The Alpine Region-Europe

The Alpine Region

Did you know that the Alps are the youngest and tallest mountains in Europe?  This mountain range starts by the Mediterranean Sea on the border between France and Italy.  The mountain range then curves to the north and east through Italy, Switzerland Liechtenstein, southern Germany, Austria, and Slovenia.

The highest peak is Mont Blanc which rises 4807 meters above sea level.  Other famous peaks include Monte Rosa, the Matterhorn, the Grobglockner, and the Zugspitze.  There are three sections.  The western Alps, the central Alps, and the eastern Alps.

You can find a variety of plants growing in areas of the Alps.  You will also find green pastures with oak trees.  At higher elevations, you will find spruce, fir, and pine trees.  Moss, shrubs, and unique flowers also grow in the Alpine Region.

You will find a variety of animals that call the Alpine Region their home such as Alpacas, Andean Condors, Chincillas, Llamas, Mountain Goats, Snow leopards, Vicunas (members of the camel family), and Yaks.

The Alpine Region is also home to the St. Bernard dogs.  Some historians believe that the St. Bernard's are descendants of molosser-type dogs brought into the Alps by the ancient Romans.  The first written records of the St. Bernard were written by monks at the hospice at the Great St. Bernard Pass back in 1707.

Liechtenstein is doubly landlocked country in Central Europe. Switzerland borders Liechtenstein on the west and south and Austria borders Liechtenstein on the east and north.  The capital is Vaduz.  Liechtenstein also has the world's lowest external debt and one of the lowest unemployment rates in the world at only 1.5%.  Liechtenstein is a constitutional monarchy headed by a prince.  Not bad statistic for the small, rich, Germany-speaking country.  I wonder if they would like to trade a president for a prince.  I would! (Of course, I am not speaking of Obama).

Austria is bordered by the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.  German is the official language even though the majority of the population speak local Bavarian dialects of German. 

Vienna's Lipizzaner horses
You can call them Lipizzan or Lipizzaner, either way this is a magnificent breed of horse! These horses are trained to perform movements of classical dressage, and these movements are not typical for a horse to perform.  It actually goes against the laws of nature for them.  These fine horses are trained at the Spanish Riding School which is located in Vienna, Austria.  The Spanish Riding School was established in 1735 and is still the home of the Spanish Riding School today.

Did you know that Lipizzans are born bay (brown with black mane and tail) or black?  They are!  And they are not actually white, they are gray.  They do have black skin underneath their gray coats though.  They also have dark eyes.  As a side note, true white horses have pink skin and always blue eyes.

You can read more at Hermann's Royal Lipizzan Stallions.

That brings us to the end of the Alpine Region.