Alpine countries

The Alpine countries, also known as the Alpine states, are taken to be part of either Central Europe along with the Visegrád group, and sometimes Western Europe. The Alps is the collective name for one of the great mountain range systems of Europe, stretching from Austria in the east, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany, through to France in the west.

The Alpine Countries

• Switzerland \nThe Swiss landscape is characterised by the Alps, a high mountain range running across the central-south of the country. Amongst the high peaks of the Swiss Alps, the highest of which is the Dufour Peak at 4,634 m, are found countless valleys, some with glaciers. From these the headwaters of several major European rivers such as the Rhine, the Rhône, the Inn, the Aare or the Ticino, flow down into lakes such as Lake Geneva, Lake Zürich, Lake Neuchâtel, and Lake Constance and farther down.
• Germany \nGermany stretches from the high mountains of the Alps (highest point: the Zugspitze at 2,962 m) in the south to the shores of the North and Baltic Seas in the north. In between are found the forested uplands of central Germany and the low-lying lands of northern Germany (lowest point: Neuendorfer/Wilstermarsch at -3.54 m), traversed by some of Europe's major rivers such as the Rhine, Danube and Elbe.
• Liechtenstein \nLiechtenstein is situated in the Rhine valley in the Alps. The entire western border of Liechtenstein is formed by the river Rhine. The eastern part of the country is located at higher altitude, the highest point being the Grauspitz, at 2,599 m (8,527 ft.).It is a land-locked country, bordered by fellow Alpine countries Austria to the East, and Switzerland to the west.
• Austria\nAustria's west and south are situated in the Alps, making it a well-known winter sports destination. The highest mountain is the Grossglockner, at 3798 meters above sea level, followed by the Wildspitze (3774 m). The north and east of the country are mostly rolling terrain. The climate is temperate, with cold winters and cool summers.
• Slovenia\nFour major European geographic regions meet in Slovenia: the Alps, the Dinaric Alps, the Pannonian plain and the Mediterranean. Slovenia's highest peak is Mt. Triglav at 2864 meters. Around one half of the country is covered by forests. Remnants of primeval forests are still to be found, the largest in the Kočevje area.

France & Italy

\nThe Alps extend far out of the Alpine States. In Southeast France, there are Alps. In Northern France there are Alps. As a matter of fact, the highest Alp is on the French-Italian border. It is called Mont Blanc and it is 4808 meters above sea level. Here is additional information on the Alpine Region of France and Italy: \n* France\nFrance possesses a large variety of landscapes, ranging from coastal plains in the north and west, where France borders the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, to the mountain ranges in the south the Pyrenees and the southeast the Alps.

• Italy\nThe Apennine mountains form the backbone of this peninsula, leading north-west to where they join the Alps, the mountain range that then forms an arc enclosing Italy from the north. Here is also found a large alluvial plain, the Po-Venetian plain, drained by the Po River and its many tributaries flowing down from the Alps, Appennines and Dolomites.

These countries are Alpine because the Alps mountain range passes through all of them. Even though France and Italy also have the Alps, they are usually not considered to be a part of this group. This region is one named after the mountain range the countries consist of, the Alps. This is the same as the South American region the Andean States and the Asian Himalayan States.