The Geography and People of Europe

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