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On this page you will find interesting information about the geography and shape of Switzerland, as well as about people and facts associated with swisstopo.
You will also find articles from our annual publication «Folio». The various contributions deal with a different focus topic each year. «Folio» is published in paper form, as a downloadable PDF and in a more detailed version for the web.
Geoinformation for well-informed decisions
For the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport, the security of Switzerland and its population have top priority. Thus security is also a daily concern of the Federal Office of Topography: swisstopo supplies precise geographical data that is available to the authorities and the general public. This solid information base is essential for responding to current needs.
New Utility Cadastre for Secure Supply and Waste Disposal Networks
Under the ground, there is a dense network of pipes and cables. Until now, there has been no harmonised national database of these: supply and waste disposal networks in Switzerland are not uniformly documented and the relevant information is accessible to varying degrees. This makes planning work more difficult and increases the risk of damage to underground infrastructure.
"The solidarity was overwhelming"
Flooding, landslides, villages cut off: the storms in the Maggia Valley at the end of June 2024 claimed seven lives and imposed huge challenges on the response teams. Eleonora Pedrini-Pedroli and Mattia Soldati from the crisis unit of the Canton of Ticino take a look back.
Switzerland’s Borders – More Than Just a Line on the Map
The national border appears immovable and defines the scope of application for laws and responsibilities. But natural forces or construction projects sometimes require that the border be adjusted. These changes are not arbitrary but are part of a diplomatic process that contributes to Switzerland’s stability.
CO₂ storage in the subsoil: a climate protection project
A future-oriented pilot project is on the agenda in Trüllikon, Canton of Zurich: the Swiss government, under the lead of ETH Zurich, is testing whether CO2 can be safely stored underground in the former Nagra borehole. The first tests are scheduled for next year.
“In Crisis Situations, Geoinformation is at the Heart of Decision-Making Processes.”
Michael Lanini has been Head of the Institute for Military Geography (MilGeo) at swisstopo since 1 November 2024.
Continuity of swisstopo’s geoservices: an ongoing challenge
swisstopo regularly maintains the availability of its geoservices at a level of over 99% by relying on high-capacity infrastructure and automatically backing up its data in decentralised data centres.
swisstopo helps geothermal energy make a breakthrough
Heat generation accounts for 50 percent of national energy consumption and causes over 35 percent of our CO² emissions. To ensure a sustainable supply of heat and reduce dependency on foreign gas and oil, Switzerland depends on sources such as geothermal energy – heat from inside the Earth.
Providing the means to Act Against Drought
Periods of drought are becoming more intense and more frequent in Switzerland. They deplete water resources, weaken ecosystems, increase the risk of forest fires, threaten agriculture, and hinder navigation. To counter these growing risks, the Federal Council has mandated the creation and operation of a national monitoring and alert platform that combines meteorological, hydrological, and satellite data.
Ensuring the Supply of Mineral Raw Materials
In Switzerland, the consumption of mineral raw materials amounts to approximately 55 million tons per year, which is 6.2 tons per capita. These raw materials are widely used, particularly in transport infrastructure and construction.
Federal Office of Topography swisstopo
Seftigenstrasse 264
3084 Wabern