Chapter 5

Europe

Landforms and Resources

Unlike the world’s other continents Europe and Asia share a common landmass

called Eurasia. Yet Europe is a distinct region jutting westward from Asia.

Europe is a peninsula of Asia. Europe itself has many peninsulas extending

from it. Europe is often called a “Peninsula of Peninsulas.”

Because of this it has a long irregular coastline that has shaped the lifestyles of

its people.

Northern Peninsulas

Scandinavian

Jutland

Southern Peninsulas

Iberian

Apennine (Italian)

Balkan

The Northern Peninsulas

The Scandinavian Peninsula

(occupied by Norway and

Sweden) in northern Europe is

mountainous.

Ice Age glaciers melted here,

leaving thousands of lakes.

Other glaciers carved out fjords

along the coastline.

Fjords- are U-shaped valleys

that connect to the sea and that

fill with sea water.

Jutland, the peninsula on which

mainland Denmark lies, is mostly

flat.

The Iberian Peninsula home to Spain and Portugal. It separates the

Mediterranean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean, except for the small passage known

as the Strait of Gibraltar.

Most of the peninsula is a plateau, but the Pyrenees Mountains form a barrier

between it and the rest of Europe.

The Southern

Peninsulas

The Strait of Gibraltar is approximately 5 miles

wide at its narrowest point. It separates the

Iberian Peninsula from Africa, and connects the

Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. This

makes it a very important body of water for

shipping and travel. The United Kingdom’s colony

Gibraltar was established because of its

important location. The Spanish city of Ceuta lies

on the African side of the strait. Ferries shuttle

back and forth across the strait.

The Apennine or Italian Peninsula is a long, thin, boot-shaped piece of land

on which the country of Italy lies. The Apennine mountain range, which

includes the active volcano Mount Vesuvius, extends down the center of

the peninsula. Only about 30 percent of the Apennine Peninsula is plains.

Islands

Europe’s larger island are found in

the North. These include: Great

Britain, Ireland, Iceland & Greenland.

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.

Europe’s smaller islands are found

in the Mediterranean Sea. The 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.

Europe’s northwestern mountains have some of the world’s oldest rock formations, but erosion and glaciation made their peaks low. Uplands-are hills or very low mountains that may also contain mesas and high plateaus. Some uplands, like the Scottish Highlands, are the eroded remains of ancient mountains. Massif Central are Uplands found in France. Meseta is an Upland plateau that covers most of Spain.

The younger mountains of

southern Europe are high and

jagged. The most famous

mountain range in Europe is

the Alps. It restricts movement

between Italy and the center of

Europe. Mont Blanc, the

highest peak in the Alps, is

over 15,771 feet (4,807 m) high.

http://www.destination360.com/europe/germany/bavarian-

alps.php

Similarly the Pyrenees restricts Spain and

Portugal’s interaction with the rest of Europe.

The Apennine range runs like a spine down

the Italian peninsula, dividing it into east and

west.

The Balkan range separates the Balkan

peninsula from the rest of Europe.

Another lofty chain, the Carpathians, runs

through eastern Europe.

Plains

One of the most fertile agricultural regions in the world is the Northern European Plain.

33% of Europe’s land is suitable for agricultural use, this is high compare to the world

average of 11%. Loess, a fine, rich, wind-borne soil, is found here. Olives, fruits, and

vegetables grow in southern areas; grains and livestock are raised in northern areas.

The rivers of Europe flow from

inland mountains and highlands to

the coasts. Europeans have built

networks of canals that aid

transportation and irrigation.

England’s Thames River

allows ships easy access

to the inland city of

London.

The Danube and the Rhine are two major castle lined rivers that have served as

water highways for centuries. Most of Europe’s rivers are large enough for big

ships. This has encouraged travel and trade.

The Rhine, western Europe’s major river, runs through France and Germany into

the Netherlands, connecting inland industrial cities to the North Sea.

The Danube, eastern Europe’s major river, flows from Germany’s Black Forest

to the Black Sea. The Main-Danube Canal, completed in 1992, links the North

Sea and the Black Sea.

Europe has abundant supplies of Coal & Iron

Ore needed for an Industrialized Economy.

Oil and Natural Gas are also important to

Europeans. These resources are found below

the North Sea Floor.

Ireland lacks energy resources so the Irish cut

peat and burn it as fuel.

Peat - partially decayed plant matter found in

bogs.

Climate & Vegetation

European climates vary according to distance from the sea. Countries closer

to warm Atlantic ocean currents and winds have milder temperatures than

those farther east and north. Vegetation varies according to climate.

A Marine West Coast Climate exists in

much of Western Europe. A current of

warm water from the tropics, known as

the North Atlantic Drift, flows near

Europe’s west coast. The Prevailing

Winds pick up the current and carry it

over Europe. The regions that live far

from the Atlantic Ocean do not get the

benefits of its warming effects.

