Geography - Mountains, Valleys & Lakes – Graubünden – Citizenship Test
Canton Graubünden dominates Switzerland's southeastern corner with spectacular Alpine geography. At 7'105 square kilometers, it's the country's largest canton - nearly one-fifth of Switzerland's total…
Canton Graubünden dominates Switzerland's southeastern corner with spectacular Alpine geography. At 7'105 square kilometers, it's the country's largest canton - nearly one-fifth of Switzerland's total area! This vast mountain territory contains 937 peaks, 150 valleys, and 615 lakes. From the towering Piz Bernina at 4'049 meters to the ancient city of Chur in the Rhine valley, from dramatic Alpine passes to crystal-clear mountain lakes, Graubünden showcases the Alps at their most magnificent.
Switzerland's Largest Canton
7'105 km² - Massive Size:
- 18% of Switzerland's total area
- Largest of 26 Swiss cantons
- Bigger than 87 sovereign countries worldwide
- 150km from north to south, 100km east to west
Population Density:
- Only ~200'000 residents (as of 2026)
- 28 people per km² (very low!)
- Most sparsely populated Swiss canton
- Compare: Zurich ~1'000 people per km²
Geographic Stats:
- 937 mountain peaks across canton
- 150 valleys carved by rivers and glaciers
- 615 lakes from small tarns to larger lakes
- 11 major Alpine passes connecting valleys
Why So Large?:
- Historical: Three Leagues controlled vast territory
- Mountainous: difficult to administer as smaller units
- Strategic: controlled important Alpine passes
- Cultural: diverse language areas needed unity
Highest Peak - Piz Bernina
Piz Bernina - 4'049 meters:
- Highest peak in Graubünden
- Highest peak in Eastern Alps
- Only 4'000m+ peak in canton
- Located on Italy-Switzerland border
- Glaciated summit
- Popular climbing destination
Bernina Massif:
- Mountain range in southeast Graubünden
- Includes many peaks above 3'800m
- Piz Palü (3'900m), Piz Roseg (3'937m)
- Shared with Italy
Bernina Pass (2'330m):
- Connects Engadine to Valtellina (Italy)
- Road pass (open in summer)
- Bernina Express railway crosses nearby
- Stunning mountain scenery
Chur - Switzerland's Oldest City
5'000+ Years of Settlement:
- Oldest continuously inhabited city in Switzerland
- Archaeological evidence dating back to 3'000 BC
- Roman settlement called "Curia Rhaetorum"
- Located strategically in Rhine valley
Capital of Graubünden:
- ~36'000 residents (largest city in canton)
- Cantonal government seat
- Economic and cultural center
- Bishop's seat since early Middle Ages
City Features:
- Car-free medieval old town
- Cathedral of the Assumption (Hofkirche)
- Roman ruins beneath the city
- Art Museum (Bündner Kunstmuseum)
- Rhine River flows through
Transport Hub:
- Major railway junction
- A13/E43 motorway connection
- Gateway to Engadine and southern valleys
Alpine Passes
11 Major Alpine Passes connect valleys:
Key Passes:
- Julier Pass (2'284m) - Chur to Engadine, open year-round
- Bernina Pass (2'330m) - Engadine to Italy (see above)
- Lukmanier Pass (1'916m) - to Ticino
- San Bernardino Pass (2'065m) - to Ticino (tunnel now used)
- Flüela Pass (2'383m) - Davos to Engadine
- Albula Pass (2'315m) - railway through tunnel
Historical Importance:
- Trade routes for centuries
- Connected northern and southern Europe
- Military strategic value
- Many now scenic tourist drives
- Some closed in winter (snow)
Graubünden is so mountainous that over 900 peaks rise within its borders! That's more peaks than many entire countries have. The canton's average elevation is one of the highest in Europe. Yet people have lived here continuously for over 5'000 years - proving that mountains are not barriers, but homes!
With 615 lakes, Graubünden has more lakes than many countries! The water in these mountain lakes is so pure that you can often drink directly from them (though authorities recommend treating it first). These range from tiny tarns high in the mountains to larger lakes like Lake Sils and Lake Silvaplana in the Engadine. The lakes reflect the stunning Alpine scenery like mirrors!
Remember Graubünden geography: 7'105 km² LARGEST (18% of Switzerland, 200k residents, 28/km² density), 937 peaks, 150 valleys, 615 lakes, 11 passes, Piz Bernina 4'049m (highest, only 4'000m+ peak, Eastern Alps), Chur (capital, 36k, oldest city 5'000+ years, car-free old town, Rhine valley), Julier, Bernina, Flüela passes. Mountains, water, history - spectacular Alpine canton!