Google Wonders of the World Project Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch

History of your site Vegetation and fauna are representative of the Alps and vary by slope, aspect and elevation. The scenic and aesthetic appeal is one of the most dramatic in the Alps, as evidenced by the long history of international visitation. Above the timberline are extensive areas of rhododendron scrub, alpine grassland and tundra vegetation and, on the xeric southern slopes, steppe grassland. The geology of the site derives from the 'Helvetic nappe' (a large body of rock that was thrust over younger rock in Europe during the Miocene epoch). The formation was a result of tectonic forces that caused the plates to shift their positions. These plates are still moving today, but at very slow speeds, around a millimeter a year.

All About The Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch Location: Switzerland, Europe Theme: Regions & Landscapes, Wonders of Nature

Interesting Facts about your site Even though less than 15% of the Alps lie within Switzerland, it’s the country that people most closely associate with the Alps. The Alps cover 65% of Switzerland’s surface area (41,285 km²), however, Switzerland covers only 14% of the Alps total area (192,753 km²) The highest summit in the Swiss Alps is Monte Rosa at 4,634 meters (15,202 ft) on the Swiss-Italian border. The highest mountain which lies entirely in Swiss territory is the Dom at 4,545 meters (14,911 ft). The Haute Route, a popular trekking route from Chamonix to Zermatt, passes the twelve highest peaks in the Alps along the way. Walking and hiking is a way of life in Switzerland. The average Swiss person takes 9650 steps a day (nearly 5 miles) while the average American takes just 5117 steps a day–only about 2.5 miles.

Switzerland has a 62,000 km network of walking trails, of which 23,000 are located in mountainous areas. The Klein Matterhorn, near Zermatt, is the highest summit of the European continent to be served by cable car. The elevation of the cable car terminal is 3820m (12,533 feet). Even though less than 15% of the Alps lie within Switzerland, it’s the country that people most closely associate with the Alps

References UNESCO http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1037 UNESCO Gallery http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1037/gallery/ National Geographic http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/traveler-magazine/photo-contest/2012/entries/132288/view/ Google http://www.google.com/intl/en/culturalinstitute/worldwonders/jungfrau-aletsch/ Google Info http://www.google.com/intl/en/culturalinstitute/worldwonders/jungfrau-aletsch/#tab=details&ql=1 ALPEN WILD http://www.alpenwild.com/swiss-alps ANGELS ABOUT http://angels.about.com/od/MiraclesPopularCulture/tp/Famous-Miracle-Dogs-In-History.htm