A Highland climate exists in areas of high elevation. The Alps have a highlands

climate with colder temperatures and more precipitation than nearby lowland

areas. Occasional dry winds can trigger avalanches.

Coniferous trees thrive in the cooler high elevation areas while Deciduous trees

are more common in the parts of Western Europe that experiences a Marine West

Coast climate. One well known forest is Germany’s Black Forest

http://www.destination360.com/europe/germany/castles.php

The mild Mediterranean Climate, found around the sea for which it was named, is

warm and dry. The Alps block moist Atlantic winds, so less precipitation falls in

southern Europe than in northwestern Europe. The most common form of

vegetation here is Chaparral, forests of shrubs and short trees.

The Mistral, an Alpine wind, occasionally blows bitter cold air into southern

France. Siroccos–high, dry winds from North Africa–sometimes bring hot weather

to Europe. http://www.destination360.com/europe/italy/naples.php

Warm Atlantic currents have less influences on climates in these areas farther

from the Atlantic Ocean. As a result, summer and winter temperatures vary

more widely in eastern and northern Europe than in the rest of Europe.

Much of Eastern Europe experiences a humid continental climate with 4

seasons and a variety of vegetation, including grasslands and mixed forests.

Areas found in the northern latitudes experience colder climates with longer

winters, like Subarctic and Tundra.

A Tundra climate exists in Northern Scandinavia. The land here is in a state of

permafrost (frozen earth) and very little vegetation can be found. This region is

often called “The Land of the Midnight Sun” because of the variation in sunlight

throughout the year.

Human-Environment Interaction

4.

Most of Europe lies within 300 miles (483 km) of a seacoast. This closeness to the

sea has shaped the lifestyles of Europeans. About 25 percent of the Netherlands

lies below sea level. The Dutch reclaimed land from the sea, to create more room

for their growing population. The Dutch have built dikes to hold back the waters.

They have gained new land by draining lakes and flooded areas.

Land that has been reclaimed from the sea is

called a Polder. Since most of the land is low

lying the Dutch built seaworks to hold back the

destructive impact of the sea. These seaworks

provide safety during floods and high tides. They

also built windmills to power pumps that drain

the land.

Venice, Italy, is made up of

about 120 islands and part of

the Italian mainland. The people

of Venice depend on the more

than 150 canals that snake

around and through the islands

to move people or goods.

Venice began when people

escaping invaders took shelter

on a cluster of islands in a

lagoon. Though the land was

swampy and inhospitable, the

location on the Adriatic Sea

made it a good site for a port.

Trade helped Venice grow.

To build Venice, wooden pilings

were sunk into the ground to

support buildings. The weight

of the buildings has

compressed the underlying

ground. This is one reason why

Venice is slowly sinking. Other

reasons include rising sea

levels and pumping of too

much ground water.

Industrial waste and sewage

have created severe water

pollution in Venice. Pollution

plus saltwater are eating away

the foundations of buildings.

Floods also threaten the city.

http://www.destination360.com/europe/italy/ponte-del-lovo.php

Much of Europe was originally forested, but over the centuries people

have cleared away many of the trees. For example, by 1922 Ireland had

cut down 99 percent of its original forest. The term deforestation means

the clearing of forests from an area. Forests provide wood for fuel and

building material for ships and houses. When Europeans began to

develop industry in the 1700s and 1800s, they needed wood to make

charcoal for their blast furnaces

In the 1960s, people saw that trees in

Germany’s Black Forest were discolored,

losing needles and leaves, and dying.

Scientists found that one cause of tree

death was acid rain. Europe’s factories emit

sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide. These

combine with water vapor and oxygen to

form acid rain or snow. Winds carry the

emissions to other parts of Europe. It is

estimated that one-fourth of European

forests have been affected. The effects of

acid precipitation are especially severe in

eastern Europe, where lignite coal is still

burned for fuel

Breathing polluted air greatly affects public health in Europe. Water pollution

harms or kills marine and animal life and endangers the health of people who drink

the water and eat its fish. Polluted air and water does not respect a country’s

borders.

The European Union has strict environmental regulations for its member countries.

They can face fines and legal action if they do not comply. Pollution that crosses

national borders requires international cooperation.

Europe’s Human Geography

Population Patterns

Although Europe is the 2nd smallest

continent in land area, it is the third-

largest in population. This means

Europe has a high population density.

The Industrial Revolution that started in

the late 1700s transformed Europe from

a rural, agricultural society into an

urban, manufacturing society. Today

about 75 percent of all Europeans live in

cities.

Despite immigration, Europe’s overall

population is shrinking because of low

birthrates.

