Regions of Switzerland - Land Use

Land Use

Land use
Main areas Surface
(in %)
Land use Surface
(in ha)
Surfaces of housing and infrastructure
6.8
Building areas 137,564
Industrial areas 20,233
Special infrastructure areas 16,111
Green spaces and recreation areas 15,860
Transportation areas 89,329
Agricultural land
36.9
Orchards, vineyards, horticulture 60,956
Arable land, local pastures 926,378
Alpine pastures 537,802
Forests
30.8
Forest 1,102,160
Scrub forests 60,514
Other woodlands 108,978
Unproductive areas
25.5
Lakes 142,234
Rivers 31,724
Unproductive vegetation 263,051
Unvegetated surfaces 615,597

The Swiss territory is divided into four major types of land use. As of 2001, 36.9% of the land in Switzerland was used for farming. 30.8% of the country is covered with forests and woodlands, with an additional 6.8% covered with houses or buildings. About one-fourth (25.5%) of the country is either mountains, lakes or rivers and is categorised as unproductive.

Read more about this topic:  Regions Of Switzerland

Famous quotes containing the word land:

    I’m right here to tell you, mister. There ain’t nobody gonna push me off my land. My grandpa took up this land seventy years ago. My pa was born here. We was all born on it. And some of us was killed on it. And some of us died on it. That’s what makes it ourn. Bein’ born on it. And workin’ on it. And dyin’ on it. And not no piece of paper with writin’ on it.
    Nunnally Johnson (1897–1977)

    A land of meanness, sophistry and mist.
    Each breeze from foggy mount and marshy plain
    Dilutes with drivel every drizzly brain.
    George Gordon Noel Byron (1788–1824)