Geography of Switzerland: capital, area and cantons
An area of 41,285 km², 26 cantons, no official capital but Bern as the federal city: the geography of Switzerland explained simply.
Switzerland covers 41,285 km² in the heart of Europe, with no access to the sea. It borders five countries: France, Germany, Italy, Austria and Liechtenstein.
Does Switzerland have a capital?
Officially, no: the Constitution designates no capital. Bern is the “federal city” — home to the government, Parliament and administration — but it does not hold the legal status of a capital, a choice that reflects the federalist balance between cantons.
The 26 cantons
Switzerland is a federation of 26 cantons, each with its own constitution, government and taxes. The largest is Graubünden, the most populous Zurich, and the smallest by area Basel-Stadt. Three major regions shape the country: the Jura, the Plateau (home to most of the population) and the Alps.
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Area | 41,285 km² |
| Highest point | Dufourspitze, 4,634 m |
| Largest lake | Lake Geneva |
| Neighbouring countries | 5 |
| Cantons | 26 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Switzerland?
Switzerland has no official capital. Bern is the “federal city” and hosts the government and Parliament.
What is the area of Switzerland?
About 41,285 km², a large part of which is mountains (the Alps and the Jura).
How many cantons does Switzerland have?
26 cantons, each with its own constitution, government and taxation.
Related reading
- Population of Switzerland: how many inhabitants and what demographics?
Switzerland has around 8.96 million inhabitants (end of 2023). Population, density, languages, share of foreign residents and the most populous cities — the key figures explained.
- The largest cities in Switzerland: Zurich, Geneva, Basel…
Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Lausanne, Bern: the ranking of Switzerland's largest cities by population, and why the urban area changes everything.
- The Swiss political system: Federal Council, Parliament, cantons
A seven-member government, a two-chamber Parliament, 26 cantons and direct democracy: how the Swiss political system really works.
- The languages of Switzerland: four languages and the Röstigraben
German, French, Italian, Romansh: the four national languages, the language regions and that cultural divide known as the Röstigraben.
- Swiss public transport: the SBB and a renowned network
SBB, a dense network, punctuality, the Half-Fare and travelpass: how Swiss public transport works, among the most used in the world.
- The 26 Swiss cantons: the full list with capitals
The list of the 26 Swiss cantons with their abbreviation and capital, and what makes the canton the real building block of federalism.
- The climate of Switzerland: four seasons and sharp contrasts
A temperate but highly contrasted climate depending on altitude and region: the Plateau, the Alps, Ticino, the role of the foehn and the retreat of the glaciers.