World Geography - Unit 4 - Europe

Agriculture

- Agriculture employs more workers than any other sector but numbers are declining due to technological advancements - Western Europe, farming has become largely commercial - many people still make a living by farming. However, as modern technology and new farming methods begin to be used by more and more farmers, the face of Eastern European farming is changing. - wide variety of climates allows for the growth of many different kinds of crops - South and Southwest olives and citrus fruits are grown - Western Europe, corn, grapes, and cattle are major agriculture products - Eastern Europe, corn, wheat, potatoes, and sugar beets are grown - Ukraine is one of the largest producers of sugar in Europe

Eastern Europe

- Eastern Europe has a harsher climate than Southern Europe. - The region generally experiences cold winters with temperatures often remaining below freezing. - Summer temperatures tend to be mild. - The region has vast forests and plains that are good for farming.

Communism

- Prior to 1989, communism existed in Europe. - government retains absolute control over the economy. - Most of Eastern Europe was dominated by the communistic system of the USSR from 1945 to 1989. -The transition from communism to a mixed economic system has created opportunities for economic growth. - Under the communist system, all sectors of the economy were poorly managed and poorly supplied with untrained workers and out-of-date machinery and equipment. - The opportunities that came with the fall of communism demanded changes to people's lifestyles and expectations for the future. - Jobs were no longer guaranteed for life but had to be earned. - Eastern European countries have experienced a tremendous amount of growth.

English Channel

- Separates northern France and Great Britain - While its narrowest point, the Strait of Dover, is only 21 miles (34 km) wide, the channel has served as a protective barrier for the British Isles for centuries. The last successful invasion of Great Britain was by the Normans in 1066. It was not until World War I, when submarine warfare first began, that England's reliance on its protection was shaken. In 1994, a tunnel was built underneath the channel, connecting Great Britain to mainland Europe.

Economic Sectors

- The Industrial Revolution changed the world. - It transformed Western society and remade economies. It began in Europe. - industry is still a vital part of Europe's economy. - Agriculture, as well, has remained central to the economies of many countries. - Other sectors, such as finance, service, communication, transportation, and technology also play a commanding role in Europe's thriving economy.

Southern Europe

- The countries of Southern Europe lie along the Mediterranean Sea. - The summers in this region are generally dry and hot giving it the warmest temperatures in Europe. - Winters are cool and wet. This climate, known as the Mediterranean climate, allows for the growth of olive trees. - Other vegetation that flourishes in the region are pine trees and evergreen bushes, such as juniper and sage.

Mediterranean Sea

- a means of cultural exchange and commercial prosperity for Europe since Roman times. - warm waters have provided the perfect environment for trade routes and ports. - facilitates the movement of goods and people between Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

A capitalistic system

- allows private citizens the freedom to make economic decisions. - government has very little control over what products are produced, who produces them, and what products cost.

Northern Europe

- coldest region of Europe. - Areas in the far north experience a subarctic climate, with temperatures well-below freezing during the long winter season. Tundra mark these colder areas. - majority of Northern Europe is covered in boreal forests and broadleaf forests. - Boreal forests are largely filled with evergreen plants, such as pine trees. - Broadleaf forests contain trees such as birch and aspen. These types of trees lose their leaves in the fall.

Apennines

- extends from north to south through the Italian peninsula. I - many rivers in Italy, including the Tiber. - highest peak is Corno Grande 9,554 ft (2,912 m). - has Europe's southernmost glacier.

North European Plain

- extends from the North Sea, along the shores of northwestern Europe, through Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, and into the Russian Federation. - soil is very fertile and is watered by major rivers, such as the Rhine and the Elbe.

The European Union

- first and foremost an economic alliance - goal is to bring about increased economic prosperity by establishing an increased amount of trade among its members and ensuring their long-term financial stability - not until 1992 that the European Union, or the EU, was ratified by the Maastricht Treaty. - EU has 27 member states - currency known as the Euro - Not all European nations are part of the EU, such as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Ukraine. - 2016, citizens of the United Kingdom (Britain) voted to leave the European Union - UK left the EU on January 31, 2020 - Scotland might choose independence in order to remain a part of the EU.

Pyrénées

- form the natural border between Spain and France. - extends across the Iberian peninsula from the Mediterranean Sea to the Bay of Biscay. - highest peak is Aneto at 11,168 feet (3,404 meters).

