Editing Switzerland (section)

== Geography ==
{{Main|Geography of Switzerland}}
[[File:Reliefkarte Schweiz.png|thumb|Physical map of Switzerland (in [[German language|German]])]]

Extending across the north and south side of the [[Alps]] in [[Western Europe|west]]-central Europe, Switzerland encompasses diverse landscapes and climates across its {{convert|41285|km2|sqmi}}.<ref name="Geo">{{Cite web |title=Swiss Geography |url=http://www.swissworld.org/en/geography/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008130616/http://www.swissworld.org/en/geography |archive-date=8 October 2014 |access-date=12 October 2014 |website=swissworld.org |publisher=Presence Switzerland, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs}}</ref>

Switzerland lies between latitudes [[45th parallel north|45°]] and [[48th parallel north|48° N]], and longitudes [[5th meridian east|5°]] and [[11th meridian east|11° E]]. It contains three basic topographical areas: the [[Swiss Alps]] to the south, the Swiss Plateau or Central Plateau, and the [[Jura mountains]] on the west. The Alps are a mountain range running across the central and south of the country, constituting about 60% of the country's area. The majority of the population live on the Swiss Plateau. The Swiss Alps host many glaciers, covering {{convert|1063|km2|mi2}}. From these originate the headwaters of several major rivers, such as the [[Rhine]], [[Inn (river)|Inn]], [[Ticino (river)|Ticino]] and [[Rhône]], which flow in the four cardinal directions, spreading across Europe. The hydrographic network includes several of the largest bodies of fresh water in Central and Western Europe, among which are [[Lake Geneva]] (Lac Léman in French), [[Lake Constance]] (Bodensee in German) and [[Lake Maggiore]]. Switzerland has more than 1500 lakes and contains 6% of Europe's freshwater stock. Lakes and glaciers cover about 6% of the national territory. Lake Geneva is the largest lake and is shared with France. The Rhône is both the main source and outflow of Lake Geneva. Lake Constance is the second largest and, like Lake Geneva, an intermediate step by the Rhine at the border with Austria and Germany. While the Rhône flows into the [[Mediterranean Sea]] at the French [[Camargue]] region and the Rhine flows into the [[North Sea]] at [[Rotterdam]], about {{convert|1000|km|abbr=off}} apart, both springs are only about {{convert|22|km|abbr=off}} apart in the Swiss Alps.<ref name="Geo" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Map Gallery Switzerland: Physical Geography of Switzerland |url=http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/en/index/regionen/thematische_karten/maps/raum_und_umwelt/naturraum_schweiz.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013071837/http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/en/index/regionen/thematische_karten/maps/raum_und_umwelt/naturraum_schweiz.html |archive-date=13 October 2014 |access-date=12 October 2014 |publisher=Swiss Federal Statistical Office |location=Neuchâtel, Switzerland}}</ref> 90% of Switzerland's 65,000-kilometre-long network of rivers and streams have been straightened, dammed, canalized or channeled underground, in an effort to prevent natural disasters such as flooding, landslides, and avalanches.<ref>{{Citation |last1=Mauch |first1=Corine |title=The Evolution of the Water Regime in Switzerland |date=2004 |work=The Evolution of National Water Regimes in Europe |pages=293–328 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-2484-9_9 |access-date=2024-08-09 |place=Dordrecht |publisher=Springer Netherlands |isbn=978-90-481-6667-1 |last2=Reynard |first2=Emmanuel|doi=10.1007/978-1-4020-2484-9_9 }}</ref> 80% of all Swiss drinking water comes from [[groundwater]] sources.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Winstral |first1=Adam |last2=Jonas |first2=Tobias |last3=Helbig |first3=Nora |date=2017-01-13 |title=Statistical Downscaling of Gridded Wind Speed Data Using Local Topography |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/jhm-d-16-0054.1 |journal=Journal of Hydrometeorology |volume=18 |issue=2 |pages=335–348 |doi=10.1175/jhm-d-16-0054.1 |bibcode=2017JHyMe..18..335W |issn=1525-755X}}</ref>

