Chapter 5 part one

Western EuropeWestern EuropeChapter 5Chapter 5

Cultural GeographyCultural Geography

Mrs. HollandMrs. Holland

Section One

Northern Europe

Europe is a peninsula on the Europe is a peninsula on the Eurasian continent. Because it is Eurasian continent. Because it is one large peninsula, with many one large peninsula, with many smaller peninsulas, it has been smaller peninsulas, it has been called a “peninsula of peninsulas.” called a “peninsula of peninsulas.”

Europe is the only continent with no Europe is the only continent with no deserts.deserts.

Its good climate and rich soil Its good climate and rich soil support farming and industry.support farming and industry.

Western Europe has less than 5% of the Western Europe has less than 5% of the earth’s landmass, but its people have earth’s landmass, but its people have dominated most of world history.dominated most of world history.

Western European traditions and Western European traditions and institutions are found on every institutions are found on every continent.continent.

Three continents, North America, South Three continents, North America, South America, and Australia are peopled by America, and Australia are peopled by descendants of the western Europeans.descendants of the western Europeans.

Northern Europe consists of Northern Europe consists of the British Isles and the British Isles and

Scandinavia.Scandinavia.

Northern Europe is warmed by Northern Europe is warmed by the North Atlantic Drift that the North Atlantic Drift that

comes of the coast of comes of the coast of Cananda.Cananda.

The United Kingdom has The United Kingdom has four political divisions.four political divisions.

EnglandEngland

ScotlandScotland

Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland

WalesWales

England is the largest division England is the largest division of the United Kingdomof the United Kingdom

It is among the top ten It is among the top ten producers of flax fiber, hops, producers of flax fiber, hops, sheep, green peas, carrots, sheep, green peas, carrots, sugar beets, and rasberries.sugar beets, and rasberries.

London is the London is the largest city on largest city on the River the River Thames (Temz). Thames (Temz).

Off the southeast Off the southeast coast of England is coast of England is the English Channel. the English Channel. It separates Great It separates Great Britain from the Britain from the European continent.European continent.

The narrowest point in the The narrowest point in the channel is the Strait of channel is the Strait of Dover. It is only twenty one Dover. It is only twenty one miles wide.miles wide.

On a clear day, you can see On a clear day, you can see the opposite coast. At night, the opposite coast. At night, you can see the lights. you can see the lights.

The channel has The channel has been called been called England’s first line England’s first line of defense against of defense against enemies from the enemies from the mainland.mainland.

It is believed It is believed

That the Strait, That the Strait,

as wellas well

as the cliffs of as the cliffs of

Dover, were Dover, were

created by created by

erosionerosion

of a land bridge.of a land bridge.

Downs are another feature of Downs are another feature of southeast England. They are southeast England. They are made of chalk. Both sides of made of chalk. Both sides of the Strait, as well as the sea the Strait, as well as the sea floor, are made up floor, are made up predominantly of chalk. predominantly of chalk.

The Downs will not support The Downs will not support trees, but there is good grazing trees, but there is good grazing for cattle and sheep.for cattle and sheep.

Stonehenge is East of Bristol. Stonehenge is East of Bristol. Possible uses for this were a Possible uses for this were a farmer’s almanac, occult rituals farmer’s almanac, occult rituals or burial mounds.or burial mounds.

Southwestern England consists Southwestern England consists of to parks Dartmoor and of to parks Dartmoor and Exmoor. They protect the moors. Exmoor. They protect the moors.

A moor is a wasteland on a high, A moor is a wasteland on a high, treeless plateau. It cannot be treeless plateau. It cannot be cultivated. Fields of Heather are cultivated. Fields of Heather are common, so moors are common, so moors are sometimes called heathers. sometimes called heathers.

Most Moors are Most Moors are farther north in the farther north in the uplands of Scotland. uplands of Scotland.

Central England is the Central England is the home of the Industrial home of the Industrial

Revolution.Revolution.

Easy access to:Easy access to:

-Iron, coal, flax, and wool-Iron, coal, flax, and wool

-Easily navigable rivers-Easily navigable rivers

Northern England includes Northern England includes all counties north of the all counties north of the River Trent.River Trent.

