intro to geog
italy
North Italy is part of the European Core:-Economically powerful and cultural hearth• South Italy, Sicily, and Sardinia are the Periphery:-The southis stagnant.•Ancona Line separates Italy's contrasting halves.-Rome binds each half as the capital and cultural focus. Slow recovery from global recession• Increasing burden of illegal immigration from the south-Many tragedies associated with crossing the Mediterranean
Mediterranean europe
Northern sections of Italy and Spain part of the Core• Outside the Core:-Far less urbanized-More agrarian-Not as integrated with western Europe
East Central Europe
Part of the former Soviet Bloc that has changed remarkably• Adjoin or are part of the Core• EU and NATO members
Hungary
Post-communist economic transition was surprisingly smooth• History of irredentism-Government's support of ethnic and cultural cohorts in other countries• Criticized by EU leaders for nationalistic and anti-Semitic tendancies
Physical Geography of Russia/Central Asia: Physiographic Regions
1. Ural Mountains• North-south mountains not tall enough to hinder transportation•Divides Russia into two vast expanses of low relief-Russian Plain to the West-Siberia to the East 2. The Russian Plain• Continuation of North European lowland•Russia's core area•Russian Plain as the Eurasian heartland:-Center of great landmass-Major influence on history-Potential vulnerability 3. Caucasus Mountains• Barrier and zone of conflict for Russia and neighbors 4. West Siberian Plain• World's largest unbroken lowland where rivers flow northward, like the Ob River 5. Central Siberian Plateau• East of the Yenisey River•Higher relief•Most sparsely populated areas in the habitable world 6. Caspian-Aral Basin• All of Central Asia•Windswept plains and dry deserts and steppes•Aral Sea environmental disaster 7. Central Asian Ranges• Stretch northeast towards Lake Baikal 8.Yakutsk Basin• Drained by the Lena River 9.Eastern Highlands• Jumble of mountain ranges•Diverse and still remote 10.Pacific Rimland• Kamchatka Peninsula•Part of the Pacific Ring of Fire•Island of Sakhalin, near oil and gas
The Eastern Periphery
5 countries, only 2 have joined the EU - Romania and Bulgaria• The others are not close to joining• Strong connections to Russia with separatist-minded people in Ukraine-Led to de facto state of civil war in 2014
Exclaves
A bounded (nonisland) piece of territory that is part of a particular state but lies separated from it by the territory of another state.
The New Russia: Russia's Political-Administrative Structure
•Problem of realm's scale: •Territorial size, vast distances, and remoteness:•Distance decay: how increasing distances between places tends to reduce interactions among them•Difficulty of Moscow's location in the far west• Considerable variation in size of administrative units:•Territorially smallest in the Russian core area•Largest are in the far east •Population sizes vary:•Largest populations in the west•Sparsely populated in the east Soviet-era complex administrative structure •8 federal districts subdivided into:-21 Ethnic Republics and Autonomous Regions-35 Russian Regions-All have varying degrees of power and autonomy •1992 signing of the Russian Federation Treaty:-Republics are committed to cooperation in new federal system: national government represents common interests, yet allows entities to have their own laws, policies, and customs in certain areas.-Some units refused to sign, but most eventually did.-Chechnya's refusal to sign led to military intervention. •In 2000 Putin created new geographic framework:-Enhanced the power of Moscow over its regions and combined 83 units into 8 Federal Districts. -Regional governors would be appointed rather than elected.-Shifted to Unitary state system: centralized government and administration exercise power equally across the state.-Reinforced the position of western Russia
Russia's Czarist Roots:A Multinational Empire
•Russian expansionism annexed and incorporated many nationalities and cultures. •Russia controlled as much as 100 different nationalities.
