Agriculture and industry. Most farming is done in the valleys and on the sunny lower slopes of the Alps. Small family-owned farms are most common. The chief crops include such grains as barley, oats, and rye. Traditional Alpine farmers raise cattle, goats, and sheep.
Dairy farming is also an important economic activity.
A variety of industries operate in the foothills and valleys of the Alps. Factories manufacture chemicals, electrical machinery, and other equipment. Traditional handicrafts still produced in the region include shoes and other leather goods, textiles, and ceramics. Natural resources found in the Alps include bauxite, iron ore, stone, and timber. Many factories run on hydroelectric power that is generated by waterfalls in the mountains.