Europe Country Comparisons United Kingdom - Russia Italy - Germany United Kingdom - Russia Italy - Germany

United Kingdom and Russia

United Kingdom

Location of the United Kingdom A country of islands located off the western coast of Europe. Made up of Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Location makes Europe a HUB for trade. There are 10 major ports along UK’s coast. Location has helped the UK become an international banking and insurance center. A country of islands located off the western coast of Europe. Made up of Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Location makes Europe a HUB for trade. There are 10 major ports along UK’s coast. Location has helped the UK become an international banking and insurance center.

Location of the United Kingdom Location on the Atlantic Ocean helps it trade with the United States. The United States is the United Kingdom’s Number 1 trading partner. Location on the Atlantic Ocean helps it trade with the United States. The United States is the United Kingdom’s Number 1 trading partner.

Climate of the United Kingdom The United Kingdom has a mild climate with rainfall throughout the year. No section goes without rain for more than 2 weeks. Winters are mild and wet. Summers are warmest in the south. The United Kingdom has a mild climate with rainfall throughout the year. No section goes without rain for more than 2 weeks. Winters are mild and wet. Summers are warmest in the south.

North Atlantic Drift or Gulf Stream The United Kingdom’s mild climate is a result of the Gulf Stream bringing warm ocean currents.

Where people live… Over 60 million people live in the United Kingdom. 90% of the United Kingdom’s population live in cities. London has over 7 million people. Over 60 million people live in the United Kingdom. 90% of the United Kingdom’s population live in cities. London has over 7 million people.

Natural Resources of the UK Deposits of coal, petroleum, natural gas, and iron ore. These form the backbone of the country’s industries: auto production, steel manufacturing, and shipbuilding. Fishing is profitable along the shore of the UK. Over half of the land is used for farming, but only about 1% of the people are farmers. The United Kingdom must import about 1/3 of its food. Deposits of coal, petroleum, natural gas, and iron ore. These form the backbone of the country’s industries: auto production, steel manufacturing, and shipbuilding. Fishing is profitable along the shore of the UK. Over half of the land is used for farming, but only about 1% of the people are farmers. The United Kingdom must import about 1/3 of its food.

Russia

Location of Russia Russia is so large it spans 2 continents- Europe and Asia A train ride across Russia takes a week! Russia’s eastern boundary is the Pacific Ocean. Russia’s northern boundary is the Arctic Ocean. At its closest point, Russia and the US are only 3 miles apart across the Bering Strait Russia is so large it spans 2 continents- Europe and Asia A train ride across Russia takes a week! Russia’s eastern boundary is the Pacific Ocean. Russia’s northern boundary is the Arctic Ocean. At its closest point, Russia and the US are only 3 miles apart across the Bering Strait

Location of Russia European Russia is mostly landlocked making trade by ship difficult. It is difficult and expensive for Russians to transport their resources because of the harsh climate and remote locations. Many Russian goods are transported by railroad because rivers and major ports are blocked by ice in the winter. European Russia is mostly landlocked making trade by ship difficult. It is difficult and expensive for Russians to transport their resources because of the harsh climate and remote locations. Many Russian goods are transported by railroad because rivers and major ports are blocked by ice in the winter.

Climate of Russia Russia has 2 seasons: winter and summer with average yearly temperature below freezing. Russia’s high latitudes and location near the Arctic Ocean cause it to have a harsh climate. Asian Russian (Siberia) has the most extreme temperatures (lows -40 highs 90s). Russia has 2 seasons: winter and summer with average yearly temperature below freezing. Russia’s high latitudes and location near the Arctic Ocean cause it to have a harsh climate. Asian Russian (Siberia) has the most extreme temperatures (lows -40 highs 90s).

Where people live… Russia has a population of million people. This makes it one of the most populous countries in the world. 73% of Russia’s people live WEST of the Ural Mountains in the European part of Russia because the climate is milder and the land is more fertile. Russia has a population of million people. This makes it one of the most populous countries in the world. 73% of Russia’s people live WEST of the Ural Mountains in the European part of Russia because the climate is milder and the land is more fertile.

