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Kings of Spain: Europe

This federal republic of Central Europe lies between lat. 45° 50' and 47° 50′ N., and 5° 55' and 10° 30' E. long. On the N. it is bounded by Germany, E. by Austria, S. by Italy and France, and W. by France. Lying in the heart of Europe, it is the culminating point of the Continent, from which the land slopes in every direction towards the surrounding seas. Its greatest length is 210 m., and greatest breadth 140 m. There is no other section of Europe that presents such a broken and mountainous surface, the Alps covering the country throughout almost its entire extent. The principal groups of this mountain system may be classified as follows: The Pennine Alps, which separate the canton of Vallais from Upper Savoy on one side and Piedmont on the other; the Lepontine or Helvetian Alps, including the divergent Bernese Alps, on both sides of the Rhone, and separating Switzerland from Lombardy; the Rhætian Alps, beginning at Monte Bernardino and extending along the frontiers of Switzerland, Italy, and Tyrol. The Alpine region may be said to cover little less than 2/3 of the area of Switzerland, and while it is the poorest so far as the resources of man are concerned, it is by far the most characteristic portion of the country. The southern group of ranges, which divide the Italian waters from the northern, contains Mont Blanc, 15,781 ft. in height, and the culminating point of the continent. This range is noted for its picturesque peaks and its mighty glaciers, among which is the renowned Mer de Glace. The Pennine Alps extend between the valleys of the Rhone and the Val d'Aosta, the highest points being the Grand Combin, 14,170 ft.; the Matterhorn, 14,712 ft.; and Monte Rosa, 15,160 ft. This is the most massive of the Alpine groups, and from the centre, or the Gorner Grat, one can obtain a view of the surrounding peaks of a score of giant mountains lifting their heads from 13,000 to 15,000 ft. covered with snow, and with glaciers descending from their summits to the valleys below. The Rhætian Alps are the most extensive, irregular, and complicated. The northern chain separates the waters of the Rhine from those of the Inn and Danube. The Bernese Alps are the largest and most important of these groups, and contain in the Bernese-Oberland such peaks as the Wildhorn, 10,722 ft.; Finsteraarhorn, 14,130 ft.; and Jungfrau, 13,720 ft. These mountain ranges of Switzerland form natural divisions of the country, and have largely influenced the formation of political communities. Each forms the centre or the whole of one or more of the twelve Alpine cantons. The rivers of Switzerland, and in fact many of those of the continent generally, are fed by the immense glaciers which form on the Alpine summits of this country. The Rhine, the Rhone, the Aare, the Saane, Reuss, Ticino, Inn, Linth, Sarine, Emmen, and Thur, all receive the original supply of their volume from the glacier reservoirs. There are numerous waterfalls, some being among the most picturesque of the world. The lakes are many, and conspicuous for their great natural beauty of scenery. Among them are Bienne, Constance, Geneva, Zug, Maggiore, Luzern, Lugano, Zürich, Brienz, Thun, and Neuchâtel. On the slope of the Jura mountains, and in the Rhine, Rhone, Reuss, Limmat, and Thur valleys, much attengrown to a great extent. Agriculture is tion is paid to the cultivation of the vine. In some places the grape ripens at 2000 ft. above sea level. Flax and hemp are making material progress in the country. About 17 per cent. of the soil is covered with forests. Among the deciduous trees are the chestnut, walnut, oak, beech, spruce, and larch. All the fruits of temperate latitudes grow abundantly, while in the S. figs and olives flourish.