1. Northern Europe
Chapter 14

2. Northern Europe

3. Physical Geography Two regions make up Northern Europe
British Isles: a group of Islands located across the English Channel
Scandinavia: a region of islands and peninsulas in far northern Europe, including Iceland to the west

4. Physical Features
Rugged hills stretch across Iceland, northern Scotland, and Scandinavia
The Kjolen Mountains divide Norway from Sweden
Rocky soil and uneven terrain make farming difficult
Fewer people live there

5. Physical Features Farmland and Plains
Stretch across southern parts of the British Isles and Scandinavia
Ireland’s rolling, green hills provide rich farmland
Wide valley’s in Denmark and England also have fertile soil

6. Physical Features Effects of glaciers Jagged coastlines
Fjords: narrow inlets of the sea set between high rocky cliffs, formed as glaciers melted
Thousands of lakes carved out by glaciers

7. Natural Resources Energy Oil and natural gas under the North Sea
Hydroelectric energy produced by lakes and rivers
Geothermal energy, or energy from the Earth’s interior, from Iceland’s hot springs

8. Natural Resources Forests and soils
Timber producing forests stretch across Finland and the Scandinavian Peninsula
Fertile soils provide rich farmland for crops
Livestock like sheep and dairy cattle are common

9. Natural Resources Seas and Oceans provide rich stocks of fish
North Sea
Norwegian Sea
Atlantic Ocean
Fishing is a key industry in Norway, Denmark, and Iceland
Herring

10. Climate Much of Northern Europe lies near the Arctic Circle
North Atlantic Drift: an ocean current that brings warm, moist air across the Atlantic Ocean, results in Northern Europe’s mild climates
Much of Northern Europe has a marine west coast climate
Denmark, the British Isles, and western Norway

11. Climate Other parts have a humid continental climate
Central Norway, Sweden, and southern Finland
Far north are colder climates
Northern Scandinavia has subarctic climate
Iceland has tundra and ice cap climates

12. Review Northern Europe United States Physical Features
Natural Resources
Climate
Physical Features
Natural Resources
Climate

13. The British Isles Two independent countries make up the British Isles
Ireland
United Kingdom
England
Scotland
Wales
Northern Ireland
Throughout history the people of the British Isles have been linked together

14. Early History
Early settlers built Stonehenge, an ancient monument, some 5,000 years ago
In 450 BC – the Celts arrived in the British Isles and settled in Scotland, Wales, and Ireland

15. Early History Britain became part of the Roman Empire
AD 1066 – the Normans from northern France conquered England and established a strong kingdom
England grew in strength and soon overshadowed its neighbors in the British Isles
By the 1500s strong rulers like Queen Elizabeth I had turned England into a world power

16. Rise and Decline of the British Empire
England joined with Wales and Scotland to create the United Kingdom of Great Britain
Launched overseas empire and had colonies in Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Australia by the late 1800s
Economy soared with the industrial revolution in the 1700s and 1800s
At its height the British Empire was the largest in history

17. British Empire

18. Rise and Decline of the British Empire
1900s, British Empire began to crumble
World War I and the Great Depression hurt the British economy
Rebellions in Ireland forced Britain to grant self rule to all but the northern part of Ireland
Other overseas colonies began movements for independence
After World War II Great Britain gave up most of its colonies

19. Government of the United Kingdom
Constitutional monarchy: a type of democracy in which a king or queen serves as head of state but a legislature makes the laws
Led by a prime minister
Most members of parliament, Britain’s legislative body, are elected

20. British Government

21. Magna Carta
A document drawn up in the Middle Ages limited the power of kings

22. Republic of Ireland President as head of state
Prime minister, appointed by the president, runs the government with the Irish parliament
Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny
Irish President Michael Higgins

23. People and Culture
Common heritage – many people of the British Isles can trace their heritage to the regions’ early settlers
Sports such as soccer and rugby are popular
Regions, particularly Ireland and Scotland, maintain their unique identities
Immigrants from all corners of the world have settled in Britain, adding to the rich culture of the region

24. Popular Culture Influences people around the world
English is the language of business, education, and the internet in many places
British music and literature are popular

25. Conflicts in Ireland
Catholics believe they have not been treated fairly by Protestants, who are in the majority
Bitter and violent struggle lasted for many years
Cease-fire in the 1990s, but some groups refused to disarm, or give up all weapons
Still working toward a long lasting peace

26. Economy Economies are strong
London, the capital of the UK, is a center for world trade and history
In Dublin,
Irelands
capital,
computer
equipment
and software
have become
major
industries

27. Review What two countries make up the British Isles?
Why did the economy of the United Kingdom grow so quickly in the 1700s and 1800s?
Why did tensions between the United Kingdom and Ireland increase during and after the 1840s?

28. Scandinavia The history of Scandinavia dates back to the Vikings
Vikings were Scandinavian warriors who raided Europe and the Mediterranean in the early Middle Ages
Excellent sailors
Conquered British Isles, Finland, and parts of France, Germany, and Russia

29. Vikings The Vikings were great explorers
Established settlements in Iceland and Greenland
First Europeans to reach North America

30. After the Vikings Viking raids ended in 1100s
1300s: Denmark ruled a union of all Scandinavian kingdoms
Sweden challenged Denmark’s power and left the union, taking Finland with it
1900s: Norway, Finland, Iceland became independent
Greenland remains a self-ruling territory of Denmark

31. Scandinavia Today

32. Scandinavia Today

33. Scandinavia Today Scandinavian countries have much in common
Similar political views, language, and religion
Large, wealthy cities, strong economies, well educated workers
High standards of living
Stockholm, Sweden

34. Scandinavia Today
Sweden, Denmark, Greenland, Finland, Norway, and Iceland are among the world’s most peaceful, stable, and prosperous nations
Finland

35. Sweden Largest and most populous Scandinavian country
More than 80% live in urban areas
Stockholm, the capital and largest city, is built on 14 islands and part of the mainland
Sweden has been a neutral country for more than 200 years, meaning it has chosen not to take sides in international conflicts.

36. Denmark Smallest Scandinavian country and most densely populated
About 50% of land is used for farming
Farm goods are important exports
Modern
industries,
such as iron
and electronics,
are important as
well

37. Greenland
Geographically part of North America but a territory of Denmark
Think ice sheets cover 80% of the land
Much of the island is uninhabitable, or not able to support human settlement
Most live on the southwest coast where the climate is the warmest
Heavily dependent on imports and economic aid from Denmark

38. Norway One of the longest coastlines in the world
Fjord’s shelter Norway’s many harbors
Oslo, the capital city, is the country’s leading seaport and industrial center
Highest per capita GDP in Scandinavia
North Sea provides valuable natural gas and oil resources
Not part of the European Union

39. Finland Easternmost Scandinavian country, between Sweden and Russia
Helsinki is the capital and largest city
Trade is important
Paper and forest products are important exports
Shipbuilding and electronics are important industries

40. Iceland
Fertile farmland along the islands coast produces crops and supports cattle and sheep
Fish account for 70% of Iceland’s exports
Steam from hot springs and geysers produce geothermal energy
Tourists come to see the geysers, volcano’s and glaciers

41. Visual Summary

42. Review History Similarities among Countries Unique Features Sweden
Denmark
Iceland
Norway
Finland