the alps:
.time based facts:
During the Second Punic War in 218 BC, the Carthaginian general Hannibal successfully crossed the Alps along with an army numbering 38,000 infantry, 8,000 cavalry, and 37 war elephants.[3] This was one of the most celebrated achievements of any military force in ancient warfare. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alps#Political_and_cultural_history)
Mount Blanc, the highest spot in Europe, was ascended by two natives: Jacques Belmat and Dr. Packard, August 8, 1786 http://www.facts-about.org.uk/random-facts-about-alps.htm
.geographical facts:
The Alps comprise of about 180 mountains, from 4,000 to 15,732 feet high, the latter being the height of Mount Blanc, the highest spot in Europe. http://www.facts-about.org.uk/random-facts-about-alps.htm
The Alps form a large mountain range dominating Central Europe, including parts of Italy, France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Slovenia, Germany http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berghof_(residence)
.comparative facts: Mont Blanc (4810 m) is the highest peak in the Western Alps, while Piz Bernina (4052 m) is the highest peak in the Eastern Alps. (http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/alps-facts-3582.html)
On the Alps vine grows to the elevation of 1,600 feet. Below 1000 feet, figs, oranges and olives grow. Oak grows to 3,800 feet, limit of the chestnut is 2,800 feet, of pine 6,500 feet, and of furze 9,700 feet. Beyond 8,200 feet snow exists perpetually. http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/alps-facts-3582.html
machines in the alps:
.time based:
The center of this compass from around the early 20th century marks the highest mountains of the Swiss Alps, and from there the compass serves as the tourist's panoramic guide to distant landmarks:
(http://www.etesseract.com/Surveying/Surveying.html)
The first evidence of human activity in Switzerland dates back to the Palaeolithic (20,000 to 4,000 BC), where tools believed to be Neanderthal in origin have been found in the Cotencher cave in the Canton of Neuchatel
(http://worldinfozone.com/country.php?country=Switzerland&page=2)
.geography
.comparative:
alpine birds:
.time based: From 1900 to 2000, the overall number of free-living species in Switzerland monitored by BDM hardly changed at all. (http://www.biodiversitymonitoring.ch/english/indikatoren/z3.php)
Since 1900, 19 new breeding bird species have been recorded in this country, many among them dependent on water bodies. (http://www.biodiversitymonitoring.ch/english/indikatoren/z3.php)
.geography: birds have been driven out of areas colonised by humans. – Birdlife includes swans, ducks, coots, seagulls (which live by the many lakes), sparrows, thrushes and pigeons http://worldinfozone.com/country.php?country=Switzerland
birdlife is still being harmed by human activities and over 80 species are threatened with extinction. http://worldinfozone.com/country.php?country=Switzerland
.comparative: switzerland:
| ............ | ? | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | Changes from 1997 to 2008 |
| Breeding birds | 0 | 178 | 176 | 177 | 177 | 177 | 176 | 175 | 174 | 175 | 175 | 177 | 175 | 4 disappearances, 3 newcomers, 1 unstable species |
http://www.biodiversitymonitoring.ch/english/indikatoren/z3.php
The most common birds in Switzerland are chaffinch and black redstart (both can be found on over 90% of the territory), followed by blackbird, blackcap, great tit, robin and wren. Sparrow, crow and pigeon are abundant in almost all Swiss villages and towns; seagull, swan, mallard, and common coot can be found along many lakes. Other species like the great spotted woodpecker may be found in the forests. http://www.all-about-switzerland.info/swiss-birdlife-wild-breeding-birds.html Many lake shores have been altered by human influence: wetlands and rush areas are much smaller today due to building homes, industrial plants, roads and railway lines. Some species are endangered or even extinct due to scarcity of food or breeding-places. The most popular loser is the white stork, who disappeared from Switzerland in 1950, but has returned thanks to intense efforts. http://www.all-about-switzerland.info/swiss-birdlife-wild-breeding-birds.html
Adventures with a stuffed robin The most entertaining chapter in Lack's book records birds' reactions when he placed a stuffed robin, wired to a tree, in their territories. The robin's usual response was to threaten the stuffed specimen with song and displays, before attacking it. Yet individual reactions varied greatly. One hen robin continued to attack the space where the stuffed robin had been even after it was removed http://www.icons.org.uk/theicons/collection/the-robin/features/david-lack-and-the-life-of-the-robin-in-progress
time based:
many jews and other refugees fleed to the alps to escape from the germans during WWII (1938-1942)
.geography:
traditional dress may bear a slight Slavic influence because of the presence of Slavs there today and before the German empire conquered the region from the broken Polish state under Heinrich the Lion (http://euroheritage.net/traditionalcostumes.shtml)
.comparative:
In Switzerland, where the Germans are the majority population, the German-Austrian costume is generally worn. The French and Italian minorities wear their respective dresses. The Netherlands has famous distinctions of their own, derived largely from German tradition because of a shared heritage and history.
http://euroheritage.net/traditionalcostumes.shtml
example of difference: Women's Sunday costume is decorated with embroideries of garden flowers, while the embroidery on men's smocks shows alpine flowers http://www.swissroots.org/swissroots/en/stories/heritage/Heritage/Swiss%20Customs/National%20Costum
alpine landscapes:
.time based:
An oil on board painting by Hans Jemuller (German, 20th century), Sommertag bei Garmisch; a charming alpine landscape with rustic building and church steeple, signed lower right "Hans Jermuller" and titled en verso. 1901
(http://www.prices4antiques.com/paintings/oil-on-board/Jemuller-Hans-Oil-on-Board-signed-Alpine-Landscape-Sommertag-bei-Garmish-D9907555.htm)
.geography:
The Alps comprise about 180 mountains, from 4,000 to 15,732 feet high, the latter being the height of Mount Blanc, the highest spot in Europe.
