Population and nature of Switzerland. Fabulous nature of Switzerland. The most beautiful places: photos and descriptions The most beautiful nature in Switzerland
Switzerland is a country in Central Europe. Tradition says: when God distributed the riches of the subsoil throughout the Earth, He did not have enough for a tiny country in the heart of Europe. To correct such injustice, He clothed this small country with wondrous beauty: He gave mountains like castles in the sky, sparkling white glaciers, singing waterfalls, lakes of crystal purity, bright fragrant valleys. The country borders Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, Italy and France. The upper reaches begin in Switzerland large rivers Europe: Rhine, Rhone, Ticino, Are, etc. Approximately 60% of the territory is occupied by mountains with mountain lakes and alpine meadows. There are a total of 1,484 lakes in the country. 24% of the territory is covered by forests
Swiss Confederation. By state structure- federal Republic. The area of the country is 41.3 thousand square meters. km. In the north it borders with Germany, in the west with France, in the south with Italy, and in the east with Austria and Liechtenstein. The northern border is partly along Lake Constance and the Rhine, which begins in the center of the Swiss Alps and forms part of the eastern border. The western border runs along the Jura Mountains, the southern - along the Italian Alps and Lake Geneva. The capital of Switzerland is Bern.
Switzerland. The capital is Bern. Population - 7450 thousand people (2004). Population density: 172 people per 1 sq. km. Urban population - 61%, rural - 39% (1996). Area - 41.3 thousand square meters. km. The highest point is Peak Dufour (4634 m above sea level). The most low point- 192 m above sea level National languages: German, French, Italian, Romansh. The main religions are Catholicism, Protestantism. Administrative division: 20 cantons and 6 half-cantons. Currency unit: Swiss franc = 100 rappenams (centimes). National holiday: Founding Day of the Confederation (“oath on Rütli”) - August 1. National anthem: "Swiss Psalm".
NATURE
Terrain. In Switzerland there are three distinct natural area: mountain range The Jura in the northwest, the Swiss plateau (plateau) in the center and the Alps in the southeast.
The Jura Mountains, separating Switzerland and France, stretch from Geneva to Basel and Schaffhausen. They alternate between mountain folds with a predominance of limestone and valleys; The folds are cut in places by small rivers, forming valleys with steep slopes (cluses). Agriculture is possible only in the valleys; The gentle slopes of the mountains are covered with forests or used as pastures.
The Swiss plateau was formed at the site of a trough between the Jura and the Alps, which was filled with loose glacial sediments in the Pleistocene and is currently cut by numerous rivers. The surface of the plateau is hilly, agriculture is developed in the wide valleys, and the interfluves are covered with forests. The majority of the country's population is concentrated here, big cities And industrial centers. The most fertile agricultural lands and pastures are concentrated in this area.
Almost the entire southern half of Switzerland is occupied by the Alps. These high, rugged, snow-capped mountains are dissected by deep gorges. In the ridge zone there are firn fields and glaciers (10% of the country's territory). The wide bottom of the main valleys is used for fields and arable land. The area is sparsely populated. The Alps serve as the main source of income, as the picturesque nature of the highlands attracts many tourists and climbers. The most high peaks- Peak Dufour (4634 m) in the Monte Rosa massif on the border with Italy, Dom (4545 m), Weisshorn (4505 m), Matterhorn (4477 m), Grand Combin (4314 m), Finsterarhorn (4274 m) and Jungfrau (4158 m).
Water resources. Most of Switzerland is watered by the Rhine and its tributary the Are (the most important of its tributaries are the Reuss and the Limmat). The southwestern regions belong to the Rhone drainage basin, the southern ones to the Ticino basin and the southeastern ones to the river basin. Inn (tributary of the Danube). The rivers of Switzerland have no navigable significance. On the Rhine, navigation is maintained only as far as Basel.
Switzerland is famous for its lakes, the most picturesque of which are located along the edges of the Swiss plateau - Geneva, Thun in the south, Firwaldstätt, Zurich in the east, Neuchâtel and Biel in the north. Most of these lakes are of glacial origin: they were formed during an era when large glaciers descended from the mountains onto the Swiss plateau. South of the Alpine axis in the canton of Ticino are lakes Lugano and Lago Maggiore.
Climate. Switzerland has pronounced climatic differences due to altitude and exposure to sun and winds. The climate is humid, on the plateau - moderately warm, in the mountains - cold. Daily temperatures in the lowlands fluctuate on average throughout the year from 10 to 16°C; in summer they rise to 27°C or more. The hottest month is July, the coldest is January.
The highest peaks of the Alps are covered eternal snows. The snow line rises to 2700 m on the western slopes and to 3200 m on the eastern ones. In winter, temperatures drop below 0°C throughout the country, with the exception of northern shore Lake Geneva and the shores of lakes Lugano and Lago Maggiore, part of which belongs to Italy. The climate there is as mild as in Northern Italy, since the mountains protect from the invasion of cold northern winds(bizet). In January-February, under conditions of predominant high pressure over the Alps, clear, cold weather sets in, favorable for activities winter sports. The southern slopes receive a lot of solar heat at this time.
