Swisstopo 973444 214033474 2008-05-21T21:04:06Z Sandstein 359256 categorise '''Swisstopo''' is the common name for the '''Swiss Federal Office of Topography''' (in [[German language|German]]: ''Bundesamt für Landestopografie''. [[French language|French]]: ''Office fédéral de topographie''. [[Italian language|Italian]]: ''Ufficio federale di topografia''. [[Romansh]]: ''Uffizi federal da topografia''). This name was chosen as a neutral name to avoid choosing a language when its website was launched in [[1997]]. ==Maps== The main class of products produced by Swisstopo are topographical maps on seven different scales. Swiss maps have been praised for their accuracy and quality.<ref>[[Edward Tufte]]. Envisioning Information. Graphics Press, May 1990. ISBN 0961392118. See also Edward Tufte's "Ask E.T." online forum: [http://www.edwardtufte.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=000051 A classic book: Imhof's Cartographic Relief Presentation].</ref> ===Regular maps=== * 1:25.000. This is the most detailed map, useful for a lot of purposes. Those are popular with tourists, especially for famous areas like [[Zermatt]] and [[St. Moritz]]. These maps cost CHF 13.50 each (2004). 208 maps on this scale are published at regular intervals. The first map published on this scale was ''1125 Chasseral'', in 1952. The last map published on this scale was ''1292 Maggia'', in 1972. Since 1956, composites have been published, starting with ''2501 St. Gallen''. They have the same information, but consist of several parts of regular maps combined, especially in tourist or urban areas. 22 composite maps have so far (September [[2004]]) been published. * 1:50.000. Since 1994, routes are coloured on these maps. It is marketed as ''for hikers, Alpinists, cyclists, planners, tourists and explorers''. 78 maps on this scale are published at regular intervals. Composites also exist, and are more frequent than the assemblages for 1:25.000 maps. As of September [[2004]], 24 composite maps have been published. * 1:100.000. These are marketed as ''Geographical regions of special interest to tourists on one map''. 24 maps on this scale are published at regular intervals. 11 composite maps have also been published. * 1:200.000. Switzerland and surroundings in four sheets (no composite maps). * 1:300.000. A photographic copy of 1:200.000, with Switzerland on a single sheet. * 1:500.000. Switzerland with surroundings. * 1:1.000.000. Switzerland with wide of surroundings, from [[Luxembourg]] to [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]]. ====Numbering system==== The numbering system of Swiss regular maps (apart from composites) is directly based on the geographical situation. A map number is always one higher than the map number of the adjacent map to the west, and one lower than the adjacent map to the east. From north to south, the numbers differ 20 for the scale 1:25.000, 10 for the scale 1:50.000 and 5 for the scale 1:100.000. However, as can be seen on the [http://www.swisstopo.ch/en/maps/lk/25overSE.htm Mapsheen Index Southeast], there are some exceptions to this rule: Switzerland is a little bit too large to be only 20 1:25.000 maps wide. Instead of choosing another system, the map to the east of ''1199 Scuol'' is called ''1199bis Piz Lad''. The same is true for some maps at scale 1:50.000. ===Tourist maps=== * [[Hiking]] map, these are published on the scale 1:50.000. They are based on the regular maps 1:50.000, but include information about which routes are good to walk. They also have information about [[public transport]]. These maps are published in collaboration with ''Swisshiking''. * [[Ski]] tour map, 1:50.000. Based on the topographical map 1:50.000, but including information about steep slopes, ski routes and snowboard routes. * Road map: two sheets published on a scale of 1:200.000, but not the same as the topographical 1:200.000, as it lacks contour lines. This map is published each year. * [[Culture|Cultural]] Heritage, 1:300.000 * Map of [[Museum]]s, 1:300.000. * Map of [[Castle]]s, 1:200.000. It is based on the topographical map 1:200.000, but includes information about castles, fortresses and ruins. * [[Mount Everest|Everest]], in collaboration with a lot of other organizations, including the [[National Geographic Society]]. * Swiss Path. The ''Swiss Path'' is a [[hiking]] trail around [[Lake Uri]] to celebrate the 700th anniversary of Swiss Confederation. * Seeland-Trois lacs, 1:75.000, not directly based on any topographical map (e.g. it lacks contour lines). It was made for the ''Expo. 02'' which was in this region. ===Other maps=== * Satellite map, 1:300.000. * Community map, 1:300.000, with only political borders, no topographical information except for lakes. * Einst und Jetzt (history map; 1:25.000): only Bern and Basel have been published so far. * Land use map, 1:300.000, with