Geography & environment — Switzerland
Location, land area, terrain, climate, and natural resources.
Profile updated 2026-06-02
⚡ Geography & environment at a glance
Location, land area, terrain, climate, and natural resources. Key figure for Switzerland: Europe
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Location & size
- Geographic Location
Europe
- Geographic Coordinates
47 00 N, 8 00 E
- Total Area
15,937 Square Miles 41,277 Square Kilometers
- Land Area
15,443 Square Miles 39,997 Square Kilometers
- Water Area
494 Square Miles 1,280 Square Kilometers
- Land Boundaries
1,151 Miles 1,852 Kilometers
- Border Countries
Austria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740 km, Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 334 km
Physical geography
- Terrain
mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes
- Highest Point
4,634 Meters
- Highest Point Location
Dufourspitze 4,634 m
- Lowest Point
195 Meters
- Lowest Point Location
Lake Maggiore 195 m
- Natural Resources
hydropower potential, timber, salt
- Irrigated Land
212 Square Miles 550 Square Kilometers
Climate & time
- Time Zone
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
- Daylight saving time
+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Climate
- Climate
Because of the varied topography (from an altitude of 633 feet above sea level in the Ticino Canton to 15,203 feet — the Monte Rosa peak — in the Alps), climate and vegetation vary from Mediterranean to arctic. Bern does not have great extremes of hot or cold weather. Rain is common in summer as well as winter, with snowfalls in Bern occurring with more regularity in recent years. Humidity is high during spring and fall. Winter brings some warm spells, and all-day fog and cloudy weather are common. Often a 30-minute drive will get you out of the clouds and into sunshine. The Föhn, a dry south wind that passes over the Alps changing the air pressure, has an enervating and otherwise unpleasant effect on some people. The average high temperature in July is 30°C (86°F), and the average low for that month is 6.1°C (43°F). In February, the thermometer reaches 5.4°C (42°F) and dips to about -10°C (14°F).
- Terrain
mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes
- Location
Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy
- Total Area
15,937 Square Miles 41,277 Square Kilometers
- Border Countries
Austria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740 km, Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 334 km
Environment
- Environment - Current Issues
air pollution from vehicle emissions and open-air burning
acid rain
water pollution from increased use of agricultural fertilizers
loss of biodiversity
- Environment - International Agreements
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea