Info 2015

Good maps for better decisions

knowing where

swisstopo

Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft Confédération suisse Confederazione Svizzera Confederaziun svizra

Swiss Confederation

Federal Office of Topography swisstopo www.swisstopo.ch Maps with future

The printed map has a future and celebrates successes in digital­ version. Much has changed since the publication of the first ­printed map of the country in 1845. Cartographic ­contents in digital applications have become indispen­ sable companions in many situations, both professionally and privately, and affect our decisions. swisstopo moves with the times, so that you know, today and in the future, where to.

Index

Reliable bases for planning and development 4

Navigation on all paths – and off them 6

Exploitation and protection do not contradict each other 8

Safety requires clarity 10

The knowledge under our feet 12

In maps we read the time 14 Mission

Reliable bases for planning and development

Geographic information provides modern states with the essential foundations for planning and development. In the early days of the Confederation, maps helped 672.5 690 707.5 2 2 2 1 302 to define the political1 302 structure, and to visualize the geographic area. Nowadays, they provide1011 1012 the geographic infrastructure to represent the spatial connections of Beggingen Singen 725 742.5 2 2 1 290 ­numerous interest groups. 1 290 1031 1032 1033 1034 760 602.5 620 637.5 655 Neunkirch Diessenhofen Steckborn Kreuzlingen 2 2 2 2 2 1 278 1 278 1047 1048 1049 1050 1051 1052 1053Impartial1054 and independent1055 550 567.5 585 Rheinfelden Laufenburg Bad Zurzach Eglisau Andelfingen Frauenfeld Weinfelden Romanshorn 777.5 2 2 2 2 1 266 Geographic information, and maps 1in266 particular, are often used as tools to 1064 1065 1066 1067 1068 1069 1070 1071 1072 1073shape public1074 opinion.1075 Hence,1076 the protection from any form of abuse must be Montbéliard Bonfol Rodersdorf Arlesheim Sissach Frick Baden Bülach Winterthur Wil Bischofszell Rorschach St. Margrethen 1 254 a priority. The State fulfils an important1 254 duty in mandating swisstopo to 1084 1085 1086 1087 1088 1089 1090 1091 1092 1093 1094 1095 1096 Damvant St-Ursanne Delémont Passwang Hauenstein Aarau Wohlen Zürich Uster Hörnli­provide Degersheimimpartial andGais independentDiepoldsau foundations. The official products are the 1 242 1 242 property of . They are free of advertisements and based on 1104 1105 1106 1107 1108 1109 1110 1111 1112 1113 1114 1115 1116

532.5 Albis Stäfa 2 Saignelégier Bellelay Moutier Balsthal Murgenthal Schöftland Hitzkirch Rickenthe law onNesslau geoinformation,Säntis Feldkirch which dictates transparently and comprehensibly 1 230 1 230 1123 1124 1125 1126 1127 1128 1129 1130 1131 1132 1133which services1134 swisstopo1135 is bound1136 to provide. The law also establishes the Buchs Drei Schwestern 795 812.5 830 Le Russey Les Bois Büren a. A. Solothurn Langenthal Sursee Hochdorf Zug Einsiedeln Linthebene 2 2 2 1 218 ­requirements for accessing and using geodata. 1 218 1143 1144 1145 1146 1147 1148 1149 1150 1151 1152 1153 1154 1155 1156 1157 1159 515 Lyss Burgdorf Sumiswald Wolhusen 836.75

2 Le Locle Val de Ruz Bielersee Luzern Rigi Ibergeregg Klöntal Spitzmeilen Sargans Schesaplana Sulzfluh Ischgl 2 1 206 Avers is as important as 1 206 1162 1163 1164 1165 1166 1167 1168 1169 1170 1171 1172 1173 1174 1175 1176 1177 1178 1179