Moldova
•Small and Europe's poorest-Plagued by separatist movements, declining economy, and trafficking• Seized by Soviets from Romania•Gained independence when USSR disintegrated-Romanians remain majority, among Russians and Ukrainians-Separatist region is self-proclaimed "Republic of Transnistria"-Plagued by separatist and economic problems
Russia's Czarist Roots:Russian Revolution
•The Russian Revolution was a struggle among Russian citizens:-Communities won out, creating the Soviet Union.-Colonized people were given autonomy and identity, yet strengthened political and economic subjugation. •Russia was ripe for a revolution in the 1910s - 1920s•Wretched serfdom of its peasants•Cruel exploitation of its workers•Excesses of its nobility•Ostentatious palaces and riches of the czars
Lithuania
•Trading dependence on Russia, yet tensions over Russia's Kaliningrad Baltic exclave• EU Member and Euro Zone
The Balkans
•Violent dissolution of Yugoslavia in 1990• Shatter belt: a zone of splintering between cultural-political forces and fragmented by aggressive rivals• Balkanization: the recurrent division and fragmentation of a region
irrendentism
A policy of cultural extension and potential political expansion by a state aimed at a community of its nationals living in a neighboring state
Europe's Future Prospects
All of Europe continues to be more closely tied with the EU.• One of the world's richest markets Stresses of the EU:•Must stress value and legitimize costs of integration•Problem of democratic deficit•Ongoing Euro crisis•Ongoing refugee crisis
transition zone
An area between two geographic regions that has characteristics of both
Alpine States
Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, (all landlocked, mountainous) Landlocked locationwith no coastal outlets and a mountainous terrain• Linguistic differences• Distinct urban networks• Uneven endowment of natural resources• Uneven populations and trade
Iceland
Concentrated population• Diversifying economy:-Wood mainstay-Increased manufacturing and tech equipment• Cultural similarities with Scandinavia, yet historic links to Estonia and western Russia
Benelux
Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg Belgium and Netherlands:-Situated on an estuary, or mouth of a river, with direct access to the sea• Highly productive trio:-Belgium and Netherlands in world's top 20 economies-Luxembourg has one of the world's highest per capita GNI
Russia: defining the realm
Challenges:• Entire north border faces the Arctic Ocean•High latitudes, shut off by mountains and deserts from the warmer south•Eastern ports are far from the population•Western ports are restricted and seasonal•Territorially huge, but a small, declining population -Russia- Transcaucasia -Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan -Central Asia -The "Stans"-Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan
Russia/Central Asia: Climates and Peoples
Climate and weather make farming difficult:-Seasonal temperature extremes-Variable rainfall-Short, undependable growing seasons• Limitations on agriculture explain realm's population distribution
Russia/Central Asia: Climate and Vegetation
Climate context: continentality- No barrier from Arctic air masses- Inland climatic environment remote from moderating and moistening maritime influence Environmental effect:-Permafrost: water in the ground permanently frozen-High latitude ecology• Tundra: bare ground and rock with lichen, mosses, and low grass
Cyprus
Complex political geography•Greeks and Turks• Independence, civil war, and partition along the "green line"• International recognition to Greek side• Only Turkey recognizes the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus ministate• EU membership only for Greek side
Finland
Concentrated population•Diversifying economy:-Wood mainstay-Increased manufacturing and tech equipment• Cultural similarities with Scandinavia, yet historic links to Estonia and western Russia
The Czech Republic
Core area: mountainous Bohemia and centered on the primate city of Prague• Cultural landscape of Czech traditions•Important industrial center• Historically cosmopolitan and Western
Physiography
Description of nature.
europe's cultural diversity
Diversity of ancestries and languages:-Most belong to the Indo-European language family-English as unofficial lingua franca (common language)•Religious strife:-Historically between Catholics and Protestants-Today with the rise of Islam
Albania
Dominantly Muslim• One of Europe's poorest states-High birth rate and natural population growth• High emigration rates into the EU through Italy• Entrance into the EU is not likely in the foreseeable future
europes Consequences of Unification:A New Economic Geography
EU Reduced effect of national boundaries•Some subnational regions have become powerful engines of growth.-FourMotors of Europe:1. Rhône-Alps - centered in Lyon, France2. Lombardy - centered in Milan, Italy3. Catalonia - centered in Barcelona, Spain4. Baden-Württemberg - centered in Stuttgart, Germany•Persistent inequalities among states still exist, however
adaption of the Euro
Economic hardship adversely affects those in the euro-zone who cannot pursue independent measures to avoid economic problems such as adjusting their own interest rates.-The euro crises hit especially hard in Greece, Portugal, Ireland, Italy, (all requiring a bailout), then Greece twice more.