Ethnic Groups

Europe is home to more than160 separate ethnic groups

Ethnic Tensions

The Balkan Peninsula has hadlots of turmoil because of thesetensions

Yugoslavia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo

Ethnic Cleansing – killingrival ethnic groups

As a result, many people becomerefugees – people who flee to a foreign country

Sources of Unity

Europeans in recent years havebeen striving towards moreunity

Population Characteristics• Population Density

– Europe’s population density

is greater than that of any

other continent except Asia.

Urbanization

Urban Features About 75% of the population lives in the cities

What does this cause?

Population Movements

During the 1800s & early 1900s, many Europeansmigrated to the Americas and other areas

Since the mid-1900s, not many people have leftEurope but many foreign people moved in (oftento fill open jobs)

Later, when the economy slowed down, this caused tension

Europe’s overall population is shrinking

Make sure you read pgs. 292-293

Color your

European

sub-regions!!

NorthernEastern

Western

The Roman Empire, also founded in the Mediterranean, was based on the Italian

Peninsula. The Roman Empire would eventually conquer the Balkan and Iberian

Peninsulas, sharing their culture through out the Mediterranean region. Empires

are vehicles of cultural diffusion, exchanging ideas and products.

Rome was the first Republic. It was also a Christian Empire. The Romans spread

their government and religion to far corners of their empire. Rome is considered a

cultural hearth. http://www.destination360.com/europe/italy/colosseum.php

Renaissance began in Italian City

States. It was a time of renewed

interest of learning and the arts.

Italian city-states became centers of

banking and trade during the

Crusades.

Today, the signs of the past civilizations can still be found in the Mediterranean.

Greece and Italy have ancient ruins like the Parthenon. Spain’s Roman

aqueducts and Muslim mosques are remnants of past conquerors. Spain has

blended the foreign cultural elements with their own. Many former Muslim

mosques are used as Catholic Churches today.

Different Religions

During the Reformation, a period when many Christians broke away from the

Catholic church, France remained Catholic while nations to its east acquired

large Protestant populations.

http://www.destination360.com/europe/germany/cologne-cathedral-2.php

Nation-States began to develop in Western

Europe during the Middle Ages.

Nation-States are independent nations with

people of a common culture. Many of these

Nation States used feudalism to control large

populations and maintain rule of a large

physical area. The feudal system broke the

population into social classes. While a monarch

was usually the head of the Nation-State, Lords

over saw large sections of the country and

ruled over the serfs, peasants who were tied to

the land.

http://www.destination360.com/europe/germany/neuschwanstein-castle.php

The French over threw their

monarch and became a

republic in 1789, after the

French Revolution. Only a

few years later they would

have a dictatorship, under

Napoleon.

The Germanic states

would not be unified

until 1871 under Otto

Von Bismarck.

Industrialization would cause the Nation States

of Western Europe to compete over colonies

for natural resources. France and Germany’s

competition combined with cultural differences

drew these countries into World Wars.

Two world wars in the 1900s drastically

changed Europe. Monarchies collapsed

following WWI, and new countries emerged.

Unresolved political problems from WWI, plus

the rise to power of Benito Mussolini in Italy

and Adolf Hitler in Germany, led to the

outbreak of WWII in Europe.

More than 6 million Jews died at the hands of

the Nazis during the Holocaust. WWII left

Europe ruined and divided. Eastern Europe

came under Soviet Communist control, while

western Europe backed democracy and

received support from the United States. A

divided Germany became a “hot point” of the

Cold War rivalry between the United States and

the Soviet Union.

Western Europe is one of the most heavily industrialized parts of Europe.

Germany, France and the Netherlands are the three top manufacturing countries.

Tourism plays a major role in Western Europe’s Economy. Western Europe

exports luxury goods to the rest of the world.

Northern Europe is made up of United

Kingdom, Ireland, and the Nordic Countries

(Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and

Sweden).

Celtic People were the early inhabitants of

Ireland and the United Kingdom. While the

seafaring Nordic people inhabited the

Nordic countries.

http://www.destination360.com/europe/sweden/history.php

Germanic Tribes would run the

Romans out in 400 AD. The

English language spoken there

today is a Germanic Language.

During the 800s, Scandinavian warriors (Vikings called Varangians) settled among the Eastern Slavs, eventually adopting the Slavic language and culture.

They organized the Slav communities into a kingdom called Kievan Rus.

In the A.D. 600s, Slavic farmers and hunters settled near the waterways of the North European Plain.

Reformation, which started in Germany, swept through Northern Europe, where

different Protestant churches took root, uniting most of the region. Ireland

remains predominantly Catholic. Conflict between the United Kingdom and Ireland

have stemmed from the religious difference. This is especially true in Northern

Ireland.

http://www.destination360.com/europe/uk/westminster-abbey.php

The United Kingdom would eventually become a great empire. Its status as

an island helped to protect it. The British further developed the concept of

Representative Democracy. Revolutionary documents like the Magna Carta

and the English Bill of Rights, shared power between the Monarch and the

citizens. Many of the concepts for the United States government came from

these documents. Today the UK has a Monarchy with a parliament, or a

Constitutional Monarchy.