statistical information only (no topographical information) * Aeronautical map, 1:500.000, based on the topographical map 1:500.000, with aviation information. * Glider chart (1:300.000) * Chart of Air Navigation Obstacles (1:100.000) * Solar Radiation == History == :''See also [[Swiss cartography]].'' === Early work and Dufourkarten === In [[1809]], the first topographical surveys of [[Switzerland]] took place on a [[confederation|confederate]], military level. They took place in the north-eastern area and were led by [[Hans Conrad Finsler]]. Measurements in the alpine region started in [[1825]] with triangulations by [[Antoine-Joseph Buchwalder]]. This work would be finished in [[1837]] by [[Johannes Eschmann]]. Directly hereafter, at New Year [[1838]], the Topographical Bureau (''Eidgenössisches Topographisches Bureau'') is founded in [[Carouge]], [[Geneve (canton)|Geneve]] by [[Guillaume Henri Dufour]]. This bureau publishes its first map the same year, the ''Carte topographique du Canton de Genève''. Topographic surveys also start in the alpine regions of Switzerland. This has its first results in [[1845]], a year later than planned, when a map scaled 1:100.000 is published. This is the start of the so-called ''Dufourkarten''. The topographic surveys finish in [[1862]]. To honour [[Guillaume Henri Dufour|Dufour]], the Swiss government decides to rename the highest peak on the ''Dufourkarten'' from ''Höchste Spitze'' to [[Dufourspitze]]: it still carries that name today. In [[1863]], the [[Schweizerische Alpenclub|SAC]] published a 1:50.000 map of the region [[Tödi]], based on unpublished survey material. A year later, the last map of the ''Dufourkarten'' is published, and one year later still, Dufour retires and [[Hermann Siegfried]] becomes the Chief op the Topographical Bureau. === Siegfriedkarten === In [[1865]], [[Herman Siegfried]] becomes the Chief of the Topographical Bureau, and the bureau moves from [[Geneva]] to [[Bern]]. Over the next few years, a composite map is published of [[Ticino]], soundings start to measure the depth of the major Swiss lakes, and a first map is published scaled 1:250.000. In [[1868]], a Federal Act is passed to enforce the continuation of the initial topographic surveys, as well as the publication of the results. This results in new topographical surveys in [[1869]] and the publication of the first 13 ''Siegfriedkarten'' (1:25.000 and 1:50.000) in [[1870]]. In [[1878]], a 1:1.000.000 map is published, and the next year, the height of the [[Pierre du Niton]] is measured to be 376.86 metre. In [[1880]], Herman Siegfried is succeeded by [[Jules Dumur]]. In [[1895]], the Topographical surveys for the ''Siegfriedkarten'' are finished. As of [[1901]], 581 sheets of the ''Siegfriedkarten'' have been published, with only a few individual more maps to come (there would be 604 maps in [[1926]]). On old maps of the modern series, a reference to those maps can still be found: until the seventies of the 20th century, the ''Siegfriedkarte'' was the best scale available for some areas of Switzerland, and therefore used by climbers and other [[Alpinism|alpinists]]. The printing of the ''Siegfriedkarten'' would continue until [[1952]]. === New Century === In [[1887]], the first maps with relief shading are published. In [[1889]], a photographic studio is appended to the bureau. In the years after [[1894]], a wall-map for schools is published, in response to a request from the parliament to do so. In [[1898]], the soundings of the major Swiss lakes are finished. In [[1901]], the bureau is moved into an independent division within the military, and the name ''Eidgenössische Landestopographie'' becomes customary, a name still used by some people until today, and a name which can be found on some older maps. [[Hermann Kümmerly]] publishes a relief wall-map for schools in the same year. In [[1908]], map trials are started to serve as a replacement for the ''Dufourkarten''. Two years later, trials start to replace the ''Siegfriedkarten''. Much of this military work would remain secret for many years. In [[1913]], [[1922]] and [[1924]], trials are done with [[aerial photogrammetry]], first with balloons and later with aircraft, but only as of [[1930]] this is used for production of maps, and in [[1940]] terrestrial photogrammetry is abandoned. === Modern maps === On [[21 June]], [[1935]], a [http://www.admin.ch/ch/d/sr/c510_62.html Federal Act] ([[German language|German]] only) is passed on the production of the new National Map series. This is the start of the modern maps, ranging from 1:25.000 to 1:1.000.000 (see above). Because of the political situation in Europe, work is started on the 1:50.000 maps. For this purpose, a 'M18d' [[Messerschmidt]] is bought for aerial photography. This is the first aircraft owned by the ''Eidgenössischie Landestopographie''. In [[1938]], the first