Hydrology is the science which studies the water cycle as a whole, hence the water exchanges between soil and atmosphere (precipitation and evaporation) but also between the soil and sub ground (groundwater).
Switzerland has a varied and complex hydrological system. The climate of Switzerland gives precipitation under the form of snow and rain and is also responsible for the evaporation of water into the atmosphere. The altitude and climate allow the formation and maintenance of many glaciers that feed rivers from five major European river catchments, through which water leaves the country and joins the sea.
Switzerland is sometimes called the "water tower of Europe".[1][2] Water from Switzerland reaches all northern, southern, western and eastern parts of Europe.
- ^ Eine grosse Verantwortung für das "Wasserschloss Europas" bafu.admin.ch. Retrieved 2011-04-12
- ^ Viviroli, Daniel; Weingartner, Rolf (2004). The Hydrological Significance of the European Alps. Hydrological Atlas of Switzerland. Federal Office for the Environment. ISBN 978-3-95202620-5. Archived from the original on 2015-01-20. Retrieved 2014-09-04.