1. France and the Benelux Countries
Ch. 6
Sec. 2 Pp

2. France It is the largest country in western Europe
Network of navigable (wide and deep enough for the passage of ships) rivers
Good climate for agriculture

3. France’s Economy
Most people work in service industry (banking, commerce, communications, and tourism)
They produce more food than any country in western Europe
Fertile soil, mild climate, modern farming methods
Natural resources and manufacturing

4. The French People Most trace ancestry to Celts, Romans, and Franks
Republic – strong national government headed by elected leaders
75% live in cities
Paris has over 10 million residents

5. The Benelux Countries: Belgium
About the size of Maryland
Trade and manufacturing center
Most are Roman Catholic
Flemings in north speak Flemish (like Dutch)
Wallons in south speak French
Most live in crowded urban areas

6. The Benelux Countries: the Netherlands
Half the size of Maine
The people are called the Dutch
Build dikes (banks of soil) to create land called polders
High technology makes farms so productive that they export food

7. The Benelux Countries: the Netherlands
Most people work in service industries, manufacturing, and trade
90% live in cities
2/3 are Christian
Small Muslim minority

8. The Benelux Countries: Luxembourg
One of Europe’s smallest countries
Multinational companies (firms that do business in several countries) have headquarters here
Multilingual – able to speak several languages
2nd largest steel producer in Europe