Mountains and Plains Landforms shaped lives of Europeans Geologically older mountains across...
-
Upload
winfred-grant -
Category
Documents
-
view
220 -
download
0
Transcript of Mountains and Plains Landforms shaped lives of Europeans Geologically older mountains across...
Mountains and PlainsLandforms shaped lives of EuropeansGeologically older mountains across northern EuropeYounger, higher mountains in the south (Alps, Pyrenees)
created by recent tectonic activityAlps separate warm, dry climate of Mediterranean from
cooler northern EuropeCarpathian Mountains in Eastern EuropeNorthern European Plain- across northern EuropeFertile soil, good for agricultureLocation of largest cities in EuropeHungarian Plain- eastern Europe, good agricultural areaPlain along Danube River, Long rivers in heartland of Europe- Rhine, Danube,
Rhone, Seine, Po Europeans have altered waterways (canals, dikes) to
connect industrial centersDanube most important river in eastern Europe, Rhine
important to western Europe
Physical Geography of EuropeMost people live within 300
miles of ocean/sea, shaped lifestyles
Netherlands mostly below sea level
For over 500 years Dutch built large dikes to hold back North Sea
Polders are reclaimed landProvide land for settlement
and farmingUse windmills to pump out
water
Land of PeninsulasEurope is a large peninsulaScandinavian Peninsula- Norway, Sweden, FinlandNorway’s coast has many small inlets called fjords-
evidence of glaciationsJutland-DenmarkIberian Peninsula- Spain and Portugal, most of it is a
semiarid plateau, cut off from the rest of Europe by Pyrenees Mts., mts kept region isolated
Apennine Peninsula- Italy, along spine of peninsula Apennines Mts., earthquakes, volcanoes common in region
Balkan Peninsula- southeast Europe, tangle of mountains and valleys, historically kept people isolated
Islands Major Islands Iceland, Great Britain,
Ireland located in Atlantic Climate moderated by warm
North Atlantic current Sicily, Crete, Sardinia,
Corsica in Mediterranean Characterized by
earthquakes and volcanoes Mt. Etna Europe’s largest
active volcano located on Sicily
Natural ResourcesAbundant supply of
coal, iron ore helped fuel Industrial Revolution
Many starting to be depleted
Vast oil reserves in the North Sea
Wind, hydroelectric and nuclear power in widespread use
Geothermal energy abundant in Iceland
Climate and VegetationEurope’s relationship to the sea
influence climate and vegetation
Western, Southern Europe benefit from maritime winds
Western Europe- maritime west coast climate (mild winters, cool summers, abundant rainfall)
Gulf Stream, North Atlantic Drift bring warm water from tropical regions, westerly winds carry warm moist air to European landmass, Scandinavian Peninsula and southern Iceland
Arctic, subarctic climate types found across northern Europe
Climate and VegetationSouthern Europe- most is a
Mediterranean climateBalkan Peninsula (subtropical),
Spain (steppe )Alps block moisture from AtlanticLocal winds cause changes in the
normal pattern- Mistral (brings cold air from Alps to southern France), Siroccos (brings hot dry air from North Africa to region)
Eastern Europe humid continental climate, cold winters, hot summers
Does not benefit from ocean influence
Steppe climate in southwestern Europe characterize by drought, poor soils
Influenced development of region
Northern EuropeUnited Kingdom,
Ireland, Iceland, Sweden, Finland and Denmark
Population patterns shaped by migration and distinct ethnic groups
Over 160 different ethnic groups across Europe
United Kingdom one of the most ethnically diverse and densely populated
Other countries dominated mainly one ethnic group
Northern EuropeUK has been conquered by different
groups for thousands of yearsRecently welcomed immigrants from
across former British EmpireScandinavian countries have less
diversityIreland, UK have temperate climates
and fertile soil that have supported a large population
Internal and external migration has affected the region
Internal migration has brought people to urban areas for opportunity
Major cities and economic centers and capitals - London, England; Stockholm, Sweden; Copenhagen, Denmark
Northern EuropeMid 1700’s Industrial RevolutionA.Began in England, transformed manufacturing
in Europe and across the worldB.Transportation, communication developedC.Rise of Industrial capitalism (profits used to
expand companies)D.Rise of middle class, rise of material comfortsFactory workers- poor, lived in crowded slumsSocial problems led to ideas of communismIdea based on economic equality, workers
control factories and industrial productionBy end of 1800’s many gov’ts began to pass
laws to improve workers lives
Northern EuropeSince the end of World War II northern
European countries have built stable democracies and strong economies
All northern European countries are members of the European Union
Languages all have Indo-European language
Most countries are Protestant and allow religious freedom
School is mandatory for at least 10 years and literacy rates are around 100%
Countries offer complete social welfare to citizens
Welfare States- tax supported programs for higher education, health care, social security
Large portions of national budget spent to provide services
Because of recent economic pressures governments have had to limit services
Western EuropeFrance, Netherlands,
Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, Germany
Germany and Austria historically have been homogeneous
Other countries reflect traditions of many different groups
Countries welcome many different immigrant groups
Germany uses foreign guest workers (workers temporarily allowed into country) to fill industrial jobs because of low population growth and ageing population
Many French immigrants are from former French colonies and are predominantly Muslim
Situations cause ethnic tension in region
Western EuropeSubregion densely populated, good
farmland support large populationsGermany most populous country in
EuropeNetherlands and Belgium have
highest population densitiesMost of region has an aging and
shrinking populationImmigrants and people from rural
areas moving to urban areas for opportunity
Major urban areas Paris, Brussels, Munich, Berlin, Amsterdam
Western Europe Subregion part of Roman, Empire, Holy Roman Empire and place
where Protestant Reformation began France, Prussia (modern Germany and Poland) were once major
European powers Countries suffered heavily during two World Wars End of WW II left Europe divided, ruined Eastern Europe came under Communist control (USSR) Most of Western Europe helped by aid from the US Struggle between non- communist world and communist world –
Cold War Germany at center of tensions After WWII Germany divided for almost 50 years West Germany was democratic, East Germany was communist
(reunited 1991) West Germany prospered at this time by becoming a member of
the EU and a player in the world economy Economic development lags behind in the former East Germany
Western EuropeRegion home of artistic and literary movementsRealism, impressionismLanguages of region Indo-European in originPrimarily Christian, tolerant of other religions and with
a growing Muslim populationHigh literacy rate, high standard of livingEconomy based in manufacturing and service industriesGovernments provide social services to citizens
Southern EuropeMediterranean home to some
of the oldest civilizations in Europe
Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Vatican City
Italy most populated countryVatican City world’s smallest
independent state, and the seat of the Catholic Church
Population in Spain concentrated near coast
Millions from this region left in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s and came to the US for economic opportunity
Most of the population is urban
Southern EuropeCapitals Rome and Athens ancient cities once centers of
great empiresAthens introduced the world to democracyRome made breakthroughs in law and governmentRenaissance began in Italy in the 1300’s1800’s and 1900’s were a time of nationalism and World
War1990’s political and economic stability across subregion
through democratically elected governments and membership in the European Union
Southern EuropeLiteracy rates are high and the
governments of the Southern European countries provide free, compulsory education
Governments provide healthcare and social services to citizens
2010 economic collapse in Greece and Portugal has led to reduction of social services
Romance languages dominate (languages based in Latin)
Majority of population is Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox, growing Muslim population due to immigration
Greeks and Romans developed the basics of architecture and great works of art have been produced by Italian artists
Eastern EuropeSerbia, Montenegro, Bosnia-
Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia, Macedonia, Romania, Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus and Russia
Sub region shaped by wars, migration and changing borders
Most people of region are ethnic Slavs
Many religious groups are represented (Catholic, Muslim, Eastern Orthodox)
Minority group found in Bulgaria are Roma people (Gypsies)
Eastern EuropePopulation density affected by
geographic factorsUkraine, Poland have fertile soils and
support large populations (part of Northern European Plain)
Ukraine regions largest nationSlavs settled region thousands of years
ago, Romans conquered region, under the control of the Byzantine Empire, for over 500 years Balkan region controlled by Ottoman Empire
After WWII the region was part of the Soviet Bloc
Political circumstances caused large scale internal immigration and migration
Since the end of the Cold War many countries are experiencing economic growth
Eastern EuropeModern Eastern Europe has suffered
instability because of ethnic division, and power struggles
Balkan peninsula seen most instabilityBalkanization term used to describe the
division of a region into smaller regions that are often hostile toward one another
After WWI Yugoslavia was established that united all countries of Balkan region
Country was under communist control after WWII
After decline of Soviet Union in early 1990’s region fractured along ethnic lines
Some republics declared independence and ethnic and religious tension sparked violence
Serbs accused of ethnic cleansing of Muslim Bosnians
International peacekeeping efforts brought some peace
Eastern EuropeEconomy did improve during
1990’s Countries encouraged free
market reforms and free elections installed democratic leaders
Many countries faced challenges to health care in the transition from communism but most Eastern Europeans have access to government sponsored health care
