Swiss Alps

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Swiss Alps facts

Facts

Countries / Regions:

Bernese Oberland, Europe, European Alps, Switzerland

Getting there:

Geneva & Zurich

Highest peak:

Dufourspitze 15,203 ft (4,634 m)

Other facts:

180 mi (290km) long, approx. 60% of Switzerland

Where can I find it

The Swiss Alps is located along the continuation of the European alpine mountain chain, which runs through France, Switzerland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Germany, Austria, and into Slovenia. From the Mont Blanc massif it occupies the Southern and central part of Switzerland, running continuously through the west-east length of the country for about 180 miles (290 km).

Switzerland has 17 'Fourteeners', mountain peaks with an elevation of at least 14,000 ft (4267 m) and 48 of the official Alpine 4,000 metre peaks (13,123 ft). Some of the most notable are the Dufourspitze 15,203 ft (4,634 m), the Dom 14,911 ft (4,545 m), the Weisshorn 14,783 ft (4,506 m), the Matterhorn 14,691 ft (4,478 m), and the Dent Blanche 14,294 ft (4357 m). From the Saastal valley, for example, 18 of the 4,000-metre peaks can be seen from the trails. The glaciers of the Swiss Alps cover an area of 470 square miles (1,220 sq km), representing over 40% of the total glaciated area in the Alps.

What makes it special

Switzerland itself is one of the world's oldest federal republics. It has four national languages, each reflecting their own linguistic and diverse cultural variations: German, French, Italian and Romansh.