Switzerland
...and Germany, on the east b Austria and Liechtenstein, on the south by Italy, and on the west by France. The country has an area of 15,940-sq. mi. Its largest city is Zurich, and the capitol is Bern.
Switzerland 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 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 15,203 ft. 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, about 1300 ft. above sea level in average elevation and some 30 miles wide; it extends from Lake Geneva in the extreme southwest to the Bodensee (Lake of Constance) in the extreme northeast. The plateau is thickly studded with hills. Between the rages 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 950 ft.) in the canton of Bern. The Rhine and its tributaries form the principal river system. Other important rivers are the Rhone, Ticino, and Inn. However, the Swiss rivers are not navigable for any appreciable extent. Switzerland in famous for its many lakes, particularly those of the Alpine region, known for their scenic beauty. The most important include Lake Geneva, Bodensee, Lake Lugano, and Lake Maggiore (at which lies...
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