In Switzerland there are often sharp strong winds accompanied by rain and snowfall. Predominates in spring, summer and autumn Föhns are warm, dry winds blowing from the east and southeast. Since the flow of moist air from the side Mediterranean Sea rise up the slopes of the Alps and then descend to the Swiss plateau; on the southern slopes, precipitation falls almost twice as much as on the northern ones. The average annual precipitation in Basel (277 m above sea level) is 810 mm, in Lausanne (375 m) on the northern shore of Lake Geneva - 1040 mm, and in Davos (1580 m) in the southeast of the country - 970 mm.
Flora and fauna. The Swiss plateau is located in the zone of European broadleaf forests. The predominant species are oak and beech, with pine mixed in in some places. On the southern slope of the Alps the chestnut tree is typical. Higher up the mountain slopes, coniferous forests grow, forming a transition zone between broad-leaved forests and alpine meadows (at high altitudes). There are many bright colors in the mountains. Crocuses and daffodils bloom in spring, rhododendrons, saxifrages, gentians and edelweiss bloom in summer.
Animal world was strongly influenced economic activity person. While snow partridge and mountain hare are still quite common, such characteristic animals of the upper tier of the mountains as roe deer, marmot and chamois are much less common. Great efforts are being made to protect wildlife. In Swiss national park, located near the border with Austria, are inhabited by roe deer and chamois, and less commonly by alpine ibex and fox; Ptarmigan and several species of birds of prey are also found.
According to an ancient legend, when God distributed the wealth of the earth's bowels, there was not enough of it for the country in the very heart of Europe, Switzerland. To correct this injustice, God gave her high mountains, shining glaciers, stormy waterfalls, picturesque valleys, beautiful rivers and clear azure lakes. The unusually beautiful views of Switzerland attract thousands of tourists; it is like a special world - magical and bewitching, making you believe that paradise does exist. And it doesn’t matter what time of year you travel, the landscapes of Switzerland will not disappoint in any season and in any weather.
The climate in Switzerland as a whole can be called moderate, however, this is very general, because for each canton, depending on its geographical location have their own landscape and climate. The natural areas of Switzerland are diverse - from the Arctic to the tropics: mosses and lichens grow high in the mountains, the slopes are covered with coniferous and deciduous forests, and in the south of the country, on the coast of lakes, the lush southern greenery of cypresses, magnolias and palm trees pleases the eye. Switzerland attracts tourists in winter with its famous ski resorts; in summer, the mountains and passes of Switzerland are greeted with amazing landscapes, and crystal clear lakes offer beach holidays comparable in level to the resorts of the Mediterranean Sea.
Holidays in the Swiss Alps
Switzerland and mountains are two inseparable concepts, because mountains occupy more than half of the country’s territory. In Switzerland, there are three natural regions: the Jura mountain range stretches in the northwest, the Swiss Plateau in the center, and the Alps, which occupy the entire southeast of the country. According to scientific data, the Alps appeared as a result of the collision of tectonic plates in ancient times, but, amazingly, researchers claim that the Swiss Alps are still in the process of formation - their height increases every year, however, by only one millimeter. Experts believe that a powerful earthquake can cause the mountains to grow faster, and they will reach 7 thousand meters, however, this may not happen very, very soon, in about a couple of million years.
The Swiss Alps stretch for almost 200 kilometers, presenting unique landscapes of the most beautiful mountain passes and valleys, sloping slopes and snow-capped peaks.
Holidays in the Swiss Alps in winter are, of course, ski resorts which are considered the best in the world. Abundance of snow, impeccable pistes, best training skiing, cozy hotels, cafes and restaurants with excellent cuisine, the highest level of service - everything here is created for an ideal holiday. Sports fans will find excellent trails for alpine and cross-country skiing, snowboarding and airboarding, sledding slopes, speed skating areas and even ice diving. Those who like a more relaxing leisure time will be offered hiking, sledding, thermal springs, winter fishing, getting to know the unique culture and traditions of Switzerland, so this is not just a vacation, but a real winter fairy tale come to life!
The Swiss Alps in summer attract, first of all, their stunning mountain panoramas, but relaxation, of course, is not limited to simple contemplation of beauty. In almost any area of the Alps, tourists are offered bicycle tours and walking routes of varying complexity, and, in some of the most Beautiful places Switzerland can only be reached on foot; beginners and experienced climbers will also try their hand at the Alps. Anyway, that's it tourist routes They lie among uniquely beautiful peaks and valleys with colorful villages, and in each, even the smallest, they will definitely offer accommodation with maximum comfort. By the way, all night stops take place only in special mountain shelters; you won’t be able to sit by the fire here - lighting a fire is allowed only in emergency cases to attract the attention of rescue services, and you can set up a tent camp only far from the shelters and only for the duration of the night from 8 pm to 8 a.m. The summer Alps will also greet you with their amazingly beautiful and clean lakes, some of which are suitable for diving, windsurfing or fishing.
Mount Matterhorn
The most famous of the Alpine peaks is the Matterhorn, located in the Pennine Alps on the very border of Switzerland and Italy. The peak, which has an almost regular pyramidal shape, rises far from other peaks, among plains and low hills, so nothing prevents you from admiring it from all sides, and perhaps it is this isolation that gives Mount Matterhorn so much charm. The Matterhorn is caught in the cameras of travelers much more often than other attractions. On this occasion, local residents even made a joke that for tourists on a trip to Switzerland, the main thing is that the Matterhorn appears in the background of the photo. However, the Swiss themselves could not help but appreciate the beauty of this mountain; it was not without reason that the producers of the world-famous Swiss chocolate Toblerone placed its image on the packaging of their products, and in 2004 the Matterhorn took pride of place on a commemorative gold coin worth 50 francs. So this mountain can safely be considered a symbol of Switzerland!
The Matterhorn rises to 4,478 meters above sea level; if you look closely, you can see that the mountain has two peaks, located at a distance of about a hundred meters from each other. One of them, located in the east of the ridge, is called the Swiss peak, and the western one, which is only one meter lower than its “neighbor”, is called the Italian peak, but they are called that not at all according to their countries - both are located on the very border, just to the east The first ascent was made from the territory of Switzerland, to the west - from Italy. By the way, Matterhon with its steep cliffs is one of the most extreme destinations for climbers, so the mountain remained inaccessible for a long time, and only in 1865 a group of professional climbers managed to conquer the peak. But no matter how harsh and dangerous the Matterhorn is, it invariably attracts climbers in any season.
Often, to admire the Matterhorn in its full glory, they climb the nearby Gornergrat mountain - a journey to a height of more than three thousand meters can be covered on foot or on a panoramic train that can overcome steep climbs. It will take you to the very top, and along the way you will see amazing views of forests and picturesque waterfalls.
At the foot of the Matterhorn are located famous resorts: on the Italian side - Breuil-Cervinia, and on the Swiss side - Zermatt, which is in the top ten best resorts in the Alps in terms of snow cover quality and ski slopes. In the summer, Zermatt invites fans of hiking, climbers and just amateurs have a relaxing holiday and landscapes of Switzerland. You can get to Zermatt by train from major cities Switzerland, Milan, Stuttgart and Munich. By car you can get to the Tasch resort, and from there you can take an electric taxi to Zermatt or take an electric bus.
Mount Pilatus in Switzerland
In central Switzerland, southeast of the city of Lucerne, Mount Pilatus rises - no less famous than the Matterhorn, but if the latter became famous thanks to its image on chocolate, then Pilatus gained fame because of the legends associated with it. According to one version, the name of the mountain is translated as “wearing a hat” - its peak is tightly shrouded in clouds, it seems as if it is actually wearing a snow-white headdress. But a more common version explains the name of the peak after Pontius Pilate, the procurator who condemned Jesus Christ to execution. Tradition says that Pilate, tormented by remorse, committed suicide, and then his body was thrown into the Tiber, but the river did not accept the sinner and carried the remains to the shore. The same thing happened when trying to drown the body of a suicide in the Rhone and Lake Geneva, after which he was taken to remote corner Alps and thrown into a deep reservoir at the foot of a high mountain. After this, the peak began to be called Pilatus, and local residents believed that the restless soul of the procurator was wandering along the mountain paths, and woe to anyone who met him. And so Pontius Pilate constantly brought troubles - villages in the vicinity of the mountain suffered from rockfalls, mudflows, floods and hurricanes. This continued for a long time, until one theological student, who was fond of black magic, achieved that the soul of the procurator began to appear only once a year, but for several more centuries the authorities, believing the legend, forbade anyone to climb the mountain. And in the Middle Ages, it was believed that winged dragons lived here, guarding palaces with untold riches and kidnapping beautiful girls.
Fortunately, those times have long gone into oblivion when people were afraid to visit Pilatus, because this mountain is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful places in Switzerland, and tourists with great pleasure climb to its top to enjoy the grandeur of the mountain landscapes, wonderful clean air and entertainment that will take your breath away.
The height of Pilatus is 2128 meters above sea level. There are three ways to get to the top: on foot (the climb will take about four hours), with the help of cable car from the town of Kriens or by train from Alpnachstadt. This train, by the way, is the steepest in the whole world - the angle of inclination railway in some places it reaches 48°, and only special gears and rails allow it to overcome such a rise.
At the top of Pilatus, tourists, in addition to breathtaking views, will find a wide variety of leisure options. The winter Pilatus and Snow&Fun park will give you the most impressions - along four tracks of different lengths you can ride on sleds, snow scooters, “bagels” and other snow-entertaining types of transport. From a height of just under one and a half thousand meters you can ride on a toboggan - the useless sleigh of the Indians North America or test your own courage with the help of the Powerfan attraction, where you will have to “fall” from a height of about 20 meters and only at the very ground will the daredevil be caught by a thin rope. The route is definitely worth following Dragon Pass- the road will go through caves and grottoes, where the walls are painted with illustrations of legends about dragons - they were painted by local artist Hans Erni at the beginning of the twentieth century. And, of course, restaurants with traditional Swiss cuisine and souvenir shops with cute little things will complement the impression of being on Mount Pilatus - one of the best and most mysterious places in Switzerland.
Lake Geneva
Switzerland is often called the “country of mountains and lakes”; the mountains here really occupy a significant territory, and the lakes of Switzerland, of which there are more than one and a half thousand, are distinguished by their extraordinary beauty and crystal clear water. The most big lake in the Swiss Alps and the second largest freshwater body of water in Central Europe is Lake Geneva, lying in the floodplain of the Rhone River, often called Leman by locals.
