Switzerland to Change Borders with Italy and France Due to Melting Glaciers and a Tram Line

Switzerland has adapted its borders with Italy and France. The changes to the border with Italy were caused by melting glaciers, while the changes to the border with France were caused by a new tram line and rivers in the Geneva area, Swissinfo reports.

Geneva shares a 103-kilometre-long border with France, 50 kilometres of which run in the middle of waterways.

In particular, in the canton of Geneva, the laying of tracks for a new cross-border tram line has led to minor changes to the border between the communes of Perly-Sert and Bardonnex. According to the Federal Council, France and Switzerland will exchange equivalent areas of land.

The other two modifications to the Franco-Swiss border are related to works on the Hermans River and embankment works on the Foron River.

The Swiss-Italian border has been affected by climate change, as large parts of it are defined by glaciers and snowfields. As glaciers melt, these natural elements are changing and redefining national borders.

In this regard, the border has been slightly modified in the Monte Rosa, Caban Glacier and Gobba di Rollin areas.

Between 1973 and 2010, the Teodul glacier lost almost a quarter of its mass to rock. This forced Switzerland and Italy to redraw several dozen metres of the border.

It is noted that in May 2023, a joint Italian-Swiss commission agreed on a project that takes into account the interests of both parties. The changes were set out in agreements with Rome and Paris. As these are minor changes, the government is empowered to conclude these agreements on its own.