http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/alps-facts-3582.html
WATERFALLS:
garnitzenklamm
pericnik waterfall
savica waterfall
kozjak waterfall
waterfall of the nivolet
krimml waterfalls
stroder waterfalls in niedere tauern
hidden falls
censo falls
lower falls of the aubach near Abtenau / Voglau
fall near grimsel storage lake
gollinger waterfall
rinker waterfall
krimmler faelle
grawa wasser fall
waterfal in valle spluga
waterfall of crot creek
stuibenall ferrata
censo falls
rodonva waterfall
http://www.summitpost.org/albupm/358703/Waterfalls-of-the-Alps.html
(more) Examples of waterfalls with the height over 100 m:
1. BOKA ( 144 m) *The upper part = 106 m
2. ČEDCA ( 130 m)
3. KLOMA ( 128 m)
4. SKOK (Jump) ( 118 m)
5. FRATARICA - "Veliki Drsnik" ( 112 m)
6. "Po Dolu" ( 110 m)
7. SUHA(105 m)
8. Brinta (104 m)
9. Peračica ( 102 m)
10. Martuljški slapovi: Upper Waterfall of Martuljek ( 101 m)
11. Waterfall Alpinum Juliana ( 20 + 100 m)
12. Jurež ( the highest waterfall in Karavanke Alps) ( 100 m)
and there are more interesting waterfalls:
http://www.burger.si/factsabout.htm
Water drainage is quite rich on mainly mountain surface. That explains why Slovenia has over 300 permanent waterfalls.
http://www.burger.si/factsabout.htm
.comparative:
The alps are one of the biggest mountain ranges in the world - along with the rockies in the U.S., the Indies in India, and the mountain range that goes along the west coast of South America.
falls on the Reichenbach (creek) in Bern canton, central Switzerland, one of the highest falls in the Alps. There are five cascades with an overall height of 650 feet (200 m); best known are Upper and Lower Reichenbach Falls, with a drop of about 300 feet (90 m). Much of Reichenbach’s beauty has been marred by a hydroelectric development
http://www.britannica.com/facts/5/80877/Alps-as-discussed-in-Reichenbach-Falls-waterfalls-Switzerland
alpine flora:
.time based:
The Edelweiss was established 1907 as the sign of the Austrian-Hungarian alpine troops by Emperor Franz Joseph I.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leontopodium_alpinum
Edelweiss is a protected plant in Austria (since 1886)
http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Edelweiss
.geography: The plant is unequally distributed and prefers rocky limestone places at 2000–2900 m altitude. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leontopodium_alpinum
.comparative: Edelweiss can is one of the few flowers that can withstand high altitudes. (2000–2900 meters) . is one of the best-known European mountain flower
http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Edelweiss
alpine fauna:
.time based:
The great urus, the elk, and the wild swine have disappeared since the Roman period, and the beaver in more recent times; but the brown bear, the lynx, the wild cat, and the wolf still survive.
http://www.1902encyclopedia.com/A/ALP/alps-26.html
average lifespan in the wild: 9-12 years.
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/mountain-goat/
.geography:
Wolves and lynxes are still found living in the wild. Foxes are increasing in cities and towns. Deer, ibex and chamois, both mountain goats also live wild, mainly in the high Alpine valleys and pastures. Many types of freshwater fish are found in the lakes and rivers, including dace, trout, perch, char, pike and freshwater salmon.
http://worldinfozone.com/country.php?country=Switzerland
The marmot, which is the most characteristic of the Rodentia, maintains its ground in the stony recesses of the Alpine region, and does not diminish in numbers as most other wild animals have done
http://www.1902encyclopedia.com/A/ALP/alps-26.html
.comparative:
Although no conspicuous species of quadruped or bird is known to be exclusively confined to the Alps, they have afforded an asylum to many animals that have become rare or extinct elsewhere.
http://www.1902encyclopedia.com/A/ALP/alps-26.html
Mountain goats are not true goats—but they are close relatives. They are more properly known as goat-antelopes.- In the spring, a nanny goat gives birth to one kid (sometimes two), which must be on its feet within minutes of arrival into its sparse mountain world. Mountain goats eat plants, grasses, mosses, and other alpine vegetation. Size relative to a 6-ft (2-m) man http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/mountain-goat/
MORE facts:
Mountain goats are not true goats—but they are close relatives. They are more properly known as goat-antelopes.
In the spring, a nanny goat gives birth to one kid (sometimes two), which must be on its feet within minutes of arrival into its sparse mountain world. Mountain goats eat plants, grasses, mosses, and other alpine vegetation.
During the more moderate summer season goats shed this coat.
most spectacular alpine environments. They often appear at precipitous heights,
Mountain goats are powerful but nimble and can jump nearly 12 feet (3.5 meters) in a single bound.
in mating season billies will sometimes use their to battle rivals for prospective mates.
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/mountain-goat/
Kids are born in the spring (late May or early June) after a six month gestation period.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountain_goat#Life_cycle_and_breeding
alpine architecture:
.time based:
alpine natives profited from mills in the middle 18 hundreds and later.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Swiss-Switzerland-Jura-Mountains-Old-Mill-Print-1874-_W0QQitemZ220573970185QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20100320?IMSfp=TL100320133009r6876#ht_500wt_956
.geography:
There are few remains of pre-Roman civilisations to be found in Switzerland
http://worldinfozone.com/country.php?country=Switzerland
The Berghof was Adolf Hitler's home in the Obersalzberg of the Bavarian Alps near Berchtesgaden, Bavaria, Germany
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berghof_(residence)
.comparative:
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