Wwitzaria(German Switzerland, fr. Suisse, Italian Svizzera, rumsh. Svizra), official name - Swiss Confederation(German Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft , fr. Confederation suisse, Italian Confederazione Svizzera, rumsh. Confederaziun svizra) is a state in Western Europe. It borders in the north with Germany, in the south - with Italy, in the west - with France, in the east - with Austria and Liechtenstein. The name comes from the name of the canton (territory) Schwyz, formed from the ancient German "burn".

Latin name of the country Confoederatio Helvetica, this name appears in the abbreviation of the Swiss currency and in the name of the Swiss Internet domain (.ch). On the postage stamps Latin name used Helvetia, sometimes used in Russian as the name of the country - Helvetia.

The official languages ​​of Switzerland are: German, French, Italian and Romansh (the latter is official only for communication with native speakers of the Romansh language).

Story

Political structure

Switzerland - federal Republic. The current constitution was adopted in 1999. The federal authorities are in charge of issues of war and peace, foreign relations, the army, railways, communications, money emission, approval of the federal budget, etc.

Switzerland was created from the union of 3 cantons. The head of the country is the president, who is elected every year on a rotating basis from among the members of the Federal Council.

The highest legislative body is a bicameral parliament - the Federal Assembly, consisting of the National Council and the Council of Cantons (Equal Chambers).

The National Council (200 deputies) is elected by the population for 4 years under the proportional representation system.

The federal structure and the constitution of Switzerland were enshrined in the constitutions of 1848, 1874 and 1999.

Now Switzerland is a federation of 26 cantons (20 cantons and 6 half-cantons). There are 2 enclaves on the territory of Switzerland: Büsingen belongs to Germany and Campione belongs to Italy. Until 1848 (except for a short period of the Helvetic Republic), Switzerland was a confederation. Each canton has its own constitution, laws, but their rights are limited by the federal constitution. Legislature belongs to the Parliament, and the executive - to the Federal Council (government).

There are 46 deputies in the Council of Cantons, who are elected by the population according to the majority system of relative majority in 20 two-mandate constituencies and 6 single-member constituencies, that is, 2 people each. from each canton and one from the half-canton for 4 years (in some cantons - for 3 years).

All laws adopted by Parliament can be approved or rejected in a popular (facultative) referendum (direct democracy). For this, after the adoption of the law, 50,000 signatures must be collected within 100 days.

The right to vote is granted to all citizens who have reached the age of 18.

The highest executive power belongs to the government - the Federal Council, consisting of 7 members, each of which heads one of the departments (ministries). Members of the Federal Council are elected at a joint meeting of both houses of Parliament. All members of the Federal Council alternately serve as president and vice president.

The foundations of the Swiss state were laid in 1291. Before late XVIII century in the country there were no central government agencies, but all-Union councils - tagzatzung - were periodically convened.

In 1798, Switzerland was introduced French troops adopted a constitution modeled on the French.

In 1803, as part of the "Act of Mediation", Napoleon returned independence to Switzerland.

In 1848, a constitution was adopted that provided for the creation of a bicameral federal parliament.

In 1874, a constitution was adopted that introduced the institution of referenda.

In 1999, a new, thoroughly revised edition of this constitution was adopted.

Composition of the parliament elected in 2003:

• Swiss People's Party (SPP) - 8 seats in the Council of Cantons and 55 in the National Council, in 2008 the faction includes members of the Civic Party
• Social Democratic Party of Switzerland (SPS) - 9th and 52nd seats
• (Liberals) - 14 and 36 seats,
• - 15 and 28 seats.

In 2007, the Bernese wing broke away from the Swiss People's Party, forming the Swiss Citizens' Party (BGP).

Composition of the Federal Council - Bürghers Civic Party 1, Swiss People's Party 1, Social Democratic Party 2, Radical Democratic Party 2, Christian Democratic Party 1

In October 2007, regular parliamentary elections were held in the country. According to their results, right-wing nationalists from the Swiss People's Party win the most big win in the country's parliamentary elections since 1919.

The composition of the Parliament according to the results of the 2007 elections:

• Swiss People's Party - 7 seats in the Council of Cantons and 62 in the National Council;
• Social Democratic Party of Switzerland - 6th and 43rd seats;
• Christian Democratic People's Party- 11 and 31 places;
• Radical Democratic Party of Switzerland- 9th and 31st place;

At the same time, the greatest activity of citizens was observed in the canton of Schaffhausen (the turnout was more than 65% of the population), the smallest - in Appenzell-Innerrhoden (only 21%).

President of the Council of Cantons (2006) - Rolf Butiker (Liberal). President of the Council of Cantons (2009) - Alain Berset. Chairman of the National Council (2006) - Klop Yaniak (SPS).

Chief Justice (2007) - Arthur Ashlimann.

All cantons have their own constitutions; legislative and executive power is vested in grand councils (parliaments) and cantonal councils (governments) elected by citizens for a term of 1 to 5 years. In districts (headed by a prefect appointed by the cantonal council) and communities, self-government bodies are elected - general meetings of citizens - "landsgemeinde" (in German cantons) and community councils (in French cantons). The executive bodies in the communities are municipalities or small councils headed by mayors or syndics.

Switzerland has a long tradition of political and military neutrality, but is actively involved in international cooperation and hosts many international organizations.

There are several views on the timing of Swiss neutrality. According to some scholars, Switzerland began to adhere to the status of neutrality after the conclusion of a peace treaty with France on November 29, 1516, in which it was proclaimed " eternal peace". Subsequently, the Swiss authorities made a number of decisions that moved the country towards the definition of its neutrality. In 1713, the neutrality of the country was recognized by France, Spain, the Netherlands and England, which concluded Peace of Utrecht. However, in 1798, Switzerland concluded an agreement with Napoleonic France, according to which the country was obliged to provide its territory for military operations, as well as to put up a military corps. At the Congress of Vienna in 1815, the “perpetual neutrality” of Switzerland was secured. Neutrality was finally confirmed and specified by the Guarantee Act signed in Paris on November 20, 1815 by Austria, Great Britain, Portugal, Prussia, Russia and France.

Administrative division

Valais

Ticino

Graubünden
(Grison)

Geneva

Neuchâtel

Berne

Thurgau

Zurich

Aargau

Lucerne

Solothurn

Basel Land

Schaffhausen

Schwyz

Glarus

St. Gallen

obwalden

Nidwalden

Friborg

Basel-Stadt

France

Italy

Licht.

Austria

Germany

administrative divisions of Switzerland

Winter landscape in the village of Sainte, in the eastern canton of Graubünden

Switzerland- federal republic, consisting of 26 cantons (20 cantons and 6 half-cantons). Most lowest level territorial-administrative division - communities, which number more than two thousand. Below is a list of cantons (it is worth noting that many cities in Switzerland have different names used in different languages countries).

