Zermatt
Zermatt (German: [tsɛʁˈmat] ⓘ, Swiss Standard German: [tsɛrˈmat]) is one of the Municipalities of Switzerland in the district of Visp within the canton of Valais. Local residents number about 5,800 and Zermatt is classified in the list of cities in Switzerland by the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
Zermatt | |
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June 2022 view from Moosstrasse | |
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Flag Coat of arms | |
Location of Zermatt | |
Zermatt Zermatt | |
| Coordinates: 46°01′N 7°45′E | |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Canton | Valais |
| District | Visp |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Christoph Bürgin (as of 2004) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 242.67 km2 (93.70 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,608 m (5,276 ft) |
| Population (31 December 2018) | |
| • Total | 5,755 |
| • Density | 24/km2 (61/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (Central European Time) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (Central European Summer Time) |
| Postal code(s) | 3920 |
| SFOS number | 6300 |
| Localities | Blatten, Findeln, Gornergrat, Ried, Schwarzsee, Z'mutt |
| Surrounded by | Alagna Valsesia (IT-VC), Ayas (IT-AO), Ayer, Bionaz (IT-AO), Evolène, Gressoney-La-Trinité (IT-AO), Macugnaga (IT-VB), Randa, Saas-Almagell, Täsch, Valtournenche (IT-AO) |
| Twin towns | Alfano (Italy) |
| Website | zermatt SFSO statistics |
It lies at the upper end of Mattertal at an elevation of 1,620 m (5,310 ft). Zermatt lies about 10 km (6.2 mi) from the over 3,292 m (10,801 ft) high Theodul Pass bordering Italy. Zermatt is famed as a mountaineering and ski resort of the Swiss Alps.
Until the mid-19th century zermatt was predominantly an agricultural community. The first ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865 was followed by a rush up the mountains surrounding the village, leading to the construction of many tourist facilities. Much of the local economy is based on tourism, with about half of the jobs in town in hotels or restaurants and just under half of all apartments are vacation apartments.