Regional Study 3 Western and Eastern Europe

1. Regional Study 3Western and Eastern Europe A Continent in Transition

2. European Overview • Covers over 3.8 million square miles • Second smallest continent • Separated from Asia by the Ural Mountains of Russia and bounded by sea to the north, west, and south • Chain of mountains, the Pyrenees, Alps, and Carpathians stretch across the continent west to east • Separates the rugged lands that fringe the island filled Mediterranean Sea from the North European Plain, a belt of flat land that extends from the English Channel to the Urals • Farther north lie the broad, glacier-carved Scandinavian Peninsula and the large islands of Great Britain, Ireland and Iceland

3. European Overview • Europe is located on the western side of the Eurasian Plate and beneath Mediterranean Sea, the plate is colliding with the African Plate and the smaller Anatolian Plate • Southern Europe has quite a few earthquakes because of this movement

4. European Climate • Polar winds bring cold weather to northern Europe but a warm ocean current called the Gulf Stream helps create more temperate conditions in the west • Eastern interior experiences more extreme weather, very cold winters and hot summers • Southern Europe is protected from the northerly winds by the Alps, so it has warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters • Rainfall is uniformly distributed across Europe, but by the time the currents reach Eastern Europe, northeast of the Black sea, much of the moisture is gone

5. Vegetation of Europe • Most of western and central Europe were once covered with broadleaf deciduous forests of oak, ash, elm, beech, and birch • Boreal forests of fir, spruce, and pine still cloak extensive ares of Scandinavia and northwestern Russia, giving way in the far north to tundra • Steppe grasslands cover dry areas of the east • In the far south, on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea, the sparse woodlands and scrub are common • Emissions from the many cars, trucks, and factories in Europe have led to problems with air pollution and acid rain over a large part of the continent

6. Pollution in Europe • Land and water pollution from fertilizers, pesticides, and industrial waste is also widespread • Since 1960s, the amount of forest area in Western and Central Europe has increased, but nearly 60% are damaged due to acidification, pollution, drought, or fires • Overfishing, especially in the North Sea, is a serious problem for marine ecosystems

7. Pollution in Europe • 50 out of 69 rivers are in poor ecological quality • 85% of the coastline is threatened by development • 1/3 of global greenhouse gas emissions, especially in Eastern Europe • Czech Republic has the continent’s highest levels of industrial waste • Moldovia has the highest levels of organic water pollutants • 260 species are on the brink of extinction and the populations of 1/3 of bird species are in decline

8. Improvements in Recent Years • Recent legislation has resulted in significant progress in reducing pollution • Greenhouse emissions have fallen 2% between 1990-1998 • Carbon dioxide emissions declined 8% in Eastern Europe between 1990-2000 • Use of pesticides have declined in Eastern Europe and phosphorous discharges have dropped by 50 to 80% in western Europe in the past 20 years • Levels of heavy metals, including mercury in seas fell by 80% in the 1990s. • Protected areas grow each year and Western Europe legislation has protected over 54 million acres of farmland

9. People of Europe • Europe has a population of about 720 million and has been one of the most densely populated areas in the world • Thousands of years of migrations, invasions, wars and changing alliances have made the cities’ architecture, art, languages, cultures and people diverse • 42 nations as well as the Eastern Thrace region of Turkey and eastern part of Russian Federation, often referred to as European Turkey and European Russia • Standards of living tend to be high, particularly in the northwest • Natural resources are high

10. Language Groups of Western Europe • 2 chief Indo-European language groups: Romance and Germanic • French and Italian are Romance languages along with Spanish, Romanian and Portuguese • German, English are Germanic • Slavic Languages are separate category

11. Western Europe • Ireland, United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Iceland, Belgium, Switzerland, Finland, France, Netherlands, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain Norway, Greece, Portugal, Denmark, Austria • 3 sides by water: North by Arctic Ocean, South by Mediterranean Sea and East by Atlantic Ocean. • North Sea, Norwegian Sea, Celtic Sea, English Channel and Bay of Biscay flow into one another off of the west coast of Europe and the Baltic Sea separates Germany from Sweden

