SWITZERLAND (Ger. Schweiz; Fr. Suisse; It. Svizzera)is an inland country of Europe, situated between 45° 48' to 47° 49' n. lat., and 5° 55' to 10° 30' e. long. It greatest length from e. to w. is 180 m., and its greatest width from n. to s., 130 miles. Its superficial area, without including lakes, is 15,233 sq.m., or one-fourth of that of England and Wales. In 1878 the pop. of Switzerland was close on 2,800,000. The following gives the results of the census of 1870: Surface.—Switzerland is the most mountainous country of Europe. Its principal -chains are the Alps (q.v.) and the Jura (q.v.). The former run from e. to w. along its southern or Italian frontier. Their ramifications fill more than one-half of,the country, and terminate along a line which may be traced from Vevey, on the lake of Geneva, to mount Moleson and mount Napf, across lake Zug, to the southern shores of the lakes of Zurich and Wallenstadt, and on the Rhine. The mean elevation of the highest chain is from 8,000 to 9,000 feet. The Jura run n.e. from the western corner of Switzerland. They consist of a series of parallel ridges inclosing lung and narrow valleys, and their mean elevation does not exceed 4,000 feet. In the angle formed between them and the Alps lies the plain of Switzerland, a table-land 100 in. in length, and from 20 to 30 m. in width, with a mean elevation of about 1400 ft. above the sea. It is not absolutely level, but covered with elevations, which seem very unimportant, however, when contrasted with the huge masses of the Alps and Jura. It has been described, and not inaptly, as a corner of southern Germany, penetrating like a wedge between France and Italy. The communication between the plain of Switzerland and the German valleys of the Danube and Rhine is not, however, continuous. The plain on the e. terminates in a third hilly tract—the Thur hill-country, which lies between the lakes of Zurich and Constance, and which, to some extent at least, forms a barrier between the plain of Switzerland and Germany. The Jura, the plain, and the hill country are, then, the great divisions of northern Switzerland. The divisions of the Alpine region are more strongly marked in nature. A. glance at the map will show that the chains which overspread it radiate from a mountain knot lying to the w. of the Grimsel pass. They isolate and inclose (1) the valleys drained by the Rhone, which connect Switzerland with southern France; (2) Ticino, drained by streams which descend to the Po, and have at all times brought this country into close communication with Italy; (3) The Grisons, the most sequestered valleys of Switzerland, drained by the tributaries of the Rhine and Danube, and shut out by mountains from the lower basins of these rivers; (4) The Bernese Oberland, which slopes toward the western extremity of the Swiss plain; (5) The district of the forest cantons—Schwyz, Uri, and Unterwalden. —surrounding the lake of Lucerne, and which slope toward the eastern extremity of the plain, and seem a great mountain fortress erected in the very heart of Switzerland, to protect the plain against German invasion.
Geology is of little importance in explaining the general geography of Switzerland. It may, however, be stated that in the southern Alpine region the rocks are crystalline; that in the northern Alpine region they belong to the jurassic and other upper secondary strata; and that in the plain and the great part of the hill-country they consist of loose tertiary sands and clays, which supply the best agricultural soils of Switzerland. Those rocks and formations in which mines and coal chiefly abound are absent.
Climate.—In Switzerland the climate chiefly varies with elevation above the sea-level. At a height exceeding 9,500 ft., the mountains are covered with perpetual snow, which descends along the hollows in glaciers (q.v.) to a much lower level, and in this way covers the elevated part of the country with a vast sea of ice. Below the level of perpetual snow, the surface of Switzerland has been divided into a series of belts, characterized by different climates and productions. The highest of these, lying between the snow and the level of 6,900 ft., has been called the upper Alpine region. In it the glaciers fill the valleys, but plants clothe the scanty soil of the ridges. The second or lower Alpine belt descends to 4,800 feet. It is a country of pastures, in which shrubs but no trees make their appearance. The Righi pass, the Grimsel hospice, and the SplUgen are included in it. The third belt descends to 4,350 feet. The meadows still abound in it, but for ests of firs and maples in many parts replace them. It includes Urfenthal and Oberen gadin. The fourth belt sinks to 3,000 feet. The forests still abound, the beech being the prevailing tree. The meadows are excellent, and rye and barley are successfully cultivated. It includes Weissensteiu, Grindelwald, and Engelsberg. The fifth belt lies above 1800 feet. In it the oak and walnut are the characteristic forest trees. Spelt and the best wheat are cultivated. It includes Bern, Coire, and St. Gall. The last belt sinks to 750 feet. In it the chestnut is the characteristic tree; the mulberry and the vine are extensively cultivated, and wheat is the grain chiefly grown. This belt includes the greater part of the Swiss plain, and sinks to its lowest level in the valley of the Rhine, between Constance and Basel, and the banks of lake Zurich and the lago Maggiore. In the last district the vegetation is that of northern Italy. At a higher elevation than 6,400 ft., Switzerland is only inhabited by herdsmen during the summer months. At this limit, however, permanent abodes begin to make their appearance; and at 4,000 ft. there are many villages. The most populous part of Switzerland, however, lies between 1250 and 2,150 feet. The temperature of this region is fairly represented by that of Zurich, which we will compare with that of London. The temperature of Zurich is in winter 30.34°; in spring, 47.25°; in summer, 64.15°; in autumn, 49.05°: for the year, 47.95°. The temperature of London is in winter, 38.22°; in spring, 48.34; in summer, 61.74°; in autumn, 50.29°: for the year, 50.50°.