Countries around the world are known for many things. Some are famous for their history while others are known for their natural beauty and that is how their nicknames come to existence. One such country is called the Playground of Europe, and it is an extraordinary title which is earned through its natural beauty, the centuries of adventure and almost magical abilities to offer something remarkable to every visitor.
Let’s find out which country is called the Playground of Europe and the reasons behind this title.
Which Country is Known as the Playground of Europe?
The answer is Switzerland, and the story behind this famous nickname is as exciting as the country itself.
The nickname has a very deep history. Sir Leslie Stephen (1832-1904) was an English writer, critic and mountaineer. An enthusiastic mountaineer, Stephen was one of the first presidents of the Alpine Club, and spent years in the ascents to the mighty Alps of Switzerland.
The Playground of Europe (1871), where he commemorated his own early adventures on the Alps, and it was an immediate best-seller in the history of mountaineering literature.
It was due to Stephen that this nickname became quite famous and Switzerland still wears it proudly.
The Geography That Earns the Title
Switzerland is a small, landlocked nation that is centrally located in Europe, and it has a fantastic variety of diversity within its borders. As per About Switzerland EDA, the Alps cover almost two-thirds of the country. The website mentions: “The Alps cover two thirds of the country, but only a fraction of the population lives there. Switzerland also shares its borders with five countries and has 6% of Europe's freshwater reserves.”
Further, there are 1500 lakes and the glaciers cover approximately 1000 km2 of Switzerland's territory.
There are a total 82 peaks in the Alps out of which 48 are above 4000 metre. The Matterhorn, the Eiger and the Jungfrau are icons that are symbols of the grandeur of the alps all over the world. The Greater Aletsch Glacier is the biggest and longest glacier in the Alps. Further the Jungfrau Region around it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001.
The UNESCO mentions: “The extension of the natural World Heritage property of Jungfrau - Aletsch - Bietschhorn (first inscribed in 2001), expands the site to the east and west, bringing its surface area up to 82,400 ha., up from 53,900. The site provides an outstanding example of the formation of the High Alps, including the most glaciated part of the mountain range and the largest glacier in Eurasia.”
Getting There Is Half the Adventure
What makes Switzerland stand out is the ease with which a visitor can reach the most spectacular spots in Switzerland. Public transport can practically take you to every mountain village possible be it rail, bus, or a cable car.
The majority of mountainous areas are reachable within one to three hours of the major cities in Switzerland.
The world has been proving Leslie Stephen right for the past 150 years, since he published the Playground of Europe, in 1871. Switzerland is the actual Playground of Europe since it contains a blend of both geological diversity, cultural heritage and recreational prospects, that captures the imagination and interest of tourists all over the world.
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