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EUROPE- Overview

EUROPE- Overview. Geographic Characteristics. Western edge of Eurasia Pervasive world influence Industrialized Numerous nation-states Urbanized population High standards of living in more developed countries East v. West differences. Importance of Location.

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EUROPE- Overview

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  1. EUROPE- Overview

  2. Geographic Characteristics • Western edge of Eurasia • Pervasive world influence • Industrialized • Numerous nation-states • Urbanized population • High standards of living in more developed countries • East v. West differences

  3. Importance of Location • Centrally located with capability of contact with rest of world. • Every part of Europe is close to the sea (within 300 miles). • Navigable waterways • Moderate distances

  4. PHYSICAL LANDSCAPES • Alpine Areas: The Alps, Pyrenees, Dolomites, Carpathians • Peninsulas: Scandinavia, Italian, Iberian, Balkan • North European Plain

  5. Europe’s Islands • Iceland, an island south of the Arctic Circle in the North Atlantic Ocean, features volcanoes, hot springs, and geysers. • The British Isles–primarily Ireland and Great Britain–are cool, hilly, and rainy. • In the Mediterranean, five large islands–Sicily, Corsica, Sardinia, Cyprus, and Crete–all have rugged terrain and volcanic mountains. • Greece’s nearly 2,000 islands in the Aegean Sea have rugged landscapes and a sunny climate that attracts tourists

  6. Europe’s Climate Europe’s Climates Marine West Coast dominates Western Europe while Humid Continental dominates eastern Europe. There are pockets of arid areas (steppe) and highland climate. The dry summers of Mediterranean climate are found along the Mediterranean coastline.

  7. Generalizations on Climate • Countries closer to warm Atlantic ocean currents and winds have milder temperatures than those farther east and north. • European climates vary according to distance from the sea (idea of continentality).

  8. Biomes and Land Use in Europe Most of Europe is Temperate Mixed Forest, that is typically cleared for farming. Areas of Scandinavia are Coniferous forests while the Mediterranean coastline has scrubby vegetation known as chaparral. Land Use is typically Mixed Farming or Dairy Farming. Mediterranean farming would include the wine industry and olive oil production. Much of the highlands in the British Isles is used for grazing.

  9. Historical Geography of Europe • Ancient Greece and Rome (B.C.E. and first four centuries A.D.) • Dark Ages (4-10th century) • Middle Ages (10-14th century) • Renaissance (15th and 16th century) • Enlightenment (18th century) • Age of Conquests (15th-20th century)

  10. AGRARIAN REVOLUTION • Began in Europe in the 1750s • Based on new agricultural innovations • Enabled increased food production • Enabled sustained population increase

  11. INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION • Developed in the UK between 1750-1850 • Evolved from technical innovations that occurred in British industry • Proved to be a major catalyst towards increased urbanization

  12. EUROPE’S CHANGING POPULATION • Falling share of the world’s population • Fertility at an all-time low • Fewer young people • Smaller working age population • Immigration partially offsetting losses

  13. URBAN TRADITION • Urbanization- 73% of Europe is urbanized. • Related concepts • Primate city- largest city that encompasses the cultural ideals • CBD- downtown (business and commerce) • Metropolis- terms used to describe central city and suburbs

  14. 20th Century Major Political Events • World War I • World War II and Holocaust • Cold War (primarily USSR) • Decrease in Imperialism (primarily British Empire) • Rise and Fall of Communism

  15. Supranationalism • A venture involving three or more nations • Political, economic, and/or cultural cooperation to promote shared objectives New “Euro”Currency

  16. European Union (EU) • Original Members: (12) Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, UK • Established: 1992 • Aimed to coordinate policy among the members in three ways: -- economics -- defense -- justice and home affairs

  17. SupranationalismProblems • Loss of autonomy and control • Differences in levels of economic development • Cultural barriers

  18. Languages • In Europe, there are about 50 different languages and more than 100 dialects, most of which belong to the Indo-European language family • The Slavic languages of eastern Europe, the Germanic languages of northern Europe, and the Romance languages of southern Europe are Indo-European languages.

  19. Religions • Europe is predominantly Christian. • Most of southern/western Europe’s Christians are Roman Catholics, whereas most northern European Christians are Protestants. • In much of southeastern Europe, Eastern Orthodox Christians predominate. • Many Muslims also live in southeastern Europe (Turkish influence), and Jewish communities exist in all major European cities.

  20. SUBDIVISIONS OF THE REALM • Western Europe • Eastern Europe • British Isles • Northern Europe • Mediterranean Europe

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