REGIONAL FOCUSLAND
Europe covers about 1.9 million square miles. Several bodies of water touch the region. The largest of these are the Arctic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, the Baltic Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean. Europe‘s long jagged coastline has many peninsulas and offshore islands. Deep bays, narrow seas and well protected inlets shelter fine harbors. Closeness to the sea has enabled Europeans to trade with other islands. Many Europeans also depend on the sea for food. Europe is a continent almost completely covered by mountains. Low mountain ranges exist across most of Europe, specifically in the British Isles, Eastern Europe and Scandinavia. One large mountain range is found between France and Spain. This mountain range is called the Pyrenees Mountains. The Alps is one of the highest mountain ranges in Europe stretching from southern and central parts of the continent. Broad fertile plains curve around most of Europe’s mountains. The North European Plain stretches from the British Isles to Russia. Farms, towns and cities dot its rolling land. You will find other plains in the peninsulas of Southern and Eastern Europe. Europe’s rivers provide trade links between inland areas and coastal ports. The Rhine River begins in the Alps, flows through Northwestern Europe and empties into the North Sea. Europe other important waterway is the Danube River which flows eastward from Central Europe to the Black Sea. CLIMATE/VEGETATION Europe small land area offers many contrasts in its climates. Europe’s northern location and closeness to the sea are important to its variety in climates. Most Europeans enjoy mild type climates because of Europe’s location to the ocean. The oceans North Atlantic Current brings warm water and air into the region which provides a lot of rainfall along the western coastline. Because of its northern location, Northern Europe has longer, colder winters and shorter cooler summers than southern Europe. Central Europe tends to be much colder with longer winters; however its summers are shorter and much hotter than those in Western Europe. In the far north of Europe, mosses and small shrubs blanket the landscape. Mixed forests and grasslands are found in the milder climates regions of northwestern and eastern Europe. In the south, the hot dry summers of the Mediterranean area produce shrubs and short trees. ECONOMY Agriculture, manufacturing and service industries are leading economic activities. Skilled workers, a few key natural resources, and closeness to waterways have made Europe one of the economic giants of the world. AGRICULTURE Europe has some of the world’s most productive farmland. European farmers use modern equipment to produce huge yields of grains, fruits and vegetables on small areas of land. They also raise some of the world’s finest breeds of cattle and sheep. INDUSTRY Iron ore, coal and other minerals are found throughout the Northern European Plain. Vast reserves of oil and natural gas lie beneath the North Sea and in southern Eastern Europe. Most of Europe’s industrial centers have developed near major mineral deposits. Many European countries are among the world’s leading manufacturing centers. They produce steel, machinery, cars, textiles, electronic equipment, food and household goods. Service industries such as banking, insurance and tourism are also important to Europe’s economy. |
Can you tell which types of maps these are just by looking at the details? |
PEOPLE
Some European countries have one main ethnic group; others are made up of two or more ethnic groups. Differences among Europe’s many peoples have often led to conflicts such as civil war. POPULATION The region of Europe has about 520 million people – a large number for such a small space! It is one of the world’s most densely populated areas. Most Europeans live in urban areas. Many of the world’s leading cities are in Europe. They include London, Paris, Rome, Berlin and Warsaw. European cities have historical palaces and churches as well as modern skyscrapers and shopping malls. HISTORY The ancient Greeks and Romans laid the foundation of European government, law and thought. From 500 to 1500 AD, Christianity shaped a new European civilization. The Gothic style of many cathedrals built during this time reflects Europe’s Christian heritage. Beginning in the 1400s and 1500s, Europeans advanced learning and the arts. The Renaissance – or rebirth of art and scholarly activities – advanced learning and the value of the individual person. After the 1700s, political changes increased freedom for the common people. An interest in science and the invention of machines during the Industrial Revolution changed the economy and raised standards of living. In eastern Europe once-powerful empires faced growing challenges from ethnic groups that wanted independence. Europeans also explored, settled and conquered other lands. They brought their ways of life (language, culture, religion) to every part of the globe. Competition for land and trade among Europe’s nations, however, eventually led to two world wars that put an end to Europe’s global powers. After World War II, Europe was split into noncommunist and communist areas. The fall of communism in the late 1980s brought about a new era. Many European countries joined the European Union to bring their governments and economies closer together. Today, the economy of the European Union is the largest on Earth. Many different European countries use a common currency, the euro. The euro is used by hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Five of the top ten richest countries in the world are in Europe. Boehm, Richard G., David G. Armstrong, and Francis P. Hunkins. Geography: The World and Its People. New York: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, 1998. Print. USEFUL VIDEOS
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WKST - Get to Know Europe | |
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MAPPING ASSIGNMENT - Europe | |
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Study Tools
STUDY TOOL - EUROPE Countries | |
File Size: | 480 kb |
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STUDY TOOL - EUROPE Cities & Capitols | |
File Size: | 291 kb |
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STUDY TOOL - EUROPE Bodies of Water | |
File Size: | 1746 kb |
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STUDY TOOL - EUROPE Landforms | |
File Size: | 1259 kb |
File Type: | ppt |