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 is mainly an 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 Jura are separated by hilly plateaus with a large number of 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. This is how the unusually beautiful Switzerland turned out. Its landscapes are magnificent in any season and in any weather.
So, the wildlife of 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 a 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 - 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 are clearly reflected in it, 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 interesting fact should be noted. 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.
From a plane flying over Switzerland, it seems that there is literally nowhere to land: there are no plains, mountains everywhere with snowy peaks sparkling in the sun; like the teeth of a huge ridge, rocky peaks stick out here and there, threads of stormy streams silver in narrow gorges. Switzerland is home to the most powerful, highest part of the Alps - the main mountain system of Foreign Europe. Mountains occupy the entire central and largely southern and eastern parts of the country. The Rhone and Rhine valleys divide the Swiss Alps into two almost parallel groups of mountain ranges, running from southwest to northeast. To the north of these valleys rise the Bernese Alps with the Finsterarhorn and Jungfrau peaks exceeding 4 thousand m, as well as the Vierwaldstätt Alps and the Glarn Alps. To the south of the valleys are the Pennine Alps with Peak Dufour (4634 m) - the highest point in Switzerland, the second peak after Mont Blanc in Foreign Europe, and the Lepontine Alps. The highest part of the Alps is composed of crystalline rocks (granites, gneisses) and limestones. High mountain areas are covered with eternal snow and glaciers. The largest of these glaciers and one of the largest in Europe, the Aletsch Glacier is located in the heart of the Bernese Alps. It stretches for 27 km, covering an area of 115 square meters. km. Between the Bernese Alps and the Jura, from the Rhine flowing along the border with Germany to Lake Geneva, stretches the undulating low (400-600 m) Swiss Plateau. The main charm of the landscape here is represented by large lakes - Zurich, Neuchâtel, Geneva - and rounded green hills. The Swiss plateau is the most populated part of the country. Its most important industrial and agricultural areas and largest cities are located here - Zurich, Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lausanne. Due to the complexity of the terrain, the climatic conditions of different regions of Switzerland are different. In the Alps, for example, winter is relatively cold (temperatures usually drop to -10° -12°, sometimes to -20°), but almost always very sunny. That is why tuberculosis patients have long flocked to Davos, Montana, St. Moritz, Zermatt and other mountainous places in the hope of a cure. These small towns, while maintaining their importance as climatic resorts, are increasingly becoming centers of tourism and skiing; Around them, international sporting competitions are often held. Above 2500-3000 m the snow does not melt throughout the year. In winter and spring, snow avalanches are common due to the accumulation of snow on the slopes. In summer, there is frequent rain and fog in the mountains. On the Swiss Plateau, winter is mild, with an average January temperature of about -2°. Snow usually lasts only a few days. In December and January, strong winds blow from the Atlantic, bringing rain, there is frequent fog, there is almost no sun, and the atmospheric pressure changes sharply every now and then. But the summer is warm (average temperature in July + 18°), the autumn is long and sunny. This climate is favorable for agricultural work. Even grapes have time to ripen on the Swiss plateau. This area and the foothills of the Alps are characterized by “bizas” - gusty, cold and damp winds from the Atlantic, blowing (an interesting natural phenomenon!) without a break for a number of days that are a multiple of three - sometimes up to nine days, as well as foens - winds that pass through the Alps and down into the valleys of Switzerland are very dry and warm. Inland mountain valleys and basins have the mildest and warmest climate. For example, in the canton of Tessin, in the so-called Italian Switzerland, on the coast of lakes Lugano and Lago Maggiore, protected by mountains from cold northern winds, there are many sunny days, there are no large temperature fluctuations and strong seasonal weather fluctuations. Palm trees, magnolias and other plants of southern countries grow here in the open ground. In Tessin, which, along with some mountainous areas, is called the “solarium of Switzerland”. The rivers of such a small country as Switzerland belong to the basins of three seas: the North, Mediterranean and Black. Major European rivers such as the Rhine and Rhone begin in the Swiss Alps. The Rhone is born in the thickness of the Ronegletscher glacier, at an altitude of 2 thousand m. From under the blue-white edge of the ice, from the chaos of huge blocks, a river pours out in a narrow stream, which is destined to run down the entire Valais valley, flow into Lake Geneva and, breaking through its bluish water in a light gray stream, leave near Geneva in the narrow green gorges from Swiss soil to France. The tributary of the Danube River originates from the Alps. Inn, as well as a tributary of the Po River. Ticino. Almost the entire central part of the country is crossed by the Rhine tributary Are, on the high, steep banks of which the city of Bern