Interlaken

 

(ĭn'tərläkən) , town (1990 est. pop. 5,180), Bern canton, central Switzerland, between the Lake of Brienz and the Lake of Thun. Its manufactures include textiles and watches. Interlaken is one of the largest tourist resorts (mainly summer) in the Bernese Alps, and its yearly visitors far outnumber its permanent inhabitants. The region is famous for its magnificent view of the Jungfrau peak.

Coordinates: 46°41′N, 7°51′E

Interlaken
Canton	Berne
District	Interlaken
Coordinates	46°41′N, 7°51′E
Population	5700   (December 2006)
Area	km² ( sq mi)
Elevation	m ( ft)
Postal code	3800
SFOS number	0588
Surrounded by	Bönigen, Därligen, Matten bei Interlaken, Ringgenberg, Unterseen
Twin towns	Scottsdale (USA), Otsu (Japan), Trebon (Czech Republic)
Website	www.interlaken-gemeinde.ch
Interlaken

Interlaken is a municipality in the district of Interlaken in the canton of Bern in Switzerland.

It is a well known tourist destination in the Bernese Oberland. The Aare River flows through the town. Interlaken is located between Lake Brienz to the east and Lake Thun to the west. The town takes its name from its geographical position between the lakes (in Latin inter lacus), but the name was only coined in 1891, replacing the old name Aarmühle.

Interlaken is located at 570 meters above sea level. The original importance of the town was as the site of a convent of the Augustinian Canons; the convent was built in 1130 and lasted until 1528. In the past, printing, textiles, and to a smaller extent watchmaking were also of importance, but today tourism is the most significant source of income. Interlaken is one of the oldest tourist resorts in Switzerland, and it remains one of the most popular.

Interlaken is frequently visited by adventure-seeking backpackers throughout the year. The town is home to numerous backpacker-friendly hostels and companies that provide guided services in skydiving, canyoning, hang gliding, paragliding, and skiing, to name a few.

The town offers tourists a peaceful base from which to explore the surrounding areas by train or bus. However, the main attraction is probably the magnificent Jungfrau mountain (4158m). Many hotels are located along the Höheweg avenue which offer good views of the mountains. Mystery Park, a paranormal-based theme park owned by Erich van Daninken, was closed in 2006 after three years because of financial difficulties.

Despite its small size (population 5,200), the town features two railway stations Interlaken Ost and Interlaken West and two funicular railways, the Harderbahn and the Heimwehfluhbahn. Train connections in Interlaken serve the Jungfrau region via the Berner Oberland Bahn, with the narrow-gauge lines of the Zentralbahn extending over the Brünig Pass to Luzern. The main line connects Interlaken with the cities of Spiez, Thun and Bern. There are also regular bus links to the neighbouring town of Thun. Boat services across Lake Brienz to Brienz and across Lake Thun to Spiez and Thun are operated by BLS Lötschbergbahn.

A view of Interlaken from above]]

A view from the Höheweg, Interlaken, showing the Jungfrau]]

Interlaken, May 2006

View of Lake Thun, from Interlaken, Aug., 2007

Events

• In September, the Jungfrau Marathon starts in Interlaken.

• Unspunnenfest is a festival held in Interlaken every twelve years. The festival highlights traditional Swiss culture and features competitions of Steinstossen (stone throwing), Schwingen (wrestling) and yodeling. Last held September 2006.

• On July 15th, the Red Bull Air Race World Series was held on the Airport situated near Interlaken.

See also

• Entrelagos

External links

• Commons has media related to Interlaken
• Interlaken official website
• Interlaken (municipality) in German, French or Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland.
• Municipality of Interlaken (German) official website

Municipalities in the district of Interlaken, Switzerland

Beatenberg | Bönigen | Brienz | Brienzwiler | Därligen | Grindelwald | Gsteigwiler | Gündlischwand | Habkern | Hofstetten bei Brienz | Interlaken | Iseltwald | Lauterbrunnen | Leissigen | Lütschental | Matten bei Interlaken | Niederried bei Interlaken | Oberried am Brienzersee | Ringgenberg | Saxeten | Schwanden bei Brienz | Unterseen | Wilderswil Canton of Berne | Districts of Canton Bern | Municipalities of the canton of Berne

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