British Isles and Nordic Nations

1. British Isles and Nordic Nations

2. England • United Kingdom – England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland • England’s 3 landscapes: • Highlands – West coast, Difficult land to farm • Midlands – Factory towns including Birmingham • Lowlands – Southeast coast, fertile soil, farming

3. London as a Trade Center • London’s Relative Location • Thames River Valley caused an estuary to form which allowed ships to sail directly to the port of London. • Global Trade Patterns • Until colonization of Americas, England was on outskirts of trade routes (Roman Empire). • As trade across the Atlantic increased, Britain’s relative location also improved.

4. Economic Activities • Rise of Heavy Industry • Start of Industrial Revolution drastically changed the landscape. • Britain possessed large amounts of iron ore, which helped grow manufacturing areas. • Industrial Revolution brought wealth to Britain but downside was the pollution effects. • Challenges to British Industry • U.S. and Germany became rivals in industry in 1900s. • Growth of tertiary economic activities has helped grow economy. • United Kingdom has not adopted the euro. • Industrial Revolution

5. Scotland • Physical Characteristics – Rugged landscape • Highlands – high plateau with many lakes (lochs) • Covered with moors and bogs, abundant rainfall • Economic activities include fishing and sheep herding • Central Lowlands – 75% if people live in this area. • Glasgow and Edinburgh in this region. • Clyde River made Glasgow into a big shipbuilding center. • Southern Uplands – closest to the English border • Primarily a sheep-raising region. • Medieval abbeys draw many visitors.

6. Scotland – Culture • Act of Union in 1707 united Scottish and English parliaments. • Scotland kept important trading and political rights • In 1997, Scottish voters approved a new Scottish parliament. • Freedom

7. Wales • Economic Activities – Similar to England, Scotland • Industry changed with mining of coal • Mid-1900’s, heavy industry starting falling behind • Recent investments and promotion of tourism • Physical Characteristics – Peninsula of Britain • Marine west coast climate with plenty of rain

8. Ireland • Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland • Physical Characteristics – Emerald Isle • Marine west coast climate, green vegetation • Cooperation and Conflict • Protestants vs. Catholics – cultural divergence • 1840 Potato Famine – migration • Government and Citizenship • In early 1900s, U.K. separated Ireland into two. • Six northern counties – Northern Ireland • Other 20 counties became Republic of Ireland in 1949.

9. Ireland • Economic Activities – Celtic Tiger • In 1990s, Republic of Ireland invested in modern telecommunications. • Offered tax incentives to foreign companies. • Slainte

10. Nordic Nations • Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Iceland • Physical Characteristics • Varied landscape – Scandinavian and Jutland Peninsulas. • Environmental Change – Rocky soil, fjords. • Natural Resources – Iceland, land of fire and ice • Ocean and Climate – Some mild conditions.

11. Nordic Culture • Understanding the Past • United under one crown from 1397 until 1523. • Most Nordic peoples are Lutherans • Economic Systems – Democracy, mixed economies • Similar to U.S. except some services are provided by government (day-care centers, medical care) • Politically neutral in foreign affairs. • One of the most profitable regions in all of the world. • Iceland