Switzerland

Location

The latitude and longitude of Switzerland are 47•N and 8•E.

It is south of Germany.

It is east of France.

It is north of Italy.

It is west of Austria.

Bibliography

Place

Physical Characteristics: Switzerland has a lot of mountains, the Alps to be more exact. 60% of Switzerland is what the Alps take up. There are also glaciers and lakes, such as Lake Geneva.

Human Characteristics: The population is about 8 million people and the capital is Bern. The Celts and the Raetians influenced Switzerland’s culture. The culture is full of traditions that people still keep. They keep wearing ethnic dresses and customs in society.

Human Environment Interaction

Humans Affect Environment: Air pollution from burning fossil fuels make acid rain, which can kill plants and animals. Water pollution is also another problem. Agricultural and other chemical wastes run off into the rivers.

Environment’s Response: The temperature has risen by 1.6•C since 1864. The precipitation increased by 8% during the 20th century. Winds have gotten very strong. The ice that covered rivers and lakes has gotten smaller in size. Glaciers have lost about 30-40% of their size and half their mass.

Movement

People: Switzerland has many roads and railways. Railways lead a path through the Alps. Roads are usually compacted because Switzerland has the highest motorway densities. Airports are also used. 24.9 million people were on board in 2013.

Goods: The main exports of Switzerland are gold, medicine, blood, and watches. The main imports are gold, medicine, cars, jewelry, and petroleum.

Ideas: Switzerland gained a lot of areas when it joined the Eternal Alliance, which is a contract that allowed Switzerland to be free. That let the country share its culture to other people. Switzerland is also a very popular country to tour because of the Alps. Culture could spread that way too.

Region

Switzerland is in Western Europe.

Western Europe is affected by the Gulf Stream, which makes it warmer than the rest of Europe. Western Europe also has many, many climates. The Alps in Switzerland are one out of many landforms in Western Europe. The terrain can lure in immigrants or tourists.