Lake Geneva, even in photographs, amazes with its magnificence, let alone when you see it in person! It simply fascinates with its pristine beauty and the unusually deep and clear color of the water; it is often compared to a mirror - the Alps shelter it so reliably from the wind that water surface It is almost always unshakable, and in it, as if in a mirror, mountain peaks, vineyards, tall spruce trees, houses and medieval castles on the slopes are reflected.
The crescent-shaped Swiss lake is located on the border with France, or rather, the border runs right in the middle of the reservoir. Along the northern coast, which belongs to Switzerland, there are numerous resort towns, which are called the Swiss Riviera for their luxury and respectability. Lake Geneva is protected from the cold northern winds by the Alpine mountains, so it has a pleasant mild climate, and the coast is surrounded by the greenery of subtropical plants. Beach holiday in Switzerland is truly unique - only here you can sunbathe on the beach, admiring the snow-capped mountain peaks. However, the swimming season here is quite short - the water warms up very slowly and only becomes warm in July-August. However, all sorts of things are available to tourists. aquatic species sports and cruises, as well as horse riding, cycling, walking, golf, mountaineering, paragliding and hot air ballooning.
One of the most impressive natural attractions in Switzerland is the Rhine Falls, located in the canton of Schaffhausen near small town Neuhausen am Rheinfall. Despite the fact that the height of the Rhine Falls is only 23 meters (about the size of a seven-story building), it is considered the largest in Europe, because it has no equal in terms of the volume of water falling from the rocks - in winter, 250 cubic meters fall down every second, in summer, During the period of rapid melting of mountain glaciers, up to 700 cubic meters fall from the cliff.
According to scientists' research, this waterfall is very ancient and began to form about 500 thousand years ago during the Ice Age, when huge masses of ice easily changed the topography and sharply turned river beds. The Rhine Falls finally acquired their appearance about 15 thousand years ago - this is how we can see it today.
The spectacle of the Rhine Falls is not just impressive, it shakes to the core - the width of the threshold reaches 150 meters, huge streams of water fall down with noise and roar, and, swirling with snow-white foam, disintegrate into millions of splashes, shimmering like a rainbow in the sun.
The best way to enjoy the unusually beautiful and menacing spectacle is from observation platforms. One of them departs from the shore and extends above the river, very close to the place where the waterfall falls; it seems that the water colossus is moving straight towards you and the wildly roaring stream is about to pick you up and carry you away in an unknown direction. Another site is located on a high rock, rising like an island in the middle of the river; a small ship sailing from both banks will take you here. From this site, the Rhine Falls can be seen from above; from here it will not seem so formidable, but will fascinate you for a long time with its stunning view.
It is easy to get to the Rhine Falls from Zurich through the cities of Winterthur, Schaffhausen, Newhausen or Bülach, this can be done either by car or by car. public transport– by train or bus, depending on the chosen route.
Swiss national park
For those who want to see all the truly alpine landscapes at once, ideal place will become Swiss national park, located in the canton of Graubünden in the Engadin valley. An area of 172 square kilometers covers harsh bare rocks covered with dense pine forest slopes and alpine and subalpine meadows strewn with fragrant flowers, home to chamois, mountain goats, deer, elk, wolves, brown bears, foxes, lynxes, golden eagles and many other representatives of the animal world.
Swiss National Park is the oldest national park in Europe and the only one in Switzerland. The history of its creation is very interesting. By the beginning of the twentieth century, this territory was completely developed by man, and, as usual, in a very barbaric way - forests were mercilessly cut down, poor resources were thoughtlessly used Natural resources. In 1914, it was decided to completely stop any economic activity here and monitor how capable nature is of self-healing. And the result was not long in coming - nature, freed from human intervention, came into its own - dense forests rustled on the slopes again, meadows were covered with flowers, and animals and birds found shelter.
Today, the Swiss National Park continues to develop naturally and live a quiet, peaceful life, disturbed only by tourists, while visiting rules are very strict. Only walking is allowed here, it is forbidden to leave the paved paths, light fires, set up camps, leave any traces of your presence, fishing and hunting, collecting herbs and flowers are prohibited, even for loud noises you can be fined. If you want to spend more time in the national park (it’s still not possible to walk around it in one day - the total length of the trails is 80 kilometers), then you can stay overnight at the Il Fuorn hotel or the Chamana Cluozza hut, where guests will be provided with comfortable rooms and will be pampered with delicious national cuisine.
Entrance to the park is free, and there are also free parking lots nearby. The best time It is considered a warm time of year to visit the park; in winter it is also open, but only short walks are provided along some paths cleared of snow. But just in winter, in the nearby village of Zernez, where the information office of the national park is located, winter sports competitions, festivals and marathons, farmers' markets are held, and you can go on an entertaining tour to the unusual 17th-century village of Guarda.
The easiest way to get to the Swiss National Park is from Zurich by train to Zernez, and then take a bus to the park, or by car, the journey takes about 2.5-3 hours.
