FIND OUT MORE. Industry 204 • Medieval Europe 390–391 • Politics 306–307 • Rivers 56 • World War II 432–433
People and Places^255
1 POZNAN, POLAND
Poland has many beautiful old towns, such as Poznan, its ancient
capital. Many of its buildings date back to the Middle Ages, including
these houses on the market place, once the homes of wealthy residents.
1 PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
Every year, visitors flock to Prague, the historic capital of the Czech
Republic, to visit its beautiful streets and squares. The city is a booming
commercial centre, although its ageing factories cause air pollution.2 CASTLE, RIVER RHINE, GERMANY
The Stahleck Fortress is just one of many castles that
overlook the southern part of the River Rhine. Tourists
take cruise boats along the river to view the vineyards,
scenery, and romantic castles on the river banks.
1 POTSDAMER PLATZ, BERLIN, GERMANY
Newly-built skyscapers in Potsdamer Platz, Berlin’s commercial centre,
are signs of the economic activity in Germany’s reunified capital. New
government, commercial, and tourist-oriented buildings are part of a
major building boom.
11th-century
castle on a hill
overlooking the
River RhineWHICH COUNTRIES ARE HEAVILY INDUSTRIALIZED?
Poland and the Czech Republic are major producers of
iron, steel, cars, and industrial machinery. Poland is
also a major shipbuilder and exporter of coal and
metals. Factories in these former Communist countries
are old, poorly equipped, and pollute the environment,
but their governments are slowly trying to make them
cleaner and more productive.HOW HAS REUNIFICATION AFFECTED GERMANY?
When East and West Germany became one country in
1990, a period of great change was introduced. After
World War II, democratic West Germany became a
wealthy, industrialized nation. In contrast, East
Germany, run by the former Soviet Union, had little
investment and inefficient industry. Since 1990,
however, East Germany has slowly been modernized.
WHY IS THE RIVER RHINE
SO IMPORTANT TO EUROPE?
The Rhine is one of Europe’s most important trade
routes. Huge barges use the waterway to transport
heavy freight such as timber, coal, and grain. The
river starts in the Swiss Alps and flows northwest for
1,320 km (820 miles) through Germany and France.
It empties into the North Sea at Rotterdam in the
Netherlands, the world’s second-largest port.BELGIUM
Capital city: Brussels
Area: 30,510 sq km
(11,780 sq miles)
Population: 10.7 million
Official languages: Dutch, French,
and German
Major religion: Roman Catholic
NETHERLANDS
Capital cities: Amsterdam;
The Hague (administrative)
Area: 41,526 sq km
(16,033 sq miles)
Population: 16.4 million
Official language: Dutch
Major religions: Roman Catholic
and Protestant
LUXEMBOURG
Capital city:
Luxembourg-Ville
Area: 2,586 sq km (998 sq miles)
Population: 488,700
Official languages: French,
German, and Luxembourgish
Major religion: Roman Catholic
GERMANY
Capital city: Berlin
Area: 357,021 sq km
(137,846 sq miles)
Population: 82.1 million
Official language: German
Major religions: Protestant and
Roman Catholic
LIECHTENSTEIN
Capital city: Vaduz
Area: 160 sq km
(62 sq miles)
Population: 35,600
Official language: German
Major religion: Roman Catholic
AUSTRIA
Capital city: Vienna
Area: 83,858 sq km
(32,378 sq miles)
Population: 8.3 million
Official language: German
Major religion: Roman Catholic
CZECH REPUBLIC
Capital city: Prague
Area: 78,866 sq km
(30,450 sq miles)
Population: 10.4 million
Official language: Czech
Major religion: Roman
Catholic
POLAND
Capital city: Warsaw
Area: 312,685 sq km
(120,728 sq miles)
Population: 38.1 million
Official language: Polish
Major religion: Roman Catholic
SLOVAKIA
Capital city: Bratislava
Area: 48,845 sq km
(18,859 sq miles)
Population: 5.4 million
Official language: Slovak
Major religion: Roman CatholicCENTRAL EUROPE