Canton	The largest city	Area, thousand km²
Zurich	Zurich	1,7
Bern	Bern	5,9
Lucerne	Lucerne	1,5
Uri (Uri)	Altdorf (Altdorf)	1,1
Schwyz	Schwyz	0,9
Obwalden	Sarnen	0,5
Nidwalden	Stans	0,3
Glarus (Glarus)	Glarus (Glarus)	0,7
Zug	Zug	0,2
Fribourg	Fribourg	1,7
Solothurn	Solothurn	0,8
Basel-Stadt	Basel	0,04
Basel-Land	Liestal	0,4
Schaffhausen	Schaffhausen	0,3
Appenzell - Ausserrhoden	Herisau	0,2
Appenzell - Innerrhoden	Appenzell	0,2
St. Gallen	St. Gallen	2,0
Grisons (Graubunden)	Kur (Chur)	7,1
Aargau (Aargau)	Aarau	1,4
Thurgau	Frauenfeld	1,0
Ticino	Bellinzona (Bellinzona)	2,8
In (fr. Vaud)	Lausanne (fr. Lausanne)	3,2
Valais	Sion	5,2
Neuchâtel (fr. Neuchatel)	Neuchâtel (fr. Neuchatel)	0,8
Geneva (fr. Geneve)	Geneva (fr. Geneve)	0,3
Yura (fr. Jura) 1	Delemont (German) Delsberg	0,8

1 Formed in 1979.

Aargau | Appenzell - Ausserrhoden | Appenzell - Innerrhoden | Basel-Stadt | Basel Land | Bern | Valais | In | Glarus | Grisons | Geneva | Solothurn | Lucerne | Neuchâtel | Nidwalden | Obwalden | St. Gallen | Ticino | Thurgau | Uri | Friborg | Zug | Zurich | Schaffhausen | Schwyz | Yura

Physical and geographical characteristics

Territory of Switzerland. satellite image

Switzerland- a country without access to the sea, the territory of which is divided into three natural regions:

• Jura mountains in the north,
• Swiss plateau in the center
• The Alps in the south, occupying 61% of the entire territory of Switzerland.

The northern border partly runs along Lake Constance and the Rhine, which starts in the center of the Swiss Alps and forms part eastern border. Western border passes through the Jura mountains, the southern one - along the Italian Alps and Lake Geneva.

The plateau lies in a lowland, but most of it is located above 500 meters above sea level. Consisting of wooded ridges (up to 1600 m), the young folded mountains of the Jura stretched into the territory of France and Germany. The highest point in Switzerland is located in the Pennine Alps - Peak Dufour (4,634 m), the lowest - Lake Maggiore - 193 m.

Switzerland contains 6% of Europe's fresh water reserves. The largest rivers are Rhone, Rhine, Limmat, Aare.

About 25% of the territory of Switzerland is covered with forests - not only in the mountains, but also in the valleys, and on some plateaus. Wood is an important raw material and source of fuel.

Switzerland is rich and famous for its lakes, the most attractive of which are located along the edges of the Swiss plateau - Geneva, Firwaldstet, Thun in the south, Zurich in the east, Biel and Neuchâtel in the north. Most of them are of glacial origin: they were formed at a time when large glaciers descended from the mountains to the Swiss plateau. South of the axis of the Alps in the canton of Ticino are the lakes of Lago Maggiore and Lugane.

Ten largest lakes in Switzerland:

• Lake Geneva (582.4 km²)
• Lake Constance (539 km²)
• Lake Neuchâtel (217.9 km²)
• Lago Maggiore (212.3 km²)
• Lake Vierwaldstet (113.8 km²)
• Lake Zurich (88.4 km²)
• Lugano (48.8 km²)
• Thun (48.4 km²)
• Lake Biel (40 km²)
• Lake Zug (38 km²)

Minerals

There are practically no minerals. There are only small reserves of coal, deposits of iron ore and small deposits of graphite, talc and asphalt. The extraction of rock salt, carried out in the upper reaches of the Rhone and along the Rhine near the border with Germany, covers the needs of the country. There are raw materials for the construction industry: sand, clay, stone. 11.5% of energy is produced with water energy. 55% of electricity consumption comes from hydroelectric power plants.

Climate

AT Switzerland prevails continental climate, typical for Central Europe, with significant fluctuations depending on the height above sea level. In the West of the country, the influence of the Atlantic Ocean is great, as you move to the East and mountainous areas the climate becomes continental. Winters are cold, on the plateaus and in the valleys the temperature reaches zero, and in mountainous areas -10 ° C and below. The average summer temperature in the lowlands is +18-20 °C, slightly lower in the mountains. In Geneva, the average temperatures in July are around 19°C and in January around 9°C. About 850 mm of precipitation falls per year. Feature - strong north and south winds.

The annual precipitation in Zurich on the plateau is 100 mm, while in Sent it is more than 200 mm. Much of the precipitation falls in winter as snow. Some areas are constantly under a layer of ice.

A special quality of the Eastern Alps is that about 65% of the annual precipitation falls in the form of snow. Quite often, even in May-June, at an altitude of more than 1,500 m, precipitation occurs in the form of snow pellets.

The climate and landscape vary in various areas Switzerland. As in the Arctic, in Switzerland you can find mosses and lichens, as well as palm trees and mimosas, typical of the Mediterranean coast.

Relief

Most of the country is located in the Alps. In the south are the Pennine Alps (height up to 4,634 m - Peak Dufour, the highest point in Switzerland), the Lepontine Alps, the Rhaetian Alps and the Bernina massif.

The Pennine and Lepontine Alps are separated by the deep longitudinal valleys of the Upper Rhone and the Anterior Rhine from the Bernese Alps (Finsteraarhorn, height 4274 m) and the Glarn Alps, which form a system of ridges stretching from the southwest to the northeast across the whole country. Dominated by peaked ridges, composed mainly of crystalline rocks and strongly dissected by erosion; glaciers and glacial landforms are numerous. The main passes (Great St. Bernard, Simplon, St. Gotthard, Bernina) are located above 2,000 meters above sea level.

The landscape of mountainous Switzerland is characterized a large number of glaciers and glacial landforms, the total area of ​​glaciation is 1,950 km². In total, there are approximately 140 large valley glaciers in Switzerland (Aletsch Glacier and others), there are also cirque and hanging glaciers.

Economy

• Main import items: industrial and electronic equipment, foodstuffs, iron and steel, petroleum products.
• Main export items: machinery, watches, textiles, medicines, electrical equipment, organic chemicals.

Advantages: highly skilled workforce, reliable service industry. Developed branches of mechanical engineering and high-precision mechanics. Transnational concerns of the chemical industry, pharmacology and the banking sector. Banking secrecy attracts foreign capital. The banking sector accounts for 9% of GDP. Innovation in mass markets (Swatch watches, Swatch car concept).

