Editing Grisons (section)

==Geography and climate==
{{see also|Geography of Switzerland}}
[[File:Engadine.jpg|thumb|left|The Engadin (here near [[St. Moritz]] and the lakes) is one of the highest valleys of the Alps and the only Swiss region in the basin of the Black Sea.]]

The Grisons is Switzerland's largest and at the same time easternmost canton. Its geography, essentially marked by the [[Alps]], is complex and encompasses a wide range of climates and ecosystems. It is one of the three large southern Alpine cantons, along with [[Ticino]] and [[Valais]], which include regions on the south side of the Alps. But in contrast to those (and all other cantons), it fully extends on both sides of the great Alpine barrier, from the northern plains at [[Maienfeld]] to the southern plains at [[Roveredo]]. However, a large portion of the canton is neither clearly north nor south of the Alps, it is the [[Engadin]] (the "garden of the Inn"), a large inner Alpine valley oriented towards eastern Europe. Therefore there are parts of this canton in four of the [[Hydrology of Switzerland|five drainage basins of the country]]. The north of the canton is drained by the [[Rhine]] (ending in the North Sea), the south by the [[Po (river)|Po]] and [[Adige]] through several affluents (Mediterranean Sea), and the Engadin by the [[Danube]] through the [[Inn (river)|Inn]] (Black Sea).<ref name=Swisstopo>[https://s.geo.admin.ch/8f3e067194 Topographic map of the Grisons], [[Swisstopo]]. Retrieved 8 March 2021</ref>

The Grisons lies fully within the Alps, with elevations above sea-level ranging from {{convert|260|to|4049|m|ft}}. It is [[List of Swiss cantons by elevation|both one of the highest and lowest cantons]], and the second-highest when considering mean elevation. As a consequence, its topography is extremely rugged and many of the highest settlements in the country (and Europe) are found there, notably in the Upper Engadin. The mountains are numerous; well over 1,000 summits are in the canton.<ref>[https://www.swisstopo.admin.ch/en/home.detail.news.html/swisstopo-internet/news2019/didyouknow/20190930.html Summits of Switzerland], [[Federal Office of Topography]]. Retrieved 9 March 2021 ("Did you know that there are more than 1200 peaks between 2000 and 3000 metres in Graubünden?")</ref> The highest is [[Piz Bernina]]<!--Elevation indicated above-->, closely followed by numerous peaks in the [[Bernina Range|homonymous range]]. Other prominent mountains<!--Over 1200 m prominence--> are [[Piz Russein]], [[Piz Kesch]], [[Calanda (mountain)|Calanda]], [[Aroser Rothorn]] and [[Rheinwaldhorn]], see [[list of mountains of Graubünden]] for a more exhaustive list. The canton includes numerous subranges of the Alps other than the Bernina. These are the [[Albula Alps|Albula]], the [[Bregaglia Range|Bregaglia]], the [[Glarus Alps|Glarus]], the [[Gotthard Massif|Gotthard]], the [[Lepontine Alps|Lepontine]], the [[Livigno Alps|Livigno]], the [[Plessur Alps|Plessur]], the [[Oberhalbstein Alps|Oberhalbstein]], the [[Ortler Alps|Ortler]], the [[Rätikon]], the [[Samnaun Alps|Samnaun]], the [[Sesvenna Alps|Sesvenna]] and the [[Silvretta Alps|Silvretta]] ranges.

[[File:2011-07-25 11-31-16 Switzerland Graubünden Rhine Gorge.jpg|thumb|upright=2|The [[Anterior Rhine]] (here at the [[Ruinaulta|Rhine Gorge]]) is one of the largest rivers in the canton.]]
The regions on the north side of the Alps are all drained by the Rhine and form an intricate network of valleys. The Rhine is both one of the longest rivers within the canton and the only one flowing directly into a sea. The [[sources of the Rhine]] are found in the west of the canton and form the [[Anterior Rhine]] and the [[Posterior Rhine]]. These two rivers converge at [[Reichenau, Switzerland|Reichenau]] to form the Rhine in the strict sense of the term. Just after the convergence, the valley opens and its floor constitutes the flattest plains of the canton, from [[Domat/Ems]] to [[Fläsch]] at the St. Gallen border. In the area around [[Chur]], at the foot of the [[Calanda (mountain)|Calanda]], the Rhine progressively changes its direction, from eastward to northward. The Anterior Rhine and Posterior Rhine include numerous tributaries as well before their own convergence. The former constitutes a long and straight valley, the Surselva, shut off from the lower plains by the [[Ruinaulta|Rhine Gorge]]. Its biggest tributaries are the rivers [[Glogn]], [[Valser Rhine]], [[Rabiusa]], forming respectively the [[Val Lumnezia]], the [[Vals Valley]] and the [[Safiental]]. The other one, the Posterior Rhine, notably collects the waters of the [[Avers Rhine]] and the [[Albula (river)|Albula]], which in turn collects the waters of the [[Gelgia (river)|Gelgia]] and the [[Landwasser]]. Similarly to the Anterior Rhine, the upper portion of the Posterior Rhine is also shut off from the plains by the [[Viamala]] Gorge. After the convergence with the Albula, the Posterior Rhine forms a wide valley, the [[Domleschg]], until it meets its anterior counterpart. After that, the Rhine collects the water of two important rivers: the [[Plessur (river)|Plessur]] at Chur, forming the valley of the [[Schanfigg]], and the [[Landquart (river)|Landquart]] at the [[Landquart, Switzerland|homonymous town]], forming the [[Prätigau]].<ref name=Swisstopo/>

The Engadin is entirely drained by the Inn and is the only valley in Switzerland in the Danube basin. The Inn is one of the longest rivers in the canton and forms an almost straight valley, from the [[Maloja Pass]] to [[Martina, Switzerland|Martina]], with a change of direction near [[Zernez]]. Despite its length and numerous tributaries, only a few long rivers converge with the Inn. These are the [[Flaz]] (forming the Val Bernina), the [[Spöl]] (forming the Val da Spöl) and the Clemgia (forming the [[Val S-charl]]). In the lower part of the Engadin is also the side valley of [[Samnaun]]. The main passes connecting the Engadin with the northern Grisons are (from west to east): the [[Julier Pass]], the [[Albula Pass]] and the [[Flüela Pass]].<ref name=Swisstopo/>

The valleys on the south side of the Alps are not contiguous to each other and form four distinct regions. The [[Mesolcina]], drained by the [[Moesa]], the [[Val Bregaglia]], drained by the [[Mera (Lake Como)|Mera]], the [[Val Poschiavo]], drained by the [[Poschiavino]], and the [[Val Müstair]], drained by the [[Rom (river)|Rom]]. The first three are in the Po basin and the last one is in the Adige basin. While the first two (Mesolcina and Bregaglia) are contiguous to the region north of the Alps, through the [[San Bernardino Pass]], and the [[Septimer Pass]] respectively, the three last ones (Bregaglia, Poschiavo and Müstair) are contiguous to the Engadin, through the [[Maloja Pass]], the [[Bernina Pass]], and the [[Ofen Pass]].<ref name=Swisstopo/>

Although no large bodies of water are found in the canton, numerous mountain lakes (above 800 m elevation) dot the landscape, some of them being used as reservoirs for hydroelectricity production. The largest natural lakes are [[Lake Sils]], [[Lake Silvaplana]], [[Lago di Poschiavo]] and [[Lake St. Moritz]] (all in Upper Engadin except that of Poschiavo). Artificial lakes are more numerous, the largest (over 100 ha) being [[Lago di Livigno]], [[Lago di Lei]], [[Lai da Sontga Maria]], [[Zervreilasee]], [[Lago Bianco]], [[Lai da Marmorera]] and [[Lägh da l'Albigna]]. The total number of lakes has been estimated to 600.<ref>[https://www.gr.ch/DE/institutionen/verwaltung/diem/ajf/fischerei/Seiten/Fischerei_Home.aspx Fischerei] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713061059/https://www.gr.ch/DE/institutionen/verwaltung/diem/ajf/fischerei/Seiten/Fischerei_Home.aspx |date=13 July 2022 }}, gr.ch. Retrieved 7 March 2021. ("Obwohl grosse Seen fehlen, ist Graubünden dennoch reich an stehenden Gewässern. Es gibt insgesamt rund 600 kleinere Seen.")</ref> See [[list of mountain lakes of Switzerland]] for a more exhaustive list.<!--Can be sorted by canton-->

Unlike other large cantons, the Grisons includes very few cities. The largest (and capital city) is [[Chur]]. It is followed by [[Davos]], [[Landquart, Switzerland|Landquart]], [[Domat/Ems]] and [[St. Moritz]], which are, however, far less populated. The canton is particularly renowned for its numerous Alpine resort towns, notably two of the aforementioned ones (Davos and St. Moritz), but also [[Klosters]], [[Arosa]], [[Lenzerheide]], [[Disentis]], [[Flims]], [[Pontresina]] and [[Scuol]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://en.graubuenden.ch/home.html?L=2&season=1 |title=Destinations on official tourism board Graubünden, Switzerland holiday destinations |access-date=17 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110116215227/http://en.graubuenden.ch/home.html?L=2&season=1 |archive-date=16 January 2011 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