The Pennines mountaains The Pennines mountaains are considered the backbone are considered the backbone of England…they run down of England…they run down the center of the Island.the center of the Island.

Manchester is located Manchester is located at the foot of the at the foot of the Pennines. It is the third Pennines. It is the third largest metropolitan largest metropolitan area in the British area in the British Isles.Isles.

WalesWalesLess than 10% of the land is arable.Less than 10% of the land is arable.

Mild and wet climate. Mild and wet climate.

Cattle and sheep grazing.Cattle and sheep grazing.

The coal has been exhausted…The coal has been exhausted…

Many of the people still speak CelticMany of the people still speak Celtic

Outsiders find the Welsh language hard Outsiders find the Welsh language hard to understand because of all the double to understand because of all the double consonants…consonants…

Samples of the Welsh language:Samples of the Welsh language:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFrCCjZRi0E

Samples of IrishSamples of Irishhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHDCMWDrx0k

ScotlandScotlandScotland is north of England, known for its Scotland is north of England, known for its

green glens and blue lochs.green glens and blue lochs.

Glen – narrow valleys carved out by glaciersGlen – narrow valleys carved out by glaciers

Lochs – Deep, narrow lakes carved by Lochs – Deep, narrow lakes carved by glaciers.glaciers.

The Grampian Mountains include Ben Nevis, The Grampian Mountains include Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles.the highest mountain in the British Isles.

The discovery of oil and The discovery of oil and natural gas in the North Sea natural gas in the North Sea has improved the economy.has improved the economy.

Aberdeen is a city off the Aberdeen is a city off the east coast and is called the east coast and is called the “oil capital of Europe.”“oil capital of Europe.”

Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland

Also called UlsterAlso called Ulster

Protestant Protestant

Lough Neagh is the largest freshwater Lough Neagh is the largest freshwater lake in the British Isles.lake in the British Isles.

Belfast is the capital and largest city. Belfast is the capital and largest city. Where the Titanic was built.Where the Titanic was built.

Irish textiles are known for fine linen.Irish textiles are known for fine linen.

IrelandIreland

Thin rocky soil was formed by glaciers.Thin rocky soil was formed by glaciers.

Even though Ireland is north of Even though Ireland is north of England, it is warmer because of the England, it is warmer because of the North Atlantic Drift. North Atlantic Drift.

Consistently humid. Half the time Consistently humid. Half the time overcast. overcast.

The Irish coast is surrounded by The Irish coast is surrounded by mountains.mountains.

The grassland support cattle The grassland support cattle and horses.and horses.

Decayed mosses supply peat Decayed mosses supply peat which is burned instead of coal.which is burned instead of coal.

Sixth in the world in production Sixth in the world in production of zinc.of zinc.

Ireland is predominantly Ireland is predominantly Roman Catholic.Roman Catholic.

Most Irishmen speak English, Most Irishmen speak English, but with a very heavy but with a very heavy brogue. brogue.

Gaelic, or Celtic, is their Gaelic, or Celtic, is their ancient Irish languageancient Irish language

For centuries, Ireland was a For centuries, Ireland was a land of poor farmers. land of poor farmers.

The younger men left the farms The younger men left the farms for the cities seeking jobs…for the cities seeking jobs…then often immigrated to other then often immigrated to other countries seeking a better life. countries seeking a better life.

Current exports from Ireland Current exports from Ireland include Waterford crystal.include Waterford crystal.

Scandinavia – Land of the Scandinavia – Land of the Midnight Sun.Midnight Sun.

Includes five countries. Includes five countries.

NorwayNorway

SwedenSweden

FinlandFinland

Denmark Denmark

IcelandIceland

Parts of Scandinavia Parts of Scandinavia are above the Arctic are above the Arctic Circle where the sun Circle where the sun never sets for two never sets for two months in the summer months in the summer and never rises for two and never rises for two months in the winter.months in the winter.

Norway and Sweden share Norway and Sweden share the largest peninsula – The the largest peninsula – The Scandinavian Peninsula.Scandinavian Peninsula.

Norway has fjords that cut Norway has fjords that cut inland. (long narrow bays cut inland. (long narrow bays cut by glaciers and filled with by glaciers and filled with sea water.sea water.