stands. Most rivers are turbulent, full of waterfalls and rapids, which is why they are not suitable for navigation, but they are sources of energy and are used for rafting timber. In the future, it is planned to turn the Rhine and Rhone into transport arteries. In the meantime, ships do not ascend the Rhine above Basel, beyond which the rapids begin. With the completion of the construction of the Rhine-Main-Danube canal (in Germany), they will be able to reach Lake Constance on the Austro-Swiss-West German border. Then cargo from the Rhine will be transferred to the Danube. The Atlantic will connect with the Black Sea. There is also a project to connect the Rhine (in the section between Basel and Schaffhausen) with the Rhone, using the river. Are, Neuchâtel and Geneva lakes. The pride of Switzerland is its picturesque lakes. The largest of them are Geneva (588 sq. km) and Constance (537 sq. km), then Neuchâtel, Lago Maggiore, Firvaldstetskoe (Lake of Four Cantons), Zurich, Lugano. Some lakes are very deep: the depth of Lago Maggiore is 372 m, and that of Geneva is 310 m. Due to the great depth and transparency of the water, the lakes are blue or dark blue. Their origin is mainly tectonic-glacial. The shores are bordered by wooded hills or rocky mountains, the slopes of which drop straight into the water. Large lakes are not only places of pilgrimage for tourists, they play a role in shipping, especially passenger traffic. Swiss lakes were once very rich in fish, but increasing poisoning from industrial waste is rapidly eroding their natural resources. The issue of protecting lakes and the entire environment from pollution is very acute in Switzerland. However, it is not possible to force the owners of plants and factories to thoroughly purify discharged industrial waters and install reliable filters on chimneys. In recent decades, over three dozen artificial lakes have appeared on the map of the country - these are reservoirs for hydroelectric power stations. The largest of them is Grand Dixence in the Pennine Alps. Back in the 18th century. Switzerland was covered with dense forests, where bears, wolves, deer, and wild boars were found in abundance. Currently, forests are heavily deforested and occupy about % of the country's territory, but they are the most productive in Foreign Europe. On the Swiss Plateau there are only isolated groves and parks on estates. On the mountain slopes, forests are better preserved, especially in the eastern and southern parts of the country. In the east of Switzerland, in the canton of Grisons, on the rivers Inn and Landquart, a National Nature Reserve has been created, where flora and fauna are carefully protected. Only in this reserve or in remote mountainous areas can you still find brown bears, mountain goats, chamois, foxes, and hares. On the plateau and on the slopes of the Alps and Jura up to an altitude of 800 m, cultivated plantings, grain crops, forage grasses, orchards, vineyards, hop plantations, and vegetable gardens predominate. At an altitude of 800 to 2000 m there are forests, first deciduous - beech and oak, then coniferous - cedar, spruce, pine. Above the forest line there are tall-grass subalpine meadows, giving way to alpine meadows, covered with low-growing bushes and low herbaceous plants, among which there are many flowering ones, such as saldanellas and primroses; on steep slopes you can sometimes see edelweiss - the “unofficial” symbol of Switzerland. The soils of Switzerland are not very fertile. Only brown forest soils of the Swiss plateau and the lower parts of mountain slopes, as well as alluvial soils occupying very small areas along river valleys, are suitable for cultivation. In addition, landslides and landslides are common on mountain slopes, removing the soil layer or covering the cultivated land with stones. The proportion of lands that are completely unsuitable for agriculture, such as rocks and glaciers, is high (23.6). And only 6.5% of the country’s area is suitable for the cultivation of grain and horticultural crops. In some areas, such as the Valais Valley, important agricultural region, soil fertility is highly dependent on irrigation. There is not enough water here, and peasants have to build wooden or stone trays - “bysses”, through which water flows from high mountain regions, glacial lakes and rivers to fields and vegetable gardens. Fate, which has so generously rewarded Switzerland, with its amazing natural beauty and generally fertile climate, is clearly deprived of mineral resources. In the “underground pantry” there are only small reserves of coal, iron ore deposits and small deposits of graphite, talc and asphalt. In the upper reaches of the Rhone and along the Rhine near the border with Germany there is a noticeable The extraction of rock salt plays a role, covering the needs of the country.Raw materials for the construction industry are available in quite significant quantities - sand, clay, stone. There is an assumption that there are small deposits of uranium ores in the Alps. Poverty in coal and oil forced the Swiss to make full use of their exceptionally rich hydroelectric resources. Currently, the vast majority of electricity consumed comes from hydroelectric power plants. However, hydropower reserves are already almost exhausted. In this regard, at the end of the 60s, the construction of nuclear power plants began. Two stages of a nuclear power plant in Beznau (east of the city of Solothurn) with a total capacity of 700 thousand kW and a nuclear power plant in Mühleberg (west of Bern) with a capacity of 306 thousand kW came into operation. Three more nuclear power plants are under construction.
