The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Aka, The United Kingdom, Great Britain, England, the British Isles Four regions- England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland (corner of Ireland) People differentiate themselves as English, Scot, Welsh, or Irish despite all being British

The Land Separate from the rest of Europe by the English Channel Helped British be connected to European culture but be protected from invasion Southern and eastern England- rolling fertile plains- farms Northern and Western- Scotland and Wales- rocky soil, cold climate- sheep herding Southeastern England- Thames River- London

The Economy Industrial Revolution began in Britain Manufacturing, electronics, and service industries Oil and natural gas from North Sea generates energy Some is also exported

Government Constitutional monarchy- king/queen is head of state and takes part in ceremonies but elected officials run the gov’t Began with the Magna Carta in 1200s Parliament later was formed Petition of Right- forced King Charles I to consult Parliament before raising taxes English Bill of Rights UK is also a parliamentary democracy- voters elect members of Parliament and leader of majority party becomes PM PM has to explain decisions to Parliament- can be removed from office Scotland, Wales, and NI all have regional legislatures- deals with healthcare, education, and in Scotland taxes

The People Over 60million- 3 rd highest in Europe- 90% in cities London- 7.6 million English speaking, except Welsh and Scottish Gaelic in some areas Protestant mostly; some Muslim, Hindu, and Sihkism 1700s-1800s- British culture spread worldwide- sports (cricket), language, and literature

The Land Became independent from GB in mostly Catholic Shaped like a shallow bowl Interior- lowland and hills, coastal is rocky cliffs Lush, green fields- Emerald Isle Low-lying areas are full of peat (plants that have partly decayed) Dug from bogs (low swampy lands)- can be dried and used for fuel

The Economy Agriculture: Sheep and cattle Sugar beets and potatoes 1840s- Irish Potato Famine- over a million people died, another million emigrated to the US Manufacturing: Largest industry- clothing, pharmaceuticals, computer equipment Increased productivity (how much a person does in a specific amount of time)- leads to more goods, more profits, and more pay

The People Irish are ancestors of the Celts 2 languages- Irish Gaelic and English 60% of population live in cities or towns- 1/3 in Dublin Irish culture is huge- music and dance Literature- George Bernard Shaw (playwright), William Butler Yeats (poet), James Joyce (novelist)

Conflict Over Northern Ireland Many Catholics in NI would like to be united with Ireland Protestants won’t let them- dominant group Led to violence- 1960s-1990s Northern Ireland officials met and agreed to end disputes Still continue a little today

Five Nations: Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Iceland The Land Mild climate from N.A.C. Central Scandinavia- long cold winters, short warm summers Northern Scan. near the Arctic Circle- - tundra- midsummer the Sun never sets, midwinter the Sun never rises

Islands around coastlines Denmark, southern Sweden and Finland- lowlands Mountains along border or Norway and Sweden Iceland- island in North Atlantic- along to separating faults- geysers (springs that shoot hot water and steam into the air)- 200 volcanoes (most not active) Norway- fjords (fee-AWRDS)- narrow inlets of the sea

The Economies Wealthy and prosperous Agriculture- not a lot, but just enough Fishing- especially in Norway and Iceland Manufacturing and service industries are also big Energy Norway- oil and natural gas from North Sea Iceland- geothermal energy (produced from natural steam) and hydroelectric Finland- hydroelectric Sweden- nuclear and oil Sweden uses iron ore to make Saabs and Volvos Wood used for shipbuilding in Finland and Denmark Copenhagen, Denmark is a major port for Baltic Sea

People and Culture Low population density except Denmark (smallest but climate is mild and farming is good) Scandinavia (minus Finland) are descendants of Germanic people Finland- people originally came from Siberia- Finnish language and culture is different in many ways Lutheran Church dominates all countries

