World Geography TodayChapter 14 Northern and Western Europe Preview Section 1: The British IslesThe British Isles Section 2: FranceFrance Section 3: The

World Geography Today Chapter 14

Northern and Western EuropePreview

Section 1: The British Isles

Section 2: France

Section 3: The Benelux Countries

Section 4: Scandinavia

Chapter Wrap-Up


Read to Discover

• How has history affected the culture of the British Isles?

• Why are the cultures of Ireland and the United Kingdom similar?

• How has the British economy changed over the last 200 years?

• What issue has caused tension in Northern Ireland?



The British Isles


Question

How has history affected the culture of the British Isles?



• 5,000 years ago, earliest settlers left their mark at Stonehenge.

• Later, Celts—the ancestors of Scots, Welsh, and Irish—occupied England.

• Romans arrived and built towns.

• Angles and Saxons came and drove Celts to highland Britain.

• Vikings raided and built coastal settlements.

• Norman conquest of 1066 brought French influence.




Question

What are the similarities and differences between the cultures of

Ireland and Great Britain?



• Republic

• Predominantly Roman Catholic

• Some Gaelic speakers

• Constitutional monarchy

• Predominantly Protestant

• Democratic governments

• English predominant

language

• Similar social life, sports

Ireland Great Britain


Cultures of Ireland and Great Britain


• Britain industrialized by the early 1800s.

• It dominated global trade through much of the 1800s.

• By 1900 Britain had lost its dominance; mines and industries declined.

• Britain nationalized many industries after World War II; later privatized them again.

• Today the economy is strong: high-tech industries, oil and gas, services, tourism.


Changes in the British Economy


London, the capital of the U.K.


• Division between Protestants and Catholics has brought violence.

• Protestants are descendants of English and Scottish settlers. Irish Catholics are a large minority.

• Britain has tried to keep peace.

• 1998 agreement set up shared government, but future is unclear.


Tensions in Northern Ireland



Read to Discover

• What is French culture like?

• What are some of the main industries in France?

• What challenges does France face today?

Section 2: France



• Successive waves of migrants included Gauls, Romans, Franks, Vikings

• Strong identity united by language and religion

• Mainly Roman Catholic

• Concern about American influence

• Strong desire to preserve customs

Section 2: France

Features of French Culture



• Fashion design

• Perfumes and cosmetics

• Jewelry, glassware, furniture

• Tourism

• Farming—Wheat, sugar beets, olives, grapes, dairy products

• World’s leading wine producer

• High-Tech—Aviation, communications, space technology

Section 2: France

Major Industries


Question

What major issues and challenges does France face today?

Section 2: France


Relations with former colonies, problems with

overseas departments

Integrating increasing

numbers of new immigrants into French society

Government’s influence over the economy; highly

taxed and regulated

Issues and Challenges Facing France Today

Section 2: France


Read to Discover

• What historical ties do the Benelux countries share?

• What are the cities and economies of the Benelux countries like?



• Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg

• All once called the Netherlands

• Invaded by foreign powers

• Political and economic union after World War II (eventually led to the European Union)


Historical Ties


Question

What are the characteristics of the major cities and economies

of the Benelux countries?



Major CitiesBelgium: Brussels

Netherlands: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague

Luxembourg: Luxembourg

EconomyBelgium: industry, agriculture,

international business, diamond cutting, carpets,

chocolate

Netherlands: agriculture (dairy and flowers), diversified activities, many exports,

natural gas

Luxembourg: steel, international banking



• Brussels—Cosmopolitan capital; headquarters of EU, NATO, many international corporations; good transportation connections

• Antwerp—Second city of Belgium; key port

• Industry, agriculture, services for international business, diamond cutting, carpets, chocolate


Belgium


• Diversified economy—Agriculture (dairy, flowers), exports, natural gas

• Urbanized area (Randstad) includes major cities—Amsterdam (capital), Rotterdam (key port), The Hague (Parliament, International Court of Justice)

• Well-educated, productive populace


The Netherlands


• Capital—Luxembourg

• Highest per capita GDP in world—$36,400

• Traditional steel producer; international banking now more important

• Constitutional monarchy


Luxembourg


Read to Discover

• How are the cultures of Scandinavia similar to and different from each other?

• What does the economy of this region rely on?

• In what areas do most people in Scandinavia live?



Section 4: Swedish National Anthem


• Similarities• Religion mainly Protestant Lutheran• Most languages related• Democratic governments• Healthy, well-educated populations• Long life spans and low birthrates• Mostly urban populations

• Differences• Finnish language not related to others• Lapps a distinct culture



T

• The Swedish Chef…

• Not really Swedish


• High-tech industries and export-oriented economies, especially in Finland and Sweden

• Commercial agriculture in Denmark

• Forest products in Sweden

• Fishing in Iceland and Norway

• Hydroelectric plants, offshore oil and gas in Norway


Economic Foundations


The Swedish bikini team….

Not really Swedish.


• Most people live in southern parts of countries, where climate is warmer.

• 85 percent of Swedes live in cities.

• One-fourth of Danes and Norwegians live in or around capital cities.

• Most Finns live near Helsinki.

• People in Greenland and Iceland live near coast.


Settlement Patterns


About those meatballs…..

• In Sweden köttbullar (meatballs) are made with ground beef or a mix of ground beef and pork, mixed with breadcrumbs soaked in milk and finely chopped onions. They are seasoned with white pepper or allspice and salt. Swedish meatballs are traditionally served with gravy, boiled potatoes, lingonberry jam, and sometimes fresh pickled cucumber.


Swedish Meatballs….

• REALLY are Swedish!!!!


Chapter Wrap-Up Understanding the Main Ideas

1. How did Britain control a vast empire? How is it tied to former colonies today?

2. How has Ireland’s economy changed in recent years? How have these changes influenced migration?

3. What features make Paris the primate city of France?

4. What are Belgium’s two language regions?

5. How is the population of Scandinavian countries distributed with regard to cities?

Documents

World Geography TodayChapter 14 Northern and Western Europe Preview Section 1: The British IslesThe British Isles Section 2: FranceFrance Section 3: The