Murten The is very diverse. It includes a densely populated847.5 Les Verrières Travers Neuchâtel Morat Worb Langnau i. E. Schüpfheim Alpnach Beckenried Muotathal Linthal Elm Vättis Schiers Serneus Gross Litzner Samnaun 2 1 194 central plateau, as well as lonesome and wild mountain valleys. Some people1 194 1182 1183 1184 1185 1186 1187 1188 1189 1190 1191 1192 1193 1194 1195 1196 1197 1198 1199 1199 bis

497.5 Ste-Croix Grandson Payerne Fribourg Schwarzenburg Münsingen Eggiwil Sörenberg Melchtal Engelberg Schächental Tödi Flims Reichenau Davos Silvretta Scuol 2 Freiburg value the timely and accurate representation of the new developments in 1 182 1 182 1201 1202 1203 1204 1205 1206 1207 1208 1209 1210 1211 1212 1213the agglomeration.1214 1215 Others rely1216 on the1217 path given1218 on the 1219map to find1219 bis their way Mouthe Orbe Yverdon-les-B. Romont Rossens Guggisberg Beatenberg Brienz Innertkirchen Meiental Amsteg Trun Ilanz Thusis Filisur Scalettapass Zernez S-charl Glurns ⁄ Glorenza 1 170 in the fog. The people’s demands for good maps are legitimate, and the 1 170 1221 1222 1223 1224 1225 1226 1227 1228 1229 1230 1231 1232 1233same everywhere.1234 swisstopo1235 1236 ensures the1237 availability1238 of uniformly1239 123high9 bis-quality 480 Le Sentier Cossonay Echallens Moudon Gruyères Boltigen Lauterbrunnen swisstopoGrindelwald ensuresGuttannen consistentUrseren Oberalppass Greina Vals Andeer Savognin Albulapass Piz Quattervals Sta. Maria Müstair 2 1 158 maps covering the entire country, in digital and printed form. 1 158 and comprehensive coverage 1240 1241 1242 1243 1244 1245 1246 1247 1248 1249 1250 1251 1252 1253 1254 1255 1256 1257 1258 830 2 847.5

Les Rousses Marchairuz Morges Châtel-St-Denis Château-d'Oex Zweisimmen Adelboden Mürren ofFinsteraarhorn SwitzerlandUlrichen with highVal Bedretto- Ambrì-Piotta Olivone Hinterrhein Splügenpass Bivio St. Moritz La Stretta 2 1 146 1 146 quality maps, in print and 1260 1261 1262 1263 1264 1265 1266 1267 1268 1269 1270 1271 1272 1273 1274 1275 1276 1277 1278 Col de la Faucille Nyon Thonon-les-B. Évian-les-B. Les Mosses Lenk Gemmi Lötschental digitalAletschgletscher format.Binntal Basòdino P. Campo Tencia Biasca Campodolcino La Rösa 1 134 1 134 1280 1281 1284 1285 1286 1287 1288 1289 1290 1291 1292 1293 1294 1296 1298 532.5

Gex Coppet 2 Monthey Les Diablerets St-Léonard Sierre Raron Brig Helsenhorn Bosco ⁄ Gurin Maggia Osogna Grono Sciora Lago di Poschiavo 1 122 1 122 1 122 1 122

1300 1301 1304 1305 1306 1307 1308 1309 1311 1312 1313 1314 760 795 2 2 777.5 812.5

Chancy Genève Val-d'Illiez Dent de Morcles Sion Vissoie St. Niklaus Simplon Comologno Passo San Jorio 2 2 1 110 1 110 1 110

480 515 1324 1325 1326 1327 1328 1329 1332 1333 1334 2 2 672.5 497.5 2 2 Barberine Sembrancher Rosablanche Evolène Randa Saas Brissago Tesserete Porlezza 1 098 1 098 1344 1345 1346 1347 1348 1349 1352 1353 Col de Balme Orsières Chanrion Monte Moro Luino 1 086 1 086 620 655 690 550 1365 1366 1373 1374 2 2 637.5 2 2

Gd St-Bernard Mont Vélan 2 Como © swisstopo 1 074 1 074 585 725 2 2 567.5 602.5 707.5 742.5 2 2 2 Did you know that2 … … the first Dufour map – the first official map of Switzerland – cost the equiva­ lent of today’s 80 francs? The printed national map, as its successor, presently costs 14 francs. Under www.map.geo.admin.ch the map clippings can even be printed for free.

