Switzerland coastline , Switzerland Natural Resources

Switzerland

Location : central europe. east of france. north of italy

Geographic Coordinates : 47 00 n. 8 00 e

Map Reference : europe

Area : total: 41.290 sq km land: 39.770 sq km water: 1.520 sq km

Area Comparative: slightly less than twice the size of new jersey

Switzerland More Facts

Land boundaries : total: 1.852 km border countries: austria 164 km. france 573 km. italy 740 km. liechtenstein 41 km. germany 334 km

coastline : 233

Maritime Claims : none (landlocked)
Climate: temperate. but varies with altitude; cold. cloudy. rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm. cloudy. humid summers with occasional showers

Terrain : mostly mountains (alps in south. jura in northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills. plains. and large lakes

Elevation extremes : lowest point: lake maggiore 195 m highest point: dufourspitze 4.634 m

Natural Resources :hydropower potential. timber. salt

Land use : arable land: 10.42% permanent crops: 0.61% other: 88.97% (2001)

Irrigated Lands : 250 sq km (1998 est.)