Weak sides: practically absent.

Switzerland one of the most developed and wealthy countries in the world. Switzerland - highly developed industrial country with intensive highly productive agriculture and an almost complete absence of any minerals. According to Western economists, it is among the top ten countries in the world in terms of economic competitiveness. The Swiss economy is closely connected with the outside world, primarily with the EU countries, with thousands of threads of industrial cooperation and foreign trade transactions. OK. 80-85% of Swiss trade is with EU countries. More than 50% of all cargoes from the northern part of Western Europe to the south and in the opposite direction pass through Switzerland in transit. After a noticeable increase in 1998-2000. The country's economy has entered a recession. In 2002, GDP grew by 0.5% to CHF 417 billion. fr. Inflation was at around 0.6%. The unemployment rate reached 3.3%. The economy employs approx. 4 million people (57% of the population), of which: in industry - 25.8%, including in engineering - 2.7%, in chemical industry- 1.7%, in agriculture and forestry - 4.1%, in the service sector - 70.1%, including in trade - 16.4%, in banking and insurance - 5.5%, in the hotel -restaurant business - 6.0%. The policy of neutrality made it possible to avoid the devastation of two world wars.

Finance

Switzerland - richest country world and one of the most important banking and financial centers of the world (Zurich is the third world currency market after New York and London). Several decades Swiss Confederation was part of list of offshore zones. About 4,000 financial institutions operate in the country, including many branches of foreign banks. Swiss banks account for 35-40% of the world's property and property management of individuals and legal entities. They enjoy a good reputation among customers due to the stable domestic political situation, the solid Swiss currency, and the observance of the principle of "bank secrecy". Switzerland, being a major exporter of capital, ranks fourth in the world after the USA, Japan, Germany. Direct investments abroad account for 29% of Swiss GDP (the world average is approx. 8%). 75% of all Swiss investments are directed to developed industries, among developing countries, Latin America and Southeast Asia. share of Eastern Europe in the total volume of investments is still negligible.

April 1, 1998 in Switzerland entered into force the federal law on combating money laundering in the financial sector, which made it possible to somewhat lift the veil of banking secrecy in order to identify "dirty" money.

In 1815, the Congress of Vienna accepted guarantees of Swiss neutrality. Since then, she has not participated in any war and her banks have never been looted. However, even when Louis the Sixteenth one of the Swiss bankers - Jacques Necker - was so authoritative that he became the first person in the financial department of France.

The argument in favor of the reliability of Swiss banks is simple - they cannot go bankrupt, because even if they are involved in risky financial transactions, these banks are located in a country with a stable legal, economic, financial, political system, offering first-class services and services. The first private banks originated in Switzerland. Today, there are more than 400 of them in the country. Swiss banks guarantee the confidentiality of information in accordance with the state law on bank secrecy of 1934. However, as part of the UBS bank's conflict with the US tax authorities, the bank had to issue 4,450 accounts of American citizens suspected of tax evasion. . However, the essence and core of banking secrecy (the absence of automatic issuance of information on non-residents' accounts in Swiss banks) remained intact.

In 2006, the Cantonal bank conducted an audit of unclaimed deposits and found an open account in the name of Vladimir Ulyanov, on which lies only 13 francs - 286 rubles. But, according to [ source unspecified 581 days] British Foreign Office, $4 billion worth of Nazi gold is still stored in Swiss banks.

The head of the Swiss Banking Association is Urs Rott.

Since the onset of the global crisis, Swiss banking secrecy has come under attack. At the same time, a conflict arose between the largest Swiss bank UBS and the American Federal Tax Service IRS (Internal Revenue Service). At the beginning of 2009, Switzerland was at a disadvantage - the whole world turned on it, accusing it of unfair competition due to the cultivation of "tax havens" on its territory.

Therefore, the United States, not wanting, in addition, to follow the tedious “legal path”, aggressively demanded the issuance of data on, first, three, and then as many as 52,000 accounts of American citizens in the UBS bank, suspected of tax evasion.

After the G20 summit in London in April 2009, the situation calmed down somewhat. Switzerland has adopted the OECD standards in the field of legal assistance in cases related to tax crimes. However, the US Department of Justice continues to insist on its claims against UBS, supporting the IRS in its demand to provide the US tax authorities with data on 52,000 American accounts at once. The court in Miami that is handling the case has already rejected the Swiss and the bank's arguments, pointing out that the case is fully consistent with US law, which provides the right to receive information from abroad, so this kind of requirement for UBS is not a "new legal concept" . “The bank must be held responsible for its actions,” the court believes.

UBS seeks to lead the course in this situation to "minimize damage", declaring its readiness to find a "mutually acceptable solution." At the same time, the bank reiterated that the IRS civil suit is a violation of Swiss law, in connection with which this problem should be decided not by the courts, but by the governments of both countries in a bilateral format. In addition, the bank requires the American side to clarify the number of accounts for which information is required to be provided, since at the moment many of their owners voluntarily transferred all information on their accounts to UBS to the IRS. At the same time, the Swiss financial giant is sharply limiting and reducing the volume of so-called "cross-border transactions" ("cross-border").

Since July 1, 2009, the bank's American customers who have not responded to UBS's plan to exit such transactions have been denied access to their own accounts. And this plan offered them either to transfer their fortunes to an account indicated by the client in an American financial institution, or to receive their money back in the form of a check. US customers had 45 days to make a decision. In both cases, customers had to assume that the information on these transactions would be passed on to the US tax authorities. Since, as a rule, we are talking about large, previously undeclared amounts, such clients risk, at best, getting a “juicy” tax surcharge bill, and at worst, a lawsuit. UBS recommends in this case to take a chance and go for "voluntary recognition". As for the IRS itself, until the end of September, it offers all "evaders" to take advantage of the penalty rate for tax evasion with a "discount".

The conflict also cast a shadow over the visit to the United States by Swiss Economy Minister Doris Leuthard in July 2009, given that a full-fledged IRS v. UBS trial was due to begin on July 13 in Miami. In her speech to the members of the Swiss American Chamber of Commerce (SACC) on July 8, Doris Leuthard once again emphasized the importance of commercial and industrial contacts between the US and Switzerland. At the same time, “the financial crisis, which originated in the United States, has also affected Switzerland to a large extent.” In such a situation, it is necessary to "stick together in order to return to financial stability again." It was also about the just agreed Swiss-American Double Taxation Treaty. D. Leuthard said that the lack of a solution to the tax dispute between the IRS and UBS may lead to the fact that the chances of a positive vote of parliamentarians on this document may be significantly reduced. A new factor is Leuthard's hint that the Swiss Federal Council could - if necessary, on the basis of an emergency decree - simply ban UBS from issuing account information.