4 Mission

Quality has its price If the existent geodata were lost, their replacement would cost over 5 billion  francs. This is a tremendous value. swisstopo maps are part of this “treasure”, since many products and applications depend on these bases, and those ­responsible rely upon them. The debate over whether the users of geographic information and infrastructure should be charged – and if so, how much – is on-going. Politics will decide whether in the future the offer shall be freely available, or whether some uses shall continue to be paid for. Surely, ­appropriate founding must be secured, in order to maintain the value and quality of our geographic infrastructure.

Official information centralized Times are changing. While in the past swisstopo itself collected many map data, today the network of official data is paramount. Efficiency requires that data are collected only once, by the most competent body. They are then ­integrated over interfaces into the swisstopo products. This saves time and resources, and ensures high quality. Via geo-services and standardized The distribution channels ­interfaces, swisstopo maps are now easily integrated into websites and are becoming more diverse. ­geographic information systems. ­Online services are rapidly growing in significance along Competition spurs! with trade. Not every public interest is equated with a public duty. swisstopo maps often serve as a basis to fulfil the needs of the private sector. swisstopo exerts ­restraint whenever tasks beyond the official services are already adequately met by private institutions. Innovation is part of the business: motivated and competent employees make sure that swisstopo is represented on the market with innovative and success­ ful solutions, which become standard. Through swisstopo participation in the competition, products are continuously questioned, customers’ needs are ­taken into account, and trends are identified.

HINT: Free geodata! Even today, many swisstopo geodata are digitally available for free under www.swisstopo.ch / freegeodata.

5 Principles

Navigation on all paths – and off them

When it matters, compromises are out of the question. swisstopo maps are unique in their richness of detail. The new model and high-precision elevation models ­ensure that the maps’ precision keeps pace with technological progress (e.g. satellite navigation for everyone). Thus, maps are not only beautiful and detailed, but also ­accurate.

The better the bases, the better the maps The aerial images SWISSIMAGE, which are flown and rectified by swisstopo ­itself, have a ground resolution of 0.25 – 0.5 meters. They were used to create the elevation ­model swissALTI3D and the landscape model swissTLM3D, with a precision and content comparable to that of a 1: 5 000 map. It covers the whole of Switzerland and have, for well-defined objects such as roads and buildings, a position and elevation accuracy of 0.2 – 1.5 meters. Around eight 1 million objects are included, with their ­location and shape, the associated ­object type, and many other attributes. The maps of the latest generation are directly derived from the model, and contain much information for digital use. This ensures that data are captured only once and used repeatedly. The production of the map is automated where possible. The cartographer focuses on the matters that are not solved by the systems. The graphic eye is still essential to ensure that the unique ­quality of the maps is preserved. 2 To generalize is an art Different scales cover individual needs. Maps are interpreted and simplified representations of reality – in the branch jargon: generalized. They help us to gain an improved understanding of spatial relationships – simply put, to ­handle topography in handy entities. The continuous sequence of scales and the consistent representation, ­regardless of the scale, are quality characteristics that set swisstopo maps apart, and will continue to do so in the future. 3

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Product development process: HINT: Report improvements online! 1 Aerial view SWISSIMAGE swisstopo cannot immediately take into account all changes. 2 Landscape model swissTLM 3D Report changes and improvements, so that they can be 3 National map 1: 25 000 incorporated into the products. It is easily done online under 4 National map 1: 50 000 www.swisstopo.ch /revision. 5 National map 1: 100 000

6 Application: Hiking

Hiking is officially a popular sport Switzerland is arguably the only country in the world, in which hiking is laid down in the Constitution (Art. 88), and governed by a law (Federal Act on Footpaths and Hiking Trails). 30 per cent of the resident population enjoys ­hiking. 75 per cent uses the hiking trail network for further activities. 90 per cent of the hikers are satisfied or very satisfied with the quality of the trail net­ work, according to a survey by the Federal Roads Office. Maps in digital and printed form are an important component of planning and executing a hike.

