Due to the extreme differences in height from 195 m above sea level to over 4600 m Switzerland displays a great variety of climates with the corresponding plants and animals. While sitting under decorative palms growing in an almost Mediterranean climate along the shores of Lago Maggiore and Lake Lugano in southern Switzerland you may have a look at mountain peaks covered by eternal snow. Chamois and wild boar, hart, fox and bauson live in the forests, but sometimes they can even be seen at distances of a few hundred feet in the suburbs. The wild hare has become rare.

Issue date end of April 2014.