Energy Sources

- important energy resource to Europe. - coal mining still exists in Western Europe, Belgium, and the Netherlands, most of the mining today takes place in Eastern Europe. - Ukraine is the leading producer of coal in Europe, as well as iron - Other important energy sources include natural gas, oil, and hydroelectric power. - largest oil reserves have been found in Northern Europe along the coast of Norway. - Natural gas is also found in abundance in the same region. - Hydroelectric power is used by several European nations. It is produced by water flowing through water turbines in a dam. - Norway is the largest producer of hydroelectric energy in Europe. Sweden and France also utilize hydroelectric energy as a means of reducing their reliance on oil and natural gas.

Industry

- industry has been strong in Europe since the 19th century - coal and iron ore fueled the early days of the European industrial machine - now, industrial sector in Europe has become more diverse - light industry, such as the production of computers and cell phones, supply jobs to millions of Europeans -

Black Sea

- located south of Ukraine, and east of Bulgaria and Romania. - Like the Mediterranean Sea, it has been an important means of cultural and commercial exchange between the surrounding nations. - Another inland sea

Danube

- longest river in Europe. - 1,771 miles (2,850 km) long. - Beginning in Germany's Black Forest, it flows eastward through ten European countries, including Austria, Hungary, Serbia, Moldova, Slovakia, and Ukraine. - natural border between Romania and Bulgaria. - The capital cities Vienna, Budapest, Belgrade, and Bratislava stand on its banks. - Its political and commercial significance date back to the Roman Empire.

Minerals

- most abundant mineral reserves in Europe include copper, zinc, coal, and iron ore. - Copper is mined in several regions in Europe. - Zinc is found in the south and the southwest.

Western Europe

- most affected by the Gulf Stream - Its current moves along the west coast of Norway and southward - warm air brought by the Gulf Stream contributes to the Marine West Coast climate that dominates most of Western Europe - Winters are mild with little to no snow. Summer temperatures rarely go above 90 °F. - The Alps: Due to the rising altitude of the mountain range, temperatures are significantly lower than the those found in the rest of Western Europe. At the highest elevations, the mountains experience permanent snow cover.

Rhine

- most important river - Rising in the Swiss Alps, it flows through Germany, France, and the Netherlands, - empties into the North Sea. - its commercial and political significance dates back to Roman times. Along its banks are some of the most important commercial centers in European history: Rotterdam, Strasbourg, and Basel. - length is 820 miles (1,319 km) with many tributaries.

Agriculture

- number of farmers in Europe is decreasing due to the commercialization of farming and food production. - Globalization and the growth of large agricultural corporations have changed farming in Europe. - increases choices and lowers prices for consumers, small farmers must innovate in order to compete. - Commercial farmers produce many major agricultural products for the region. Corn, wheat, potatoes, fruits, olives, sugar beets, dairy products, fish, meat, and grapes - Commercial farming takes place in every region of Europe, including the North. - Lumber is a major resource of Northern Europe. Sweden, Finland, and Latvia have vast forest reserves.

North Sea

- part of the Atlantic Ocean. - separates Great Britain and mainland Europe and Norway. - abundance of fish and is also a source of oil.

The Alps

-major mountain range in Europe. - rocky with breath-taking vistas, glaciers, and slopes ideal for skiing. - highest peak is Mont Blanc, which reaches 15,781 ft (4,810 meters). - crescent shaped, extending from southeastern France through Switzerland, Germany, Liechtenstein, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. - major rivers in Europe, including the Danube, Po, Rhine, and Rhone rivers.

Thames

-one of the most well-known rivers in the world. The historically important city of London owes its existence to its deep-flowing waters, which empty in the North Sea. - Many of the great writers and poets of England have written about the river Thames.

Eastern Europe was completely freed from the communist control in _______.

1996

The people that established the first European civilization are the _______.

Ancient Greeks

What religion has had the greatest influence on European culture?

Christianity

The Roman Emperor ______ helped the spread of Christianity.

Constantine

What type of alphabet do some Slavic languages use?

Cyrillic

_______ is a political system that the ancient Greeks were given credit for.

Democracy

Which organization is responsible for The Sixth Environment Action Programme of the European Community?

EU

Which branch of Christianity is practiced in Eastern Europe?

Eastern Orthodoxy

Which language of the Germanic branch is the most widely spoken language in the world?

English

Which three former communist-controlled areas make up the Black Triangle?