In mid-August 2009, a solution was found. The United States withdraws its lawsuit against UBS from the Miami court and pledges not to resort to such tools in the future. Formally, this claim remains, as it were, in force in order to avoid the expiration of due date statute of limitations in tax matters. However, no later than 370 days after the signing of the agreement reached, this claim will disappear from the face of the earth once and for all.

The American tax office IRS (Internal Revenue Service) will submit to the Swiss tax office (Eidg. Steuerverwaltung), based on the current Swiss-American Double Tax Treaty, an application for legal assistance.

At the same time, American tax authorities will proceed from a completely specific set of criteria that will allow, being within the framework of Swiss law, to identify the fact of committing "tax evasion". The owners of the accounts will have the opportunity to appeal to one of the Swiss courts.

Kaspar Villiger, a former federal adviser and now head of UBS - UBS in der Schweiz, is confident that the agreement will work towards a secure future for the bank. “It works to solve one of the the toughest problems, in front of which the bank UBS stood, ”says on his behalf in a special communiqué. He also expressed satisfaction with the fact that the agreement will operate within the framework of Swiss law and the current Swiss-American Double Tax Treaty. Now, according to Villiger, the bank will be able to restore its reputation in the eyes of customers - through solid services and first-class service.

The corresponding agreement, therefore, was signed in Washington on the evening of August 19 and immediately entered into force.

According to the Swiss Banking Association (SwissBanking - Home), it may be quite satisfied with the details of the agreement. Most importantly, we managed to prevent a long process with an unobvious outcome. Now, having received legal certainty, the bank will be able to continue the process of overcoming the crisis. It is very important that the agreement is within the framework of Swiss law - this further strengthens business reputation Switzerland as a world financial center, as foreign clients can continue to rely on the predictability of the Swiss legal order.

Extractive industry

AT Switzerland few minerals. Rock salt and vegetable products are of industrial importance.

Industry

The industry is dominated by large associations of a transnational nature, which, as a rule, successfully withstand competition in the world market and occupy leading positions on it: the Nestle concerns ( food products, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products, baby food), Novartis and Hoffmann-la-Roche (chemical and pharmaceutical products), Alusuisse (aluminum), the Swedish-Swiss concern ABB - ACEA Brown Boveri (electrical engineering and turbine building ). Switzerland is often associated with the watch factory of the world. Based on old traditions and high technical culture, watches of the most prestigious brands are produced here.

Energy

About 42% of electricity in Switzerland produced at nuclear power plants, 50% at hydroelectric power plants, and the remaining 8% at thermal power plants from imported oil. Most hydroelectric power stations are located in the Alps, where more than 40 artificial lakes - reservoirs have been created. At the initiative of the "greens", the construction of new nuclear power plants has been temporarily stopped, but in the future, Switzerland is not going to curtail the nuclear energy program yet.

Transport

Tunnel Saint Gotthard

Swiss transport system"debugged like clockwork." Of the 5,031 km of railway lines, more than half have been electrified. More than 600 tunnels have been laid in the mountains, including the Simplon tunnel (19.8 km.). Funiculars and cable cars operate in mountainous regions. The length of roads is about 71 thousand km. An important role is played by roads passing through the mountain passes of St. Gotthard, Greater St. Bernard and others.

On October 27, 2008, the first underground metro in Switzerland was officially opened in Lausanne - 5.9 km, 14 stations, trains are controlled automatically, without a driver. Prior to this, metro lines only partially passed underground, resembling more tram lines.

The main international airports are Geneva, Zurich, Basel.

Agriculture

Agriculture has a pronounced livestock orientation (with an emphasis on the production of meat and dairy products), is characterized by high yields and labor productivity. The predominance of small farms is characteristic. Swiss cheese has been well known in many countries of the world for centuries. In general, agriculture provides the country's needs for food by 56-57%.

Switzerland maintains foreign trade relations with almost all countries of the world. Country Economy

Switzerland(Swiss Confederation) is a state located in Western Europe. Country is not a member European Union, but it is part of the Schengen area. However, when entering the territory of the country, passport control and customs inspection are in place, only a separate visa is not required. Switzerland, together with Luxembourg, occupies a leading position in Europe in terms of the quality of banking services, and Swiss banks are considered the best in the world. Switzerland is also famous for its cheese and chocolate. Switzerland is not part of the NATO bloc, it is a neutral non-bloc country. The capital of Switzerland is the city of Bern. It is not the largest city in Switzerland. Other major cities are Lausanne, Zurich, Geneva, Basel. There are no cities with a population of more than one million people in Switzerland. The population of Switzerland is 8 million people.

The country is landlocked, however, like Austria, it has its own national merchant fleet, based in the ports of Italy, Germany and France. Switzerland shares land borders with France, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein and Italy.

Switzerland occupies one of the first places in Europe in terms of per capita income and standard of living. It is also considered the most environmentally friendly clean country in mainland Europe, second only to remote island Iceland.

Switzerland is a mountainous country. It is considered the most mountainous country in Europe. Mountains occupy about 60% of the country's area. Approximately the same area is occupied by forests, according to this indicator, Switzerland is second only to Austria, Norway and Finland. Switzerland has two main mountain systems - the Swiss Alps and the Jura range. The highest point in the country is Peak Dufour, located in the Swiss Alps. The height of this mountain is 4634 meters. In addition to mountains, there are many glaciers in the country. Switzerland, along with Austria, has an excellent network of ski resorts, and Swiss skiers are considered among the strongest in the world.

Large rivers flow through Switzerland, many of them also flow through other European countries. The largest river in Switzerland is the Rhine (375 km across Switzerland). Other major rivers are Are (295 km), Rhone (264 km), Reis (158 km). Switzerland is famous for its picturesque lakes. The largest lake is Geneva. Other large lakes are Constance (part of the lake is also located in Austria), Neuchâtel, Lago Maggiore (part of the lake is also located in Italy), Zurich, Vierwaldstedt.

Switzerland is administratively divided into twenty-six cantons: Appenzell-Ausserrhoden, Appenzell-Innerrhoden, Aargau, Basel-Land, Basel-Stadt, Bern, Valais, Vaud, Glarus, Grisons, Geneva, Solothurn, Lucerne, Neuchâtel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, St. Gallen, Ticino, Thurgau, Uri, Friborg, Zug, Zurich, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Jura.

Map

Roads

Switzerland has an excellent road and rail network. Railway and road tunnels are laid through the ridges of the Alps, which simplifies the country's transport links with Italy and Austria.

Swiss autobahns are not inferior in quality to German and Austrian ones, and these highways are also laid through the Alps. And the country's railways are considered among the best in Europe. From the capital of the country by train you can get to any canton or administrative center.

Story

This country, before coming to a long policy of neutrality, has survived more than one war and has its own unique history, the country has experienced many historical eras on the way to the formation of its statehood.

