Page:Maury's New Elements of Geography, 1907.djvu/110

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CENTRAL EUROPE; SWITZERLAND, SOUTHERN EUROPE.

Europe. It contains the two states, Austria and Hungary, under one emperor.

Austria-Hungary is one of the richest mineral regions of the continent. Its salt mines are the largest in the world.

The chief agricultural products are wine, grain, hemp, and flax. Hungary is noted for its wines.

The most important manufactures are linen goods and colored glass.

A street in Berne showing the clock-tower, beneath which is one of the gates of the city.

Vienna, the capital of the empire, and Budapest, the capital of Hungary, are the largest cities.

8. Switzerland.—This little republic is nestled among the Alps. It is famous for its grand mountain peaks and beautiful lakes. So many people go there every year to enjoy the scenery that it is called the playground of Europe.

Most of the Swiss are occupied in the care of sheep and cattle. They are also celebrated for the manufacture of watches and cotton goods.

Berne is the capital.

For Recitation.—What countries are in Central Europe? Name the chief products of Germany. For what are the Germans noted? What is remarkable about a large part of the surface of the Netherlands? What are the chief occupations in the Netherlands? What are the chief occupations in Denmark? For what is Belgium noted? What are the chief occupations in France? What are the chief products of France? What are the chief manufactures of France? For what is Austria-Hungary noted? What are the chief occupations of the Swiss?

Thun, a picturesque town among the Alps in Switzerland. The church which you see in the picture is more than 700 years old.

LESSON LV.

1. Southern Europe consists of Spain and Portugal, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Rou-ma'-nia (roo-), Servia, Bulgaria, and Mon-te-ne'-gro.

2. Spain and Portugal were once the foremost countries of Europe. They occupy a peninsula. A large part of the country is mountainous. Spain is a kingdom, and Portugal is now a republic.

Home of a Spanish nobleman. Notice the flowers in the open court, or patio, and the palace around it. Compare with the patio on page 78.

From the top of the loftiest mountains the view is beautiful. We see the blue Mediterranean like a quiet lake, dotted with steamers and white-sailed vessels. Snowy mountain peaks are all around us, and far away over the water is the dim outline of the shores of Africa.

Spain possesses the richest quicksilver mine in the world. Among the highlands are raised large flocks of merino sheep, so famed for their