European Unification:The Unification Process
European Union •Example of supranationalism,members are willing to give up some sovereignty for mutual benefits•Euro zone - countries who've adopted the EuroCopyright
Consequences of Unification:The Risks of Expansion
Expansion of EU members: Difficulty including uneven economies, disparate political systems, and greater cultural diversity Yet, negotiations with potential members continue Structural implications from expansion: Former countries who received benefits now must pay to accommodate new eastern member states New disputes over representation at EU headquarters•Weaker economies slow overall economy growth
Russia's Czarist Roots:Nineteenth-Century Expansion
Expansion through imperialism• Necessary because of the limitations of Russia's site Extension into Eurasia continued:•South- and westward•Central Asia-Including Muslim peoples given some autonomy
Latvia
Focusing on economic improvement and expanding trading partners beyond Russia. • Today its principle trading partners are Germany, the United Kingdom, and Sweden• EU Member and Euro Zone
Slovenia and Croatia
Formed from the disintegraion of Yugoslavia• Both EU members-Slovenia:-Homogenous with a producive economy-Croaia:-Become major tourist desinaion-Relaions with neighbor Serbia are sill strained
europes Consequences of Unification:One Market
Free movement of workers and goods•Requires harmonization of member-state laws•Reduces legal barriers and removes internal bordersIntroduction of a single bank and currency: Euro•Signals strengthening unity in Europe•Helps to counter the global power of the U.S. dollar•Some member-states have chosen to opt out
Austria
Historical and spatial links to eastern Europe: -Austro-Hungarian Empire-Physiography leans eastward.• Vienna: primate city:-Mainland Core's easternmost city-Following EU enlargement, more centrally located in EU• Enlargement disillusionment has led to falling public support for EU.
Europe's locational advantages
Its at the heart of the land hemisphere, maximum efficiency for contact with the rest of the world, every part of Europe is close to the sea, navigable waterways, moderate distances ---- water = cheap $ transportation
Switzerland
Leading state of the Alpine subregion• Overcomes the constraints of its landlocked location• Turns opportunities of its site into prosperity -Optimized alpine farming productivity-Hydroelectric power• Stable and secure world banking giant• Neutrality and non-EU membership
Russia/Central Asia: Climate Change and Arctic Prospects
Lengthy northern coastline on the Arctic Ocean-Mostly frozen throughout the year• warming and possibilities for the future- Melting of Arctic Ocean's ice cover, opening up of Arctic ports, and even passage through the Bering Strait - Shrinking the area of permafrost- Improvement of agriculture on the Russian Plain- New oil and gas reserves- Expanding the Russian geographic realm northward
Western Europe
Lies within the European Core that forms the heart of the EU•Britain and Ireland are offshore but closely involved in western Europe's history and political development
European Industrial Revolution
Local functional specialization - intensified at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution•British Advantage:-controlled the flow of raw materials-held a global monopoly over certain products•Diffusion onto the Continent-Eastward from Britain-Followed belt of coalfields
Spain
Madrid in a transition zone-Part of the European core-North more affluent than the South• Devolutionary pressures in Catalonia• Decentralization into 17 Autonomous Communities-Each with its own degree of autonomy• Declining growth and rising unemployment
Norway
Maritime opportunities-Fish, power, oil, and natural gas reserves• Sub-arctic environment-Extensive forests, high relief, and coastal fjords-Little agricultural or industrial development-Isolated cities and provinces• Devolutionary movement in the north with the indigenous Saami
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)
Military alliance created in 1949 made up of 12 non-Communist countries including the United States that support each other if attacked.
Luxembourg
Ministate between Belgium, France, and Germany of only 2600 sq km/1000 sq mi• Sovereign, relative location, and stability = haven for:-financial, service, and information-technology industries• Unmatched per-capita gross national income• Beneficiary and supporter of the European Union
The Russian Core:Povolzhye: The Volga Subregion
Povolzhye extends along Volga River valleys: •Industrialization of the region took off in World War II. •Canal links the Volga with Don River and Black Sea.• It has significant oil and gas reserves.•More canals, rail and road connections built to link the region to the Baltic.