{{Multiple image
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 | caption2 = Contrasted landscapes between the regions of the [[Matterhorn]] and [[Lake Lucerne]]
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Forty-eight mountains are {{convert|4000|m|ft}} or higher in height.<ref name="Geo" /> At {{convert|4634|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}, [[Monte Rosa]] is the highest, although the [[Matterhorn]] ({{convert|4478|m|ft|0|abbr=on|disp=or}}) is the best known. Both are located within the [[Pennine Alps]] in the canton of [[Valais]], on the border with Italy. The section of the [[Bernese Alps]] above the deep glacial [[Lauterbrunnen]] valley, containing 72 waterfalls, is well known for the [[Jungfrau]] ({{convert|4158|m|ft|0|abbr=on|disp=or}}) [[Eiger]] and [[Mönch]] peaks, and its many picturesque valleys. In the southeast the long [[Engadin]] Valley, encompassing [[St. Moritz]], is also well known; the highest peak in the neighbouring [[Bernina Alps]] is [[Piz Bernina]] ({{convert|4049|m|ft|0|abbr=on|disp=or}}).<ref name="Geo" />

The Swiss Plateau has greater open and hilly landscapes, partly forested, partly open pastures, usually with grazing herds or vegetable and fruit fields, but it is still hilly. Large lakes and the biggest Swiss cities are found there.<ref name="Geo" />

Switzerland contains two small [[enclave]]s: [[Büsingen]] belongs to Germany, while [[Campione d'Italia]] belongs to Italy.<ref>[http://enclaves.webs.com/westerneurope.htm Enclaves of the world] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090918074336/http://enclaves.webs.com/westerneurope.htm |date=18 September 2009}} enclaves.webs.com. Retrieved on 15 December 2009</ref> Switzerland has no exclaves.

=== Climate ===
[[File:Switzerland Köppen.svg|thumb|[[Köppen climate classification|Köppen–Geiger climate classification]] map for Switzerland]]
The Swiss climate is generally [[temperate climate|temperate]], but can vary greatly across localities,<ref name="Climate">{{Cite web |title=Swiss Climate |url=http://www.meteoschweiz.admin.ch/web/en/climate.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070629144859/http://www.meteoschweiz.admin.ch/web/en/climate.html |archive-date=29 June 2007 |access-date=12 October 2014 |publisher=Swiss Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology MeteoSwiss, Swiss Federal Department of Home Affairs FDHA, Swiss Confederation}}</ref> from glacial conditions on the mountaintops to the near-[[Mediterranean climate]] at Switzerland's southern tip. Some valley areas in the southern part of Switzerland offer cold-hardy palm trees. Summers tend to be warm and humid at times with periodic rainfall, ideal for pastures/grazing. The less humid winters in the mountains may see weeks-long intervals of stable conditions. At the same time, the lower lands tend to suffer from [[Inversion (meteorology)|inversion]] during such periods, hiding the sun.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

A weather phenomenon known as the [[foehn wind|föhn]] (with an identical effect to the [[chinook wind]]) can occur any time and is characterised by an unexpectedly warm wind, bringing low relative humidity air to the north of the Alps during rainfall periods on the south-facing slopes. This works both ways across the alps but is more efficient if blowing from the south due to the steeper step for oncoming wind. Valleys running south to north trigger the best effect. The driest conditions persist in all inner alpine valleys that receive less rain because arriving clouds lose a lot of their moisture content while crossing the mountains before reaching these areas. Large alpine areas such as [[Graubünden]] remain drier than pre-alpine areas, and as in the main valley of the [[Valais]], wine grapes are grown there.<ref name="FederalClimateMaps">{{Cite web |title=Swiss climate maps |url=http://www.meteoschweiz.admin.ch/web/en/climate/climate_today/swiss_climate_maps.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100223205106/http://www.meteoschweiz.admin.ch/web/en/climate/climate_today/swiss_climate_maps.html |archive-date=23 February 2010 |access-date=12 October 2014 |publisher=Swiss Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology MeteoSwiss, Swiss Federal Department of Home Affairs FDHA, Swiss Confederation}}</ref>

The wettest conditions persist in the high Alps and in the [[Ticino]] canton, which has much sun yet heavy bursts of rain from time to time.<ref name="FederalClimateMaps" /> Precipitation tends to be spread moderately throughout the year, with a peak in summer. Autumn is the driest season, winter receives less precipitation than summer, yet the weather patterns in Switzerland are not in a stable climate system. They can vary from year to year with no strict and predictable periods.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

