Interlaken

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For other uses, see Interlaken (disambiguation).

Interlaken
Canton	Berne
District	Interlaken
Coordinates	46°41′N 7°51′E
Population	5700 (December 2006)
Area	4.4 km²
Elevation	568 m
Postal code	3800
SFOS number	0588
Website	www.visit-interlaken.ch
Twin towns	Scottsdale (USA), Otsu (Japan), Trebon (Czech Republic)
Interlaken

Interlaken is a municipality in the Canton of Bern in Switzerland. The place is a well known tourist destination near the centre of Switzerland close to the Alps. The Aare River flows through the town.

A view from the 'Harder Kulm', showing the town of Interlaken

A view from the Hoheweg, Interlaken, showing the Jungfrau

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 metres 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 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.

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.

Despite its small size (population 5,200), the town features two railway stations ("Interlaken Ost" and "Interlaken West") and two funicular railways, Harderbahn and Heimwehfluh. Train connections in Interlaken serve the Jungfrau region via the Berner Oberland Bahn, with narrow-gauge lines also extending over the Brunig 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.