EUROPE- Overview

Geographic Characteristics Western edge of Eurasia Western edge of Eurasia Major world influence Major 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

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

PHYSICAL LANDFORMS & FEATURES Mountains: The Alps, Pyrenees, Dolomites, Carpathians, Kjolen, Apennines, Caucasus, Ural Mountains: The Alps, Pyrenees, Dolomites, Carpathians, Kjolen, Apennines, Caucasus, Ural Peninsulas: Scandinavia, Italian, Iberian, Balkan Peninsulas: Scandinavia, Italian, Iberian, Balkan North European Plain North European Plain Rivers: Danube, Rhine, Seine, Thames, Tiber, Rhone, Po, Don, Volga, Loire, Elbe, Tagus, Dnieper, Vistula Rivers: Danube, Rhine, Seine, Thames, Tiber, Rhone, Po, Don, Volga, Loire, Elbe, Tagus, Dnieper, Vistula Islands: 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

Marine West Coast Marine West Coast dominates Western Europe. Humid Continental Humid Continental dominates Eastern Europe. steppehighland Pockets of steppe and highland climate. Mediterranean Mediterranean climate is found along the Mediterranean coastline. Europe’s Climates

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). 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

 Declining 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

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.

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  Slavic languages in eastern Europe  Germanic languages in northern Europe  Romance languages in southern Europe

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