World Geography TodayChapter 14 Northern and Western Europe Preview Section 1: The British IslesThe British Isles Section 2: FranceFrance Section 3: The Benelux CountriesThe Benelux Countries Section 4: ScandinaviaScandinavia Chapter Wrap-Up

World Geography TodayChapter 14 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? Section 1: The British Isles

World Geography TodayChapter 14 Question How has history affected the culture of the British Isles? Section 1: The British Isles

World Geography TodayChapter 14 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. Section 1: The British Isles

World Geography TodayChapter 14 Question What are the similarities and differences between the cultures of Ireland and Great Britain? Section 1: The British Isles

World Geography TodayChapter 14 Republic Predominantly Roman Catholic Some Gaelic speakers Constitutional monarchy Predominantly Protestant Democratic governments English predominant language Similar social life, sports Ireland Great Britain Section 1: The British Isles Cultures of Ireland and Great Britain

World Geography TodayChapter 14 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. Section 1: The British Isles Changes in the British Economy

World Geography TodayChapter 14 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 agreement set up shared government, but future is unclear. Section 1: The British Isles Tensions in Northern Ireland

World Geography TodayChapter 14 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

World Geography TodayChapter 14 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

World Geography TodayChapter 14 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

World Geography TodayChapter 14 Question What major issues and challenges does France face today? Section 2: France

World Geography TodayChapter 14 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

World Geography TodayChapter 14 Read to Discover What historical ties do the Benelux countries share? What are the cities and economies of the Benelux countries like? Section 3: The Benelux Countries

World Geography TodayChapter 14 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) Section 3: The Benelux Countries Historical Ties

World Geography TodayChapter 14 Question What are the characteristics of the major cities and economies of the Benelux countries? Section 3: The Benelux Countries

World Geography TodayChapter 14 Major Cities Belgium: Brussels Netherlands: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague Luxembourg: Luxembourg Economy Belgium: industry, agriculture, international business, diamond cutting, carpets, chocolate Netherlands: agriculture (dairy and flowers), diversified activities, many exports, natural gas Luxembourg: steel, international banking Section 3: The Benelux Countries

World Geography TodayChapter 14 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 Section 3: The Benelux Countries Belgium

World Geography TodayChapter 14 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 Section 3: The Benelux Countries The Netherlands

World Geography TodayChapter 14 Capital—Luxembourg Highest per capita GDP in world—$36,400 Traditional steel producer; international banking now more important Constitutional monarchy Section 3: The Benelux Countries Luxembourg

World Geography TodayChapter 14 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: Scandinavia

World Geography TodayChapter 14 Question What cultural characteristics do the Scandinavian countries share? Section 4: Scandinavia

World Geography TodayChapter 14 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 Section 4: Scandinavia

World Geography TodayChapter 14 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 Section 4: Scandinavia Economic Foundations

World Geography TodayChapter 14 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. Section 4: Scandinavia Settlement Patterns

World Geography TodayChapter 14 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?