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. The temperature most of the year (from October to May) is 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). The maximum snow depth 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 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.
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.
Due to topographical features, the central part of the country, located on the Swiss Plateau, is very densely populated. The high concentration of industry, agriculture, transport, entertainment and sports leads to environmental pollution.
Mountains are especially susceptible to this. Climate change is causing more frequent floods and mudflows, and is also having a negative impact on the tourism industry.
Switzerland has significant water resource potential, which is used to meet the needs of the population, industry, power generation, agriculture, shipping, fisheries and recreation.
The law on the protection of water bodies is enshrined in the Constitution of the Swiss Confederation. The Federal Office for Environmental Protection (BAFU) is an executive body that implements state policy in the field of use and conservation of nature, including the country's water resources.
In Switzerland, water quality is constantly monitored. BAFU carries out state monitoring of water resources, which consists of monitoring of groundwater bodies (NAQUA) and monitoring of surface water bodies (NADUF).
The drinking water flowing from the taps of Switzerland is not inferior in quality to bottled mineral water, and besides, it is 500 times cheaper!
About 80% of the water used in Switzerland for drinking purposes and industry comes from underground sources.
Most groundwater contains nitrates, pesticides, herbicides and bicarbonates, according to the latest results from the National Groundwater Monitoring Association (NAQUA). This primarily applies to densely populated areas.
Nitrates are a perennial problem. The highest content occurs in agricultural areas. The increase in the flow of nitrates into water sources is largely associated with the use of organic and mineral fertilizers in agriculture.
Groundwater in forested areas remains practically natural and unpolluted, because here the soil is not treated with fertilizers and, accordingly, is not contaminated with pesticides.
The protection of groundwater bodies is a long-term task. Spatial planning, agriculture, forestry and industry must work together to solve problems to ensure that drinking water quality remains high.
Many European rivers originate in Switzerland. Therefore, the state takes appropriate measures to prevent their pollution.
The most important reservoirs of fresh water are lakes. They contain more than half of Switzerland's water supply. Perpetual snow and glaciers also play an important role in water use, accounting for 26% of all reserves.
In order to improve water quality, since the mid-20th century, the country has been building treatment facilities and installations for treating waste and industrial waters.
Chemical nutrients, particularly phosphate additives, found in synthetic detergents are an important problem. In 1985, phosphate washing powders were banned, and the use of phosphate additives was allowed only in the production of dishwashing detergents. Thanks to these measures, it was possible to significantly reduce the phosphate content in the lakes.
The next pollutant is agricultural fertilizers. Organically enriched water helps to powerfully stimulate unwanted growth of aquatic vegetation such as algae, etc. This process results in a reduction in aquatic life forms and harmful effects associated with dissolved oxygen in the water. This problem primarily affects small lakes, but Lake Geneva and Lake Zug are no exception.
Of particular concern are micropollutants, which are difficult to treat even with modern wastewater treatment systems. They are mainly found in the breakdown products of pharmaceuticals.
In recent years, the number of fish in Switzerland has decreased significantly. This is due to a decrease in their habitat, pollution of inland water bodies and fluctuations in water temperature. Climate change also disrupts the balance of freshwater ecosystems.
Water resources are the most important source of raw materials for Switzerland. They are used primarily for energy production. For these purposes, numerous hydroelectric power stations were built along the banks of large rivers, especially the Rhine and its tributaries. Today, 2/3 of the country's hydroelectric power is produced in the mountain cantons of Grisons, Ticino, Uri and Wallis.
Hydropower is a renewable energy source that does not produce harmful emissions into the atmosphere. However, hydraulic structures negatively affect the environment, disrupting the thermal, hydraulic and climatic conditions of the area. Hydroelectric power stations lead to a decrease in water levels in rivers and impede the migration of fish and animals.
Currently, electricity generating companies operating hydroelectric power plants understand the importance of the situation. When reconstructing hydraulic structures, measures are taken to preserve the natural environment for river banks and special fish passage structures are built.
