Switzerland
It is often said that Switzerland lies at the heart of Europe. Geographically speaking, that`s not quite true. However, the main route linking northern and southern Europe does run through the Alps. Switzerland borders Germany in the north, Austria and the Principality of Liechtenstein in the east, Italy in the south and France in the west. This means that three important European cultures meet in Switzerland - that of the German-speaking region, the French and the Italian.
Switzerland with its 41,285 square kilometres (15,940 square miles) only covers 1.5 thousandths (0.15 per cent) of the earths surface.
The Jura, the Plateau and the Alps form the three main geographic regions of the country.
7.3 million people- just over one thousandth (0.1 per cent) of the global population - live in Switzerland.
Switzerland has a high population density: 183 people per square kilometre (474 per square mile). The distribution of the population varies greatly, with only 10 per cent of the total population living in the Alpine region.
The seasons are clearly defined. In autumn (September to November) the fruits ripen, then the leaves turn brown and fall. In winter the snow changes the landscape. In spring (March to May) the trees blossom and the meadows become green. In summer the temperature rises to 25-30 degrees (77-86 degrees Fahrenheit).
Acknowledgment to Switzerland Tourism
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