The two countries agreed to change the boundary below the iconic Matterhorn, one of the highest peaks in the Alps, which towers over Zermatt, a popular ski destination.
Although national borders are often considered fixed, large stretches of the Swiss-Italian border are defined by glaciers and snowfields. "As the glaciers melt, these natural elements evolve and redefine the national border," the Swiss government said in a statement.
The border changes were agreed back in 2023 and the Swiss government officially approved the adjustment late last week. The approval process is ongoing in Italy. As soon as both sides sign, the agreement will be published and the details of the new border will be made public, the Swiss government said.
Europe is the fastest warming continent in the world and the impact on its glaciers is serious. In Switzerland, they are melting at an alarming rate. Last year, the country's glaciers lost 4% of their volume, second only to the record 6% lost in 2022 | BGNES
