Switzerland lies in the central part of the Alps, a 500-mile-long European mountain range, which stretches westward from France's Riviera into what was northern Yugoslavia.
Switzerland is known for its mountains but it also has a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes. The highest point is Dufourspitze at 4,634 m while Lake Maggiore is only 195 m above sea level.

Four main passes (Grimsel, Furka, St. Gotthard, and Oberalp) allow passage from Northern Europe across the Alps to Italy, making Switzerland a country of transit. The country covers 15,941 square miles and borders Germany to the north, France to the west, Italy to the south, and Austria and the Principality of Liechtenstein to the east.

The climate is temperate, but varies with altitude. Switzerland has cold, cloudy, rainy and snowy winters and cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers.

Switzerland is split up into different regions each region is has something special to offer the visitor.

© Visions of Switzerland