Engelberg
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Engelberg | ||||||||||
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  Engelberg
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| Population | 3,635 (December 2007[update]) | |||||||||
| - Density | 89 /km2 (231 /sq mi) | |||||||||
| Area | 40.75 km2 (15.73 sq mi) | |||||||||
| Elevation | 1,015 m (3,330 ft) | |||||||||
| Postal code | 6390 | |||||||||
| SFOS number | 1402 | |||||||||
| Surrounded by | Attinghausen (UR), Gadmen (BE), Innertkirchen (BE), Isenthal (UR), Wassen (UR), Wolfenschiessen (NW) | |||||||||
| Website | www.gde-engelberg.ch SFSO statistics |
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Engelberg is a village in the canton of Obwalden in Switzerland. It has a population (as of December 2007[update]) of 3,635,[1] of which 600 are of foreign nationality. It is the leading mountain resort (Urner Alps) in central Switzerland. In the Middle Ages, Engelberg was known for the educational accomplishments of its Benedictine monastery, whose school was well-known and regarded throughout the country. From the 19th Century, Engelberg became internationally known as a resort and spa, but is today visited as much for skiing as for its clean air. With its combination of modern sports facilities and alpine location, Engelberg is a magnet for both summer and winter tourism. The closest large cities are Lucerne and Zurich.
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[edit] Geography
The average altitude of Engelberg is 1,020 m (3,346 ft). However the town is surrounded by the Alps, creating very steep terrain. The highest point in the borders of the town is Mt. Titlis which is 3,239 meters (10,627 ft).
[edit] Tourism
The ski terrain is largely for advanced skiers, and although there are some easy places to ski, beginners should be wary of some challenging pistes. It is a snow-sure ski resort, with an unusually long season, generally opening for skiing at the start of October and remaining open until the end of May.
It's also a major summer resort, with many activities available both at village level and on the mountain. The lift system operates throughout the year, allowing a wide range of walking and cycling trails to be available even to the more fitness-challenged visitor.
In recent years, Engelberg has become something of an off-piste mecca, with many winter visitors, particularly from Scandinavia, coming specifically for its many challenging descents. Many of these are accesssible from the lift-served ski areas of Titlis or Jochpass, on the predominantly North-facing slopes leading down from Mt Titlis.
On the opposite side of the valley, the ski area of Brunni is much more suitable for beginners and early intermediates, but being South-facing it doesn't have quite the same snow reliability and length of season.
Engelberg also hosts a round of the ski jumping world cup .
The main sights of Engelberg are: Mount Titlis, Mount "Hahnen", Engelberg Abbey, a Benedictine monastery in the Swiss Congregation, the museum of the valley, the hotel Europäischer Hof, a number of old chapels.
[edit] Business and industry
There are 320 local businesses which employ 1700 people. 11% of these are in the agricultural sector, 14% in trade and industry, 75% in services.
[edit] Cultural references
Engelberg is mentioned in chapter XXIV of Henry James's 1875 novel Roderick Hudson.
[edit] Weather
 Weather averages for Engelberg  |
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| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °C (°F) | 1.2 (34) |
2.7 (37) |
5.5 (42) |
9.1 (48) |
14.3 (58) |
17.3 (63) |
19.5 (67) |
18.6 (65) |
16.1 (61) |
12.2 (54) |
5.6 (42) |
1.7 (35) |
10.3 (51) |
| Daily Mean °C (°F) | -2.7 (27) |
-1.6 (29) |
0.9 (34) |
4.5 (40) |
9 (48) |
12 (54) |
14.1 (57) |
13.4 (56) |
10.9 (52) |
6.9 (44) |
1.5 (35) |
-2 (28) |
5.6 (42) |
| Average low °C (°F) | -6.5 (20) |
-5.5 (22) |
-3.1 (26) |
0.1 (32) |
4.1 (39) |
7 (45) |
9.2 (49) |
8.9 (48) |
6.6 (44) |
3.1 (38) |
-1.9 (29) |
-5.6 (22) |
1.4 (35) |
| Precipitation mm (inches) | 91 (3.58) |
90 (3.54) |
104 (4.09) |
120 (4.72) |
140 (5.51) |
179 (7.05) |
184 (7.24) |
185 (7.28) |
112 (4.41) |
96 (3.78) |
109 (4.29) |
97 (3.82) |
1,510 (59.45) |
| Avg. precipitation days | 12.3 | 11.7 | 14 | 14.2 | 15.6 | 16.1 | 15.2 | 14.7 | 10.9 | 9.4 | 11.8 | 12 | 157.9 |
| Source: MeteoSchweiz [2] 8 May 2009 | |||||||||||||
[edit] References
- ^ Bundesamt fur Statistik (Federal Department of Statistics) (2008). "Bilanz der ständigen Wohnbevölkerung (Total) nach Bezirken und Gemeinden". http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/01/02/blank/key/raeumliche_verteilung/kantone__gemeinden.html. Retrieved on November 5, 2008.
- ^ "Temperature and Percipitation Average Values-Table, 1961-1990" (in German, French, Italian). Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology MeteoSwiss. http://www.meteoswiss.admin.ch/web/de/klima/klima_schweiz/tabellen.html. Retrieved on 8 May 2009.
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Engelberg |
- Engelberg Tourism
- Free Pictures Engelberg
- Titlis Glacier
- Great Skiing & Snowboarding Guide
- Brunni area
- Ultimate Ski
- welove2ski
- Engelberg in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland.
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