=== Environment ===
Switzerland contains two terrestrial ecoregions: [[Western European broadleaf forests]] and [[Alps conifer and mixed forests]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Dinerstein |first1=Eric |last2=Olson |first2=David |last3=Joshi |first3=Anup |last4=Vynne |first4=Carly |last5=Burgess |first5=Neil D. |last6=Wikramanayake |first6=Eric |last7=Hahn |first7=Nathan |last8=Palminteri |first8=Suzanne |last9=Hedao |first9=Prashant |last10=Noss |first10=Reed |last11=Hansen |first11=Matt |last12=Locke |first12=Harvey |last13=Ellis |first13=Erle C |last14=Jones |first14=Benjamin |last15=Barber |first15=Charles Victor |display-authors=1 |year=2017 |title=An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm |journal=BioScience |volume=67 |issue=6 |pages=534–545 |doi=10.1093/biosci/bix014 |issn=0006-3568 |pmc=5451287 |pmid=28608869 |last16=Hayes |first16=Randy |last17=Kormos |first17=Cyril |last18=Martin |first18=Vance |last19=Crist |first19=Eileen |last20=Sechrest |first20=Wes |last21=Price |first21=Lori |last22=Baillie |first22=Jonathan E. M. |last23=Weeden |first23=Don |last24=Suckling |first24=Kierán |last25=Davis |first25=Crystal |last26=Sizer |first26=Nigel |last27=Moore |first27=Rebecca |last28=Thau |first28=David |last29=Birch |first29=Tanya |last30=Potapov |first30=Peter |last31=Turubanova |first31=Svetlana |last32=Tyukavina |first32=Alexandra |last33=de Souza |first33=Nadia |last34=Pintea |first34=Lilian |last35=Brito |first35=José C. |last36=Llewellyn |first36=Othman A. |last37=Miller |first37=Anthony G. |last38=Patzelt |first38=Annette |last39=Ghazanfar |first39=Shahina A. |last40=Timberlake |first40=Jonathan |last41=Klöser |first41=Heinz |last42=Shennan-Farpón |first42=Yara |last43=Kindt |first43=Roeland |last44=Lillesø |first44=Jens-Peter Barnekow |last45=van Breugel |first45=Paulo |last46=Graudal |first46=Lars |last47=Voge |first47=Maianna |last48=Al-Shammari |first48=Khalaf F. |last49=Saleem |first49=Muhammad}}</ref>

Switzerland's many small valleys separated by high mountains often host unique ecologies. The mountainous regions themselves offer a rich range of plants not found at other altitudes. The climatic, geological and topographical conditions of the alpine region make for a fragile ecosystem that is particularly sensitive to [[climate change]].<ref name="Climate" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Environment: Impact of climate change |url=http://www.swissworld.org/en/environment/climate_change/impact_of_climate_change/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115110407/http://www.swissworld.org/en/environment/climate_change/impact_of_climate_change/ |archive-date=15 November 2014 |access-date=12 October 2014 |website=swissworld.org |publisher=Presence Switzerland, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs}}</ref> According to the [[Environmental Performance Index|2014 Environmental Performance Index]], Switzerland ranks first among 132 nations in safeguarding the environment, due to its high scores on environmental public health, its heavy reliance on renewable sources of energy ([[hydropower]] and [[Geothermal energy|geothermal]] energy), and its level of [[greenhouse gas emissions]].<ref>{{Cite web |year=2014 |title=2014 Environmental Performance Index |url=http://epi.yale.edu/epi/country-rankings |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140129142747/http://epi.yale.edu/epi/country-rankings |archive-date=29 January 2014 |access-date=12 October 2014 |website=epi.yale.edu/epi |publisher=Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy, Yale University, and Center for International Earth Science Information Network, Columbia University}}</ref> In 2020 it was ranked third out of 180 countries.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2020 EPI Results |url=https://epi.yale.edu/epi-results/2020/component/epi |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210903071953/https://epi.yale.edu/epi-results/2020/component/epi |archive-date=3 September 2021 |access-date=20 November 2020 |website=Environmental Performance Index|date=3 June 2020 }}</ref> The country pledged to cut [[GHG emissions]] by 50% by 2030 compared to the level of 1990 and plans to reach zero emissions by 2050.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Farand |first=Chloé |date=25 February 2020 |title=Switzerland reaffirms 2030 climate plan to UN, works on net zero 2050 goal |agency=Climate Home News |url=https://www.climatechangenews.com/2020/02/25/switzerland-joins-nations-confirming-un-will-enhance-climate-action-plans/#:~:text=Under%20the%202015%20plan%2C%20Switzerland,70%2D85%25%20by%202050. |url-status=live |access-date=20 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124144249/https://www.climatechangenews.com/2020/02/25/switzerland-joins-nations-confirming-un-will-enhance-climate-action-plans/#:~:text=Under%20the%202015%20plan%2C%20Switzerland,70%2D85%25%20by%202050. |archive-date=24 November 2020}}</ref>