Main periods of Swiss history:

a) Prehistoric Switzerland - the appearance of the first sites of ancient people, the first permanent settlements in the Alps;

b) Switzerland as a part ancient rome(until 264) - the appearance of the territory of the country of Celtic tribes, wars with the Romans, numerous uprisings;

c) Switzerland as part of the Burgundian kingdom (since 264) - the division of the country's territory into nine vassal counties, subject to the authority of the Burgundian king;

d) Switzerland under the rule German emperors(part of the Holy Roman Empire German nation) - since 1032;

e) Formation of the Swiss Union - the unification of several cantons into a single state entity - from 1291;

f) Switzerland under French occupation during the period of Napoleonic France - since 1798;

g) Restoration of the Swiss Union - since 1815, after the fall of Napoleonic France, the establishment of the modern borders of the Swiss Confederation and the adoption of the modern administrative-territorial division, which continues to this day;

h) Switzerland before the First World War (until 1914), maintaining a policy of neutrality and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries;

i) Switzerland during the First World War (1914-1918), the country's non-participation in hostilities, a complete ban on the presence of foreign troops of warring states on the territory of the country;

j) Switzerland in the period between the two world wars (1918 - 1939) - the continuation of the policy of neutrality and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries;

k) Switzerland during the Second World War (1939 - 1945), non-participation in hostilities, hidden complicity with the Third Reich, expressed in the storage of gold and foreign exchange reserves Nazi Germany in Swiss banks;

m) Switzerland after World War II to the present day.

Thanks to non-participation in both world wars, the country managed to preserve the national wealth and financial assets accumulated over many centuries, as well as become the leader in banking services in the world.

Minerals

Switzerland has practically no minerals on its territory. Strategic energy sources - gas and oil - are completely absent. The country is 100% dependent on gas and oil imports from other European countries. There are small deposits of black and brown coal. From other minerals in Switzerland, iron ore, graphite, talc, asphalt, rock salt, sand, clay, limestone are mined in small quantities. There are small deposits of phosphorites and peat. In the future, it is planned to mine uranium in the country - geological exploration has shown that there are deposits of this metal in the depths of the Alps. The lack of energy carriers is covered a large number large and small hydroelectric power plants, which provide about 55% of the electricity needed by the country.

Climate

The country has several types of climate at once, it is very diverse. In the southernmost Swiss canton of Ticino, on the border with Italy, the climate is almost Mediterranean. There are no frosty winters here, and summers are very warm and even hot. On the northern slopes of the Swiss Alps (on the border with Austria) the climate is continental, more severe. Winters are quite cold and snowy, with frequent snowstorms. Summer is cooler with more rain. The weather in Switzerland changes quite often, so when planning a trip to this country, it will not be out of place to take a couple of warm clothes with you even in the summer season.

Switzerland is a classic tourist country, where the beauties of nature and outstanding creations of human hands are concentrated in a small space. On a small area of ​​41,284 sq. km you can see a huge variety of landscapes and landscapes, which cannot be found in any other place with a comparable area.

Switzerland is located in the very center of Europe. It shares borders with Germany in the north, Austria and the Principality of Liechtenstein in the east, France in the west and Italy in the south. Approximately 60% of the territory is occupied by mountains. Switzerland accounts for the central part of the Alpine mountain system with four main passes: Grimsel, Furka, St. Gotthard and Oberalp. From here the rivers Rhine and Rhone originate. (APPENDIX 1).

In the central and southern part of the country are the Alps, in the northwest - the Jura mountains, in the south - the Apennines. More than 70% of the country's territory belongs to two mountain systems, the Alps and the Jura, separated by the rolling Swiss Plateau with numerous tectonic lakes. The total area of ​​glaciers is about 2000 sq. km. The average height of the mountains is 1700 m. In the Apennines there is the highest peak - Mount Monte Rosa, peak Dufour in the south, the height is 4634 m.

Switzerland is located in a temperate climate zone, in a natural zone of mixed and deciduous forests.

Switzerland is poor in natural resources, except for hydropower. Nevertheless, it is a prosperous country, in many respects the richest in Europe, primarily due to the high development of manufacturing and services (tourism is especially important).

Due to its advantageous position in the center of the continent, on thecrossroads of many European roads, Switzerland throughout its history has been an important communication and transport link between the north and south of Europe. But it has no access to the sea.

The country plays a significant role in world political life, thanks to its permanent neutrality, as well as its geographical location, important international conferences and diplomatic negotiations are held in it.

Favorable geographical position, temperate climate, abundance of forests and clean mountain air contribute to the development of resort and recreational activities in Switzerland. The mountain location also determines the types of programs offered to tourists. For lovers of a relaxing holiday - these are lake cruises, trips on the mountain railway, hiking, golf, sunbathing on the glacier. Do not forget about rock climbing and other types of mountain and ski tourism. Optimal winter sports conditions mean that many Swiss cities have been chosen as hosts for winter sports. Olympic Games and major international ski competitions (St. Moritz, Innsbruck, Cortine d'Ampezzo, Crans Montana, Verbier).

1. The relief of the country

If you look at the Swiss Confederation from a flying plane, you will not see the plains. Everywhere there are mountains with snowy peaks sparkling in the sun, rocky peaks stick out here and there, threads of stormy streams silver in narrow gorges. In Switzerland there is the most powerful, the highest part of the Alps - the main mountain system of Foreign Europe. Mountains occupy the entire central and to a large extent the southern and eastern parts of the country (about 60% of the territory). The highest part of the Alps is composed of crystalline rocks and limestones. The highlands are covered with eternal snow and glaciers. The largest of these glaciers and one of the largest in Europe is the Aletsch. It stretches for 27 km, covering an area of ​​115 sq. km. The Rhone and Rhine valleys divide the Swiss Alps into two almost parallel groups of mountain ranges, stretching from the southwest to the northeast. To the north of these valleys rise the Bernese Alps with the Finsterarhorn and Jungfrau peaks exceeding 4,000 m, as well as the Glarn Alps. To the south of the valleys are the Pennine Alps with the Dufour peak (4634 m) - the highest point in Switzerland, the second peak after Mont Blanc in Foreign Europe, and the Lepontine Alps.

Due to the dismemberment by river valleys and relatively low passes, the Alps are in many places crossed by railways and roads. There are more than two hundred passes in the Swiss mountains, many tunnels. But the Jura mountain range, which is part of the Alps, despite the fact that it is much lower (1350 m), is difficult to access due to the steepness of the slopes and the lack of convenient passes.

Between the Bernese Alps and the Jura, from the Rhine flowing along the border with Germany to Lake Geneva, an undulating low (400-600m) Swiss plateau stretches. The main beauty of the landscape here is represented by large lakes and rounded green hills.

The Swiss plateau is the most populated part of the country. Here are located its most important industrial and agricultural regions and the largest cities - Zurich, Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lausanne.

