1. Bell Ringer #1 1-7-14 Compare the Physical Map and the Transit Railroad map. Why were the rail lines laid the way that they were?

2. Ch. 15 s. 2 Alpine countries # 2

3. AUSTRIA shares a common history and culture with Germany. German is the main language. Try to speak German! http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=gr7Q_GZlvis http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=uO0jWxhVW1A

4. Vienna is Austria’s capital.

5. Many famous artists and musician lived here, example Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Vienna Opera Ball http://www.youtube.co m/watch?v=3OF8vL74a vI

6. Austria is a member of the EU and has a strong, diversified, free market economy.

7. *SWITZERLAND is a confederation of 26 states. A confederation is a group of states joined together for a common purpose. Their government is much like the USA with Canton (state) rights and a Federal government.

8. Can you yodel? http://www.youtube.co m/watch?v=L6qy8RVo4 v4 http://www.youtube.co m/watch?v=L6qy8RVo4 v4 Swiss horns http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=AWhMLfnlYIc&lis t=RDxT5wVLxmDSk

9. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pRJDE4 MlJ0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pRJDE4 MlJ0 Look at the Geography of Switzerland

10. It is a neutral country that does not take sides in international conflicts or alliances. To preserve their neutrality it does not join international organizations like the EU.

11. Switzerland holds many international conferences (meetings between countries) in Geneva, Switzerland. Countries feel safe meeting in Switzerland because it does not take sides.

12. Switzerland Conventions focus on peace and preserving humanity during war.

13. Switzerland has one of the world’s highest standards of living. It has a diversified, free market economy.

14. Timber production is declining because government of Switzerland has set a limit tree cutting, this is due to the air pollution that damaged 35% of the country’s forests.