Natural Resources Vast forests The Volga River is a major source of hydroelectric power. Gold, diamonds, aluminum ore, coal, iron Russia’s large size, rugged terrain, and cold climate make it difficult for Russians to use their resources. Vast forests The Volga River is a major source of hydroelectric power. Gold, diamonds, aluminum ore, coal, iron Russia’s large size, rugged terrain, and cold climate make it difficult for Russians to use their resources. Diamond Mine

Italy and Germany

Italy

Italy’s Location Long, boot-shaped peninsula surrounded on 3 sides by the Mediterranean Sea Alps form the northern border Apennine Mountains run from the Alps to the sea 2 islands, Sardinia & Sicily, are part of the country Long, boot-shaped peninsula surrounded on 3 sides by the Mediterranean Sea Alps form the northern border Apennine Mountains run from the Alps to the sea 2 islands, Sardinia & Sicily, are part of the country

Trade Apennine Mountains are like a backbone across Italy They affect where people live & how they transport people and goods Location on the Mediterranean Sea affects trade with other countries Has a long history of shipping goods to countries in Africa, Europe, & Asia Apennine Mountains are like a backbone across Italy They affect where people live & how they transport people and goods Location on the Mediterranean Sea affects trade with other countries Has a long history of shipping goods to countries in Africa, Europe, & Asia

Italy’s Climate Temperate climate with regional differences Coastal Areas (because of the Mediterranean Sea) have mild winters and warm, dry summers. Mountainous Areas (because of the Alps and Apennines) have cold, wet, and snowy winters and humid summers. Temperate climate with regional differences Coastal Areas (because of the Mediterranean Sea) have mild winters and warm, dry summers. Mountainous Areas (because of the Alps and Apennines) have cold, wet, and snowy winters and humid summers.

Where People Live Population: 58,000,000 7 out of 10 Italians live in urban areas (Rome, Naples, Milan, & Turin) About half of the people live in the most northern 1/3 rd of the country! Population: 58,000,000 7 out of 10 Italians live in urban areas (Rome, Naples, Milan, & Turin) About half of the people live in the most northern 1/3 rd of the country!

Italy’s Natural Resources Has few mineral resources: natural gas, marble, granite, coal, mercury, zinc, and potash Arable land is important (26% fertile land) small farms cover much of the country Grapes & olives are important crops There are more than 800 ports for fishing boats Has few mineral resources: natural gas, marble, granite, coal, mercury, zinc, and potash Arable land is important (26% fertile land) small farms cover much of the country Grapes & olives are important crops There are more than 800 ports for fishing boats

Rome, Italy

Germany

Germany’s Location In north-central Europe on European Plain Southern region = mountainous central region = hilly and mountainous northern region = flat plains Contains the most important commercial waterway in Europe (Rhine River) In north-central Europe on European Plain Southern region = mountainous central region = hilly and mountainous northern region = flat plains Contains the most important commercial waterway in Europe (Rhine River)

Trade Rhine River is very important for trade The Rhine River connects the Ruhr Valley with the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean Many German cities lie along the Rhine Location gives those cities an excellent way to transport goods & people Rhine River is very important for trade The Rhine River connects the Ruhr Valley with the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean Many German cities lie along the Rhine Location gives those cities an excellent way to transport goods & people

Germany’s Climate Most of Germany has a marine climate In the west: winters are mild, summers are cool, with rainfall year round Gulf Stream warms the region, making the land warmer in the winter and cooling it off in the summer In the east: winters are very cold, summers are very hot with long dry periods Most of Germany has a marine climate In the west: winters are mild, summers are cool, with rainfall year round Gulf Stream warms the region, making the land warmer in the winter and cooling it off in the summer In the east: winters are very cold, summers are very hot with long dry periods

North Atlantic Drift or Gulf Stream

Germany’s Natural Resources Has many natural resources: iron ore, coal, potash, uranium, nickel, natural gas, & copper Timber is also a resource, but much of the forests in the north have been cut down for farms & towns About 1/3 rd of the land is arable Has many natural resources: iron ore, coal, potash, uranium, nickel, natural gas, & copper Timber is also a resource, but much of the forests in the north have been cut down for farms & towns About 1/3 rd of the land is arable

Where People Live Population: 82,000,000 Land Area: 357,022 sq km Germany is one of the most densely populated countries in Europe 85% of the population lives in urban areas (cities) Berlin is the largest city & the capital Population: 82,000,000 Land Area: 357,022 sq km Germany is one of the most densely populated countries in Europe 85% of the population lives in urban areas (cities) Berlin is the largest city & the capital

Remaining Section of the Berlin Wall