Climate

The climatic conditions of Switzerland are extremely diverse; no other European country has such striking natural contrasts within such a small area. Due to its geographical position, Switzerland is influenced by four climatic zones: mid- and north-Atlantic, Mediterranean and continental. The Alps are a barrier to cyclones that carry moisture, so the level of precipitation in the intra-alpine regions (53-59 cm) is significantly lower than in the outer regions (more than 200 cm).

Due to the complexity of the relief, the climatic conditions of different regions of Switzerland are different. On the northern plateau, surrounded by high mountains, the climate is mild. To the south of the Alps, it becomes warmer, as the influence of the Mediterranean Sea is felt, and dry periods are noted in the canton of Valais. Switzerland is under the influence of the Atlantic currents, which carry moist air, and the Mediterranean, which bring warmth.

In the Alps, winter is relatively cold (temperatures usually drop to -10 o -12 o, sometimes up to -20 o), but almost always very sunny. Above 2500 - 3000 m snow does not melt throughout the year. In winter and spring, due to the accumulation of snow on the slopes, snow falls are not uncommon. In summer, rains and fogs are frequent in the mountains.

On the Swiss plateau, winters are mild, with an average January temperature of about -2°C. Summer is warm (average July temperature is +18 o), autumn is long and sunny. This area and the foothills of the Alps are characterized by breezes - gusty, cold and damp winds from the Atlantic, as well as hair dryers - winds that cross the Alps and descend into the valleys of Switzerland very dry and warm.

The mildest and warmest climate is in the interior mountain valleys and basins. For example, in the canton of Tesin, 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 fluctuations weather. Palm trees, magnolias and other plants grow here in the open ground. southern countries. The climate, the nature of vegetation and the characteristics of the economy are subject to the law of altitudinal zoning.

The temperature depends on the location above sea level. In the high mountains, summer is usually not hot, while in the lowlands and the northern part of the country it is quite warm.

The best time to travel is from May to October. In winter, this is also quite possible, since the hiking trails are always cleared and clearly marked.

Switzerland's important natural resources are fresh water and timber. This alpine country has more than 1,500 lakes, rivers and other bodies of water, as well as a large number of glaciers. Although Switzerland is one of the smallest countries in Western Europe in terms of area, 6% of all Western European water reserves are located on its territory. And the abundance of water contributes to the growth of forests. A third of the territory of Switzerland is covered with forests. Switzerland produces 5 million cubic meters of wood annually.

But at the same time, there are very few minerals in Switzerland. Only gravel, sand and clay are mined here, as well as lime, granite, marble and salt. There are also insignificant reserves of coal, small deposits of iron ores, small deposits of graphite and talc. There are no significant oil and gas reserves in Switzerland - just as there are no silver, platinoids, diamonds, nickel, copper, cobalt, zinc and lead.

Fresh water

The castle of Europe, surrounded by water - this is how Switzerland is called by its neighbors. The fresh water reserves here are really impressive: the total volume of water reserves is estimated at 363 cubic kilometers, while the annual renewal volume is 40 cubic kilometers. If this volume is divided by the number of inhabitants of Switzerland (8.4 million), you get 4,760 cubic meters water per person.

Such large European rivers as the Rhine (1,233 km long), the Rhone (812 km) and the right tributary of the Danube Inn (517 km) originate in Switzerland. , which is located near the city of Schaffhausen, is the largest in Europe. The average water flow here is 600 m³ per second in summer and 250 m³ in winter. A is the largest reservoir of fresh water not only in Western, but also in Central Europe: the volume of water in it is about 89 km³. True, Switzerland has to “share” Lake Geneva with France.

At the same time, Switzerland has a rather modest level of water consumption: households and various industries economies spend a total of no more than 5% of the updated volume. Interestingly, the water consumption of Swiss households is steadily declining. In 1977 it was 500 liters per person per day, today consumption is at the level of 300 liters per person per day. Experts attribute this decrease primarily to the use of more economical and environmentally friendly household appliances, but also a change in the habits and mentality of the Swiss in relation to the use of water resources.

Wood

Switzerland is also rich in forests. Forests occupy in Switzerland total area 1.26 million hectares, which is about 1,500 m² of forest for every inhabitant of the country. Timber reserves are estimated at 427 million m³. Without damaging the forest, the Swiss can extract from 7 to 8 million m³ of wood per year. The actual production is around 5 million m³ per year, worth more than 400 million francs. At the same time, 2/3 is softwood, and 1/3 is hardwood. Of course, the forest always needs working hands. The number of jobs provided by the forestry and woodworking industries in Switzerland exceeds 80,000.

Swiss forests contain approximately 535 million trees. There are thus 69 trees for every inhabitant of the country. Most often in the Swiss forest you can find European spruce, common spruce and beech. Average age trees is 100 years old. 45% of forests in Switzerland have an important protective effect: the forest protects buildings, roads, people and animals from rockfalls and avalanches.

But the forest is not only wood. In the Swiss forests, 250 tons of mushrooms are harvested annually, worth 11.5 million francs. Swiss hunters produce up to 2,000 tons of game meat per year, worth 20 million francs. And every year before Christmas, foresters sell more than 150,000 Christmas trees, which brings them 5 million francs in income. Moreover, these Christmas trees are grown specially in separate areas.

Lime, salt and others

Gravel, sand and clay are mined in Switzerland in small but numerous deposits in the area from the Anterior Rhine in the canton of Graubünden to Lake Constance. There are places where lime is mined in the canton of Jura. Granite and marble are mined in the cantons of Ticino (Tessin) and Grisons.

The development of salt deposits in Switzerland began already in the 16th century in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe town of Bex (Fr. Bex) in the canton of Vaud. Today, in addition to the deposit in Be, salt is mined in the Pratteln district in the canton of Basel-Land and in the Mölin district in the canton of Aargau. Salt is mined and processed in Switzerland by Schweizer Salinen AG. This company employs just over 200 people, the turnover of the company is from 60 to 70 million francs per year. Schweizer Salinen AG produces up to 600,000 tons of salt per year. This amount covers Switzerland's need for salt - including industrial salt - by 100%.

However, in 2016, in an interview with the Swiss television SRF, the head of the company, Urs Hofmeier (German: Urs Hofmeier), said that salt reserves in Switzerland would only last until 2025. That is why Schweizer Salinen AG is already investing about 100 million francs in the search for new salt deposits.

Natural gas

In Switzerland, there was a single natural gas field near the town of Finsterwald (German: Finsterwald) in the canton of Lucerne. This field was exploited from 1985 to 1994. In total, 74 million m³ of gas was extracted from a depth of 5,280 meters, which was about 3% of the annual gas consumption in Switzerland. Gas reserves ran out in 1994, the field was closed. Mining was not profitable. As a result, the amount of losses amounted to 27 million francs.

