World Geography TodayChapter 15 Central Europe Preview Section 1: GermanyGermany Section 2: The Alpine CountriesThe Alpine Countries Section 3: Poland and the BalticsPoland and the Baltics Section 4: The Czech Republic, Slovakia, and HungaryThe Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary Chapter Wrap-Up

World Geography TodayChapter 15 Read to Discover What are some key events in the history of Germany? What are some features of German culture? What is Germany’s economy like? What issues and challenges does Germany face today? Section 1: Germany

World Geography TodayChapter 15 Question What historic events have led to Germany’s unification? Section 1: Germany

World Geography TodayChapter 15 Germanic tribes fight against the Roman Empire. Germany reunites after the fall of communism. Holy Roman Empire and Hanseatic League control German lands. Charlemagne begins German unification. Prussia unites northern and southern Germany. Germany is divided after World War II. Germany’s Road to Unification Section 1: Germany

World Geography TodayChapter 15 Charlemagne united German kingdoms in the 700s. Kingdoms became part of Holy Roman Empire. Hanseatic League united northern German towns in 1300s. Prussia and Habsburg Empire influenced German states by 1700s. Germany united in Germany lost two world wars. Germany divided into Communist East, democratic West. West Germany became an economic power. Germany united in 1990, after fall of communism. Section 1: Germany Key Events in German History

World Geography TodayChapter 15 German is dominant language, with regional dialects Noted literature, art, and music Protestant majority, large Catholic minority (mostly in south and west) Foods—Pork, sausage, veal, cheese, pastries Increasing concern for the environment Section 1: Germany Culture

World Geography TodayChapter 15 Powerful Economy—Fourth-largest GDP in the world Investments—Major investors in Central Europe Manufacturing—Machinery, automobiles, electronics, medical equipment, steel, high-tech equipment Mining—Coal, iron ore; Ruhr Valley is a key industrial center Agriculture—Efficient; grains, potatoes, sugar beets Section 1: Germany Economic Features

World Geography TodayChapter 15 Population—Aging and immigration are changing society, causing tension; low birthrates, longer life expectancies; most immigrants Turkish or ethnic Germans from the former Soviet Union Former East Germany—Economy and pollution are problems; unemployment high after close of inefficient factories; easterners resentful Section 1: Germany Issues and Challenges

World Geography TodayChapter 15 Read to Discover What are some important features of Austria’s history, culture, and economy? What are the political, cultural, and economic features of Switzerland? Section 2: The Alpine Countries

World Geography TodayChapter 15 History Part of Holy Roman Empire, then Austrian Empire, then Austro- Hungarian Empire United with Germany in World War II Independent since 1955 Culture German language, Catholic religion Vienna—Key city in Central Europe; famous for architecture and music Section 2: The Alpine Countries Austria

World Geography TodayChapter 15 Economy Various industries—Steel, machinery, chemicals Forestry, hydropower, handicrafts (wood, glass, textile, ceramic), tourism, foreign trade Section 2: The Alpine Countries Austria (continued)

World Geography TodayChapter 15 Swiss states began to ally in late 1200s Independent of Habsburg rule in 1600s Confederation of 26 cantons Neutral—Not part of UN or EU, but site of various international organizations Four major languages—German, French, Italian, Romansh Section 2: The Alpine Countries Switzerland

World Geography TodayChapter 15 Roman Catholic and Protestant High standard of living International banking and insurance Chemicals, pharmaceuticals, watches, farm goods, dairy products, tourism Section 2: The Alpine Countries Switzerland (continued)

World Geography TodayChapter 15 Question How do the histories, cultures, governments, and economies of Austria and Switzerland compare? Section 2: The Alpine Countries

