Editing Lausanne (section)

===Topography===
[[File:Lausanne depuis le Mont Tendre.JPG|thumb|The agglomeration of Lausanne, [[Lake Geneva]] and the [[Alps]]]]The most important geographical feature of the area surrounding Lausanne is Lake Geneva (''Le Léman'' in French). Lausanne is built on the southern slope of the [[Swiss plateau]], with a difference in elevation of about {{convert|500|m|ft|0}} between the lakeshore at Ouchy and its northern edge bordering [[Le Mont-sur-Lausanne]] and [[Épalinges]]. Lausanne boasts a dramatic panorama over the lake and the Swiss and Savoyan [[Swiss Alps|Alps]].

In addition to its generally southward-sloping layout, the centre of the city is the site of an ancient river, the [[Le Flon (Lausanne)|Flon]], which has been covered since the 19th century. The former river forms a gorge running through the middle of the city south of the old city centre, generally following the course of the present ''Rue Centrale'', with several bridges crossing the depression to connect the adjacent neighbourhoods. Due to the considerable differences in elevation, tourists should make a note as to which plane of elevation they are on and where they want to go, otherwise they will find themselves tens of metres below or above the street in which they are trying to go. The name ''[[Lausanne-Flon station|Flon]]'' is also used for the [[Lausanne Metro|metro]] station located in the gorge.

The municipality includes the villages of [[Vidy]], Cour, [[Ouchy]], Mornex, Chailly, La Sallaz, Vennes, Montblesson, Vers-chez-les-Blanc, Montheron and Chalet-à-Gobet ({{convert|871|m|ft|abbr=on}}) as well as the [[exclave]] of Vernand. Lausanne is located at the limit between the extensive wine-growing regions of [[Lavaux]] (to the east) and [[la Côte]] (to the west).

Lausanne has an area, {{as of|2014|lc=on}}, of {{convert|41.38|-|41.37|km2|sqmi|sp=us}} (depending on calculation method). Of this area, {{convert|6.22|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} or 15.0% is used for agricultural purposes, while {{convert|16.06|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} or 38.8% is forested. Of the rest of the land, {{convert|19.00|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} or 45.9% is settled (buildings or roads), {{convert|0.08|km2|acre|abbr=on}} or 0.2% is either rivers or lakes and {{convert|0.01|km2|acre|abbr=on}} or 0.0% is unproductive land.<ref name=BFS_land>[https://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/de/home/statistiken/raum-umwelt/bodennutzung-bedeckung/gesamtspektrum-regionalen-stufen/gemeinden.assetdetail.11007176.html Swiss Federal Statistical Office-Land Use Statistics] 2018 data {{in lang|de}} accessed 26 July 2020</ref>

Of the built-up area, industrial buildings made up 1.6% of the total area while housing and buildings made up 22.8% and transportation infrastructure made up 12.4%. Power and water infrastructure as well as other special developed areas made up 1.6% of the area while parks, green belts and sports fields made up 7.4%. Out of the forested land, all of the forested land area is covered with heavy forests. Of the agricultural land, 9.4% is used for growing crops and 4.9% is pastures. All the water in the municipality is in lakes and streams.<ref name=BFS_land/>

The municipality was part of the old [[Lausanne District]] until it was dissolved on 31 August 2006, and it became the region capital of the new district of Lausanne.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Nomenklaturen – Amtliches Gemeindeverzeichnis der Schweiz |url=http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/infothek/nomenklaturen/blank/blank/gem_liste/02.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151113231755/http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/infothek/nomenklaturen/blank/blank/gem_liste/02.html |archive-date=13 November 2015 |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=www.national-football-teams.com |language=en}}</ref>