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Western Europe

Western Europe. Introduction Center of Land Hemisphere centrality of location, easy contact with rest of world maritime technology and formation of colonial empires railroads open up continental interiors aviation and high-speed ocean commerce Maritime Orientation

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Western Europe

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  1. Western Europe • Introduction • Center of Land Hemisphere • centrality of location, easy contact with rest of world • maritime technology and formation of colonial empires • railroads open up continental interiors • aviation and high-speed ocean commerce • Maritime Orientation • Europe forms ragged Atlantic fringe on vast Eurasian land mass • shelters coats and harbors • most countries have direct access to sea

  2. Europe: Center of the Land Hemisphere

  3. Europe: Physical Map

  4. Landforms • Northwest Highlands • includes Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, British isles, and Breton peninsula in NW France • influence of volcanism and glaciation • isolation, rugged landforms, gale-force winds • almost no soil, non-productive agricultural land • seafaring traditions • marshlands and lakes • hydroelectricity in Norway and Sweden • fjords • cloudy, cold, wet weather • grazing sheep and cattle

  5. coniferous forests inland • mining centers for iron ore in Kiruna and Gullivare • European Plain • Stretches from Pyrenees to Ural Mts. • broad, rolling lowland plain • varied and complex soils • influence of seas and rivers • most river systems flow north, facilitate trade and travel • efficient and integrated transportation systems with canals,rivers, railroads, and highways • location of greatest European cities- Paris, Berlin • high agricultural potential

  6. Central Uplands • zones of hilly, rugged plateaus • old geologic formations, rounded Mts., moderately high • not as productive as European plain • not well suited to agriculture, too rugged, too steep • grazing and fodder crops • Alpine Mt.. System • high Mts., rugged plateaus, steep slopes • southern flank of Europe, parts of Iberian, Italian, and Balkan peninsulas • Alps relatively young like with peaks from 10-15K high • passes focal point of routes from Europe to Mediterranean • Brenner, St. Bernard, Gotthard passes • earthquakes and volcanic activity

  7. Climate • Introduction • Alps are climatic divide in Europe • north has moderate temperatures, moist marine climate with lush green landscapes (Ireland the Emerald Isle) • south has dry summers, subtropical climate with brown, parched fields • Marine Climate • moderate temperature, abundant moisture from the Atlantic • Atlantic Ocean warmer than latitude would suggest • North Atlantic Drift

  8. Dry Summer Subtropical Climate • Mediterranean climate • clear, hot, dry summers • moderate, moist winters • found in California, Chile, South Africa, South Australia • subtropical high pressure shifts north in summer producing clear, sunny, dry skies • farmers plant crops in winter and spring for harvest in early summer • use of cloches to grow vegetables in winter • fruit trees and olive trees well adapted • tourism flourishes in summer

  9. Humid Continental Climates • Inland from coastal areas • Mostly found in Central Europe • Influence of continental air masses from inner Asia • Winters are colder and summers hotter • Short summer climates in the north (Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic) • Warmer and longer summers in Hungary, Romania, north Bulgaria • Vegetation mostly forests with good soils particularly in the Danube Valley

  10. Environmental Issues • population increases and utilization of resources • impact of industrial revolution, concentration of factories • pollution of rivers from industrial, mining, and domestic wastes • loss of fish stocks • efforts recently to clean up rivers • air pollution problems • winter smoke, fogs, road traffic, sulfur and nitrogen oxides produce acid rain • impact of air pollution on coniferous forests from Alps to Scandinavia

  11. pollution of Mediterranean Sea • population along coasts rising • impact of tourism in summer on pollution • shipping lanes and oil pollution • urban industrial areas- Barcelona, Marseilles, Genoa, Naples, and Athens • recognition of problem and some progress • waste management, a growth industry in Europe • landfill sites limited • incineration of waste • recycling increasingly popular

  12. European Union • European unity • Virtually all European states members of EU today • Movement toward unity arose from WWII to interlock economies so further war would be difficult • ECSC (European Coal and Steel Community) in 1952 joined German and French heavy industry together

  13. EEC (European Economic Community) signed in Rome 1958. • EFTC (European Free Trade Community) led by UK and non-EEC countries • European Parliament and European Commission in Strasbourg, FR • Maastricht Treaty in 1990 • From 6 to over 15 European countries members today • European currency introduced this year (Euro)

  14. Achievements • Expanding market and stimulation of economic growth in Europe • CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) problems of abolishing tariffs on agricultural products • Sovereignty eroding; concern about loss of autonomous decision-making power in UK, Denmark, Greece, Portugal • Future of East European states, Turkey, and EU • European outlook developing • Future of NATO and relations with Russia

  15. United Kingdom • Background • Composed of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland • International dominance from 1815-1914 • Overseas empire, spread of language and culture • World’s most foremost manufacturing nation until WW I • After WW I, economic growth declined; political stature declined after WW II • Role in EU and Commonwealth of Nations

