Oberland

Oberland is a German toponym meaning "upper land," used to describe upland or highland parts of a region. It is commonly contrasted with Unterland ("lower land"). The term is widely used in German-speaking areas, notably in Switzerland and Germany, to designate mountainous or high-elevation areas and is not an official administrative unit.

In Switzerland, the Bernese Oberland is the best-known example. It comprises the southern portion of the canton of Bern within the Bernese Alps. The landscape features deep valleys, high peaks, glaciers and waterfalls. Key places include Interlaken, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, and Mürren. The Jungfrau region includes Jungfraujoch, a major tourist attraction served by the Jungfrau Railway. The area is a hub for skiing in winter and hiking in summer. Much of the region lies within the Jungfrau-Aletsch protected area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001.

In Germany, the Bayerisches Oberland refers to the Alpine foothill region of Upper Bavaria south of Munich, often extended to the Bavarian Alps. It is known for lakes such as Tegernsee and Schliersee and for outdoor recreation, including hiking, cycling and winter sports. The term is also used more generally for other upland parts of German-speaking regions.