Swiss hiking trails and swisstopo: partners for over thirty years In 1982, Swiss hiking trails and swisstopo entered a partnership for the ­publication of products with maps. The lasting co-operation ensures that the products are developed further and continuously adjusted to the needs of ­hikers. For the first time, the national maps 1: 25 000 of the newest generation fulfil the users’ wish for a distinct representation of trails with and without hard-surface pavement. Thus, thanks to swisstopo maps, hikers always find the right way.

Digital applications add value to printed maps – map sheet-independent use, and additional information such as 3D views with mountain names. Milestones 1982 The first hiking map 266 T alleV Leventina 1: 50 000 is published 2005 The hiking routes in digital form appear in the Swiss Map 2007 The maps cover the whole of Switzerland 2008 The SwitzerlandMobility routes are integrated 2009 The hiking routes become mobile with Swiss Map Mobile 2010 To mark the 75th anniversary of Swiss hiking trails, “Plan & go” introduces a combination of hiking map and CD of a region 2010 Swiss Map Mobile introduces the voice­supported navigation along hiking trails 2013 The first hiking maps are printed on waterproof, tear­resistant paper in a scale of 1: 33 333 2014 On the new National Maps 1: 25 000, routes are labelled according to surface – asphalt or natural surface

7 Application: Winter sports

Exploitation and protection do not contradict each other

Switzerland is a densely populated small country: 8 million inhabitants occupy an area of approximately 40 000 square kilometres. Conflicts of interest easily arise in ­confined spaces. Maps provide an important contribution to transparent planning and decision-making, to the control of measures, and the implementation of legal ­requirements.

Winter sports in Switzerland are booming. This has advantages and disadvantages We are not alone in the mountains: the winter landscape is claimed by both wildlife and sportsmen. With the advent and diffusion of trendy disciplines such as snowshoeing, animals are increasingly put under pressure, since they depend on undisturbed refuges. It becomes thus increasingly important to ­reconcile exploitation and protection. To that purpose, the cantons, in collabo­ 1 ration with the Federal Office for the Environment, set aside wildlife quiet zones and wildlife protection areas. They are marked on the swisstopo winter sports maps and on the wildlife quiet zones portal on the internet.

Committed to winter sports: SwissSki, SAC and swisstopo For 60 years SwissSki, SAC and swisstopo have been pledging their common support for safe and environmentally sustainable winter sports. Off-piste tours require not only a high degree of personal responsibility and adequate equip­ 2 ment, but also reliable maps, when markings and trails are buried under the snow, and threaten the safety. 1 Clipping portal wildlife The routes on swisstopo maps are provided by experienced local mountain quiet zone on the internet guides. All the routes are tested with respect to their environmental 2 Clipping snowshoe and ski ­sustainability. Fine-tuned interactions between the involved partners ensure tour map 1: 50 000 that the current maps provide the inspiration for winter activities in time for the start of the season.

Milestones 1950 The first ski route map 283 S Arolla 1: 50 000 is published 2000 The slopes are integrated into the ski route map 2000 The “Ski route map” becomes the “Ski tour map” 2005 The first ski tour map with protected areas is published 2008 The ski tours are published digitally on Swiss Map online 2012 The maps are published as “Snowshoe and ski tour maps”, newly including snowshoe routes 2015 Maps are printed on waterproof paper

8 Linking official data

No maps, no planning swisstopo maps are used by other public institu­ tions as a reference on which to build further data. It is essential that swisstopo ensures the long-term provision of these bases, in depen­ dable quality and consistent representation. Citizens can easily obtain freely available infor­ mation about topics of interest from the federal geoportal and other specialized portals of ­various federal institutions, and generate map displays accordingly. Thus, any user of the territory can easily and rapidly gain first insights into planning. The 1 ­offer is diverse, ranging from risk representation (e.g. earthquake preparedness), to the protec­ tion of animals and plants, to information about historical heritage and traffic routes.

