Alps, Glaciers & Four-thousanders
The Alps cover 60% of Switzerland's land area and are the defining feature of the country. Switzerland has 48 four-thousanders — more than any other Alpine country. The highest:
- Dufourspitze (Monte Rosa): 4,634 m — highest peak in Switzerland
- Dom: 4,545 m — highest mountain entirely on Swiss soil
- Matterhorn: 4,478 m — the most famous, but not the highest
- Jungfrau: 4,158 m — the "Top of Europe" (highest railway station at 3,454 m)
- Eiger: 3,967 m — the legendary North Face (1,800 m vertical)
Retreating Glaciers
Switzerland has around 1,400 glaciers — but they are shrinking dramatically. The Great Aletsch Glacier (23 km, UNESCO) has lost over 3 kilometers in length and 300 meters in thickness since 1850. Scientists estimate that by 2100 only 10–20% of today's ice volume might remain. The Rhone Glacier in Valais is already being covered with white sheets to slow the melting — a desperate and iconic sight.
For travelers, this means: The glacier world you see today will look significantly different in 20–30 years. A visit is also a call to action.
188 Lakes
Switzerland has over 1,500 lakes (188 of them larger than 0.05 km²) — from the vast Lake Geneva (580 km², largest Alpine lake) to the fjord-like Lake Lucerne to emerald-green mountain lakes like Oeschinensee, Bachalpsee, and Caumasee. Most lakes have drinking water quality.
