Switzerland is a landlocked state in Central Europe renowned for being one of the most luxurious travel destinations in the world. The country boasts incredible scenery, great food and drinks, and some of the best art, architecture, and design of any place in the world.
The country houses numerous lakes and quaint villages that are a must to explore. Plus, its ski resorts and hiking trails all offer views of the breathtaking Alps.
It is a small country with a modest population living in thriving cities and picturesque villages. Switzerland is a special place for writers, photographers, artists, and outdoor sports enthusiasts.
One of the cities of Switzerland, Geneva, is the headquarters of the United Nations (UN).
I’m sure you have heard about Swiss watches, bags and chocolates, well this is where you buy the authentic Swiss products of your choice.
It’s also known as one of the safest destinations to travel in the world. In addition, English is widely spoken in Switzerland along with German, Italian, French, and Italian, so you may not have a problem with communication.
This country has a low rate of violent crime; however, petty crimes like theft and pickpockets may exist. Therefore, you must stay vigilant at all times while visiting popular tourist sites and keep your belongings close.
Geography
France borders Switzerland to the west, whereas Germany bounds the country to the north, Austria and Liechtenstein to the east, and Italy to the south.
It has a variety of landscapes, of which some are the world’s most unusual. Plus, the country is a source of many major rivers such as the Rhone River, Rhine River, Ticino River, and the Po River.
Switzerland’s soils have gray-brown podzolic soils and brown forest soils.
Climate
The climate of Switzerland is affected by four major European climates.
The cold, dry air from the North Arctic, continental air from the East, and moist and warm air from the Mediterranean mix over Switzerland to produce weather patterns that change according to the air masses.
Rainfall in Switzerland increases with altitude.
Best time to visit Switzerland
The best time to travel to this country is from June to August.
These months are when the weather is best, and you can explore the snow-free alpine trails.
However, if you’re planning to ski, visit the country during the winter months of mid-January to mid-March.
Nature and Wildlife
The four climatic regions influence the vegetation in Switzerland. Exposure to the sun also affects the vegetation in the Alpine valleys.
It has beeches and oak forests in the maritime west and hornbeam and larch trees in the continental east. In addition, you can find spruce forests in the northern subalpine region, whereas chestnut groves are abundant in the south.
Alpine species dominate the animal life of Switzerland. However, you can also find a mix of southern and north-central European species in this country.
You can find animals like marmots, chamois, and herds of ibex in the Alpine areas whereas, the forests houses deer, foxes, rabbits, squirrels, and badgers.
It is also an excellent place for birdwatching as you can see varieties of birds.