Europe Post War motivations
Primary motive: rapid economic recovery-Led by the United States with interest in:-Securing Europe as a buffer against the USSR-Marshall Plan - financial support from the U.S.•Changing motives-Economic: European corporate interests- need to facilitate ever larger and more efficient open market-Political: Stabilize a much larger and diverse European community and maintain satisfactory relations with Russia
Romania
Questionable admission to EU:-Weak social indicators-Political infighting and corruption are rife-Emigration of capable Romanians-Economic prospects uncertain• Strategic EU admission: significant site and situation-Heart of eastern Europe and position on Black Sea
sweden
Region's largest: population, territory, and influence• Most Swedes live south of 60 N: ⁰-Most moderate climate-Location of population, primate city, core area-Main industrial and agricultural areas• Swedish industry: from raw materials to manufacturing• Based on local resources and in small to medium towns• Strong international presence
The Specter of Islamist Terror Inside Europe
Rising Islamist terror due to: European countries in conflict with the Middle East Presence of radicalized second-generation Islamic youth in Europe Terror events fuel anti-immigration, anti-Muslim sentiment. Challenge to European governments is to fight terror and provide an inclusive society for Muslims.
The New Russia: Russia's Shrinking Population
Russia's shrinking population:•Reasons:-Post-Soviet uncertainty affects birth rates.-Death rate has skyrocketed:-Life expectancy has declined, especially for men.-Alcoholism, AIDS, smoking, suicide, accidents, and murder have all increased.•Minimal expansion in 2012-2013-Difficult to tell if this is a permanent trend •End of Soviet population policies-People can leave difficult environments
Slovakia
Similar smooth post-communist transition to Hungary• Controversies over treatment of ethnic groups and LGBT populations
republic of ireland
Since 1990, a booming, service-based economy:-EU participation and adoption of the euro-Business-friendly taxes and relatively low wages-Attracted Irish descendants and eastern Europeans• From boom to bust to boom:-Declining business and rising unemployment beginning in 2007-Failing banks and EU bailout in 2011-Fast recovery since 2012
Northern Europe
Site and situation have engendered similarities: -Cultural likeness-Strong individual rights and social welfare-Not strong EU participation• Core-periphery transition:-Southern, coastal, and urban core-Prosperous with highly concentrated development-Northern areas peripheral
Macadonia
Small multicultural, landlocked state•Mostly Macedonian Slavs•Some Muslims, Turks, Serbs, and Roma• One of Europe's poorest countries•Hopes for inclusion in EU
Europe's Refugee Crisis
Stark socioeconomic contrasts and cultural encounters between Europeans and refugees • Greece and Italy are where refugees "land", they move towards EU countries where they would have the "best chances" Many apply for asylum•Once inside the EU people can move through the Schengen Area
Portugal
Substantial benefactor from EU membership• Population concentrated on Atlantic coast• Natural harbors• Container shipping potential• Agriculture is inefficient• Recovery from the global recession is minimal
Denmark
Territorially small, yet second largest population • Copenhagen-Entrepôt city where oceangoing vessels must transfer goods, or break-of-bulk, inland or further into the shallow Baltic• Danish kingdom includes Greenland and the Faroe Islands, both of which are self-governed
The Soviet Union (1922-1991):The Soviet Territorial Framework
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) or Soviet Union •Based on ethnic identities •Divided into 15 Soviet Socialist Republics (SSRs)-Broadly corresponded to a major nationality's territory •Federation: indicates a sharing of power between central government and subdivisions•This was not the reality •Difficulty of multinational federation-Communist planners revised the cultural map-Forced relocation of ethnic minorities in the East-Russification saw the settlement of ethnic Russians throughout the Russian SSR and non-Russian SSRs •Highly territorially and politically centralized on the Russian Republic Economic experiment: Communism• Centrally planned economy by communist leaders had two principal objectives: 1.Accelerate industrialization-As a command economy, state planners assigned production of certain goods to particular places-No thought to existing or efficient economic geographies-Expensive manufacturing with no competition 2.Collectivize agriculture-Never productive and incurred loss of millions of lives •Demise-The centrally planned economy failed.-Cold War arms race drained resources.-Russification fueled drive for independence by ethnicities of the non-Russian SSRs •Implosion of the Soviet Union: 1991-Last Soviet premier resigned. -SSRs declared their independence, depriving Russia of crucial agricultural and mineral resources.
