II. The EU: a Diverse Territory

Two types of forces at work simultaneously within the EU

A. Centripetal Forces: Unity

Satellite view of Europe at night What do the brightest areas indicate in terms of population density/core & peripheral areas?

1. Major Axes in Europe Describe the following: 1.European megalopolis Major European Metropolis Global city European Megalopolis 1st European port Major Axis Secondary Axis Describe the following: 1.European megalopolis 2.10 great metropolises which structure European space 3.Major Communication Axes

The European Megalopolis 1. The European megalopolis stretches from London to Milan, including the main European metropolises, organized into a conurbation: London, Birmingham, Manchester, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Ruhr, Turin, Milan. The backbone is the most populated and wealthy area in Europe, with the Rhine river as a main line. Infrastructures and facilities are highly developed. 2. Although they are located on the margins of the megalopolis, cities like Paris which has the status of a Global city, but also Berlin, Madrid, Barcelona, Rome, Naples, Athens, and Istanbul are also major European hubs. Secondary European metropolises include Lisbon, Budapest, Vienna, Warsaw and Hamburg. 3. Major communication axes include Rotterdam to Barcelona via Paris, Rotterdam to London, and Rotterdam to Milan via Frankfurt

Population density of EU, EFTA and candidate countries, 2007 Legend:    < 50 Inhabitants per km2    50 - < 100 Inhabitants per km2     100 - < 150 Inhabitants per km2    150 - < 300 Inhabitants per km2    300 - < 1000 Inhabitants per km2    > 1000 Inhabitants per km2    no data available

European Population Density Europe contains 1 of 3 population centers in world Characteristics: high population density (density fades along margins, concentrated in center) European territory highly developed even in scarcely populated areas urban planning Caters to populations that live there

B. Mainly urban population 75% Europeans live in cities Cities characterized by their organization around a historical center – highly symbolic 1st ideas of European unification came from cities Based on networks of human, intellectual, & commercial exchanges

C. Cultural Traits linked to bioclimatic influences Video: Europe, whenever you’re ready

(10 M km² including European part of Russia) Climate zones: Mediterranean, oceanic, northern, etc. European continent exceptionally diverse landscapes especially given its small size (10 M km² including European part of Russia)

Combination of influences and specific cultural traits distinguish various regions within Europe Mediterranean Europe Central Europe Eastern Europe Northern Europe Northern Eastern Central Mediterranean

Map of European Languages

European Religions map Protestant Catholic Orthodox Muslim

Share of Atheist Population What patterns can you observe? How can you explain these patterns?

Individualist vs. Collectivist Culture individual uniqueness and self-determination are valued admire people who are "self-made“ "makes up their own mind“, show initiative or work well independently. Collectivist: expect people to identify with and work well in groups which protect them in exchange for loyalty and compliance. Which regions in Europe would you expect to be individualist or collectivist?

European map of Individualist vs. Collectivist Culture

III. Disparities and Inequalities of EU Territories

Disparities and Inequalities: Centripetal or Centrifugal forces?

A. Centrifugal Forces: Fragmentation

The EU and the Euro Crisis Video: Emerging Stronger from the Crisis – the European vision

1. Unemployment Rates in Europe Source: Eurostat 2014

Female employment rate, aged 20-64 years Source: Eurostat, 2010

2. Uneven wage earnings

3. GDP per capita (in PPP) 2009 Where are the richest and poorest areas in Europe? How can you account for this wealth distribution?

Poverty Rates in the EU - 2010 Gini Index: a measure intended to represent the income distribution of a nation's residents. This is the most commonly used measure of inequality. The coefficient varies between 0, which reflects complete equality and 100 (or 1), which indicates complete inequality (one person has all the income or consumption, all others have none).

4. FEDER Regional Subsidies European regional subsidies Poor regions receiving the most Wealthy regions receiving the least