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1 Clipping inventory of ­historical traffic routes of Switzerland 2 Clipping earthquake ­preparedness

HINT: Geodata and protected areas! The federal geodata portal under www.map.geo.admin.ch contains a wealth of information. Current information about the wildlife quiet zones are found under www.wildruhezonen.ch.

9 Application: Orientation on the ground and in the air

Safety requires clarity

The Dufour map, published between 1845 and 1865, first made the geographic and political territory of Switzerland tangible. With its homogeneous representation, it became a symbol of the modern state founded in 1848. Today, swisstopo maps characterize sovereign duties of the federal government, and at the same time ­include elements that fall within the responsibility of the cantons.

Safety on the ground Boundaries define the national territory. Public institutions, the private industry and the public must be clear about the position and the course of boundaries – even in complex situations. swisstopo is responsible for surveying the ­national borders, and makes sure that they are unambiguously marked in the maps. Coordinates define the boundary points and enable the determination of unique points in a map. This ensures that everyone knows where to, not only in emergencies.

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Safety in the air The airspace over Switzerland is heavily ­trafficked, and thus requires a clear regulatory framework, which coordinates private, ­commercial and military flight plans. The official air traffic maps are produced, ­updated and published by swisstopo in co-operation with the Federal Office of 2 Civil Aviation.

1 Clipping national map 1: 100 000 2 Clipping national map 1: 500 000

HINT: New coordinates for Switzerland Information about the new coordinates is given under www.swisstopo.ch / lv95.

10 The names: link between Confederation and cantons

Names are where the home is – and a lot more ­besides! Geographical names are important parts of a map. They are often key when it comes to orientating oneself in the landscape. On a map, they are divided into place names, area names, names of bodies of water, etc. and their ­importance is indicated in different fonts. In this digital age, people usually search using a known place name. The orthography, on the other hand, is determined by the cantonal nomenclature commissions. 1 swisstopo coordinates the task to ensure unambiguous place names. Recommendations are submitted to the commissions, in order that existing names are changed only in well-grounded cases. If, for example, the name of a municipality is changed as the result of an amalgama­ tion, this requires approval from the municipal, cantonal and federal authorities. Following publication in the Swiss Federal Gazette, the map is amended by swisstopo.

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1 Clipping from the “Topo­ graphic Map of Switzerland” 1: 100 000 (Dufour map) sheet 2 Clipping national map Did you know that … 1: 100 000 … Switzerland’s “highest peak” was renamed “” in 1863, as the Federal Council decided to honour the contribution of general Guillaume-­ Henri Dufour to the creation of the “Topographic Map of Switzerland” in the scale 1: 100 000. … In 2014, the “Ostspitze” was renamed the “Dunantspitze” by the Swiss Federal Council to commemorate the 150 th anniversary of the Red Cross and to honour its founder, Henry Dunant.

11 Application: Geology for professionals

The knowledge under our feet

Geological principles are increasingly important for the exploitation, planning, and ­design of our environment. Anyone familiar with the geological past can better plan the future. Information in map form makes geological findings comprehensible on a visual level and is also always at hand when out and about.

Foundations as a contribution to safety As an alpine country, Switzerland is exposed to numerous natural hazards. swisstopo’s maps help to assess these hazards and ensure sustainable spatial development. Risk areas such as slated layers of rock can be integrated with slopes extracted from the Digital Terrain Model to identify potential slide areas. In this way, geological knowledge helps to protect human lives and properties.

1 Sustainable drinking water supply In Switzerland, every year nearly 1 billion cubic meter of drinking water are used. Basic geological information is an important basis for the sustainable supply of the country with qualitatively flawless drinking water. The hydro­ geological and geological maps, data and models provide professionals with ­important information on the spatial extent of groundwater resources, as well as on their quality. They support the establishment of catchments and ­protected areas that are to ensure long-lasting exploitation. 2 Billions in return from mineral raw materials Knowledge about the historically exploited earth’s treasures, which have ­accumulated underground through geological processes that occurred over millions of years, spurred the development of the first geological maps. ­Professionals use geological maps, drill cores and rock analyses to spatially ­delimit potential mining sites in the search for abundant occurrences of ­resources. This information also allows Switzerland to meet its needs for rock and clay, primarily through domestic quarries. 3

1 Clipping from the digital terrain model (DTM) of Montana 2 Clipping from the ­geological map of ­Montana with potential areas 3 Clipping from the ­hydrogeological map HINT: Geology portal Further information on many geological topics is provided under ­ www.geologyportal.ch.

