Snowy Switzerland

Written by: Natalie Yao

Geography and Nature

Switzerland is a small country in central Europe with a land area of almost 16 thousand square miles. The nation is land-locked by its neighboring countries, including France, Germany, Liechtenstein, Italy, and Austria. The country is also divided into three regions, which are the Alps, the central plateau, and the Jura. Switzerland is famous for its tall and snowy mountains, which attract many tourists to go skiing. In fact, over 60 percent of Swiss land is covered in mountains! Some well known peaks are the Bernese Alps, Dom, and Dufourspitze which is the highest summit in the Swiss Alps and the entire country. The snow from these mountains also are the source of much of Europe’s water. They then flow down some of Europe’s major rivers such as the Rhine, the Rhône, and the Po. In addition, some major Swiss cities include its capital Bern, Zurich, Geneva, Basel, and Saint Moritz, a famous tourist destination.

Depending on the temperature and elevation, plant and animal life is different across Switzerland. In the plateau and below the snow line, there is a lot of grassland and evergreens. Most of Switzerland’s animals live in the mountains as they have adapted to colder weather. Native species like the ibex, a wild goat, and the marmots can be found in the mountains. The nation is also the home to other creatures like eagles, deers, rabbits, badgers, foxes, and squirrels. 

People and Culture

In Switzerland there is no single official language, but most of their population speaks Swiss German. Yet, there are still large groups of French and Italian speakers that live there as well as smaller groups of Spanish and Portuguese speakers. The majority of Swiss people are Christian, and they are more Roman Catholic than Protestant. About 75 percent of people live in cities like Zurich, which is a large finance center.

Swiss cuisine is largely influenced by the cultures of its neighboring countries of Germany, France, and Italy. Ingredients are local and high quality, some important ones are cheese, potatoes, bread, and meat. 

Some popular dishes include: 

• Fondue: melted cheese for dipping bread

• Rosti: pan fried crispy grated potatoes that are served as a side dish

• Zürcher Geschnetzeltes: thinly sliced veal that is cooked in a creamy sauce

• Muesli: a breakfast cereal made up of seeds, fruits, nuts, and oats

National Symbols

• National Anthem: Hymn of the Swiss Confederation

• National Flower: the Edelweiss

• National Instrument: The Alphorn

• National Colors: Red and White