Southern Europe

Greece

98% Greek Orthodox

Greece Tourism makes up 15% of Greece’s income

Greece One of the world’s largest merchant fleets

Greece Cradle of Western Civilization

Italy

98% Roman Catholic

Italy North is more prosperous than the south

Italy Europe’s Renaissance began here

Italy Politics is volatile—12 major political parties

Spain

99% Roman Catholic

Spain Moorish past—rule lasted from 711 to 1492

Spain Tourism is important to Spain’s economy

Spain 17 autonomous regions

Spain Basque separatism

Portugal

97% Roman Catholic

Portugal Mostly rural

Portugal One of Europe’s poorest countries

Germany

Lutheran in the north and Roman Catholic in the south

Germany One of the world’s strongest economies

Germany Had been divided after WWII Berlin Wall came down in 1989

Austria Was the center of the Austro-Hungarian Empire

Austria 74% Roman Catholic

Luxembourg 97% Roman Catholic

Luxembourg Highest GNP/capita in Europe

Luxembourg Center of banking and finance

The Netherlands “Holland” “The Dutch”

The Netherlands 1/3 of land area lies below sea level

The Netherlands Rotterdam (on the Rhine) is the world’s busiest port.

Belgium 75% Roman Catholic

Belgium Hundreds of multinational headquarters

Belgium Shipping and steel industries

France 90% Roman Catholic

France Approximately the same size as Texas – Texas has 19 million – France has 58 million

France Productive and diversified economy – Wine in the SW – Industry in the N – Grazing in the SE – Oil refineries along the Mediterranean – Tourism

Switzerland 52% Protestant/45% Roman Catholic

Switzerland Linguistic diversity

Switzerland A tradition of neutrality

Switzerland Banking, specialized manufacturing