Verzasca River
Probably, the definition of “the best” fits many places in Switzerland: the best ski resorts in Switzerland, the most picturesque lakes, the most beautiful mountains and the cleanest rivers are also in Switzerland, and of them the most transparent in the world is the Verzasca. It originates on the glaciers of a mountain 2864 meters high and carries its waters to Lake Maggiore, located between Italy and Switzerland. The Verzasca path lies through the picturesque valleys of the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino, the length of the river is very short - only 30 kilometers, but this entire distance is simply replete with amazing landscapes - Verzasca runs between mountain slopes, dressed in the lush greenery of chestnut forests and vineyards, and along the banks there are ancient stone buildings Swiss villages, which only adds to the charm of the amazing views. The depth of Verzasca in some places reaches 15 meters, the water in it changes color from bright blue to emerald green and is so transparent that the bottom, strewn with multi-colored stones, is visible to the smallest detail.
Many, having seen the purest Verzasca, feel the desire to take a dip, however, the water in it is icy even in the hottest weather, its temperature does not exceed 10 degrees, and due to strong undercurrents it is quite dangerous, as the signs on its banks warn about. But still, there are extreme sports enthusiasts who don’t mind the cold, and more heat-loving tourists have the opportunity to swim - along the riverbed there are natural depressions where the water has time to warm up to an acceptable temperature. Verzasca is especially popular among divers, who are certainly not deterred by the icy water, because from the bottom they take stunning photographs; the most spectacular photographs are from the depths, where, through the crystal clear water, the shores and the sky with running clouds are visible. The only thing that divers will not be able to see and capture is undersea world Verzaski, because there, despite the purest water, there is a complete absence of flora and fauna. For a long time it was believed that the reason for this was the increased acidity of the water, but studies conducted in 2009 showed that the pH composition of the water is the most common, but why there is no flora and fauna in the river remains a mystery.
Among the land attractions of Verzasca, charming Swiss villages are noted, where the age of houses made of layered gneiss stone reaches several hundred years; stone arch bridge, built in the 17th century and called Roman either because of the authorship of the Italians, or because of the similarity of architecture, and a gigantic stone dam 220 meters high. It gained worldwide fame thanks to the filming of one of the Bond films, GoldenEye, where Pete Brosnan spectacularly jumps into the water from a great height. By the way, anyone can repeat Bond’s mind-blowing stunt - there is a bungee jumping area on the dam - if you’re brave enough, unforgettable experience guaranteed!
The area around the city of Locarno is called the most beautiful place on the Verzaschi River; you can get to it by train from Zurich, Basel or Lucerne. By car, the route will be along the A2 highway to Magadino airport, and then you need to turn onto the A13 highway.
Lauterbrunnen Valley
Experienced travelers call the Lauterbrunnen Valley one of the most beautiful and amazing in the whole earth - in fact, it is a deep crevice located between steep kilometer-long cliffs, the valley stretches eight kilometers in length, and it is no more than a kilometer wide. From here you can see three majestic peaks - Jungfrau, Mönch and Eiger (translated as Virgin, Monk and Ogre), landscapes mountain valley, but the main thing here is the numerous waterfalls. The name Lauterbrunnen itself translates as “many springs.” There are 72 waterfalls in the valley, stunning in their beauty.
The journey to the waterfalls begins from a picturesque village that bears the same name as the valley - Lauterbrunnen, this is where you can order sightseeing tours or walking with a guide.
The most famous and impressive waterfalls are Staubbach and Trümmelbach. Staubbach amazes with its power and natural strength - streams of melt water pour down from 300-meter cliffs; due to the great height, the water, reaching the ground, breaks on the stones and turns into the smallest water dust, reminiscent of fog or a cloud. The Trümmelbach waterfalls are the only ones in Europe located deep in the rocks and accessible to the public. Over thousands of years, melt waters descending from the peaks have washed spiral depressions in the stone, through which thundering streams, overcoming a dozen cascades, descend into the valley. You can get to the waterfall by underground funicular, and then tourists, following galleries and bridges, descend to the foot of the mountain, admiring the incredibly beautiful spectacle of running water.
The most beautiful places in Switzerland can be seen from the top of the Schilthorn, which can be reached using a ski lift. There, at the top, in addition to the observation deck, which offers a panorama of eternal glaciers and mountain peaks, there is a revolving restaurant “Piz Gloria”, where the filming of the film about the famous agent 007 “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” took place.
Another attraction of Lauterbrunnen is the Jungfrauban railway - its final station is located at an altitude of 3545 meters above sea level and is the highest railway station all over the world and is called the “Top of Europe”.
You can get to Lauterbrunnen by car or train from Zurich to Interlaken, from where a train runs to the valley.
The last ten kilometers of the Jungfrauban railway go through a tunnel, from where the train emerges into the dazzling whiteness of another natural landmark of Switzerland - the largest glacier in the Alps, called Aletsch. Its length is approximately 25 kilometers, area is about 120 square kilometers. Glaciers are formed from compacted layers of snow that turn into ice under their own weight. Aletsch consists of three glaciers with an average thickness of about one hundred meters, the branches of the glacier, converging at Concordia, reach a maximum thickness of about 1 thousand meters, here the glacier turns into a frozen river one and a half kilometers wide. The apparent silence and silence of Aletsch are deceptive - it lives and moves, sliding at a speed of 200 meters per year to the southeast, and at an altitude of about 1500 meters above sea level, the Aletsch turns into the Massa River, which flows into the Rhone.