Regions of Europe
Western- Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, (Alpine States) Austria, Lichtenstein, Switxerland, Great Britain, Scotland, Wales, Ireland Northern- (Scandinavia) Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Estonia Mediterranean- Italy, Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Portugal, Malta Eastern- Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine, Romania, Croatia *Eastern europe reaches into the russian zone of influence
Brexit
a term for the potential or hypothetical departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union. voted to leave June 23rd 2016
England
anchored by the world city, London, as a center of globalization with global industries adding to growth and agglomeration
europes four physiographic units
central uplands alpine mountains western uplands northen european lowland
Devolution
centrifugal forces of regions or people within a state that demand and gain political strength at the expense of the state Devolution results when absolute sovereignty of the state over its territory erodes States respond in a variety of ways, from suppression to accommodation.
Northern Ireland
complex struggle between Protestants and Catholics, with the Protestant population declining, and no clear geographic boundary between the 2 groups
Europe's Eastern Boundary
cultural: fuzzy textbook: russia's western border
Belgium
thriving economy cultural fault line (flemish/french) brussels: mostly french but officially bilingual... headquarters of the Eruopean Union
Scotland
high-tech industries, Scots feel they should play a larger part in the EU. Failed 2014 referendum to leave the UK
The United Kingdom
just off the mainland, hesitant to consider itself part of "Europe"• Joined EU in 1973, but reluctant to tighter integration• Referendum vote in 2016 divided the country
europe's climate and resources
large and varied stores of raw materials
Germany
legacy of war: division into West(democratic) and East(communist) culturally distict, economically worst off
who is hannahs fav soviet union leader
lenin
The netherlands
oldeset democracy and constitutional monarchy highly urbanized (Randstad is a conurbation of two or more cities that merge spatially-Amsterdam - constitutional capital-Rotterdam - at the mouth of the Rhine, Europe's largest port-The Hague - the national seat of government)
Wales
rugged territory of Celtic peoples and coalfields, still very closely tied to England.
geopolitics
study of government and its policies as affected by physical geography
Grexit
the potential Greek exit from the eurozone monetary union
France
urban system defined by centrality paris is a primate city: Paris is disproportionately larger than all other cities in an urban system.-Expressive of country's culture-Almost always the capital Today, France is decentralizing:-Régions added to départments-Accommodates devolutionary pressures-Creates opportunity for regional and local growth highly productive and diversified economy; new industries demographics: rapidly aging economic issues: gvt. high in debt, high youth unemployment
Post-Soviet Russia and Central Asia
•Break up of Soviet Union caused major reorientation:-14 former SSRs became independent countries-Free markets replaced central planning-Privatization of former national corporations and industries-New multi-party elections-State support halted •Initial shock •Hope for eventual better life for citizens
The Baltic States
•Close historical ties with Russia•Clear pro-European orientation• EU and NATO members
Post-Soviet Russia and Central Asia: The Near Abroad
•Collapse of Soviet Union-Loss of Eastern European satellite states under Soviet political dominance and former Republics-Total economic makeover became the priority •Near Abroad: former Soviet Republics and a new Russian sphere of influence-Russia's policy of intervention is any threat along its borders or against Russian minorities-Presence of Russians (now a minority) in the Near Abroad
A Volatile Economy
•Complete turn around from communist predecessor:-Increase in private property, upstarts, trade, foreign investment, and stock exchanges-One of the BRICs, along with Brazil, India, and China •Economically precarious:-Uneven economic patterns of foreign investment and benefits to society-State corruption and collusion with organized crime-Evidence that most citizens have not bettered their standard of living
The Russian Core
•Core area extends from western border of the realm to the Ural Mountains in the east. •Urbanized region containing almost 1/3 of Russia's population. •Including historical and industrial core cities:Moscow-Megacity hub of commodity producers and exporters-Continues to draw people and faces overcrowding problemsSt. Petersburg (Leningrad)-Russia's second city, distant from domestic market and resources
Bulgaria
•EU membership-Judicial and social reforms-Improved relations with Turks• Future prospects-Tourism and foreign investment
Regions of the Realm:Eastern Europe
•End of the sharp political division with the collapsed Iron Curtain•Post-Cold War rebirth of Central Europe• Uneven expansion of the EU here• Four subregions• The Balkans•East-Central Europe•the Baltic States•The Eastern Periphery.