12. Western Europe • North European Plain Region (UK, German, most of France, some of Spain, part of Norway and all countries between Germany and France) have a marine west coast climate • Temperatures fairly warm and rainfall steady • Mediterranean Climate (southern France, southern Italy, southern Spain, Portugal and Greece) hot, dry summers and mild, moist winters

13. Religions of Europe • Primarily Catholic in Western Europe: France, Spain, Italy, Ireland, Poland • Protestant in most of Germany (where Reformation began), Scandinavia region, Great Britain • Orthodox in Russia, Greece • Sunni Islam: Turkey, Middle East

14. Human Impact on Europe • Early population growth and subsistence farming began around 4000 BC increased with the iron plow and commercial farming in the Middle Ages • Grew with industry of 18th Century, known as birthplace of the Industrial Revolution • Humans have removed over half of the continent’s original forest, along with large areas of natural steppe grasslands • Humans have modified about 65% of Europe’s surface—double of any other continent

15. Abundant Resources • Europe’s resources include fossil fuels, reliable supplies of fresh water, and arable land • Fertile in west, center and southeast produce large amounts of cereals (20% of world’s supply), root crops (including 2/3 of world’s potatoes), fruit, and livestock products • Dairy and beef cattle dominate in the north • South has farms of olives, grapes, citrus fruits, sheep and goats • Half of the world’s steel, 1/3 of chemicals and many consumer goods • ½ of the world’s exports and imports

16. Western European Economies • Benefited from close proximity to water • Shipping and trade significant along with colonization • Unified by geography, cooperative banking system, a shared transportation system, no trade barriers and under European Union it is hoped to unify currency with Euro Dollar

17. European Economies • Western Europe is a consolidation of high tech, market-driven, globally connected economies • Manufacturing and commercial agriculture are dominant • Crucial to continental economic integration is the European Union of 25 member nations whose combined economic power is in line with US and Russia

18. British Isles • United Kingdom (UK) are the three countries of England, Scotland and Wales plus northern Ireland • Great Britain are England, Scotland and Wales • England is the central power of UK- monarchy and parliament based here (London)

19. England’s Climate • Cool and moist • Sky often gray • Rains Regularly • 3 areas: Highlands, hills that run along England’s west coast, Midlands most densely populated and a lot of coal, Lowlands southern and eastern England fertile soil and home of farms and cow pastures • Center of Industry, London is a natural seaport • River Thames that runs through London polluted as a result

20. Scotland and Wales • Honor Queen and send representatives to Parliament • Certain degrees of independence such as language • Scotland has own system of laws and educational system • Scotland has Highlands with moors (plains) and bogs. Fishing and sheep herding in this area. Central Lowlands most populous

21. Wales and Northern Ireland • Has Highlands and Lowlands as well, but more rain • Economy: Wales mining and industry along with computers • Northern Ireland source of religious conflict with Catholics and Protestants leading to rise in independence

22. Nordic Nations • Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark • Called Scandinavia or Norden • Mostly Lutheran • Arctic conditions • “Midnight Sun” summers last for 20 hours and short, winters are long and dark • Climate moderate west coast due to warm currents of the North Atlantic • Moderate temperature below Arctic Circle

23. Nordic Nations • Iceland “Land of Ice and Fire” very volcanic and a lot of ice • Use geothermal energy • Standard of Living in these nations highest in the world—all have mixed economies, high taxes, but government provides day care, health care and college education • Neutral nations in international disputes • Fishing and agriculture very important, particularly whale hunting in Norway

24. European Unity • Economies of Europe are intertwined • Railroads, highways and waterways run across borders • The Chunnel, 31 mile long tunnel that was dug beneath the English Channel. People can travel by high-speed train from England to France • These things along with the European Union has made Europe closer to one another • Some are afraid of losing national identity and inequalities of EU members

25. France • France has mixed economy, name comes from Franks, Germanic tribe • Paris artistic, economic, and political capital of France • Diverse regions remain united by language and culture • Each region has its own specialty and contributes to French economy • Recently unemployment reached 14% due to immigration of many North Africans

26. France • Paris is not just the capital of France, but a world capital for style and fashion • 1800s art style called impressionism was born in Paris. Monet, Renoir and Degas painted natural everyday scenes and worked outdoors. They tried to catch first “impressions”

27. Germany • After World War I economic decline and racism led to rise of Hitler and Nazis • After World War II, Germany divided by Berlin Wall, part of “Iron Curtain” and reunited in 1990 • Land rugged mountains in the south, hills, low mountains and tall plateaus in the center and flat plains in the north • Central Ruhr Valley is base of Germany’s industrial activity, manufactures steel, iron, uses coal to power factories, which causes pollution, particularly in the east.

