Western Europe Multilingualism and the protection of regional and minority languages are recognized political goals in Western Europe today. The Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and the Council of Europe's European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages set up a legal framework for language rights in Europe. Western Europe is one of the richest regions of the world. Germany has the highest GDP in Europe and the largest financial surplus of any country, Luxembourg has the world's highest GDP per capita, and the United Kingdom has the highest Net National Wealth of any European state. Switzerland
Hill Country homes the ground using materials such as cypress wood, cedar, adobe brick and limestone. The original Hill Country homes were quite simple with straight roofs. The German immigrants mixed some of their own personal influences such as elaborate mill work on the porches and gables. Texas hill country also had influence from Alsatian French immigrants who were part of the Castroville group as well as Scottish immigrants. It was not simply a German influence but was an evolution from earlier pioneer building techniques once skilled craftsmen and more abundant building materials became available. "Built in Texas" (1979)edited by Francis Edward Abernathy