Literacy rates are not quite as high as they are in Western Europe
Religious diversity has caused conflict across the region
The Region Today
The EconomyIndustrial Revolution made Europe
birthplace of modern industryAvailability of raw materials helped
develop industry in parts of EuropeMajor industrial centers of Ruhr
district in Germany, Po Basin in Italy and the Upper Silesia district in the Czech Republic and Poland
Service industry provides a large percentage of the GDP (Gross domestic product, the value of goods and services produced by a country in a year) across Europe
60% of workers in service industryBanking and finance, high tech
industries and tourism, leading service sector industries
The EconomyEurope has fertile farmlandNumbers involved in farming is droppingCrops vary across EuropeFarmers use advanced techniques to make best use of limited
spaceMixed farming common- several crops and livestock on one
farmFarm cooperatives- farmers share growing and selling
products, reduces costs, increases profitsUnder communism collective farms, government owned farms,
workers received wages and a share of productsOut dated equipment, lack of incentive resulted in low yieldsDebate over new farming methods from genetically modified
foods to organic practicesGovernment subsidies for agriculture are an issueMany think it causes overproduction and artificial price
protection
Transportation and CommunicationOne of the best transportation systems
in the worldMany are government owned, standards
vary from country to countryQuality higher in Western EuropeRail network links continentHigh speed trains more economical than
auto, air travel Well developed highway systemAutobahn one of the best roads in the
world (Germany)Long tradition of seafaring, many major
portsEconomies along Danube and Rhine
River depend on trade Handles over half of the worlds
international shippingRotterdam in the Netherlands , at the
mouth of the Rhine, the largest port in the world
Well developed cell phone network across Europe
Trade and InterdependenceEuropean Union (EU) unites
Europe into one trading community
Greater volume of trade than any single country in the world
Movement arose from WWII to rebuild ruined economies
1957 first countries joined (Belgium, West Germany, France, Luxembourg, Italy, Netherlands) to integrate economies
1992- Maastricht Treaty, set up EU
Get rid of trade restrictions, have common foreign policy, currency, works to scale down welfare state
Member countries work to boost trade and make economy more efficient and productivity
Eastern European EconomyDuring Cold War (1940’s-
1991) Eastern Europe run under a command economy, were loyal to the USSR
Government made all economic decisions, workers had a lack of incentive to work
After the fall of communism- too many workers, too little technology, needed to retrain workers, adopt energy conservation measures
Countries needed to modernize to compete
Social benefits have been cut, population dropping since the early 1990’s
People and Their EnvironmentEuropeans face challenges from the
physical environment and most of Europe has been altered by human use
Physical environment: Earthquakes frequent in southern Europe, Iberian peninsula is an arid region makes agriculture difficult
Human interaction:A.High concentration of industry has had
an impact on land, air and waterB.Soil erosion due to deforestation and
overgrazing is a problem in the arid Mediterranean region
C.Most of Europe’s forests have been removed, especially in Southern and industrial Western Europe to create cities, industry and farms
Delta Project- large scale, 30 year project to prevent flooding in the Netherlands
Water PollutionAgricultural ,industrial runoff problems across
EuropeIndustrial pollution, raw sewage and agricultural
runoff have harmed river systemsDestroyed fish species, contaminated ecosystemsBiggest concern along MediterraneanRecent times many have moved near the sea,
tourism popular, has caused an increase in environmental problems
Used for transportation, recreation also a dumping ground for waste, sewage, industrial waste
Small tides, weak currents do not disperse pollution
People and Their EnvironmentBlack Triangle (Germany,
Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia) where industrial pollution has had the highest impact
Before 1989 most of Eastern Europe had no laws to control pollution
Communist emphasis on rapid industrial growth affected public health
Western European countries have dumped industrial waste in water and air
Industry contributed to acid rain, drifted across borders and affected other countries
Auto exhaust also contributesMost severe in E. Europe where
they burn more coalAcid rain has damaged many
historic sites in EuropeWorries about global warming
People and their Environment Many European governments have made an effort to clean up the
environment EU requires environmental protection and cleanup from its members EU members face legal actions for not following environmental
protection laws Countries wishing to join the EU are required to meet environmental
standards Many Western European countries and the US are providing
technology and investment to clean up the environment Financing and cleanup is expensive and difficult because of the
number of countries involved Many European countries are using alternative energy resources