is Helvetia, or Helvetia.
Borders of Switzerland
The area of Switzerland is about 3 thousand square meters. km. There are several other states in the neighborhood. Switzerland borders on Germany to the north, France lies to the west, Austria and Liechtenstein to the east, and Italy lies to the south.
A significant part of the border with Germany runs along the Rhine River, and near Schaffhausen the river passes into Switzerland. Then, on the eastern side, part of the border with Germany and Austria runs along the shores of Lake Borden. The border with France also runs along the waterfront - this is Lake Geneva, it is known for its beauty and picturesque landscapes. Of all Switzerland's borders with different countries, the Italian is the longest. Its length is approximately 741 km. To feel the difference, it is useful to say that the border with France is only 570 km long, and with Germany it is about 360 km. The total length of the border with Austria and Liechtenstein is about 200 km.
Geography of Switzerland
More than half of Switzerland's territory is covered by the Alpine mountains (only 58% of the territory). Another 10% of Switzerland is occupied by the Jura Mountains. Not surprisingly, Switzerland's ski resorts are among the most popular in the world, with many of the finest peaks and slopes. The highest mountain in the Jura system, Mont Tandre, is located in Switzerland. Switzerland's highest point, however, is in the Alps, the Dufour peak. Lake Lago Majeure is the most significant lowland in the country.
In the central part of Switzerland there is a mountain plateau, which is called the Swiss plateau. Most of the industry is located in this part of the country. Agriculture and cattle breeding are especially developed here. Almost the entire population of the country lives in the Swiss plateau.
Switzerland is largely covered by various lakes, many of which are of glacial origin. In total, according to experts, about 6% of the world's fresh water reserves are concentrated in the country! Despite the fact that the territory of the country is relatively small. Such large rivers as the Rhine, Rhone and Inn begin in Switzerland.
Switzerland is usually divided into 4 regions. The most flat is the northern one, where the cantons of Argau, Glarus, Basel, Thurgau, St. Gallen and Zurich are located. The western region is already largely mountainous, with Geneva, Bern, Vaud, Friborg and Neuchâtel, while central Switzerland is home to the cantons of Unterwalden, Lucerne, Uri and Schwyz. The southern region of the country is very small in area.
Why is Switzerland called that?
The Russian name of the country goes back to the word Schwyz - that was the name of the canton (as the administrative unit is called in Switzerland), which became the nucleus for all other cantons to unite around it in 1291. In German, this canton is called Schweiz.