Locals Aletsch has always been treated with respect and even fear; if he was mentioned in legends, he was certainly called the “white giant”, and this is not surprising - at night, sounds similar to groans and the ringing of steel swords are clearly heard from the direction of the glacier. Even skeptics find it difficult to believe that they are created by the movement of a huge mass of ice, and therefore there are many tales about ghosts and human souls languishing under the thickness of ice.
Despite the outward coldness and inaccessibility of Aletsch, tourists with great pleasure go to see the unique glacier frozen in a bizarrely curved canyon-gorge, overgrown with relict forest; the Big Aletsch branch, reminiscent of an ice-bound river or a man-made winter road, is especially interesting. Aletsch looks very unusual in the summer, when the slopes of the canyon are covered with green grass and flowers, and a snowy river lies below your feet in icy silence.
Since 2001, Aletsch has been under the protection of UNESCO, and is also included in the list of candidates for the title of “Seven Wonders of Nature”.
Caves of Saint Beatus
In the canton of Bern, near the town of Interlaken on the north-eastern shore of Lake Thun, tourists await an amusing trip into the depths of the rocks - into the caves of St. Beatus. As the legend says, a long time ago, wealthy parents sent their son Suetonius to study in Rome, but the apostle Peter he met led him astray from the path of science, and the young man plunged headlong into religion, replacing hot Italy with the mountains of Switzerland. Suetonius took a new name for himself - Beatus and settled in a cave on Lake Thun, but first he had to fight the terrible fire-breathing monsters that lived in the mountain grottoes. For his numerous good deeds, local residents began to venerate him as a saint, and over time the caves acquired the name of Saint Beatus.
Since legends are associated with dragons, everything here is reminiscent of mythical creatures - right at the entrance and in the cave there are figures of fire-breathing monsters, in underground lakes you can sail on a boat in the form of a dragon, and nature itself seems to support the legend - stone blocks in some places are stacked like this in a bizarre way that, in fact, resembles the terrible toothy jaws of a monster.
Caves and passages located at a depth of 500 meters merge into mysterious labyrinths, overgrown with stalactites and stalagmites more than 40 thousand years old, underground rivers flow here and even small waterfalls rustle. In one of the grottoes you can meet the “owner” - St. Beatus himself, and those interested in science can look into the Mineral Museum.
Not far from the caves there is a restaurant that serves delicious dishes prepared according to ancient recipes, and on its roof with observation platforms You can admire the picturesque landscapes of Switzerland.
The Swiss Confederation is a state in Central Europe. The government system is a federal republic. The area of the country is 41.3 thousand square meters. km. In the north it borders with Germany, in the west with France, in the south with Italy, and in the east with Austria and Liechtenstein. The northern border is partly along Lake Constance and the Rhine, which begins in the center of the Swiss Alps and forms part of the eastern border. The western border runs along the Jura Mountains, the southern border along the Italian Alps and Lake Geneva. The capital of Switzerland is Bern.
In Switzerland, three natural regions are distinguishable: the Jura mountain range in the northwest, the Swiss plateau (plateau) in the center and the Alps in the southeast.
Switzerland and France, stretching from Geneva to Basel and Schaffhausen. The Swiss plateau was formed at the site of a trough between the Jura and the Alps, which was filled with loose glacial deposits in the Pleistocene and is currently cut by numerous rivers. Most of the country's population is concentrated here, large cities and industrial centers are located. The most fertile agricultural lands and pastures are concentrated in this area.
Almost the entire southern half of Switzerland is occupied by the Alps. Mountains of Switzerland high, rugged, snow-covered mountains are dissected by deep gorges. In the ridge zone there are firn fields and glaciers (10% of the country's territory). The highest peaks are Peak Dufour (4634 m) in the Monte Rosa massif on the border with Italy, Dom (4545 m), Weisshorn (4505 m), Matterhorn (4477 m), Grand Combin (4314 m), Finsterarhorn (4274 m) and Jungfrau (4158 m).
Climate of Switzerland
Switzerland belongs to the temperate continental climate region. But, speaking about the climate of this country, it should be borne in mind that about 60% of its territory is occupied by mountains, so here you can get from winter to summer in two hours. The Alps are a kind of barrier that prevents the flow of cold Arctic masses to the south, and warm subtropical masses to the north. In the northern cantons, winter is mild and lasts about 3 months: from December to February. At this time, the minimum temperature is -1...-4, maximum +2...+5 degrees. In summer (from June to August) at night it is usually +11...+13 degrees, during the daytime the air warms up to +22...+25 degrees. There is quite a lot of precipitation throughout the year. Their maximum occurs in the summer (up to 140 mm per month), the minimum from January to March (slightly more than 60 mm per month).
In the south, winter temperatures are almost the same, and summer temperatures are higher. The average minimum temperature is +13...+16, the average maximum +26...+28. There is even more precipitation in this area. From March to November, more than 100 mm of precipitation falls per month, and from June to August this amount approaches 200 mm. The least precipitation falls in January and February (about 60 mm).
Swiss statistics
(as of 2012)
The weather in the mountains depends on the altitude of the area. In the highlands it is snowy in winter. Temperature most year (from October to May) negative both at night and during the day. In the coldest months (January and February), at night the temperature drops to -10...-15, during the day - to -5...-10. It is warmest in July and August (2...7 degrees at night, 5...10 degrees during the day). Maximum height snow is usually observed in early April. At an altitude of 700 meters it lasts 3 months, 1000 meters - 4.5 months, 2500 meters - 10.5 months.
