On the occasion of the bicentenary of the Pierre du Niton Landmark in Geneva, the Federal Office of Topography swisstopo and the Department of the Territory of the Republic and Canton of Geneva present to the Swiss public the history and current challenges of measuring altitude in Switzerland and around the world.
In the 19th century, the reference point of the Swiss altimeter system was defined at the level of the Niton Stones located in the Rade de Genève: it is the "Pierre du Niton Reference". Its current altitude is based on measurements made in relation to the level of the Mediterranean in Marseille. It is from this reference point that all other altitude points in Switzerland have been measured and recorded on national maps.
How do you measure altitude?
More than a commemoration, this bicentenary is an opportunity to raise awareness among a wider public about the importance of setting international technical standards, current and past measurement methods, and the changing role of federal and cantonal authorities in making altimeter measurements available and accurate.
Eight summits to speak to all regions of the country
Resolutely Swiss, the communication approach developed by swisstopo and the State of Geneva is available in French, German, Italian and English, mainly from the 373m6.ge.ch website, which presents the themes in texts, videos and news. To recall the method of measurement based on Swiss national maps, eight peaks of the Alps and the Jura are measured against the 373.6m of the Pierre du Niton Landmark: Matterhorn (373.6m – 4105.4m), Eiger (373.6m – 3594.4m), Titlis (373.6m – 2864.4m), Piz Lunghin (373.6m) m – 2407.4m), Sunntis (373.6m – 2129.4m), Moléson (373.6m – 1629.4m), Monte Generoso (373.6m – 1328.4m) and Chasseral (373.6m – 1234.4m).
Similarly, a new information panel in the Rade de Genève informs visitors and tourists of the meaning of the Niton Stones.
For schools, hikers and curious people of all kinds…
From this historical fact, which retains all its interest two centuries later, swisstopo and the State of Geneva are thus aimed at all those who are interested in geography or who use maps or other altimetical tools – schools, hikers, sportsmen or pilots of flying machines – and more broadly to all those curious about the techniques and technologies that accompany their daily lives. Dynamic, the approach of the two partner institutions will be enriched by other information and curious facts later.
Admin.ch – Switzerland Government Portal – Source and details release
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