However, access to [[biocapacity]] in Switzerland is far lower than the world average. In 2016, Switzerland had 1.0 hectares<ref name="GFN">{{Cite web |title=Country Trends |url=http://data.footprintnetwork.org/#/countryTrends?cn=211&type=BCpc,EFCpc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808050235/http://data.footprintnetwork.org/#/countryTrends?cn=211&type=BCpc,EFCpc |archive-date=8 August 2017 |access-date=17 October 2019 |publisher=Global Footprint Network}}</ref> of biocapacity per person within its territory, 40 per cent less than world average of 1.6. In contrast, in 2016, Swiss consumption required 4.6 hectares of biocapacity – their [[ecological footprint]], 4.6 times as much as Swiss territory can support. The remainder comes from other countries and the shared resources (such as the atmosphere impacted by greenhouse gas emissions).<ref name="GFN" /> Switzerland had a 2019 [[Forest Landscape Integrity Index]] mean score of 3.53/10, ranking it 150th globally out of 172 countries.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Grantham |first1=H. S. |last2=Duncan |first2=A. |last3=Evans |first3=T. D. |last4=Jones |first4=K. R. |last5=Beyer |first5=H. L. |last6=Schuster |first6=R. |last7=Walston |first7=J. |last8=Ray |first8=J. C. |last9=Robinson |first9=J. G. |last10=Callow |first10=M. |last11=Clements |first11=T. |last12=Costa |first12=H. M. |last13=DeGemmis |first13=A. |last14=Elsen |first14=P. R. |last15=Ervin |first15=J. |display-authors=1 |year=2020 |title=Anthropogenic modification of forests means only 40% of remaining forests have high ecosystem integrity – Supplementary Material |journal=Nature Communications |volume=11 |issue=1 |page=5978 |bibcode=2020NatCo..11.5978G |doi=10.1038/s41467-020-19493-3 |issn=2041-1723 |pmc=7723057 |pmid=33293507 |last16=Franco |first16=P. |last17=Goldman |first17=E. |last18=Goetz |first18=S. |last19=Hansen |first19=A. |last20=Hofsvang |first20=E. |last21=Jantz |first21=P. |last22=Jupiter |first22=S. |last23=Kang |first23=A. |last24=Langhammer |first24=P. |last25=Laurance |first25=W. F. |last26=Lieberman |first26=S. |last27=Linkie |first27=M. |last28=Malhi |first28=Y. |last29=Maxwell |first29=S. |last30=Mendez |first30=M. |last31=Mittermeier |first31=R. |last32=Murray |first32=N. J. |last33=Possingham |first33=H. |last34=Radachowsky |first34=J. |last35=Saatchi |first35=S. |last36=Samper |first36=C. |last37=Silverman |first37=J. |last38=Shapiro |first38=A. |last39=Strassburg |first39=B. |last40=Stevens |first40=T. |last41=Stokes |first41=E. |last42=Taylor |first42=R. |last43=Tear |first43=T. |last44=Tizard |first44=R. |last45=Venter |first45=O. |last46=Visconti |first46=P. |last47=Wang |first47=S. |last48=Watson |first48=J. E. M.}}</ref>

Switzerland ranked 9th in the [[Environmental Performance Index]] for 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 Environmental Performance Index |url=https://epi.yale.edu/measure/2024/EPI |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=Environmental Performance Index |language=en}}</ref> It scored well in parameters including air pollution, sanitation and drinking water, waste management, and climate change mitigation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 Environmental Performance Index - Switzerland |url=https://epi.yale.edu/country/2024/CHE |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=Environmental Performance Index |language=en}}</ref>

=== Urbanisation ===
{{Main|Cities of Switzerland{{!}}Towns of Switzerland}}

[[File:Sion de la Bisse de Clavau.jpg|thumb|Urbanisation in the [[Rhone]] Valley (outskirts of [[Sion, Switzerland|Sion]])]]

