What is an important natural resource of Switzerland?
Was ist eine wichtige natürliche Ressource der Schweiz?
Correct answer: B
- A large gold deposits in Central Switzerlandgrosse Goldvorkommen in der Zentralschweiz
- B large water reserves for running hydroelectric power stationsgrosse Wasservorräte zum Betrieb von Wasserkraftwerken
- C valuable mineral resources (oil, coal)wertvolle Bodenschätze (Erdöl, Kohle)
- D large fish stocksgrosser Bestand an Fischen
Why
Switzerland has many mountains, lakes and rivers. With this water, hydroelectric power stations produce about 60 percent of the electricity.
Common mistakes
- A: large gold deposits in Central Switzerland
- There are only very small amounts of gold in Switzerland, for example in the Napf area. It is not an important resource.
- C: valuable mineral resources (oil, coal)
- Switzerland has practically no oil and no coal. It has to import these materials.
- D: large fish stocks
- There are fish in the lakes, but they are not important for the economy.
Topic
Pioneers, hydropower, pharmaceuticals
In the 19th century Switzerland became a modern industrial country. An important person in this was the Zurich politician and entrepreneur Alfred Escher (1819-1882). He campaigned for building railways, for example the Gotthard railway. He helped found the ETH in Zurich in 1854/55. In 1856 he founded the Schweizerische Kreditanstalt, which later became Credit Suisse.
Culture, economy and Switzerland in the world
Economy and transport
Sources
Last checked: September 2026
Question 283 of the official question list of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.