Switzerland is a landlocked country in the heart of Europe. It has a strategic location at the crossroads of central Europe with many easily traversable passes.
Switzerland is geographically divided between the Alps, the Central Plateau and the Jura that yields a total area of 41,285 sq km (15,940 sq mi). Approximately 100 peaks are close to or higher than 4000 meters (13125 feet) above sea level. Many mountain areas are developed and there are trains, cog railways, aerial cable cars and other means of transportation. Swiss mountains are famous for climbing, skiing, snowboarding, biking, hiking and other recreational activities.
The Swiss population of approximately 7.8 million people concentrates mostly on the Plateau, where the largest cities are to be found. Among them are the two global cities and economic centres of Zurich and Geneva.