Press release

New results of the Swiss Land Use Statistics More settlement and urban areas, fewer agricultural areas

Neuchâtel, 22.11.2013 (FSO) - Switzerland's settlement and urban area has increased by 584 km2 over a 24 year period. This is equivalent to the size of Lake Geneva. The increase is mainly at the expense of agricultural areas. The forest expanded in the higher regions while at the same time one quarter of glaciers disappeared. These are the current results of the Swiss Land Use Statistics conducted by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) which are now available for two, twelve-year periods for the first time.