Germany, Poland, Czech Republic

TWO other major religions practiced in Europe.

Hinduism, Islam

What language family do most of the languages of Europe belong to?

Indo-European

What political significance did the Magna Carta have in England?

It limited the power of the king to the rule of law. Kings no longer held absolute power. No human was above the rule of law.

Why was the "Cold War" considered cold?

No war ever erupted but difference of ideals brought about conflict.

In which country has acid rain been blamed for an increase in cancer?

Poland

The _______ was sparked by the rediscovery of writers from Ancient Greece and Rome.

Renaissance

The early European civilization that made important achievements in law, engineering, and government were the ________.

Romans

Which of the following are Slavic languages?

Russian, Ukrainian, Serbian

The first Europeans are believed to have migrated from ______.

Southwest Asia

what did the Reformation accomplish?

The reduction of power of the Roman Catholic Church brought greater religious and political freedoms to government and society.

Why are French, Spanish, and Italian called Romance languages?

They originate from the language of the Romans—Latin.

The majority of Muslims in Europe are from which ethnic groups?

Turkish immigrants and African immigrants

brownfield

a former industrial site that has fallen into disuse due to possible contamination

ethnic group

a group of people with a similar language, religious belief, cultural practices, and heritage

emission

a substance put into the air or atmosphere

What is Europe's biggest pollution problem?

acid rain

Which of the following are natural resources that acid rain affects?

air, people's health, water resources, forests, food sources.

pesticide

chemicals that kill insects

Many of the power plants and factories in Eastern Europe were constructed during which time period?

communist-controlled Europe

Eurasia

continent, which includes the landmass of Asia and Europe

Euro

currency of the European Union

Which of the following is NOT a goal of The Sixth Environment Action Programme of the European Community?

decrease recycling

diverse

different and full of variety

ural mountains

divide Europe and Asia in Russia

mixed economy

economic system with elements of capitalism and socialism

dialect

form of a language that has distinct words and expressions or grammar

fossil fuel

fuels such as petroleum, natural gas, and coal

brackish

having a salty or unpleasant flavor

urban

having to do with a city

commercial

having to do with business and trade

toxic

having to do with harm caused by poison or poisonous substances

peninsula

landmass which extends out into a body of water

A socialistic system

limits the freedom of private citizens to make economic decisions. The government has a lot of control over the production of goods and services.

Italian Peninsula

located in the Southern region of Europe. It is the most recognizable peninsula of Europe. It is shaped like a boot! It includes the nations of Italy and San Marino, and the city-state, Holy See (Vatican City). It is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea.

Balkan Peninsula

located in the Southern region of Europe. The largest country on the peninsula is Greece. The Mediterranean Sea is located to the south and west, and the Black Sea is to the east. To the north, the rivers Danube, Sava, and Kupa, outline the peninsula from mainland Europe.

Iberian Peninsula

located in the Southwest region of Europe. It includes the countries of Spain, Portugal, Andorra, the British territory of Gibraltar, and part of southwest France. The French portion is located within the Pyrenees mountains. The Pyrenees are considered the dividing line between the Iberian Peninsula and "mainland" Europe.

Scandinavian Peninsula

made up of the Scandinavian countries of Sweden and Norway. On the west is the Norwegian Sea. To the south is the North Sea. The Baltic Sea is to the southeast. The Barents Sea is to the north. The Scandinavian Peninsula is the largest European peninsula. Dividing the peninsula, and Sweden and Norway, is the Scandinavian mountain range.

With which type of power plant is the Czech Republic replacing coal-burning power plants?

nuclear

boreal

of or pertaining to the northern wooded regions containing primarily evergreen plants and trees

Baltic Sea

one of several inland seas in Europe. Its water is brackish, but not as salty as seawater.

Approximately, how many languages are spoke in Europe?

over 60

Jutland Peninsula

part of Northern Europe. Most of it is owned by Denmark. However, the southern portion which connects the peninsula to mainland Europe is German territory. The Jutland Peninsula has been the home of sailors for centuries, and was the site of one of the most fierce naval battles of World War I. The North Sea is on the west, with the Baltic Sea to the east.

hydroelectric power

produced by water flowing through water turbines in a dam

Which type of disease does sulfur dioxide affect the most?

respiratory disease

prominence

state of being easily seen or specifically noticed

statistics

the collection and organization of measured numerical information

demography

the study of a population's characteristics