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Switzerland  Anthem |
The Jungfrau was ascended for the first time in 1811. A railroad, the highest in Europe, ascends the mountain to Jungfraujoch, a point about 3,455 m (11,335 ft) above sea level. |
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 | The Jungfrau Railway, the highest railway in Europe and one of the most interesting of all mountain lines, was constructed in 1896-1912 from the designs of Adolph Guyer-Zeller of Zürich. It attains a height of over 11,000 ft., thus bringing the most unathletic into the upper regions of the expert climber. |
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The power is generated in works near Lauterbrunnen and Burglauenen, whence it is transmitted by high-tension lines. The gauge is 3 ft. 4 in. The first section of the line is in the open air, but beyond Eigergletscher it runs through a great tunnel (4-3/4 m. long, 10 ft. high, and 10 ft. wide), piercing the limestone and gneiss rock of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. From the Jungfraujoch the intention was to carry up the line for 2000 ft. more, leaving the summit to be attained by an elevator 242 ft. high, but there does not seem any immediate prospect of completion of this scheme. Telescopes are provided at the stations for the use of visitors. The trip can hardly be recommended except when the weather is such as to make a clear view from the top practically certain. The transit of the long tunnel (fully 1/2 hr.) is rather wearisome. |
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A country of west-central Europe. It became part of the Holy Roman Empire in the 10th century but by 1499 had achieved independence as a confederation of cantons. Switzerland later adopted a federal constitution (1848). Bern is the capital and Zurich the largest city. Population, 6,455,900. |
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