28. Germany Economy • One of first industrialized nations • Center of culture, art, music, philosophy and science • Capitalism • Western Germany used loans from U.S. to rebuild quickly after World War II and produced steel, automobiles, machinery, electronics and chemicals • Reunification: there was a fear that Germany would build up its military • Eastern German factories tend to be old and many do not have jobs, economy as a whole has weakened because the west has been giving aid

29. BENELUX Countries • Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg (BE NE LUX) • “Low countries” • Belgium call selves “the Walloons”-French speaking people that make up 30% of population • Largest group in Belgium Flemish 55% • Flemish and French official languages • Government decentralized to regional power • BENELUX Economic Union is a trade pact owned by Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg

30. Netherlands • Holland • 1/3 of country below sea level sometimes called Dutch • Elaborate system of canals that allow them to drain water from the land, pump it out to sea and then block its return with huge dikes • Reclaimed land is called polders • Rotterdam and Amsterdam are port cities on polders • 2 capitals in Amsterdam and the Hague

31. Luxembourg • Smallest country-smaller than Rhode Island • 2nd highest per capita GNP in the world • Manufacturer of steel and diversified economy in manufacturing, computers and services • Hydroelectric

32. Switzerland and Austria • Both neutral and not part of NATO • Both are in the Alps • Switzerland very ethnically diverse-Confederation of 26 cantons each have particular religions, customs, economic activities and languages • Majority speak German, but many speak French and Italian • Hydroelectric • Dairy farming important—chocolate and watches • Has more than 3,000 miles of railroad • Austria high in iron ore, hydroelectric

33. Mediterranean Europe • Spain and Portugal form Iberian Peninsula separated from rest of Europe by Pyrenees Mts. • Very close to Africa, 30 miles Strait of Gibraltar, where ships go through to get to Mediterranean • Spain and Portugal colonized extensively • Spain territory varied: North coast rains after Sirocco, hot wind that blows over SE Spain from N. Africa makes region semi-arid • Much of Spain has plateaus, many rivers, but only a few are navigable or deep enough for ships • Spain is 1 of 4 European countries with coastlines on Mediterranean Sea along with France, Italy and Greece • Madrid is central hub, has one of largest ranching and grazing areas in Europe • Focus on industry

34. Basques and other Ethnic Groups in Spain • NE region of Spain • About 1 million • Basque Language: not related to any other language in Europe • Many want separation from Spain • Around Barcelona are the Catalonians who speak a mixture of French and Spanish • Portugal, capital Lisbon is in coastal country, fairly damp, fertile soil and has also shifted to industry

35. Italy • Once center of Roman Empire • After fall of Rome, many independent city-states until mid 1800s, united in 1861 • Northern Italy “European Italy” • Alps, Venice and fertile agricultural center of the Po Valley—10% of work force • Central Italy is where Rome, Florence, Bologna and Vatican City are located • Vatican City separate country because it is the center of the Roman Catholic Church and home of the Pope • Florence birthplace of the Renaissance • Bologna is a food and agricultural center

36. Italy • Central and Southern Regions of Italy volcanic, Alps block the cold • Southern Region “Mezzogiorno,” largest city is Naples • Some of the worst unemployment in Europe in Southern Italy

37. Greece • Athens once home of Greek Civilization • Middle Ages—Turkish Empire controlled it until 1830 when Greece became independent • Many mountains and rocky soil • Wheat and grains can grow on coastal plains • Economy relies on sea, fishing, shipbuilding and trade • One of world’s largest commercial fishing fleets and ailing important transportation—Greece has many tiny islands • Largest island is Crete where Minos civilization was • Island result of tectonic activity • Susceptible to volcanic activity and earthquakes • Solar energy used extensively • 1/3 of population lives in and around Athens

