1. The Geography and People of Europe
Essential Question:
What are the physical and human characteristics Europe?

3. Europe Basics 2nd smallest continent by land size
3rd largest population
(731 million, 11% of global total)
Approx. 50 countries
Russia is largest population and land

4. Physical Geography of Europe
Western part of the “Eurasian” landmass and the British Isles/ Ireland/ Iceland
Important bodies of water:
Atlantic ocean, Mediterranean sea, many rivers
Access to multiple bodies of water (oceans, seas, rivers)
Transportation
Expansion
Relatively flat, fertile soil, moderate climate allows for farming and population growth.
Limited natural resources= need for expansion

5. Political Geography of Europe
Major countries:
UK (Great Britain), Germany, France, Italy, Russia, Sweden, Greece, Spain.
Major cities include:
London, Berlin, Paris, Rome, Moscow, Stockholm, Athens, Madrid.
European Union (economic and political union)
27 European member nations/ 500 million people
Free movement of people, goods, service, and capital
Common currency called the Euro

6. Major Regions of Europe
Western Europe
Germany, France, Switz, Netherlands, BeNeLux (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg)
Eastern Europe
Russia, Poland, Czech Repub., Ukraine
Northern Europe
UK, Ireland, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Iceland
Southern Europe
Spain, Portugal, Italy, Balkans, Greece

7. Northern
Eastern
Western
Southern

8. Who is a European?
Race refers to biological characterizes of a group of people, such as skin color.
Most Europeans are Caucasian or “white.”
Ethnicity refers to the cultural background of a group of people.
European ethnicities include: Italians, Germans, Brits, Irish, Poles, Swedes, French, Swiss, Russians, etc.
Just like the United States, however, there are immigrants from other places including Africa, Turkey, India, and the Middle East.

9. Religion in Europe Traditionally, Europe is heavily Christian.
35% Catholic (France, Poland, Italy, Spain)
27% Eastern Orthodox (Russia, Greece)
14% Protestant (Sweden, Germany, England)
A growing number of Europeans identify as “secular” or non-religious.
18% non-religious
Islam is also growing in Europe, has led to some conflict (France, GB)
5% Islam, largely due to immigrants

10. Language in Europe
Most Europeans speak a language that shares the name with their country.
French in France
English in England (Ireland and Scotland too)
Italian in Italy
German in Germany
Exception:
Switzerland: French, Italian, German, Romansch
Most Europeans speak at least 2 languages: native language + English, many speak 3-4!

11. The European Union
A supranational organization consisting 27 “member states.”
Supranational- a union of multiple nations.
Economic and political cooperation
“Ensure the free movement of people, goods, services, and capital.”
Common currency “the Euro” (17 members)

13. European Union Flag

14. European Culture
Many European countries have very distinct and well-known cultures that are well known in America.
European cooking/ foods
European clothing/ fashion
European cars
European travel