World Geography TodayChapter 15 Formerly an empire ruled by Habsburgs, who controlled much of Europe Independent since 1600s Located in Alps, mountainous terrain AustriaSwitzerland Occupied by Germany during World War II, by Allies after war Democratic republic German language and cultural influence Member of the EU Roman Catholicism common Diverse economies, foreign operations, manufacturing, tourism Confederation of 26 cantons Politically neutral Has not joined EU or NATO French, Italian, German, Romansh languages common Protestantism common Section 2: The Alpine Countries

World Geography TodayChapter 15 Read to Discover What is the history of Poland and the Baltic countries? What are the urban environments and economy of Poland like today? What influences have shaped culture in the Baltic countries? Section 3: Poland and the Baltics

World Geography TodayChapter 15 Question What important events have occurred in the history of Poland and the Baltics? Section 3: Poland and the Baltics

World Geography TodayChapter s to 1800s Poland occupied by Russia, Prussia, and Austria; Baltics occupied by Russia. 1910s Poland and Baltics become independent after World War I. 1940s The Soviet Union occupies Poland and the Baltics. 1980s Poland breaks away from communism Baltic countries become independent Section 3: Poland and the Baltics

World Geography TodayChapter 15 Warsaw—Capital and transport hub on Vistula River Kraków—Beautiful medieval city Gdańsk—Main seaport and shipbuilding city Economic progress since end of communism; free- market economy; member of EU Auto and glass factories; weak coal and steel industries Farming in loess soils—Cereals, potatoes, sugar beets Section 3: Poland and the Baltics Polish Cities and Economy

World Geography TodayChapter 15 Middle Ages—Balts in Latvia and Lithuania; Finns in Estonia Viking and German invaders influenced Baltic culture Trade brought other foreign influences Estonia—Finnish impact on language, Lutheran religion Latvia—Ties to Sweden Lithuania—Close to Polish culture and Catholic religion Russian minorities maintain customs Section 3: Poland and the Baltics Baltic Influences

World Geography TodayChapter 15 Read to Discover What are some similarities and differences in the histories of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary? What are the Czech Republic and Slovakia like today? How has the fall of communism affected Hungary? Section 4: The Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary

World Geography TodayChapter 15 Slavic peoples inhabited Czech Republic and Slovakia; non-Slavic Magyars occupied Hungary. All three were part of Austro-Hungarian Empire. After World War I, Czech Republic and Slovakia combined as Czechoslovakia. Czech lands had minerals and industry; Slovakia was agricultural. Soviets set up Communist control over both Czechoslovakia and Hungary. Soviet control ended in the early 1990s, and the Czechs and Slovaks separated into two countries in Section 4: The Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary Comparing Histories

World Geography TodayChapter 15 Includes regions of Bohemia and Moravia 40 percent Roman Catholic; similar percentage non-religious Prague—Largest city; rich heritage; modern American influence; on seven hills along the Vltava River Minerals and industry—Coal, iron ore, uranium; steel and glass products Farming of cereals and sugar beets Economic progress slowed in late 1990s Member of NATO and the EU Section 4: The Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary Czech Republic

World Geography TodayChapter 15 Poorer country Difficult shift to capitalism; high unemployment Member of the EU Bratislava—Capital and largest city, on Danube River; center of trade, education, and culture Strong folk culture, especially art and music Section 4: The Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary Slovakia

World Geography TodayChapter 15 Question How has Hungary’s government and economy changed since the fall of communism? Section 4: The Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary

World Geography TodayChapter 15 Improvements have been made in rural water and sewage services. Hungary since the Fall of Communism Most businesses are now privately owned. New industries, foreign investment, and tourists have been attracted to the country. Section 4: The Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary Many people are moving from Budapest to the suburbs. Hungary is a member of NATO and the EU.

World Geography TodayChapter 15 Chapter Wrap-Up Understanding the Main Ideas 1.How did World Wars I and II shape the history of Germany? 2.What problems has eastern Germany faced since reunification? 3.Why have many American and Western European companies chosen Austria as a base for their European operations? 4.Why is loess important to Poland’s economy? 5.How does Hungary’s language differ from the languages of neighboring countries?