12 Application: Geology for everyone

Raising awareness of geology With unusual maps, a wide audience can be reached and made aware of specific geological topics. For example, the ice age map shows Switzerland during the last glacial maximum about 24 000 years ago. The topic is timely – for how long will persist is a much debated issue both among specialists and the ­public. Glaciers are not disappearing overnight – but on the map the changes documented by the tracking ­systems look impressive.

1 Thematic maps are of interest to laymen as well Geological maps are primarily intended for experts. In ­order to make them accessible to non-specialists, they need to be simplified and explained, best by using ­practical application examples, and by incorporating ­geological information into Leisure Maps. The first hiking and geology map 5080 “Tectonic Arena Sardona” draws attention to interesting geological phenomena along ­hiking trails using vivid examples. Thanks to the trans-disciplinary cooperation within ­swisstopo, the geological and the thematic maps conti­ nuously evolve.

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1 Clipping from the map of the Last Glacial Maximum 2 Clipping from the hiking and geology map 5080 T of the Tectonic Arena Sardona

Did you know that … … the was not completely covered with ice during the last ice age around 24 000 years ago?

13 Application: Time

In maps we read the time

So far, historical maps ended up in archives. Accessing and using these printed ­cultural goods cost effort. Nowadays, maps are digitized and available online as a landscape memory in the form of time series. Hence, it is much easier for everyone to learn from the past for the future, and make the right decisions.

Entrance into the fourth dimension swisstopo faces a variety of challenges. On the one hand, swisstopo as ­administration must provide information about what has been produced; on the other­ hand, what has been produced needs to be made available in up-­to-date form, and allow for answering questions on a scientific level. ­Demanded is thus a new perspective, since the entire production must be ­perceived and divulged as a product. HINT: Time series online With the new time series service, swisstopo provides data and bases for a Have a look at the landscape memory broad view of the territorial development of Switzerland. The management of of Switzerland under historical resources thus becomes part of the core business for the future – www.swisstopo.ch /zeitreise kind of entering a new, fourth dimension: time.

Photo of the Dufour map Siegfried map 1: 25 000, National map 1: 25 000, 1: 25 000, 1838 –1843 1877–1880 1955

14 Retro-cartography of time

History happens all the time Dating back to 1840, maps and their bases cover a very long time period. The ­geometric bases are known, and founded on well-defined nationwide reference ­systems for position and elevation. From the beginning, they were edited according to consistent monitoring guidelines, and regularly updated. The time-series maps were generated over a long time period, with different means, and by using different bases. Hence, not all maps in a series look the same. For ­example, in the Dufour map the terrain is hatched, while the national map shows contour lines. The state of the art has evolved since the beginning of the national ­cartography. For consistent maps throughout, they would need to be laboriously “back-cartographed” … History happens all the time – not only yesterday, but also today and tomorrow. Therefore, swisstopo further invests into good maps, old ones and new ones.

National map 1: 25 000, National map 1: 25 000, National map 1: 25 000, 1982 2006 2014

15 swisstopo maps

Maps for all occasions – you decide!

National maps

Topographical maps, hiking maps, snowshoe and ski tour maps

Special maps

Historical maps, geological maps, aeronautical maps, road maps

National maps mobile National maps online and offline interlinked iPhone / iPad, Android application programming ­interface (API), ­ geoservices (WMS, WMTS), iFrame

Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft Federal Office of Topography swisstopo Confédération suisse www.swisstopo.ch Confederazione Svizzera Confederaziun svizra

Swiss Confederation