  16. Scottish Highlands Scottish Lowlands UK Physical Map Pennines Mts. Of Wales British Lowlands Cornwall peninsula

  17. Physical Regions of UK • Highland Britain • Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and northern and southwestern England • treeless hills, uplands, low mountains, older rocks • Scottish highlands, Southern Uplands of Scotland, Pennines, Lake District of north England, mountains of Wales, Cornwall peninsula • Highland Britain contains two lowlands (1) central plain of Ireland and (2) Scottish lowlands • Scottish lowlands only 1/5 of Scotland’s area but has 4/5’s of the population. Glasgow and Edinburgh

  18. Lowland Britain • all of this area lies in England • better soils • pastures, meadows, crop fields, villages and market towns • industrial revolution in this area, expanding population, urbanization • five industries part of industrial rise- coal mining, iron and steel, cotton textiles, woolen textiles, and shipbuilding • Coal Industry • fuel for blast furnace and steam engines • coal production rose until WW I, then declined in 20th C • reasons for decline: competition from foreign sources, depletion of easily mined coal, and substitution of other fuels

  19. Iron and Steel • steel scarce and expensive before industrial revolution • improvements in process of making steel • superior strength and versatility of steel made cheaply • reliance on domestic ores initially, later imported • US and Germany surpass British output by 1900 • located in scattered areas (1) eastern England; (2) south Wales; (3) lower Tees River area • Cotton Milling in Lancashire • cotton textiles leading export • cotton industry centered in Lancashire and Manchester • raw cotton imported; manufactured textiles exported • importance of inventions in cotton milling and weaving • foreign competition after WW II

  20. Woolen Textile Industry of Yorkshire • largest woolen textile industry in world • concentrated in Yorkshire in Leeds Bradford • Shipbuilding on Tyne and Clyde • wooden ships constructed by Britain • deforestation and timber imports from US • competition from US shipbuilding in New England • Britain building 80% of iron and steel ships by 1900 • center of shipbuilding was NE England along Tyne River and Scottish lowlands along River Clyde • built for UK merchant marine and foreign owners • Britain’s share of world shipbuilding declined after WW I, now only 2-3% of world’s total • competition from Japan and Korea

  21. Urbanization • industrial revolution fueled growth of cities • most large cities near coal fields • uniqueness of London, not an industrial city but center of government, commerce, insurance, media, arts, and tourism • reasons for predominance of London • near major trading partners • location in productive area • transportation and communications facilitated • location on a river permitting ocean-going ships to dock • much development downstream today, containerization

  22. Food and Agriculture • large dependence on imported food • poor soils, steep slopes, cool summers, cloudiness not good for agriculture • Lowland Britain better suited to agriculture • high concentration on grass farming for milk and meat • barley and other crops for feed • British agricultural yields good • English Channel Tunnel • Underground tunnel between Southern UK and Calais, Fr • Travel time 3 hours between London and Paris • Psychological importance of the Chunnel- UK no longer as isolated. • Stimulating of trade and tourism between UK and Europe

  23. Problem of Old Industrial Areas • constant succession of economic difficulties since WWII • trade and competition are problems for British industry • unemployment in coals fields • newer industrials like autos also in difficulty • reasons for economic decline? • loss of resource advantages • cheaper labor abroad • technological advantages of new states • technological unemployment • conservative management

  24. Service sector • expanding employment in this area • government, insurance, health, sales, education, research, tourism, communications, and media

  25. Ireland • Background • Ireland is land of hills, lakes, marshes, peat bogs, verdant grasslands (Emerald Isle) • Republic of Ireland occupied 4/5’s of land; Northern Ireland occupied 1/5 of land in Northeast • Economic factors • Ireland in midst of transition from predominantly agricultural country to industrial economy • low level of income • lack of mineral resources • dependent status of Ireland; harsh rule of Britain

  26. Northern Ireland part of United Kingdom, religious and political discrimination against Catholics • Protestant majority (Scottish Presbyterians) in Northern Ireland • shipbuilding and linen textiles industries in Belfast • foreign investment recently in Republic of Ireland due to cheap labor, governmental incentives, tax breaks • manufacturing now larger than agriculture • most industrialization in Dublin and Cork • agriculture still important, especially dairying, fodder crops • farms are small and undermechanized

  27. problems with terrorism from 60’s through 90’s • Good Friday Agreements in 1998 has ameliorated some conflict • UK yielded direct political rule to Northern Ireland in 1999 • prospects for peace enhanced since 2001

  28. Ireland Physical Map

  29. France • Background • one of world’s most important countries • major industrial and trading nation; atomic power • lost significance as major colonial power • Paris, center art and culture • Physical and Cultural Unity of France • hexagon framed by several seas and mountains: (1) Mediterranean Sea and Pyrenees; (2) Bay of Biscay and English Channel; (3) Alps and Jura Mts.; (4) Vosges Mts. and Rhine river; (5) Ardennes Upland

  30. France: Physical Map English Channel Paris Basin Brittany Ardennes Uplands Jura Mts The Alps Carcassone Gap

  31. recognizable political unit since Roman times • natural fortress with Pyrenees, Alps, Jura Mts. protecting France • northeast frontier less defensible against Germany • Franco-Prussian war 1870; World War I; and World War II • French Agriculture • French Agriculture • agriculture more important in France than most developed countries; 60% of French land in agriculture • major producer of wheat, wine, barley, cereal products, corn, dairy products, fruits, vegetables