Water system of Switzerland
Most of Switzerland is traversed by the Rhine and its tributary, the Aare. The southwestern regions belong to the Rhone drainage basin, the southern ones to the Ticino basin and the southeastern ones to the river basin. Inn (tributary of the Danube). The rivers of Switzerland have no navigable significance. On the Rhine, navigation is maintained only as far as Basel.
There are many lakes, the most picturesque of which are located along the edges of the Swiss plateau - Geneva, Thun in the south, Firwaldstätt, Zurich in the east, Neuchâtel and Bil in the north. Most of these lakes are of glacial origin: they were formed during an era when large glaciers descended from the mountains onto the Swiss plateau. South of the Alpine axis in the canton of Ticino are lakes Lugano and Lago Maggiore.
Flora of Switzerland
About 1/4 of the country's territory is covered with forests. The composition of forests depends on the altitude above sea level. In the area of the Swiss Plateau, up to an altitude of 800 m, broad-leaved forests of oak, beech, ash, elm, maple, and linden predominate. Above 1000 m, the broad-leaved species that remain are mainly beech; spruces, pines, and firs appear. And starting from an altitude of 1800 m, the main place is occupied by coniferous forests of spruce, fir, pine and larch. At the highest altitudes (up to 2800 m) there are subalpine and alpine meadows, thickets of rhododendron, azalea, and juniper.
The Swiss plateau is located in the zone of European broadleaf forests. The predominant species are oak and beech, with pine mixed in in some places. On the southern slope of the Alps the chestnut tree is typical. Higher up the mountain slopes, coniferous forests grow, forming a transition zone between broad-leaved forests and alpine meadows (at high altitudes). Crocuses and daffodils are typical for alpine flowers in spring, and rhododendrons, saxifrage, gentians and edelweiss in summer.
Wildlife of Switzerland
The fauna is greatly depleted. While snow partridge and mountain hare are still quite common, such characteristic animals of the upper tier of the mountains as roe deer, marmot and chamois are much less common. Great efforts are being made to protect wildlife. The Swiss National Park, located near the border with Austria, is home to roe deer and chamois, and less commonly, alpine ibex and fox; Ptarmigan and several species of birds of prey are also found. There are numerous reserves and sanctuaries.
In the mountains there are fox, hare, chamois, marten, alpine marmot, and birds - capercaillie, thrush, swift, and snow finch. Along the shores of the lakes you can find seagulls, and in the lakes you can find trout, char, whitefish, and grayling.
Switzerland is a country where amazing natural wonders are concentrated in a small space. Its area is just over 41 thousand square meters. km, you can see such a wide variety of landscapes and landscapes that cannot be found in any other country with the same small area.
General information about the country
Switzerland is the country of the most reliable banks in the world. This is the land of army knives, chocolate, watches and cheese. But the main thing is that Switzerland is a country with amazing nature.
We invite you to get acquainted with the nature of Switzerland, its most beautiful corners and features of flora and fauna.
Location
The state is located in the very heart of Europe. It borders with Austria in the east, Germany in the north, France in the west and Italy in the south. More than half of the territory is occupied by mountains. It's mostly Alpine mountain system(central part) with four main passes: Oberalp, St. Gotthard, Furka and Grimsel. Here are the sources of the Rhine and Rhone.
The nature of Switzerland (photos presented in the article) is magnificent, mainly due to the mountains. The central and southern part of the territory is occupied by the Alps, in the northwest is the Jura, and in the south are the Apennines. The Alps and the Jura are separated by a hilly plateau with big amount tectonic lakes. The area of glaciers is 2,000 square meters. km. The height of the mountains is on average 1,700 meters. Mount Monte Rosa, which is the highest peak of the Apennines (the southern peak of Dufour), has a height of 4,634 meters.
Legend about the nature of Switzerland
According to one ancient legend, when the Lord God distributed the riches of the Earth's interior, there were not enough of them for the country located in the very center of Europe. In order to correct such injustice, the Lord gave Switzerland high mountains with shining glaciers, rushing waterfalls, picturesque valleys, beautiful rivers and azure lakes. So it turned out extraordinary beautiful Switzerland. Its landscapes are magnificent in any season and in any weather.
So, wild nature Switzerland. What is she like?
Mount Matterhorn
This is the most famous mountain peak of the Alps, located on the border of Switzerland and Italy. The peak has the shape of an almost regular pyramid. It rises among low hills and plains, and it is this isolation that gives this mountain such charm.
The height of the Matterhorn is 4,478 meters.
The nature of Switzerland is magnificent due to the variety of landscapes. Travelers call this valley almost the most beautiful and amazing in the whole world. In fact, it is a deep crevice located between high cliffs. Its length is 8,000 meters and its width is no more than a kilometer. From this place you can see three beautiful Mountain peaks- Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau (translated as Ogre, Monk and Virgin).
The peculiarity of the valley lies in its numerous waterfalls. And the name Lauterbrunnen in translation means “many springs”. There are 72 waterfalls in total, and all of them are stunning in their beauty.
