Location:
Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy

Geographic coordinates:
47 00 N, 8 00 E

Map references:
Europe

Area:
total: 41,277 sq km
[see also: Area - total country ranks ]
land: 39,997 sq km
[see also: Area - land country ranks ]
water: 1,280 sq km
[see also: Area - water country ranks ]
country comparison to the world: 136

Area - comparative:
slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey
Area comparison map: slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey

Land boundaries:
total: 1,770 km
[see also: Land boundaries - total country ranks ]
border countries (5): Austria 158 km, France 525 km, Italy 698 km, Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 348 km

Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
[see also: Coastline country ranks ]

Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)

Climate:
temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers
More Climate Details

Terrain:
mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes

Elevation:
mean elevation: 1,350 m
[see also: Elevation - mean elevation country ranks ]
elevation extremes: lowest point: Lake Maggiore 195 m highest point: Dufourspitze 4,634 m

Natural resources:
hydropower potential, timber, salt

Land use:
agricultural land: 38.7% arable land 10.2%; permanent crops 0.6%; permanent pasture 27.9%
[see also: Land use - agricultural land country ranks ]
forest: 31.5%
[see also: Land use - forest country ranks ]
other: 29.8% (2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - other country ranks ]

Irrigated land:
630 sq km (2012)
[see also: Irrigated land country ranks ]

Population - distribution:
population distribution corresponds to elevation with the northern and western areas far more heavily populated; the higher Alps of the south limit settlement

Natural hazards:
avalanches, landslides; flash floods

Environment - current issues:
air pollution from vehicle emissions and open-air burning; acid rain; water pollution from increased use of agricultural fertilizers; loss of biodiversity

Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Geography - note:
landlocked; crossroads of northern and southern Europe; along with southeastern France, northern Italy, and southwestern Austria, has the highest elevations in the Alps