About 85% of the population live in urban areas.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Population – facts and figures |url=https://www.eda.admin.ch/aboutswitzerland/en/home/gesellschaft/bevoelkerung/die-bevoelkerung---fakten-und-zahlen.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417062719/https://www.eda.admin.ch/aboutswitzerland/en/home/gesellschaft/bevoelkerung/die-bevoelkerung---fakten-und-zahlen.html |archive-date=17 April 2023 |access-date=17 March 2023 |website=Federal Department of Foreign Affairs |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Cities">{{Cite web |title=Städte und Agglomerationen unter der Lupe |url=http://www.are.admin.ch/dokumentation/00121/00224/index.html?lang=de&msg-id=27412 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100815054502/http://www.are.admin.ch/dokumentation/00121/00224/index.html?lang=de&msg-id=27412 |archive-date=15 August 2010 |access-date=26 June 2009 |website=Bundesamt für Raumentwicklung |language=de}}</ref> Switzerland went from a largely rural country to an urban one from 1930 to 2000. After 1935 urban development claimed as much of the Swiss landscape as it did during the prior 2,000 years. [[Urban sprawl]] affects the plateau, the Jura and the Alpine foothills,<ref>[http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/front/Swiss_countryside_succumbs_to_urban_sprawl.html?siteSect=106&sid=9823369&cKey=1223485367000&ty=st Swiss countryside succumbs to urban sprawl] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316174638/http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/front/Swiss_countryside_succumbs_to_urban_sprawl.html?siteSect=106&sid=9823369&cKey=1223485367000&ty=st |date=16 March 2012 }} swissinfo.ch. Retrieved on 30 June 2009</ref> raising concerns about land use.<ref>[http://www.gfs-zh.ch/content.php?pid=201%0A Enquête représentative sur l'urbanisation de la Suisse (Pronatura)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430115919/http://www.gfs-zh.ch/content.php?pid=201%0A|date=30 April 2011}} gfs-zh.ch. Retrieved on 30 June 2009.</ref> During the 21st century, population growth in urban areas is higher than in the countryside.<ref name="Cities" />

Switzerland has a dense network of complementary large, medium and small towns.<ref name="Cities" /> The plateau is densely populated with about 400 people per km<sup>2</sup> and the landscape shows uninterrupted signs of human presence.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Urban and rural areas |url=https://www.eda.admin.ch/aboutswitzerland/en/home/gesellschaft/bevoelkerung/stadt-und-land.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417064221/https://www.eda.admin.ch/aboutswitzerland/en/home/gesellschaft/bevoelkerung/stadt-und-land.html |archive-date=17 April 2023 |access-date=17 March 2023 |website=Federal Department of Foreign Affairs |language=en}}</ref> The weight of the largest metropolitan areas – [[Zurich]], Geneva–[[Lausanne]], [[Basel]] and [[Bern]] – tend to increase.<ref name="Cities" />{{Clarify|date=January 2023}} The importance of these urban areas is greater than their population suggests.<ref name="Cities" /> These urban centers are recognised for their high quality of life.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Quality of Living City Ranking {{pipe}} Mercer |url=https://mobilityexchange.mercer.com/Insights/quality-of-living-rankings |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418074611/https://mobilityexchange.mercer.com/Insights/quality-of-living-rankings |archive-date=18 April 2018 |access-date=4 July 2020 |website=mobilityexchange.mercer.com}}</ref>

The average population density in 2019 was {{convert|215.2|PD/km2|PD/sqmi}}.<ref name="BFS-cantons2019">{{Cite web |date=17 March 2021 |title=Regionalportraits 2021: Cantons |url=https://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfsstatic/dam/assets/15864449/master |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715183232/https://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfsstatic/dam/assets/15864449/master |archive-date=15 July 2021 |access-date=15 July 2021 |website=Federal Statistical Office |publisher=Federal Department of Home Affairs FDHA |page=79 (81 in PDF) |language=en}} ''Note: page number refers to report pagination; PDF viewer displays pages two numbers higher.''</ref>{{rp|79}} In the largest canton by area, [[Graubünden]], lying entirely in the Alps, population density falls to {{convert|28.0|PD/km2|PD/sqmi}}.<ref name="BFS-cantons2019" />{{rp|30}} In the [[canton of Zurich]], with its large urban capital, the density is {{convert|926.8|/km2|/sqmi}}.<ref name="BFS-cantons2019" />{{rp|76}}