Geographical Location

Switzerland is bounded on the north by France and Germany, on the east by Austria and Liechtenstein, on the south by Italy, and on the west by France.

It is one of the most mountainous countries of Europe, with more than 70 percent of its area covered by the Alps, in the central and southern sections, and the Jura, in the northwest. The Swiss Alps are part of the largest mountain system in Europe and are famous for their jagged peaks and steep gorges. There are several ranges within the Alps, including the Pennine range, which has Switzerland's highest peak, the 4,634-meter (15,203-foot) Dufourspitze of Monte Rosa. The Jura (Celtic for "forest") are much lower and smaller than the Alps and are popular for cross-country skiing. The renowned Swiss watchmaking industry began in the Jura Mountains.

Between these two mountain systems lies the Swiss plateau, an average of 400 meters (1,300 feet) above sea level and some 50 kilometers (30 miles) wide; it extends from Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) in the extreme southwest to the Lake of Constance (Bodensee) in the extreme northeast. The plateau is thickly studded with hills. Between the ranges of the Alps and Jura also stretch long valleys connected by transverse gorges; one such valley is the Engadine along the Inn River in the southeast. Nearly every Swiss valley is traversed by streams, often interrupted by picturesque waterfalls, including the Staubbach Falls (about 290 meters/950 feet) in the canton of Bern.

The principal river system is formed by the Rhine and its tributaries. Other important rivers are the Rhone, Ticino, and Inn. However, Swiss rivers are not navigable for any appreciable extent. Switzerland is famous for its many lakes, particularly those of the Alpine region, known for their scenic beauty. The most important include Lake Geneva, Lake of Constance, Lake of Lugano, and Lake Maggiore (at which lies Switzerland's lowest point, 194 meters/636 feet above sea level), which are not wholly within Swiss borders; and Lake of Neuchâtel, Lake of Lucerne and Zürichsee, Brienzersee, and Thunersee, which are entirely within Switzerland.