Norway’s important cities lie Norway’s important cities lie on the coast and use the on the coast and use the fjords as a natural harbor.fjords as a natural harbor.

¼ of Norway is forested¼ of Norway is forested

3% is arable3% is arable

The Kolen (Chuhl uhn) mountains The Kolen (Chuhl uhn) mountains border Sweden.border Sweden.

The Galdhopiggen (GHAHL huh pig) is The Galdhopiggen (GHAHL huh pig) is the highest peak. It is in southern the highest peak. It is in southern Norway.Norway.

The Jostedals Glacier is to the west of The Jostedals Glacier is to the west of the peak. It is the largest glacier in the peak. It is the largest glacier in continental Europe.continental Europe.

Bergen is the principal port. It has one of the largest merchant fleets in the world.

The cultural center and capital is Oslo. Oslo refines oil. Oil exports have made Norway very rich, they enjoy one of the worlds highest standard of living.

The majority of workers in Norway are in the service industry.

The work week is only 37.5 hours long.

Norway is the third largest exporter of oil in the world.

Sweden

The largest Scandanavian country and the fourth

largest country in Europe.

1/3 of Sweden is lowland plains in the south. A mild climate and fertile soil make this Sweden’s best agricultural region.

Ranks 5th world wide for the production of mixed grains and 8th for the production of oats.

Stockholm, the capital, is the largest city. It covers fourteen islands that are connected by fifty bridges.

Nearly all ports on the North Atlantic are ice free all year.

Ports on the Baltic Sea freeze on winter. Ships enter only with the help of icebreakers.

Sweden’s Northern Region

The mountains border with Norway.

Pine and Spruce forests cover the region.

Sweden is a major exporter of timeber products.

Sweden has one of the highest life expectancies in the world and one of the lowest birth rates.

Finland

Finland was under Russian control for 100 years and Swedish control for 700 years. They gained independence in 1917.

The language, culture and physical features are related to those of Russia.

The language is from the Uralic family. Many are learning German and English in order to improve their ability to trade.

Most of the population clusters in the southern coasts of the Baltic Sea.

Less than ¼ of the land is arable, but the farms are self sufficient.

Recreation includes hunting, fishing and camping.

Relaxing in a hot sauna seems to be a national

past time.

Every apartment complex has a sauna, as do many homes.

Helsinki is the capital, major seaport and largest city.

There are many glacial lakes. Finland is called the “Land of Ten Thousand Lakes.”

Forests cover ¾ of the land.

Timber products account for 70% of their exports.

The lakes and rivers are called “white coal” because they provide hydroelectricity.

Northern Finland contains the heart of the Laplands, which extend into Sweden, Norway and Russia.

The Lapps call themselves Sami. They have cared for reindeer in this region for thousands of years. Their culture, still very nomadic, is fading.

DenmarkOnce ruled England

Lies south of the rest of Scandinavia, making winters less harsh.

Denmark lacks many natural resources so it depends heavily on trade and ariculture. They believe firmly in the welfare program and have one of the highest tax rates in the world!

The Jutland Peninsula extends northward from Germany and accounts for approximately 70% of Denmark’s land area.

Half of the population lives on the ninety island east of Jutland.

The capital, Copenhagen is on Denmark’s largest island, Zeeland.

Copenhagen houses ¼ of the countries population and is the largest metropolitan area in Scandinavia.

Denmark’s territories have included Iceland and

Greenland Greenland is the largest island in the

world. Vikings called in Greenland to attract settlers. In reality, 84% lies under an icecap that averages almost a mile thick.

Greenlanders are mostly a mixture of Eskimos and Danes. Most are employed in the fishing industry.

Iceland – Land of Fire and Ice – because of active volcanoes and glaciers.

Of the island 200 active volcanoes, one erupts approximately every 5 years.

The southern coast is warmed by the North Atlantic Drift. Temps are similar to those in New York City. Ports stay open year around.

The capital, Reykjavik, houses half the population.

The language is still almost pure Icelandic and is almost unchanged from the Viking era.

Iceland has more hot springs than any other country in the world.

The largest glacier in Europe, Vatnajokull (Vaht na yuh koot ul) is bigger than all the other glaciers of Europe combined.