  32. EU membership important advantage • physical advantages in topography, climate and soil • vineyards concentrated in south and southwest • northeast France has loess soil that produce wheat and sugar beets • French Cities • Paris, primate city and largest urban, industrial city • strategic location of Paris • capital of French kings, seat of government, bureaucracy, cultural life • hub of national road and rail system • center of quality luxury items- fashions, haut couture, perfumes, cosmetics, jewelry, (Christian Dior; Lancôme)

  33. center of engineering industries, metal manufacturing, light industry, automobiles (Renault, Peugeot, and Citroen) • importance of Rouen and Le Havre as port cities • importance of Urban and Industrial Districts adjourning Belgium • second-ranking urban and industrial area along Belgian border • Lille, largest metropolitan area of region • coal fields, textile plants, chemicals, heavy industry • unemployment problems of the Nord region • urban and industrial districts in Southern France • Lyon, third largest urban industrial area • valleys of Rhone and Saone rivers • transportation artery- superhighways, rapid rail, and barges

  34. Massif Central and energy production • Cities of Marseilles, Toulon, and Nice • mining and heavy industry in Lorraine • important area with heavy industry • iron-ore producing area near Nancy and Metz • low quality deposits, losing market share to others • new iron and steel plants at Dunkirk and Bay of Fos using overseas resources • attempts to relocate new industry in Lorraine difficult because of environment, quality of life and unions • industries of Western France and Massif Central • less populous and urban • Bordeaux, Toulouse and Nantes are main cities

  35. Toulouse, old and historic city, now produces machinery, chemical, aircraft plants • dynamism of recent urban and industrial development • major changes since WW II in structure of economy • importance of EU • new technologies and new industries • national and regional planning, cooperation between government and business • reduction of historic regional imbalances • diversion of development from Paris to outlying areas • ethnic diversity, poverty, and disaffection in Brittany and Corsica • Bordeaux, seaport on Garonne River, center of wine industry

  36. Germany • Background • Federal Republic of Germany and Democratic Republic of Germany united in 1990 • most important and dynamic country in Europe • population of 80 million • time and money required to integrate East Germany into West Germany • German Environment • central location in Europe • lowlands of Northern Germany part of North European plain

  37. Germany: Physical Map German Plain The Ruhr Black forest German Alps

  38. uplands and highlands between Danube and northern plain • maritime climate becoming more continental to east and south • 20-30 inches of rain per year • soils relatively poor except on southern portion of north German plain and upper Rhine plain • Location of German Cities • most cities located in economically advantaged areas or strategic transportation areas • Four of eight largest cities on the Rhine river- Dusseldorf, Cologne, Wiesbaden-Mainz, and Mannheim-Ludwigshfen-Heidelberg

  39. Other four largest cities on tributaries of the Rhine- Essen, Wuppertal, Frankfurt, and Stuttgart • North/South cities- Dortmund, Duisburg and Aachen • Ruhr industrial area crucial in development of several cities • strategic location of Hanover, Leipzig and Dresden in loess belt • Hamburg on Elbe estuary; Bremen on Wesser estuary • southern uplands - Munich on pass route across Alps and Nuremberg • Berlin, unlikely location but historic seat of government

  40. Evolution of Germany • German tribes occupied expanse from Rhine to Vistula • as Germans moved westward, Slavs occupied area in east up to Vistula river in Poland • German control to Poland in late 1700’s, some German influence as far as Volga river in Russia • new German empire in 1871 under Prussian leadership • rapid population growth stimulates growth • coal, chemical, metallurgical and engineering industries boomed. • development of railway system, canals, transportation

  41. German ports centers of world trade • impact of WW I on German development • Third Reich under Hitler • impact of WWII on Germany’s eastern border and division of Germany • 13 million Germany migrated to West Germany by 1961, necessitating creation of Berlin Wall • collapse of Soviet empire in 1989/90 • German Industrial Economy • roots of development in medieval times in Rhine Uplands (Weisbaden), Saxony(Czech border), and Silesia (Poland)

  42. importance of metallic ores, smelted with charcoal and use of water power • Ruhr coal field and development of heavy industry on Rhine River • Saxony, coal resources poorer, development of machinery, precision instruments, textiles, chemicals • railways and canals bring resources for industrial development • rapid recovery of German economic after WW II • abundant skilled workers, hungry markets, high prices on foreign goods • production of agricultural products suited to German climate and poor soil

  43. Common market deprived farmers of protection, movement of people from rural areas to urban industrial cities • farm labor declined from 5.2 million to 1.7 million between 1950-1976 • petroleum replaced coal as fuel in 70’s; atomic energy developed to produce electricity, protests by anti-nuclear groups • Soviet natural gas deal strains US relations • increasing competition with Japan for world markets • costs of integrating East Germany into the new German Federal Republic • productivity and living standards lower; environmental problems of East Germany

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