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Germany and the Alpine Countries. Germany. Austria. Switzerland. Similarities. Germany. Is roughly the size of Montana Their government is a Federal Republic German is their official language The Danube and Rhine rivers are very important for transportation Capital is Berlin
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Germany and the Alpine Countries Germany Austria Switzerland Similarities
Germany • Is roughly the size of Montana • Their government is a Federal Republic • German is their official language • The Danube and Rhine rivers are very important for transportation • Capital is Berlin • The Ruhr ranks as one of the worlds most productive industrial areas • They must import 1/3 of their food • Protestant Reformation began here by Martin Luther (priest) • Protestants and Catholics are equally represented here • Blamed for World War I & World War II • Famous composers: Johan Sebastian Bach and Ludwig van Beethoven • Major exports include beer, wine, cheese, and cuckoo clocks made from the timber cut from the Black Forest • ACID RAIN has destroyed 34% of the country’s forest, including ½ of the Black Forest • Superhighways called autobahns link the cities
Black Forest • Near the border with France • Has been damaged by acid rain & reduced by logging • Home to the famous German cuckoo clocks
Autobahns • No speed limit, but 80 mph is the advisory speed • Can also be found in other alpine countries like Austria & Switzerland • Began working on the roads in the late 1920s • Nazis embraced the idea & used for propaganda • Many Russian prisoners of war worked on building the roads
Switzerland • The Swiss have enjoyed a democratic government for more than 700 years • About twice the size of New Jersey • Population 7.3 million • Languages spoken here are German, French, and Italian • Capital is Bern • Because of its long stability and practice of neutrality during war time it has become a haven for foreign industry and business • The Alps create a continental divide here and several very important rivers begin here such as the Rhine and the Rhone • Exports: electronic equipment, clocks, watches, chocolate, cheese, and various chemicals • Banking and insurance are very important business here
Austria • The Alps cover 3/4 of the country • Slightly smaller than Maine • Government is a federal republic • It is one of the most mountainous regions in the world • Population 8.2 million • 97 people per square mile • They speak German • Capital is Vienna • Export various types of machinery • Has a large and valuable timber industry • Millions of tourist visit here each year to relax, hike, and ski • 80% of its people are Roman Catholic
Vienna-Center of the Classical Musical Period (1775-1825) • Famous composers who worked in Vienna: Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven (German) & Schubert (Austrian)
Similarities • Democratic form of government • Languages spoken (German) • The dependence on their rivers and use hydroelectric power • The things they import such as food products • The things they export like cheeses, clocks, and machinery • Beautiful landscape • Famous past composers and musicians • Timber industry
The Alps mountain range runs through France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Lichtenstein, & Slovenia