The Alps: how a backwards mountain chain became Europe’s richest region
If you knew nothing about the Alps, you might assume that it’s a poor place. Mountain chains usually are — from America’s Appalachians to the Himalayas, mountains are barriers to development and the people living near them are not wealthy. The soil is unsuitable for agriculture, the rugged terrain makes transport difficult or impossible, and the sparse population density impedes the development of a good school system. In today’s world they can be desirable places to live due to their recreational opportunities and natural beauty, but there are generally few jobs available.
Absolutely none of that is true of the Alps. Despite being landlocked and at the crossroads of several very violent and very powerful countries over history, it has emerged as one of the richest and most peaceful places on Earth. In Mercer’s 2019 Quality of Living Ranking, cities in the Alpine region took 5 of the top 10 spots, including Vienna at first place and Zurich at second, as well as Geneva, Munich and Basel. Liechtenstein and Switzerland are both often listed as the world’s richest country depending on the methodology (GDP per capita, average assets etc). In most of the…
