Interlaken

Interlaken, town, Bern canton, central Switzerland. It lies along the Aare River, in the Bernese Highlands. Its name is derived from its position on the flat plain (Bödeli), 1,864 feet (568 m) above sea level, between Lakes (inter lacus) Brienz to the east and Thun to the west. The town grew up around a convent of Augustinian canons (1130–1528). It is one of Switzerland’s oldest and most frequented summer tourist resorts, and its main avenue (Höheweg) is lined with hotels. Interlaken commands a magnificent view of the Jungfrau (13,642 feet [4,158 m]) to the south and is a starting point for many Alpine excursions. Wood, electrical, and metal products, are manufactured there. Pop. (2007 est.) 5,279.