Over the last hundred years, Austria has had to reinvent itself within its smaller borders. Like, Switzerland, the Alps cover much of the country, so the population is mostly located in the eastern lowlands where land is flat or gently sloping.
Austria has looked to Switzerland as a model for economic development. The country relies on specialized industries like machine tool manufacturing, chemical development, and textiles. Austria has some natural resources that can be minded. Dairy farming and cattle are also important in Austria.
Unlike Switzerland, The Eastern Alps in Austria have iron ores, magnesite, aluminum, copper, and lead. The miners use the strip mining technique of getting rid of the earth’s surface to expose the deposits.
Tourism still accounts for some of Austria’s economy, as well. The city of Vienna was the political and cultural center of the Austrian Empire. Though its population is less than it used to be, many tourists are curious to see the cultural and historical aspects of the city.
Strip mining at Erzberg Mine in Austria.
Underground tunnel built for shaft mining.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of strip mining versus shaft mining?
| Your Responses | Sample Answers |
|---|---|
| You might have said that strip mining is safer for miners. It also lets companies reach ores and deposits more quickly than building tunnels. However, strip mining cause erosion and pollution when stripped materials end up in waterways. On the other hand, shaft mining gets deeper into the surface of the earth, so more material can be collected. Additionally, shaft mining can reach minerals that are too deep for surface mining. Unfortunately, shaft mining is very dangerous because the ground can collapse. Also, it displaces people who can’t live in areas with huge holes below the surface. | |
