Where is the canton of Zurich located?
Wo liegt der Kanton Zürich?
Correct answer: B
- A
Map: canton of Vaud highlightedKarte: Kanton Waadt markiert - B
Map: canton of Zurich highlightedKarte: Kanton Zürich markiert - C
Map: canton of Glarus highlightedKarte: Kanton Glarus markiert - D
Map: canton of Valais highlightedKarte: Kanton Wallis markiert
Why
The correct map shows a canton in the north of Switzerland, on the border with Germany, a little east of the centre. That is where Zurich lies, at the northern end of Lake Zurich.
Common mistakes
- A: Map: canton of Vaud highlighted
- Vaud lies in the far west, on Lake Geneva.
- C: Map: canton of Glarus highlighted
- Glarus is a mountain canton in eastern Switzerland, south of the Walensee, not on the national border.
- D: Map: canton of Valais highlighted
- Valais lies in the south in the Alps, on the border with Italy and France.
Topic
Coat of arms, location and neighbouring cantons
The canton of Zurich is in the north of Switzerland, in the Plateau (Mittelland). The Plateau is the flat to hilly area between the Jura and the Alps. Most people in Switzerland live here. On the map you find Zurich at the top in the middle, shifted a little to the right. In the north the canton borders on Germany; the border is partly formed by the Rhine.
- Zurich
- Schaffhausen
- Thurgau
- St. Gallen
- Schwyz
- Zug
- Aargau
- Germany
Map data: BFS, BAFU, swisstopo
Canton and municipality of Zurich
Zurich: location and cities
Sources
Last checked: September 2026
Question 289 of the official question list of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.