Much of Northern Europe’s economy is based around high tech industries. A

section of Scotland is known as Silicon Glen because of the high tech industries

there.

Eastern Europe is a Cultural Crossroad. It is located between Asia and the

rest of Europe. Because of its location it has a variety of cultural influences.

It has been controlled and influenced by many different people. The Roman,

Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires all once controlled this area. Slavic people

also immigrated into this region.

Slavic Language is spoken in this region. Polish and Ukrainian are Slavic

languages.

In recent history this area was under

Communist Control. They were

Satellite Nations (nations dominated

by another) of the Soviet Union.

Communists controlled the area from

the end of WWII until the 1990’s. They

then held elections and moved

towards Market / Free Enterprise

Economy.

Being dominated by other empires for most of their history has given this area,

very little experience with self rule. This region is still trying to overcome

damages caused by communist rule. Many disputes over setting up new nations

have caused conflicts in the region. Many of the larger countries have divided into

smaller ones. The process of breaking up this territory into smaller units is known

as Balkanization.

Anti-Semitism (prejudice against Jewish

people) still exist in this region.

Serious fighting erupted during the 1990s among ethnic groups that once formed the

country of Yugoslavia.

This area has experienced the tragedy of Ethnic Cleansing.

This area is less urban and less industrialized than the rest of Europe.

Folk art like pottery, woodcarvings, and traditional embroidered costumes are

produced by rural people.

Expressions of Cultures

Languages

About 50 different languages

About 100 different dialects

Language Family

Mostly Indo-European

Slavic – Polish, Czech, etc.

Baltic – Latvian, etc.

Germanic – German, Dutch, English, etc.

Romance Languages (comes from Latin) – Italian,

Spanish, Portuguese, French, Romanian

Others – Greek, Albanian, Celtic

Religion

Primarily Christianity

Mostly Roman Catholics

Pope is the head of this church

Where is helocated?

Religion has caused many wars here

Northern Ireland –Catholics vs. Protestants

1998 - the GoodFriday PeaceAgreement

Arts

Close relationship between

religion and architecture

Romanticism – arts focused on

emotions

Realism – arts depicting

everyday life

mpressionism – experiences of

the natural world

Quality of Life

Differences Western Europe – more industrialized

Eastern & Southern Europe – more struggles

Education Countries with more educated people = more

economic success

State-Sponsored Human Services Welfare States – offer complete social welfare to

their citizens

Helps provide higher education, health care, and

social security

Home Life Extended families & family

importance

Sports & Recreation

Soccer is major sport

Rugby

Tennis

Skiing

Cycling

Celebrations

Europeans celebrate many of the same holidays as us but their holidays often include many traditions passed down through several generations

Systems of Government

Today most European countries

have democracies in which all

citizens participate in the

government on some level. Many

European countries still have royal

families, but most of these nations

are now constitutional monarchies.

Since the fall of the Soviet Union

most Eastern European countries

have moved away from

communism.

Europe is one of the world’s major

manufacturing and trading regions.

Most Western and Northern

Europeans are involved in service

industries while more people in

Southern and Eastern Europe are

involved in agriculture.

Most western European farmers own

their own land and practice mixed

farming, raising several kinds of crops

and livestock on the same farm.

Farmers in eastern Europe are

adjusting to the change from collective

farms or state farms to private

ownership of land.

Economic Systems

The European Union was formed in the 1990s in

an effort to make Europe’s economies

competitive with those of the rest of the world. It

unites much of Western Europe into one trading

community. Member countries agreed to

eliminate restrictions on trade and travel among

themselves. The European Union also paved the

way for a common European currency, a central

bank; and a common foreign policy. The union’s

currency, the Euro, is not used by all of its

members. Great Britain still uses the Pound.

Since Communism’s fall in 1989, Eastern

European countries have been moving from

Command economies to Market economies.

Loans and investments from foreign countries

have helped them in their efforts, but many

workers have lost the free health care, child

care, lifetime jobs, and other social benefits–

provided by the communist system. A Welfare

State is a country that offers a complete social

welfare program to its citizens.

High-speed trains link most western European cities to

airports, industrial centers, natural resources, and one another.

Europe also boasts a superb highway system. More Europeans

own cars than do people in any other part of the world except

the United States.

European ports handle more than half of the world’s

international shipping. The Rhine River, which runs through

central Europe, carries more freight than any other European

river. Europe’s system of canals also links port cities.

http://www.destination360.com/europe/uk/transportation.php