LocationCentral Europe, east of France, north of Italy Geographic coordinates47 00 N, 8 00 E Map referencesEurope Areatotal: 41,277 sq km Area - comparativeslightly less than twice the size of New Jersey Land boundariestotal: 1,852 km Coastline0 km (landlocked) Maritime claimsnone (landlocked) Climatetemperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers Terrainmostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes Elevation extremeslowest point: Lake Maggiore 195 m Natural resourceshydropower potential, timber, salt Land usearable land: 9.91% Irrigated land250 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources53.3 cu km (2005) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)total: 2.52 cu km/yr (24%/74%/2%) Natural hazardsavalanches, landslides; flash floods Environment - current issuesair pollution from vehicle emissions and open-air burning; acid rain; water pollution from increased use of agricultural fertilizers; loss of biodiversity Environment - international agreementsparty 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 Geography - notelandlocked; crossroads of northern and southern Europe; along with southeastern France, northern Italy, and southwestern Austria, has the highest elevations in the Alps |
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Source: CIA World Factbook | |