In the early 1990s, new rock formations were discovered that could contain gas deposits. They were discovered by scientists from the Swiss National research program NFP 20. Following this, several Swiss firms announced the launch of exploration projects. For example, the Petrosvibri company from the city of Vevey in the canton of Vaud invested 22.5 million francs in the search for natural gas under Lake Geneva - and in 2013 found it.

True, it is still unclear whether the gas reserves are sufficient for production and profitable. Conducting relevant research is difficult because of the protests of environmentalists. Nevertheless, the company hopes to obtain the license necessary for these works in the near future. At the same time, five other Swiss companies are looking for natural gas in other parts of the country, in particular in the canton of Bern. The Swiss national news agency SDA is skeptical about these searches: according to agency experts, the chances of success do not exceed 15 percent.

Coal

Coal mining in Switzerland was almost completely stopped by the beginning of the 20th century.

Only during the Second World War, its production was increased. In the canton of Valais, 380,000 tons of anthracite were mined between 1942 and 1945. 10 mines in the canton of Vaud delivered 95,000 tons of coal in about the same time. In total, 52 mines were actively used during the war. Coal mined at that time in Switzerland covered about 30% of the country's total demand for coal.

Coal has been one of the main energy sources for Switzerland for a long time. But since 1950, oil has increasingly begun to displace it. The share of coal in Switzerland's gross energy consumption in 1973 was less than 2%. From 1996 to the present day, this share has become even smaller - 0.5%. The development of coal deposits has not been conducted since then.

The Alps and Prealps still have coal seams. At the same time, the operation of many of them would be quite cost-effective. However, due to geological fragmentation, these layers are very thin and will be depleted very quickly. Only in rare cases- as, for example, in a deposit near the town of Kepfnach (German: Käpfnach) in the canton of Zurich - the thickness of the coal seam reaches from 30 to 50 cm.

Asphalt

Natural asphalt has been mined in Switzerland for over 250 years in the area of ​​the Val de Travers district in the canton of Neuchâtel. At one time, Switzerland exported asphalt throughout Europe and even to the USA. In 1986, asphalt reserves were depleted and its extraction was stopped. The former deposits are currently used only for tourism purposes.

Iron

The history of the mining industry in Switzerland dates back several thousand years. Switzerland produced the most different kinds iron ore: magnetite in the canton of Valais, hematite in the town of Gonzen in the canton of St. Gallen, bean iron ore and pisolite in the Jura and around the city of Schaffhausen, oolite in the Fricktal region in northwestern Switzerland, and delessite and chamosite near Chamoson in the canton of Valais. However, in recent decades mining and production of iron practically ceased due to a significant decrease in their role in the country's industry. The last two iron ore mines in Switzerland were closed at the end of the 60s of the last century.

Slate

Open-pit mining of slate slate in Switzerland was carried out in various places in the Alps and Pre-Alps. The most significant were the deposits of shale rocks in the cantons of Bern, Glarus and Valais. Since the beginning of the 20th century, the demand for slate has declined significantly. This led to the fact that by the end of the 70s of the last century, most of the deposits were closed. To date, only quartzite slate is being mined near the village of St. Niklaus in the canton of Valais.

Uranus

The Swiss company Alusuisse and the Swiss energy concern EOS were engaged in the search for uranium in the canton of Valais from the mid-1960s until 1982.

Small reserves of uranium were eventually found. However, its possible production was assessed as unprofitable. But the situation may change, as nuclear fuel is constantly becoming more expensive. Foreign firms are also showing interest in Swiss uranium: recently the Canadian firm Aurovallis received permits to search for uranium in the canton of Valais and is actively preparing for the relevant work.

Switzerland (English Switzerland, German Schweiz, French Suisse, Italian Svizzera) is a small European state. Area - 41.3 thousand square meters. km., and a population of slightly more than 6.99 million people (60% of the urban population). The capital is the city of Bern. The Swiss Confederation is located practically in the center of Foreign Europe, at the crossroads of the main transport routes. This fact plays important role in the political, economic and cultural development of the country throughout historical path. Three-quarters of Switzerland's borders (with France, Austria and Italy) run along the high mountain ranges of the Jura and the Alps, and only the border with Germany and Liechtenstein runs along the lowlands - the Rhine Valley. The north of the country is a hilly plateau, it is here that a large industrial center, Zurich, is located. central part Switzerland from the east and south side there are mountains, gorges, cliffs, rocks, glaciers and eternal snows. The shores of Lake Geneva, the Valais Valley, the Rhone River region is a region of gardens, beautiful vineyards and fields. Geneva is located on the border where the Rhone goes to France and Switzerland. The concept of Switzerland and the mountains are closely related to each other. About 2/3 of the country's area is mountainous. Almost all the highest mountain ranges of Foreign Europe are located here.

The relief of Switzerland is mostly mountainous. The mountains in Switzerland are heavily used for recreational purposes.

In Switzerland there are three natural area which differ in geological structure and relief. In the north-west of the country there is the Jura mountain range, which separates Switzerland and France, the Swiss plateau-plateau in the center and in the south-east of the Alps.

Figure 1- Map of Switzerland

The Jura Mountains stretch from Geneva to Basel and Schaffhausen, there is a very clear alternation of mountain folds with a predominance of limestone. Cluses are folds cut by small rivers forming steep-sided valleys. Agriculture flourishes only in the valleys, the gentle slopes of the mountains are used as pastures and covered with forests.

The Swiss plateau was formed on 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. The surface of the plateau is hilly, agriculture is developed in wide valleys, and the interfluves are covered with forests. 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 the same region.

In the south of the country are the high mountain chains of the Alps, which from the southwest to the northeast from the Mont Blanc mountain range to the Ortles mountain range. This mountain system is divided into the pre-alpine zone, the axial zone, where the ridges of the Bernese Alps exceed 4000 m (Finsteraarhorn), and the subalpine zone. The height of the largest mountain peak of the Alps - Peak Dufour - is more than four and a half thousand meters (4634 m), in the Monte Rosa massif on the border with Italy - Dom (4545 m), Weisshorn (4505 m), Matterhorn (4477 m), Gran -Combin (4314 m), Finsterarhorn (4274 m) and Jungfrau (4158 m).

The highest part of the Alps is composed of crystalline rocks (granites, gneisses) and limestones. The highlands are covered with eternal snow and glaciers. The largest of these glaciers and one of the largest in Europe is the Aletsch. It stretches for 27 km, covering an area of ​​115 sq. km.

The Alps serve as the main source of income, as the picturesque nature of the highlands attracts many tourists and climbers.

The territory of Switzerland is characterized by very strong differences in climatic conditions. This is due to the complex nature of the relief, as well as exposure to the sun and winds. The climate is humid, on the plateau - moderately warm, in the mountains - cold.

In the Alps, the average course of winter temperatures ranges from -10 to -12 degrees, but the weather is almost always sunny. That is why tuberculosis patients have long flocked to Davos, Montana, Sackt-Moritz, Zermatg 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.

