Secondary sector

THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION Industry was born in Europe two centuries ago and had massive effects on politics, culture and society. The Industrial Revolution started at the end of the 18th century in the UK, where the Scottish instrument maker James Watt invented the steam engine (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoNvW JyBp0Q) In the 19th century, industrialisation spread throughout Western Europe and the US.

THE SITUATION TODAY Central-western Europe is still the most industrialised area of our continent. The principal manufacturing zone extends from Britain through north-eastern France, Belgium, Germany, to Silesia. Other important industrial areas are found in Switzerland and Northern Italy.

INDUSTRY IN WESTERN EUROPE 1) The UK It was the first country in the world to become highly industrialised It lost its leadership in the 20th century. However, the industrial structure of the UK is considered important, thanks to new high-tech industries.

INDUSTRY IN WESTERN EUROPE 2) The Rhine—Ruhr Valley Iron and steel manufacturing is concentrated here: this area is near to large coalfields the Rhine provides easy transportation. The Rhine is Europe's most important river, this has made Rotterdam one of the world’s largest ports.

INDUSTRY IN WESTERN EUROPE 3) Northern Italy Modern industrial progress here started in the 19th century because of a large workforce and cheap hydroelectricity. Factories developed especially in the so called “industrial triangle”.

INDUSTRY IN EASTERN EUROPE Silesia around Moscow and St. Petersburg along the Volga in the Donets Basin (in Ukraine and Russia) around the Urals

INDUSTRY IN EASTERN EUROPE Silesia Now is located mostly in Poland It’s rich in coal and minerals “Slesia” in italian

INDUSTRY IN EASTERN EUROPE 2) The Volga region It’s not so far from the Urals’ resources It’s connected to Russia’s major inland waterway, which also provides hydroelectric power.

INDUSTRY IN EASTERN EUROPE 3) The Donbass (Donets Basin) It has large coal and mineral reserves It was one of the first industrialised areas in Eastern Europe High levels of pollution in the Donets river

INDUSTRY IN EASTERN EUROPE 3) The Urals They’re rich in iron and other minerals There are also oil fields nearby

MAIN INDUSTRY SECTORS The most important industry sectors in Europe are: automotive aerospace chemical and pharmaceutical biotechnology electrical and mechanical engineering food industry.

MAIN INDUSTRY SECTORS The European Union is the world’s largest producer of motor vehicles; automotive factories are widespread above all in Germany, France and Italy. France and the UK are the leaders in the aerospace industry, which is the second most important in the world (after NASA). Germany, France and the UK are also leaders in the chemical sector.

PROBLEMS IN WESTERN EUROPE Manufacturing has become less important and jobs are being moved to regions with cheaper labour costs (mainly China, India and Eastern Europe). Another problem is the energy dependency of the European Union, because most countries can’t cover their energy needs with their internal resources.

Automotive factories are closing in Western Europe and opening in the East