3. Land Use in the Alps Tourism Farming Transport Industry HEP
4. Tourism The Alps attracts Skiers, climbers and walkers who Come to see the scenery and Participate in winter sports Skiing takes place on the Adret slope which is Sunnier, warmer drier. Lakeside summer resorts At Lake Garda at the Bottom of the U shaped Valleys. Close to affluent parts Of Europe – people Can afford to visit resorts e.g. St Mortitz on Holiday. The Alpine climate encourages Tourists- good snowfall and crisp Winter days and warm Summers with some Showers. Good communications Mean it is easy to access The Alps – international Road and rail routes and Airports at Geneva and Zurich Tourism has encouraged The building of new Roads, tunnels, avalanche Shelters, hotels etc Which have Benefitted farmers and locals
5. Farming New roads and quad bikes give access to up- Land pastures. Cable cars and pipes are now Used to move milk from the High Alp to the Valley floor. The valley floor is the Ideal location for farming- Most farms are on the Adret slope Where it is warmer and drier. Traditional farming is dairying- But Some fodder crops and vines are found in some areas. Transhumance is the seasonal movement Of cattle- in summer animals are taken Up the slopes to graze, in winter They are brought back to the farm on the valley Floor where they are fed. Fodder Crops are grown on the Valley floor during the summer Little farming takes place on The Ubac slope as it is colder, Wetter and shaded. The land in the valley floor Is flatter- the soils are Deeper and more fertile- There is shelter from wind And communications are good
6. Forestry is an important industry- the wood is Used for fuel, for building, and in the Paper and wood pulp industries The steep sides make an excellent site for HEP There are 40 HEP stations in the Alps which are used to generate this form of renewable energy In many fold mountains conifers are grown on the sides of the valley. The power of fast flowing streams flowing down the valley sides also make HEP a popular feature. Industry and HEP