The diversity of the climate of the Grisons is high and comparable to [[Climate of Switzerland|that of Switzerland]]. In the southernmost and lowest regions, vineyards and olives are grown,<ref name="Mesolcina">[https://www.rsi.ch/rete-uno/programmi/informazione/voci-del-grigioni-italiano/Montagne-e-riscaldamento-globale-4146566.html Montagne e riscaldamento globale], rsi.ch. Retrieve 7 March 2021. ("Con le temperature più alte si stanno sperimentando le coltivazioni di specie diverse. Ne testimonia quella di ulivi, zafferano e fichi d’India a San Vittore in Mesolcina.")</ref> while on the highest summits, snow is found year-round. The inner valleys, particularly the Engadin, are significantly drier than the north and south side of the Alps, being sheltered by the high mountains of the range. On the south side of the Alps, [[Grono, Switzerland|Grono]] is one of the top warmest places in the country with an average of {{Cvt|12.4|C}}. The nationwide record temperature of {{convert|41.5|°C|°F}} was registered there. The southern valleys are also significantly wetter than the rest of the canton (1,476&nbsp;mm of rain in Grono, 849&nbsp;mm in Chur, and 705&nbsp;mm in Scuol). The coldest places are naturally at high elevations, such as on [[Piz Corvatsch]]<!--Weather station there-->. The localities of the Upper Engadin are amongst the coldest inhabited regions in the country, notably [[Samedan]] with an average temperature of {{convert|2.0|°C|°F}}. The cantonwide record-low temperature of {{convert|-37.9|°C|°F}} was registered there.<ref>[https://www.srf.ch/meteo/meteo-news/gefrierschrank-schweiz-am-kaeltesten-wirds-am-mittwochmorgen Gefrierschrank Schweiz: Am kältesten wirds am Mittwochmorgen], srf.ch. Retrieved 8 March 2021 ("Absolute Tiefstwerte (homogenisiert): La Brévine/NE: -42.5 °C, Samedan/GR: -37.9 °C")</ref> The low-elevation region of Chur, including the Bündner Herrschaft, experiences naturally less harsh temperatures with an average of {{convert|10.0|°C|°F}}.<!--See articles for sources about average temperatures and precipitation-->

<gallery mode=packed widths=220 heights=165><!--This gallery is supposed to show clearly distinct ecosystems. See Altitudinal zonation for terminology.-->
File:Maienfeld Falknis 02.JPG|Lowlands: Vineyards of the Bündner Herrschaft, at the foot of the [[Falknis]]
File:Stairs with a view.jpg|Montane zone: Val Bregaglia, at the foot of [[Piz Badile]]
File:Val Frisal.jpg|Alpine zone: Val Frisal, at the foot of [[Piz Durschin]]
File:PizBernina.jpg|Nival zone: [[Piz Bernina]] from [[Piz Morteratsch]]
</gallery>

The area of the Grisons is {{convert|7105.2|km2|sqmi}}, 19.2% larger than the [[canton of Bern]], the second largest canton.<ref name="BFS Graubunden">{{cite web | last = Federal Department of Statistics | title = Regional Statistics for Graubünden | year = 2008 | url = http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/regionen/regionalportraets/graubuenden/blank/kennzahlen.html | access-date = 23 November 2008 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090414212256/http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/regionen/regionalportraets/graubuenden/blank/kennzahlen.html | archive-date = 14 April 2009 }}</ref> Only about a third of this is commonly regarded as productive land of which [[forest]]s cover about a fifth of the total area.<ref name="BFS Graubunden"/>
The canton is almost entirely mountainous and it is the most sparsely populated region of the country. In its southeastern part lies the only official [[Swiss National Park]]. In its northern part, the mountains were formed as part of the thrust fault that was in 2008 declared a geologic [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]], under the name [[Glarus thrust|Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona]]. Another [[Man and the Biosphere Programme|Biosphere Reserve]] is the [[Val Müstair|Biosfera Val Müstair]] adjacent to the Swiss National Park, while [[Ela Nature Park]] is one of the regionally supported parks.

The Grisons is sometimes included in the larger region of [[Eastern Switzerland]], together with six other cantons. The Grisons shares border with numerous regions of Europe, reflecting its cultural diversity, and is the only canton adjacent to three different countries. On the national level it shares borders with four other cantons: [[Canton of Uri|Uri]], [[Canton of Glarus|Glarus]], [[Canton of St. Gallen|St. Gallen]] to the northwest (essentially across the Glarus Alps) and [[Ticino]] to the west (essentially across the [[Gotthard Massif]] and the Lepontine Alps but also at the level of the plain at Roveredo). On the international level, the canton shares borders with three countries: [[Liechtenstein]] to the north, the Austrian regions of [[Vorarlberg]] and [[Tyrol (state)|Tyrol]] to the northeast and the Italian regions of [[Trentino-South Tyrol]] and [[Lombardy]] to the east and south.<ref>[https://s.geo.admin.ch/8f3e067194 Topographic map of the Grisons], [[Swisstopo]]. Retrieved 4 March 2022</ref>