38. Eastern Europe • Area of ethnic fighting • Centrally located • After World War II, location of Eastern Europe between Soviet Union and Western Europe forced nations of region to act as a buffer • 2/3 are descended from Slavs who settles around Carpathian Mts. 2,000 years ago • Magyars arrived in Hungarian Basin from Asia • “Breadbasket of Europe” is eastern Hungary

39. Eastern Europe • Variety of religions: Muslim, Orthodox Christian, and Roman Catholic • Languages are Slavic • 1989: Reunification of Germany and the breaking up of Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia • Czech Republic and Slovakia, Yugoslavia, Serbia, Macedonia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia and Slovenia • Communist governments oppressive, restrictive and closed borders

40. Danube River • 4 capital cities of Eastern Europe formed along Danube River: Vienna, Austria, Bratislava, Slovakia, Budapest, Hungary, Belgrade, Yugoslavia • Important to Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Macedonia because they are landlocked

41. Russia and the New Republics • Before 1917, agricultural • Expansive grassland, known as steppes, farming • Russia biggest country in the world • Entire United States could fit into Russia with room left over for Western Europe • North to South covers 2,800 miles • East to West covers 5,600 miles • Stretches 11 time zones • People in west are waking up when the eastern edge is having dinner • Huge, low plains divided by Ural Mts. • Russia has polar climate in far north and full of ice most of the time • Permafrost, land never melts

42. Russia • Most of Russia has a continental climate that is the seasons are sharply different • Simmers are warm but short • Winters are long and very cold • Just enough rain for forests • In north most trees are evergreens, south are elms and maples • Ports of Russia freeze in winter and this has limited Russia’s contacts with the world and restricted trade and economic growth • Land expansion goal was to get control of warm-water ports

43. Siberia • Twice the size of European Russia • Cold winters and short summers • Forests • Siberia used as a prison • Many resources: coal, tin, oil, iron, diamonds • Steel mills, chemical factories and science centers

44. Russia • Russians are Slavic and Vikings settled there too and adopted Slavic customs • Rurik, Viking prince source of Russian name by many, others say a Slavic group Rukhs-as • First kingdom in late 800s in Kiev on Dneiper River • Mongols invaded in A.D.1238 and ruled for 250 years • Muscovy or Moscow grew as Mongols weakened in 1480

45. U.S.S.R. • Ivan the Third called himself Czar or emperor • By 1800s, Czar ruled empire from Arctic Ocean to the Black Sea • 1917 Communist Revolution and government controlled life—collective farms • Revolution came about because of the oppressive rule of the czars • Communist changed the name of Russia to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics or U.S.S.R • Soviets feared outside forces so concentrated on army and to ensure no enemies from within organized the secret police, Committee of State Security, KGB

46. New Revolution • 1980s economy was failing in U.S.S.R • 1985 Mikhail Gorbachev came to power and tried to change the Soviet system • Glasnost “openness” for people to say what they thought without fear • Perestroika “restructuring” people could start private business • Ethnic groups grew restless • 1992 elections held and Communists lost power • Republics began declaring independence • New Commonwealth of Independent States • Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia did not join

47. St. Petersburg • Considered crown jewel of Russia and is a cultural center • Home of Russia’s ballet dancers and writers • Czar Peter the Great ordered its construction in 1703 and became capital in 1712 for 200 years • Peter the Great named it for the patron saint • During WWI, the name changed to Petrograd and Soviets named it Leningrad • 1991 changed back to St. Petersburg

48. Former soviet States • Soviet Union was made up of 15 separate republics or states • 12 of these formed the Commonwealth of Independent States • To establish common rules for all states in areas of economics, foreign relations and military • There is a current push for privatization of farms, factories and businesses

49. Baltic States • Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania on edge of Baltic Sea • Milder climate than Russia and ports do not freeze and are open for trade all year • Most developed areas of Soviet Union • All 3 have well educated work force and ½ of people live in cities

50. Baltic States • Latvia Russians and Belarussians make up about 39% of population • Estonia Russians are a large minority • Russian is widely spoken • Latvia has no natural resources, so it imports raw materials • Latvia produces steel, ships, cement, fertilizer, and textiles • Estonia is near Finland and most of the people are Finns • Estonia has high standard of living and strong agriculture • Lithuania was part of Poland once and about 7% are Polish, most are Roman Catholic • Lithuania has shipbuilding and manufacturing