Vikings controlled and raided western Europe, the North Atlantic, and even North America in the Middle Ages Finland was controlled by Sweden and then Russia for many years Denmark, Norway, Sweden- constitutional monarchies Finland and Iceland- republics Iceland’s Parliament- the Athling- began in 930ad- one of the oldest Welfare states- many benefits but very high taxes too

Section 2

France’s Land and Economy France- 2 nd largest country in Europe- a little smaller than TX Northern France- Northern European Plain South- mountains Rivers- Seine and Loire Mild/warm climate- good farming soil

French agriculture- specialization (focusing efforts on certain activities to make the best use of resources) Grapes made into wines Sheep and cattle milk for over 250 kinds of cheeses Sells these goods to other countries and imports stuff they can’t make Industries- cars/trucks, chemicals, textiles, processed foods, high-tech industries (computers and such) 1 in 12 work in tourism- Paris, beaches, Alps, or chateax (French castles)

France’s People and Culture Ancestry- Celts, Romans, and Germanic Tribes Roman Catholic, then Islam Pop million, mostly in cities (10 million in Paris) Museums, cafes, universities, etc Seine River, Notre Dame, and Eiffel Tower Culture has spread far and wide- French cooking Artists, philosophers, composers, directors, writers French Revolution ended the age of monarchies Now a democratic republic- president (elected- very powerful) and PM (appointed)

The Benelux Countries Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg Low, flat lands, densely populated- urban lifestyle, high standard of living Parliamentary democracies- led by monarchs Belgium Trade and manufacturing- imports raw materials Antwerp- port city and center of world diamond industry Brussels- capital, headquarters of EU Belgium 3 regions- Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels Flanders- NW, people speak Dutch, known as Flemings Wallonia- SE, speak French, known as Walloons Brussels- mixed- bilingual sometimes groups have conflict w/ each other

Netherlands- north of Belgium- people called Dutch ¼ of country below sea level- dikes around country to keep water out Drain wetlands- called polders- great farming 90% of population lives is cities- capital Amsterdam Houses are narrow and tall- apts in canals and Industry- manufacturing and trade Export cheese, veggies and flowers (tulips) Luxembourg SE of Belgium- center of trade and finance Have many multinational companies French and German ancestry

Germany’s Land Surrounded by 9 countries North- Northern European Plain Central- rock highlands with coal South- Alps- threatened by acid rain Rivers- important to economy Danube- begins in the Black Forest Elbe- central highlands to North Sea- Hamburg Rhine- Swiss Alps, through Germany and Netherlands to North Sea

History and Government Used to be a bunch of states united into Germany 20 th century- started 2 world wars After WW2- divided into 4 zones- West Germany (democratic), East Germany (communist) Reunited in 1990 with the fall of the SU Like the US today- federal republic- shared powers Elected President is only a symbol; chancellor (appointed by Parliament) makes the decisions

Germany’s People 82.5 people- largest population in Europe- 90% urban Berlin- government and cultural capital Bach and Beethoven 90% of Germans are native- the rest are mostly from Eastern Europe and Turkey Mostly Protestant or Catholic

The Economy Global leader Agriculture- surplus Industry- steel, chemicals, cars, electrical equipment Invested into research- has paid off The challenge of reunification East was less trained and less equipped than the west East still lags behind

The Alpine Countries Swtizerland, Austria, Liechtenstein (only 62 square miles- smaller than DC- population 40,000 Swiss- “gatekeepers”- travel routes through Alps go the Switzerland Neutrality- refusal to take sides in wars Stable democratic gov’t despite surrounding wars Geneva- Red Cross Each city is unique bc of mtns Many ethnic groups- languages: German, French, Italian, Romansch Hydroelectric power, electrical equipment, clocks, cheese, chocolate, knife, banks

Austria Tourism- skiing Timber, iron ore, hydroelectric power Produce machinery, chemicals, metals, and vehicles Banking and insurance Speak German, are Roman Catholic 1/5 of Austrians live in Vienna- capital on Danube Mozart and other composers