©CSCOPE 2007 EUROPE- Overview

©CSCOPE 2007 Geographic Characteristics Western edge of Eurasia Western edge of Eurasia Pervasive world influence Pervasive world influence Industrialized Industrialized Numerous nation-states Numerous nation-states Urbanized population Urbanized population High standards of living High standards of living East v. West differences East v. West differences

©CSCOPE 2007 Importance of Location Centrally located with capability of contact with rest of world. Centrally located with capability of contact with rest of world. Every part of Europe is close to the sea (within 300 miles). Every part of Europe is close to the sea (within 300 miles). Navigable waterways Navigable waterways Moderate distances Moderate distances

©CSCOPE 2007 PHYSICAL LANDSCAPES Alpine Areas: The Alps, Pyrenees, Dolomites, Carpathians Peninsulas: Scandinavia, Italian, Iberian, Balkan North European Plain

©CSCOPE 2007 Europe’s Islands Iceland, an island south of the Arctic Circle in the North Atlantic Ocean, features volcanoes, hot springs, and geysers. 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. The British Isles–primarily Ireland and Great Britain–are cool, hilly, and rainy. In the Mediterranean, five large islands–Sicily, Corsica, Sardinia, Cyprus, and Crete–all have rugged terrain and volcanic mountains. In the Mediterranean, 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 Greece’s nearly 2,000 islands in the Aegean Sea have rugged landscapes and a sunny climate that attracts tourists

©CSCOPE 2007 Marine West Coast dominates Western Europe while Humid Continental dominates eastern Europe. There are pockets of arid areas (steppe) and highland climate. The dry summers of Mediterranean climate are found along the Mediterranean coastline. Europe’s Climates

©CSCOPE 2007 Generalizations on Climate Countries closer to warm Atlantic ocean currents and winds have milder temperatures than those farther east and north. Countries closer to warm Atlantic ocean currents and winds have milder temperatures than those farther east and north. European climates vary according to distance from the sea (idea of continentality ). European climates vary according to distance from the sea (idea of continentality ).

©CSCOPE 2007 Most of Europe is Temperate Mixed Forest, that is typically cleared for farming. Areas of Scandinavia are Coniferous forests while the Mediterranean coastline has scrubby vegetation known as chaparral. Land Use is typically Mixed Farming or Dairy Farming. Mediterranean farming would include the wine industry and olive oil production. Much of the highlands in the British Isles is used for grazing. Biomes and Land Use in Europe

©CSCOPE 2007 Historical Geography of Europe Ancient Greece and Rome (B.C.E. and first four centuries A.D.) Ancient Greece and Rome (B.C.E. and first four centuries A.D.) Dark Ages (4-10 th century) Dark Ages (4-10 th century) Middle Ages (10-14 th century) Middle Ages (10-14 th century) Renaissance (15 th and 16 th century) Renaissance (15 th and 16 th century) Enlightenment (18 th century) Enlightenment (18 th century) Age of Conquests (15 th -20 th century) Age of Conquests (15 th -20 th century)

©CSCOPE 2007 AGRARIAN REVOLUTION Began in Europe in the 1750s Began in Europe in the 1750s Based on new agricultural innovations Based on new agricultural innovations Enabled increased food production Enabled increased food production Enabled sustained population increase Enabled sustained population increase

©CSCOPE 2007 INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION Developed in the UK between Developed in the UK between Evolved from technical innovations that occurred in British industry Evolved from technical innovations that occurred in British industry Proved to be a major catalyst towards increased urbanization Proved to be a major catalyst towards increased urbanization

©CSCOPE 2007  Falling share of the world’s population  Fertility at an all-time low  Fewer young people  Smaller working age population  Immigration partially offsetting losses EUROPE’S CHANGING POPULATION

©CSCOPE 2007 URBAN TRADITION Urbanization- 73% of Europe is urbanized. Urbanization- 73% of Europe is urbanized. Related concepts Related concepts –Primate city- largest city that encompasses the cultural ideals –CBD- downtown (business and commerce) –Metropolis- terms used to describe central city and suburbs.

©CSCOPE th Major Political Events World War I World War I World War II and Holocaust World War II and Holocaust Cold War (primarily USSR) Cold War (primarily USSR) Decrease in Imperialism (primarily British Empire) Decrease in Imperialism (primarily British Empire) Rise and Fall of Communism Rise and Fall of Communism

©CSCOPE 2007 Supranationalism A venture involving three or more nations A venture involving three or more nations Political, economic, and/or cultural cooperation to promote shared objectives Political, economic, and/or cultural cooperation to promote shared objectives New “Euro”Currency

©CSCOPE 2007 European Union (EU) Original Members: (12) Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, UK Original Members: (12) Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, UK Established: 1992 Established: 1992 Aimed to coordinate policy among the members in three ways: Aimed to coordinate policy among the members in three ways: -- economics -- defense -- justice and home affairs

©CSCOPE 2007 Supranationalism Problems Loss of autonomy and control Loss of autonomy and control Differences in levels of economic development Differences in levels of economic development Cultural barriers Cultural barriers

©CSCOPE 2007 Languages In Europe, there are about 50 different languages and more than 100 dialects, most of which belong to the Indo-European language family In Europe, there are about 50 different languages and more than 100 dialects, most of which belong to the Indo-European language family The Slavic languages of eastern Europe, the Germanic languages of northern Europe, and the Romance languages of southern Europe are Indo-European languages. The Slavic languages of eastern Europe, the Germanic languages of northern Europe, and the Romance languages of southern Europe are Indo-European languages.

©CSCOPE 2007 Religions - Europe is predominantly Christian. - Most of southern/western Europe’s Christians are Roman Catholics, whereas most northern European Christians are Protestants. - In much of southeastern Europe, Eastern Orthodox Christians predominate. - Many Muslims also live in southeastern Europe (Turkish influence), and Jewish communities exist in all major European cities.

©CSCOPE 2007 SUBDIVISIONS OF THE REALM Western Europe Western Europe Eastern Europe Eastern Europe British Isles British Isles Northern Europe Northern Europe Mediterranean Europe Mediterranean Europe