An ode to geographical Switzerland
Switzerland is WONDER-full – where in the world can you find so many wonderful things in such a small space (not so small, if you flatten the relief)? Switzerland is a unique country with many different facets that contribute to its overall charm and character. Where else in the world can you find so much water diversity (the blue gold of Switzerland or the water castle of Europe) in an area of around 41,000 km2? Rivers and lakes characterize Switzerland, as do mountains and hills. The two triple watersheds of Europe are unparalleled. One lies on the border between the three cantons of Uri, Valais, and Ticino, the other on the Lunghin Pass in the canton of Graubünden. They give birth to long European rivers, namely the Reuss → Rhine, the Ticino → Po, the Inn → Danube, and the Rhone.
The geographical diversity of Switzerland is impressive. The Central Plateau is bordered from southwest to northeast by the Jura range of hills and the main Alpine ridge. Only the northernmost area, Basel-Stadt, and the southernmost area in Switzerland, southern Ticino, lie outside these two striking rock formations. There is everything from glaciers (I call it the white gold of Switzerland) with their perceived northern temperatures to a southern Mediterranean climate feeling. Even in a relatively small canton, like the canton of Uri, there are countless lakes, mountains, and valleys that will make your heart beat faster.
48 of the 82 4,000-metre peaks in the Alps are in Switzerland (an Alpine record), more than 40 of them in the canton of Valais, with the Dufourspitze in the Monte Rosa massif being the highest peak at 4,634 m – WoW!
The linguistic diversity is also impressive. With four main languages and numerous dialects, there is something for everyone. The four seasons each show their impressive side and let the Swiss landscape to blossom. Yes Switzerland, you are so BEAUTY-full!