The highest peaks of the Alps are covered with eternal snows. The snow line rises to 2700 m on the western slopes and up to 3200 m on the eastern slopes. On the peaks of the Alps, snow does not melt throughout the year. In winter and spring, due to the accumulation of snow on the slopes, snow falls are not uncommon. In January-February, in conditions of predominance high pressure clear cold weather sets in over the Alps. The southern slopes at this time receive a lot of solar heat. In summer, rains and fogs are frequent in the mountains.

Throughout the country, temperatures drop below 0°C in winter, with the exception of the northern shore of Lake Geneva and the shores of Lakes Lugano and Lago Maggiore. Here is the mildest and warmest climate. On the coast, protected by mountains from the cold northern winds (bizé), there are many sunny days, there are no large temperature fluctuations and strong seasonal fluctuations in the weather. Palm trees, magnolias and other plants of the southern countries grow here in the open ground. In the canton of Tessin, which is called the "solarium of Switzerland", there are many climatic resorts.

A rather mild winter is observed on the Swiss plateau, so the average January temperature is about -2 °. Snow here can only be seen for a few days. In December and January they blow from the Atlantic strong winds bringing rains, fogs are frequent, there is almost no sun, and the atmospheric pressure changes sharply every now and then. On the other hand, the summer is warm (the average temperature in July is + 18°), the autumn is long and sunny. This climate is conducive to agricultural work. On the Swiss plateau, even grapes have time to ripen.

In Switzerland, sharp strong winds are frequent, accompanied by rain and snowfalls. Foehns prevail in spring, summer and autumn - warm dry winds blowing from the east and southeast. Since the currents of humid air from the Mediterranean rise up the slopes of the Alps, and then descend to the Swiss plateau, the southern slopes receive almost twice as much precipitation as the northern slopes.

6% of Europe's fresh water reserves are concentrated in Switzerland, and it is from here that the Rhine, Rhone, and Inn rivers originate, flowing into three big seas: Northern, Mediterranean and Black. There are more than 1500 lakes. Special attention deserves the pride of Switzerland - its lakes. The most picturesque of them are located along the edges of the Swiss plateau - Geneva, Thun in the south, Firwaldstet, Zurich in the east, Neuchâtel and Biel in the north.

The origin of the lakes is mainly tectonic-glacial, they were formed in an era when large glaciers descended from the mountains to the Swiss plateau. South of the axis of the Alps in the canton of Ticino are the lakes of Lugano and Lago Maggiore. The shores of the lakes are bordered by wooded hills or rocky mountains, the slopes of which break right into the water. Large lakes Switzerland is not only a place of pilgrimage for tourists, they play an important role in shipping and land reclamation. Most of Switzerland is irrigated by the Rhine and its tributary Aare (the most important of its tributaries are the Reuss and the Limmat). The southwestern regions belong to the drainage basin of the Rhone, the southern - to the Ticino basin and the southeastern - to the basin of the river. Inn (a tributary of the Danube).

The rivers of Switzerland have no navigable value. On the Rhine, navigation is supported only as far as Basel. Switzerland's water resources are primarily used for energy production. Hydropower covers about 60% of the total energy demand. At the same time, in Switzerland they monitor the purity of water sources. 95% of all residential buildings are connected to a water treatment plant

Switzerland has very few fertile soils. Only brown forest soils of the Swiss plateau and lower parts mountain slopes. In the highlands ground cover discontinuous, replete with rubble. On the mountain slopes, landslides and landslides are not uncommon, demolishing the soil layer or covering cultivated land with roots.

On the Swiss plateau - brown forest and alluvial soils, which are relatively fertile. Only 6.5% of the country's area is suitable for the cultivation of grain and horticultural crops. In some areas, such as in the Valais, an important agricultural region, soil fertility is highly dependent on irrigation. There is not enough water here, and it is necessary to build wooden or stone trays - “bysses”, through which water flows from high-mountainous regions, glacial lakes and rivers to fields and gardens.

AT flora the influence of vertical zonality is pronounced. Up to a height of up to 800 m, on the plateau and slopes of the Alps and the Jura, cultivated vegetation prevails: gardens, vineyards, as well as meadows and pastures. At an altitude of 800 to 2000 m, forests stretch, first deciduous - beech and oak, then coniferous - cedar, spruce, pine (they occupy a quarter of the entire territory of the country). On the southern slope of the Alps, the chestnut tree is typical. Higher up the slopes of the mountains, coniferous forests grow, forming a transitional belt between broad-leaved forests and alpine meadows (on high altitudes). Above the forest line there are tall-grass subalpine meadows, which are replaced by alpine meadows covered with stunted shrubs and low herbaceous plants. In spring, crocuses and daffodils bloom, in summer - rhododendrons, saxifrage, gentians. On steep slopes, you can sometimes see edelweiss - the "unofficial" symbol of Switzerland

The fauna of Switzerland is included within the European-Siberian subregion of the Palearctic region. The species diversity characteristic of these areas has been severely affected by economic activity person. While the snow partridge and mountain hare are still quite common, such characteristic animals of the upper tiers as roe deer, marmot and chamois are much less common.

Great efforts are being made to protect wildlife. In the Swiss National Park, located near the border with Austria, roe deer and chamois live, less often - Alpine ibex and fox. There are many birds in the Alps. Among them, the spruce crossbill is common. He arranges a nest in winter in a coniferous forest. This bird has a peculiar beak that crosses at the end, which is convenient for extracting seeds from spruce cones.

There are practically no minerals on the territory of Switzerland. There are only small reserves of coal, deposits of iron ore and small deposits of graphite, talc and asphalt. In the upper reaches of the Rhone and along the Rhine, a significant role is played by the extraction of rock salt, which covers the needs of the country. Raw materials for the construction industry, such as sand, clay, and stone, are available in fairly significant amounts. There is an assumption that there are small deposits in the Alps uranium ores. The main source of energy for the Swiss has become rich hydropower resources, the vast majority of electricity consumed comes from hydroelectric power plants. At the same time, in the late 60s, the construction of nuclear power plants began.

Switzerland is a republic, a confederation of 23 cantons (3 of them are divided into half-cantons). Each canton has its own parliament and government, its own laws, and enjoys broad autonomous rights. Legislative power belongs to the Federal Assembly (Parliament), which consists of two chambers - the National Council and the Council of Cantons. Executive power is vested in the Federal Council.

In Switzerland, almost all natural healing resources (mineral and thermal waters, therapeutic mud) belongs to the state. Spa clinics use the springs for a fee, and government-authorized federal, regional, local authorities or public organizations strictly control compliance with the regime of their use, monitor the protection of "green zones". In Switzerland, widely known for its exemplary spa business, municipalities ensure the protection of "green zones" around resorts, where the construction of any objects that pollute the environment is prohibited.