Switzerland is a country where amazing wonders of nature are concentrated in a small space. On its territory, an area of just over 41 thousand square meters. km, you can see so many diverse landscapes and landscapes that can not be found in any other country with the same small area.
Country Overview
Switzerland is the country of the most reliable banks in the world. This is a country of army knives, chocolate, watches and cheese. But the main thing is that Switzerland is a country of amazing nature.
We offer you to get acquainted with the nature of Switzerland, its most beautiful corners and features of flora and fauna.
Location
The state is located in the heart of Europe. It borders with the Principality of Liechtenstein and Austria in the east, with Germany in the north, with France in the west and south with Italy. More than half of the territory is occupied by mountains. It is mainly an Alpine mountain system (central part) with the main four passes: Oberalp, St. Gottard, Fourka and Grimsel. Here are the origins of the Rhine and the Rhone.
The nature of Switzerland (photos are presented in the article) is magnificent, mainly due to the mountains. The central and southern part of the territory is occupied by the Alps, in the north-west is Jura, and in the south - the Apennines. The Alps and the Jura are separated by a hilly plateau with a large number of tectonic lakes. The area of glaciers is 2, 000 square meters. km The height of the mountains is an average of 1, 700 meters. Mount Monte Rosa, which is the highest peak of the Apennines (southern peak Dufour), has a height of 4 634 meters.
The legend of the nature of Switzerland
According to one old legend, when the Lord God distributed the wealth of the bowels of the earth, they did not have enough for a country located in the very center of Europe. In order to correct this injustice, the Lord presented Switzerland with high mountains with shining glaciers, stormy waterfalls, picturesque valleys, beautiful rivers and azure lakes. So it turned out an unusually beautiful Switzerland. Her landscapes are magnificent in any season and in any weather.
So, the wildlife of Switzerland. What is she like?
Mount Matterhorn
This is the most famous mountain peak of the Alps, located on the border of Switzerland with Italy. The peak has the shape of an almost regular pyramid. It rises among the low hills and plains, and it is this isolation that gives this mountain such charm.
The height of the Matterhorn is 4, 478 meters.
Lauterbrunnen Valley
Switzerland's nature is magnificent due to the variety of landscapes. Travelers call this valley almost the most beautiful and amazing on the whole earth. In fact, it is a deep cleft located between high sheer cliffs. Its length is 8, 000 meters, and the width is no more than a kilometer. From this place you can see three beautiful mountain peaks - Aiger, Mengch and Jungfrau (translated - the Eater, the Monk and the Virgin).
The valley features numerous waterfalls. And the name Lauterbrunnen in translation has the meaning of "many springs." In total there are 72 waterfalls, and all of them are stunning with their beauty.
Lake Geneva
The nature of Switzerland cannot be imagined without this lake. No wonder this country is often called the "country of mountains and lakes." And indeed it is. In addition to the mountains, which occupy most of its territory, there are more than 1, 500 lakes of extraordinary beauty. The largest in the Swiss Alps and the second largest among the freshwater bodies of Central Europe is Lake Geneva. Locals often call him Leman. It lies in the floodplain of the river. The Rhone.
The lake fascinates with its amazing pristine beauty and unusually clear water. The Alps reliably shelter the pond from the wind, due to which the water surface is almost unshakable, and the peaks of the mountains and all surrounding nature are clearly reflected in it, along with houses and medieval castles, comfortably settled on the mountain slopes. The crescent-shaped lake is located on the border with France (or rather, the border runs along its center).
Vegetable world
The nature of Switzerland is rich in vegetation. The Swiss plateau extends into the deciduous forest zone. Oaks and beeches prevail here, sometimes pines are mixed with them. Chestnut is typical of the southern slopes of the Alps. Further coniferous forests grow in height, representing a transitional zone between alpine meadows located above and broad-leaved forests.
There are many different colors in the mountains. Daffodils and crocuses bloom in the spring, edelweiss, rhododendrons, gentians and saxifrages in the summer.
Animal world
The fauna, unlike the flora, is greatly depleted due to human economic activity. The most common inhabitants are the hare and the snow partridge. And the animals characteristic of the upper tier of the mountains, such as the groundhog, roe deer and chamois, are much less common.
Near the border with Austria there is a Swiss national park, which is inhabited by chamois and roe deer; foxes and alpine mountain goats are a little less common. Here you can also find a white partridge and several varieties of birds of prey.