Europe Spatial Interaction
•Europe is unified as an enormous functional regionthat operates based on two principles:•Complementarity: as one area produces a surplus of a commodity that is required by another area•Transferability: ease with which a commodity can be transported by producer to consumer•Creates a highly interdependent economic realm
European Unification
•Forces at work:-Centrifugal forces contribute to social and political divergence that may break up a state.-Centripetal forces help to politically unify as a cohesive and stable entity.•European integration and unification-Triumph of centripetal forces-Proceeded after World War II-Effort to maintain stability, prosperity, and security
Russia's Czarist Roots:Grand Duchy of Muscovy
•Fourteenth-century rise-Rule of princes or dukes-Extension of trade and religious ties• Three centuries of territorial growth-By sixteenth century-Was a military power in nearly constant warfare-Was an imperial state with centralized administrative control-Thanks to Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible)
Greece
•Historic presence but situation far from the Core• 2007 EU expansion had disastrous consequences:-EU subsidies were split with new needier members-Inefficient government mired in debt, eventually required EUbailouts
poland
•Largest and most populous of 2004 EU enlargement• Turning Westward...-EU membership-Emigration of Polish workers to European Core• Robust economy and secure geopolitical position
Serbia
•Largest and potentially most important-Historically dominant in the region and former Yugoslavia-Kaleidoscope of ethnic identities• Contemporary territorial challenges-Serbs in neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina-Independent Montenegro-Independent, Muslim Kosovo-Hungarian minority in Vojvodina Province
Ukraine
•Largest territory in all of Europe-Crucial relative location linking Europe and Russia• Internal divisions: West versus East-West is agrarian, rural, and Catholic.-East is industrial, urban, and Russified (Russian Orthodox and Russian minority).-Political problems include divided electorate, mismanagement, corruption, and faltering economy.-As of 2016 much of Eastern Ukraine is controlled by Russian rebels.
Estonia
•Longstanding ethnic and linguistic ties to Finland• Busy free-trade zone and creative entrepreneurship (Skype)• EU member, part of Euro Zone, and stable part of European Core
malta
•Ministate archipelago• Booming tourist industry and high standard of living• EU member as of 2004
Belarus
•Most peripheral-Few functional links to Europe• "Mother Russia": autocratic political, economic, and social system-4/5 of population works for the state-State still allocates most housing
The Russian Core:The Urals Subregion
•Mountains not high enough to be an obstacle to east-west surface transport •Storehouse for metallic mineral resources•Well suited for industrial development •Well connected to Volga and Central Industrial regions
Bosnia and Herzegovina
•Multicultural, landlocked territory•No dominant ethnic group• Post-Yugoslavia conflict between Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks(Bosnian Muslims)• Ethnic cleansing campaign waged by Bosnian Serbs• Truce called in 1995 and partition
The Natural Riches of Russia and Central Asia
•Nearly all raw materials required by modern industry are present:-Oil and natural gas-Coal, iron ore, and other metals• Much of the realm is yet to be fully explored
The Russian Core:Central Industrial Subregion
•Oriented toward Moscow, the historic focus of the state •Moscow maintaining its centrality:-The urban center "reaches" into the surrounding region.-Roads and railroads converge in Moscow from all over the realm.
Russia's Czarist Roots:Eighteenth-Century Czarist Russia
•Peter the Great led a modern, European-style state:-St. Petersburg built as a forward capital on edge of Swedish-held Finland on the Baltic-Developed as Russia's leading port for trade-Researched shipbuilding for Russia to become a naval power• Other czars continued to conquer peoples and territory:-Russian colonists settled southeastern frontiers and beyond •Russian colonists settled southeastern frontiers and beyond-From Siberia, crossing the Bering Strait• Russian departure:-Competition with American, Canadian, and British hunters who were destroying sea otter populations-Russia sold off its North American holdings in 1867-$7.2 million (about $125 million in today's dollars)