Rent a Car Switzerland - Geography Switzerland

The country's breathtaking scenery has drawn travellers since the early 1800s. Over 60% of the country is mountainous and a quarter of it is covered in forests providing stunning vistas in all directions.

Switzerland is landlocked by France, Germany, Liechtenstein, Austria and Italy. The Alps occupy the central and southern regions of the country and the Jura Mountains lie on the border with France in the north-east. The most visited and populated Alpine area is the central Bernese Oberland, which has picturesque peaks, valleys and mountainside villages. The most exhalted Alps are further south, where the small but crowded resort of Zermatt provides access to the country's most distinctive mountain, the Toblerone-peaked Matterhorn. The Dufour summit (4634m) of Monte Rosa is however the highest peak.

The climatic variations give rise to a broad spectrum of vegetation from palm trees in Ticino to alpine flora in the mountains. The most distinctive alpine animals being the ibex (mountain goat) and the chamois (horned antelope). Birdlife is on the decline with 81 species at present threatened with extinction.