1. Germany and the Alpine Countries
Austria
Switzerland
Similarities

2. Make sure you have what is written in red!

3. 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

4. Black Forest Near the border with France
Has been damaged by acid rain & reduced by logging
Home to the famous German cuckoo clocks

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. Vienna-Center of the Classical Musical Period (1775-1825)
Play “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”
Famous composers who worked in Vienna: Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven (German) & Schubert (Austrian)

9. 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

10. The Alps mountain range runs through France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Lichtenstein, & Slovenia