Western Europe Geography

Vocabulary European Union - a group of 27 European countries that coordinate economic policies and goals Euro - the currency adopted by 12 of the 27 member states of the European Union

What is the European Union?

European Union

Climate

Vocabulary North Atlantic Drift - an ocean current that carries water from the Gulf of Mexico to warm the southern British Isles Marine Climate - cool winters and warm summers Mediterranean Climate - winters mild and wet, summers hot and dry

Regions Which two countries are missing? Iceland Greece Northern Europe (Scandinavia) Iceland Greece British Isles Continental Europe Mediterranean Europe

The British Isles United Kingdom Scotland Northern Ireland Ireland England Wales

British Isles What is the difference between The United Kingdom, Great Britain and England?

Northern Europe (Scandinavia)

Vocabulary Fjord - a long, U-shaped valley carved out by glaciers and partly filled by the sea Isthmus - a narrow strip of land connecting two larger landmasses Peninsula - land area that projects into a body of water; surrounded by water on 3 sides

Continental Europe Benelux Germany Austria France Switz.

Continental Europe The Benelux Countries Netherlands Belgium Luxembourg

Vocabulary Landlocked – surrounded by land with no direct access to the sea Industrial Triangle - areas of the French northeast, the Benelux countries, and the German Ruhr with a concentration of heavy industry Microstate – an independent country with a very small population and land area

Industrial Triangle

Microstates Luxembourg Malta

Vocabulary Polder- land reclaimed from the sea by construction of dikes Dike - a low wall of earth and stone used to channel water

Land Reclamation Polders and Dikes

Mediterranean Europe