It is impossible to imagine the nature of Switzerland without this lake. It is not for nothing that this country is often called “the country of mountains and lakes.” And indeed it is. In addition to the mountains that occupy most of its territory, there are more than 1,500 lakes of extraordinary beauty. The largest in the Swiss Alps and the second largest among freshwater bodies of Central Europe is Lake Geneva. Locals often call it Leman. It lies in the floodplain of the river. Rhone.
The lake fascinates with its amazing pristine beauty and unusually clear water. The Alps reliably shelter the reservoir from the wind, thanks to which the water surface is almost unshakable, and the peaks of the mountains and all the surrounding nature, along with houses and medieval castles, comfortably nestled on the mountain slopes. The lake, stretched out in the shape of a crescent, is located on the border with France (or rather, the border runs through its center).
Vegetable world
The nature of Switzerland is rich in vegetation. The Swiss plateau extends in a zone of deciduous forests. Oaks and beeches predominate here, sometimes pine trees are mixed in with them. Chestnut is typical for the southern slopes of the Alps. Further in height, coniferous forests grow, representing a transition zone between the alpine meadows located above and deciduous forests.
There are many different bright colors in the mountains. Daffodils and crocuses bloom in the spring, edelweiss, rhododendrons, gentians and saxifrages in the summer.
Animal world
The fauna, unlike the flora, is greatly depleted due to human economic activities. The most common inhabitants are the mountain hare and snow partridge. And animals characteristic of the upper tier of mountains, such as marmot, roe deer and chamois, are much less common.
Near the border with Austria there is a Swiss national park inhabited by chamois and roe deer, and foxes and alpine goats are a little less common. Here you can also find white partridge and several species of birds of prey.
Finally
One thing to note interesting fact. Scientists say that the Swiss Alps are still in the process of formation. According to research, the height of the mountains increases by one millimeter every year.
It is impossible to describe all the natural attractions of this small European state. The Rhine Falls, the Aletsch Glacier - these are not all the natural wonders of Switzerland.
In Switzerland, three natural regions are distinguishable: the Jura mountain range in the northwest, the Swiss plateau (plateau) in the center and the Alps in the southeast.
The Jura Mountains separate Switzerland and France, stretching from Geneva to Basel and Schaffhausen.
The Swiss plateau formed at the site of the trough between the Jura and the Alps. The surface of the plateau is hilly, agriculture is developed in the wide valleys, and the interfluves are covered with forests. Most of the country's population lives here, large cities and industrial centers are located here.
Almost the entire southern half of Switzerland is occupied by the Alps. Picturesque nature The highlands of the Alps attract many tourists and climbers. The highest peaks are Peak Dufour (4634 m) in the Monte Rosa massif on the border with Italy, Dom (4545 m), Weisshorn (4505 m), Matterhorn (4477 m), Grand Combin (4314 m), Finsterarhorn (4274 m) ) and Jungfrau (4158 m).
Most of Switzerland is irrigated by the Rhine and its tributary the Are. The rivers of Switzerland have no navigable significance. On the Rhine, navigation is maintained only as far as Basel.
The large and small lakes of Switzerland are very picturesque. The largest and most famous is Lake Geneva. No less famous is Lake Firvaldstätt, formed from seven reservoirs. Lake Brienz and Lake Thun are separated by the muddy delta of the Lucine River.
In northeastern Switzerland belongs part of Lake Constance. Most of the lakes are of glacial origin: they were formed in an era when large glaciers descended from the mountains onto the Swiss plateau.
Switzerland has pronounced climatic differences due to altitude and exposure to sun and winds. The climate is humid, on the plateau – moderately warm, in the mountains – cold. Daily temperatures in the lowlands fluctuate on average throughout the year from +10 to +16° C; in summer they rise to +27° C or more. The hottest month is July, the coldest month is January.
The highest peaks of the Alps are covered with eternal snow. In winter, temperatures drop below 0°C throughout the country, with the exception of the northern shore of Lake Geneva and the shores of lakes Lugano and Lago Maggiore, some of which belong to Italy. The climate there is as mild as in Northern Italy, since the mountains protect against the invasion of cold northern winds.
In Switzerland there are often sharp strong winds accompanied by rain and snowfall. In spring, summer and autumn, fohns predominate - warm, dry winds blowing from the east and southeast. As currents of moist air from the Mediterranean Sea rise up the slopes of the Alps and then descend to the Swiss plateau, precipitation falls on the southern slopes almost twice as much as on the northern ones.
The Swiss plateau is located in the zone of European broadleaf forests. The predominant species are oak and beech, with pine mixed in in some places. On the southern slope of the Alps the chestnut tree is typical. Higher up the mountain slopes, coniferous forests grow, forming a transition zone between broad-leaved forests and alpine meadows (at high altitudes). There are many bright colors in the mountains. Crocuses and daffodils bloom in spring, rhododendrons, saxifrages, gentians and edelweiss bloom in summer.
The fauna has been strongly influenced by human economic activity. While snow partridge and mountain hare are still quite common, such characteristic animals of the upper tier of the mountains as roe deer, marmot and chamois are much less common.
The Swiss National Park, located near the border with Austria, is home to roe deer and chamois, and less commonly, alpine ibex and fox; Ptarmigan and several species of birds of prey are also found.