The Cultural Geography of Europe Chapter 12 The Cultural Geography of Europe

Population Patterns 50 countries in Europe Russia-largest Holy See (Vatican City)- smallest About .17 square miles

Ethnic Diversity Caused by migrations within Europe Recent immigrants from Asia, Africa, Caribbean over last 100 years

Ethnic Groups Europe has over 160 different ethnic groups, people with a similar language, ancestry, customs, and religion ethnically homogenous countries, or have ONE major ethnic group, like Sweden. (89% are Swedes, a Germanic ethnic group who settled there 100s of years ago; share common language, culture, Lutheran religion) Some countries like Belgium have two major groups (Flemings and Walloons); may result in disputes

Ethnic Tensions Often result in armed conflict, due to internal and external rivalries Example: Yugoslavia (communist country after WWII) on Balkan Peninsula 1990s conflict between Serbs, Croats, Bosnian Muslims, and Kosovar Albanians Fall of communism lead to break up into separate countries Lead to worst fighting since WWII in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo Ethnic cleaning of rival groups by Serbian leaders Refugees fled to foreign countries, like U.S., Germany, U.K, etc

The Middle Ages Roman Empire fell and Europe entered the Middle Ages AD 500-1500 Feudalism-monarchs and lords gave land to nobles in exchange for pledges of loyalty Churches became centers of learning and power Jews faced discrimination and moved mainly into Eastern Europe Followers of Islam (belief in one God and followers of Muhammad, a prophet from the 600s AD) took root in Spain. Islam had spread from Southwest Asia to North Africa to Europe

Expansion of Europe Crusades- AD 1000s series of brutal religious wars fought to take back the Holy Lands (Palestine), the birthplace of Christianity Europeans lost the Crusades and failed to permanently take Palestine Did expand trade throughout Mediterranean (spices and other goods)

The Renaissance 1300s; 300 years of discovery and learning and advancements in civilization Educated Europeans became interested in the societies of ancient Greece and Rome Designed realistic art Numerous scientific advances, numerous medical advances Artists: Michelangelo, Donatello, Da Vinci, Raphael

The Reformation The invention of movable type during the Renaissance led to more pamphlets and literature that aided in the spread of this religious movement. Lessened the power of the Roman Catholic church European monarchs strengthened their power Martin Luther nailed Ninety Five Thesis on the church door questioning the teaching of the Catholic Church

European Exploration during Middle Ages 500-1500 AD Explorers from Portugal developed new trade routes around Africa and Asia Spanish rulers financed the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus, who reached the Americas in the 1400s England, France, and the Netherlands sent out explorers, all of whom destroyed the native cultures that they encountered.

The Enlightenment 1600-1700s; cultural movement of intellectuals Emphasis on importance of reason; questioned long standing beliefs Political and economic revolutions followed Age of Rousseau, Montesquieu, Galileo, John Locke

Revolutions England-Bill of Rights passed that limited the power of the monarch France-French Revolution overthrew monarchy and spread democracy Industrial Revolution lead to power driven machinery and advancements in transportation and communication Industrial capitalism-an economic system in which business leaders used profits to expand companies Birth of communism in mid 1800s; economic system in which workers would control the means and method of production

Conflict and Division in Europe Unresolved political conflicts led to division in Europe-WWI, WWII Reparations Holocaust Cold War

Cold War Conflict between the USA and her Allies and the Soviet Union and her allies NATO Warsaw Pact

European Union (EU) An organization to promote economic trade with fewer barriers in Europe Led to conflict between economically stable nations and poorer European nations

Section 3: Culture and Lifestyles

Languages 50 languages 100 dialects

Religion Primarily Christian Many Europeans are not members of any practicing faith, but use religion as a cultural practice Muslims immigrants Unifying factor Source of conflict: Northern Ireland (Catholic and Protestants), Balkan peninsula (Roman Catholic Croats, Eastern Orthodox Serbs, Muslim Bosnians)

Quality of life Western Europeans generally have a higher standard of living than southern and eastern Europeans (recovering from communism in the east) Education highly values and often free for college students Welfare states: the government provides certain services