Lucerne
Lucerne is one of the 26 Swiss cantons, situated in the heart of the country. It's surrounded by the cantons of Aargau, Zug, Schwyz, Nidwalden, Obwalden and Bern. Most of the area belongs to the northern foothills of the Alps, with comparatively moderate differences in altitude. It's strewn with a variety of lakes, the largest and most popular of them being the Vierwaldstaettersee in the easternmost part of the canton, on the coast of which the city of Lucerne is situated. In economic terms, Lucerne is one of the most fertile regions of the mountainous country and almost all of the land is used for agricultural production. Around the bigger towns, industrial zones have emerged. The capital of the canton, Lucerne, originates from a Medieval Benedictine monastery, and after many ups and downs it has become the focal point of Central Switzerland. Nowadays, it's a modern city with tourist attractions, a thriving economy and varied cultural programme, which includes a carnival and some internationally recognized events and music festivals.