Simplon

Simplon (German Simpeln), a mountain pass in the E. of the canton of Valais, Switzerland, forming part of the Lepontine Alps. The famous road, 38 miles in length, and reaching a height of 6,885 feet, leads from Brieg, Valais, to Domo d'Ossola, Piedmont. It was constructed by Napoleon between 1801 and 1807. A railway tunnel, which would be the longest in the world (about 11 miles), has long been in contemplation.