map 1:50.000 is published: ''263 Wildstrubel''. From [[1939]] to [[1945]], all sales are suspended because of [[World War II]]. In [[1939]], the ''Eidgenössische Landestopographie'' also gets its first vehicle. The first 1:25:000 map, ''1145 Bielersee'', is published in [[1952]]. The last 1:25.000 map, ''1292 Maggia'', is published in [[1979]]. This marks the finish of the lowest-scale mapping of Switzerland. The first composite in this scale, ''2501 St. Gallen'', was published in [[1956]]. New composites still appear in [[2004]]. The 1:50.000 series was completed in [[1963]] with ''285 Domodossola''. With the publication of this map, the ''Siegfriedkarten'' have been entirely replaced. The first composite on this scale, ''5001 Gotthard'', was published in [[1954]]. As of [[2004]], new composites still appear. The 1:100.000 series started with ''41 Col du Pillon'' ([[1954]]), and finished with ''47 Monte Rosa'' in [[1965]]. With this publication, the ''Dufourkarten'' have been entirely replaced. The 1:200.000 series started with No. 3 in [[1971]] and finished with No. 4 in [[1976]]. The maps on the scales 1:500.000 and 1:1.000.000 were respectively first published in [[1965]] and [[1994]]. With the publication of the latter map, the work required by the Federal Act of [[1935]] was finally finished. Since [[1951]], different sorts of leisure maps have been published by the Federal Office of Topography. See above for a list of those. In [[1958]], the [[Swiss coordinate system|coordinate system]] of the maps is changed. Before [[1958]], the centre of the coordinate system, [[Bern]], had coordinates (0, 0). From this moment, it has coordinates (600, 200). This is done so that any coordinate is either a x-coordinate or a y-coordinate: this prevents confusion about the order of the coordinates. In [[1968]], the name officially becomes ''Eidgenössische Landestopographie'' instead of ''Abteilung für Landestopographie'', although this had been common practice for decades. The English name remains unchanged (''Topographical Survey of Switzerland''). In [[1979]], the ''Eidgenössische Landestopographie'' is renamed to the current name ''Bundesamt für Landestopographie''. See above for the names in other languages. Since [[2002]], the international name ''Swisstopo'' is acquired. This name had already been used since the homepage [http://www.swisstopo.ch www.swisstopo.ch] went online in [[1997]]. See also: [http://www.swisstopo.ch/en/about/gesch.htm Swisstopo - history] == Peculiarities == Some maps produced by Swisstopo scarcely have any Switzerland on it. This is especially true for the scales 1:100.000 and 1:50.000. As can be seen [http://www.swisstopo.ch/images/maps/lk/100/mapview/45.jpg here], the map ''45 Haute Savoie'' only has a very little spot of Switzerland on it, in the extreme north-western corner. The same is true for the 1:50.000 map [http://www.swisstopo.ch/images/maps/lk/50/mapview/285.jpg 285 Domodossola]. In both cases, no 1:25.000 maps have been published for the corresponding part of the 1:50.000 map: at the 1:25.000 scale, some maps are a tiny bit larger than orders, to be able to get all of Switzerland onto a map without the need of maps with less than 0.1% domestic territory on it. Initially, the plan was to be more generous also for 1:25.000 maps. Thirty-one maps were once planned, most of which did not have a single km^2 Switzerland on it, that were never published. Some of them (''1158 Zeinisjoch'') were up to ten kilometers away from the Swiss border. On old Swiss maps, one can still see the ''Blattübersicht'' were those are signified as ''planned maps''. Some maps have been published in the past, but have been discontinued, also because they lack any part of Switzerland. ''1035 Friedrichshafen'' is an example of that. When one looks at the [http://www.swisstopo.ch/en/maps/lk/25overNE.htm Mapsheet Index Northeast], there is no map to the east or to the north of ''1055 Romanshorn''. However, when one then looks at the area of ''1055 Romanshorn'', it can be seen that these maps do in fact exist, but do not have any Swiss land on the map. == References == <references/> == External links == *[http://www.swisstopo.admin.ch/internet/swisstopo/en/home.html Swisstopo] - homepage in [[English language|English]] *[http://www.swisstopo.ch/ Swisstopo] - homepage in [[German language|German]], [[English language|English]] and [[French language|French]]. *[http://www.swissgeo.ch LdS online] - online maps of Switzerland, in [[French language|French]] and [[German language|German]]. *[http://www.stub.unibe.ch/maps/ta/ Siegfriedkarte digital] - Maps, homepage in [[German language|German]] [[Category:National cartographic agencies]] [[Category:Geography of Switzerland]] [[Category:Topography]] [[Category:Federal offices of Switzerland|Swisstopo]] [[de:Bundesamt für Landestopografie]] [[fr:Swisstopo]]