1. Northern and Western Europe
World Geography Today
1/22/2018
Northern and Western Europe
Preview
Section 1: The British Isles
Section 2: France
Section 3: The Benelux Countries
Section 4: Scandinavia
Chapter Wrap-Up
Chapter 14

2. Section 1: The British Isles
Read to Discover
How has history affected the culture of the British Isles?
Why are the cultures of Ireland and the United Kingdom similar?
How has the British economy changed over the last 200 years?
What issue has caused tension in Northern Ireland?

3. Section 1: The British Isles
Question
How has history affected the culture of the British Isles?

4. Section 1: The British Isles
5,000 years ago, earliest settlers left their mark at Stonehenge.
Later, Celts—the ancestors of Scots, Welsh, and Irish—occupied England.
Romans arrived and built towns.
Angles and Saxons came and drove Celts to highland Britain.
Vikings raided and built coastal settlements.
Norman conquest of 1066 brought French influence.

5. Section 1: The British Isles
Question
What are the similarities and differences between the cultures of Ireland and Great Britain?

6. Cultures of Ireland and Great Britain
Section 1: The British Isles
Cultures of Ireland and Great Britain
Ireland
Great Britain
• Democratic governments
• English predominant language
• Similar social life, sports
• Republic
• Predominantly Roman Catholic
• Some Gaelic speakers
• Constitutional monarchy
• Predominantly Protestant

7. Section 1: The British Isles
Changes in the British Economy
Britain industrialized by the early 1800s.
It dominated global trade through much of the 1800s.
By 1900 Britain had lost its dominance; mines and industries declined.
Britain nationalized many industries after World War II; later privatized them again.
Today the economy is strong: high-tech industries, oil and gas, services, tourism.

8. Section 1: The British Isles
Tensions in Northern Ireland
Division between Protestants and Catholics has brought violence.
Protestants are descendants of English and Scottish settlers. Irish Catholics are a large minority.
Britain has tried to keep peace.
1998 agreement set up shared government, but future is unclear.

9. Section 2: France
Read to Discover
What is French culture like?
What are some of the main industries in France?
What challenges does France face today?

10. Features of French Culture
Section 2: France
Features of French Culture
Successive waves of migrants included Gauls, Romans, Franks, Vikings
Strong identity united by language and religion
Mainly Roman Catholic
Concern about American influence
Strong desire to preserve customs

11. Section 2: France Major Industries Fashion design
Perfumes and cosmetics
Jewelry, glassware, furniture
Tourism
Farming—Wheat, sugar beets, olives, grapes, dairy products
World’s leading wine producer
High-Tech—Aviation, communications, space technology

12. What major issues and challenges does France face today?
Section 2: France
Question
What major issues and challenges does France face today?

13. Section 2: France Issues and Challenges Facing France Today
Integrating increasing numbers of new immigrants into French society
Government’s influence over the economy; highly taxed and regulated
Relations with former colonies, problems with overseas departments

14. Section 3: The Benelux Countries
Read to Discover
What historical ties do the Benelux countries share?
What are the cities and economies of the Benelux countries like?

15. Section 3: The Benelux Countries
Historical Ties
Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg
All once called the Netherlands
Invaded by foreign powers
Political and economic union after World War II (eventually led to the European Union)

16. Section 3: The Benelux Countries
Question
What are the characteristics of the major cities and economies of the Benelux countries?

17. Section 3: The Benelux Countries
Economy
Belgium: industry, agriculture, international business, diamond cutting, carpets, chocolate
Netherlands: agriculture (dairy and flowers), diversified activities, many exports, natural gas
Luxembourg: steel, international banking
Major Cities
Belgium: Brussels
Netherlands: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague
Luxembourg: Luxembourg

18. Section 3: The Benelux Countries
Belgium
Brussels—Cosmopolitan capital; headquarters of EU, NATO, many international corporations; good transportation connections
Antwerp—Second city of Belgium; key port
Industry, agriculture, services for international business, diamond cutting, carpets, chocolate

19. Section 3: The Benelux Countries
The Netherlands
Diversified economy—Agriculture (dairy, flowers), exports, natural gas
Urbanized area (Randstad) includes major cities—Amsterdam (capital), Rotterdam (key port), The Hague (Parliament, International Court of Justice)
Well-educated, productive populace

20. Section 3: The Benelux Countries
Luxembourg
Capital—Luxembourg
Highest per capita GDP in world—$36,400
Traditional steel producer; international banking now more important
Constitutional monarchy

21. Section 4: Scandinavia Read to Discover
How are the cultures of Scandinavia similar to and different from each other?
What does the economy of this region rely on?
In what areas do most people in Scandinavia live?

22. What cultural characteristics do the Scandinavian countries share?
Section 4: Scandinavia
Question
What cultural characteristics do the Scandinavian countries share?

23. Section 4: Scandinavia Similarities Differences
Religion mainly Protestant Lutheran
Most languages related
Democratic governments
Healthy, well-educated populations
Long life spans and low birthrates
Mostly urban populations
Differences
Finnish language not related to others
Lapps a distinct culture

24. Section 4: Scandinavia Economic Foundations
High-tech industries and export-oriented economies, especially in Finland and Sweden
Commercial agriculture in Denmark
Forest products in Sweden
Fishing in Iceland and Norway
Hydroelectric plants, offshore oil and gas in Norway

25. Section 4: Scandinavia Settlement Patterns
Most people live in southern parts of countries, where climate is warmer.
85 percent of Swedes live in cities.
One-fourth of Danes and Norwegians live in or around capital cities.
Most Finns live near Helsinki.
People in Greenland and Iceland live near coast.

26. Chapter Wrap-Up Understanding the Main Ideas
World Geography Today
1/22/2018
Chapter Wrap-Up Understanding the Main Ideas
How did Britain control a vast empire? How is it tied to former colonies today?
How has Ireland’s economy changed in recent years? How have these changes influenced migration?
What features make Paris the primate city of France?
What are Belgium’s two language regions?
How is the population of Scandinavian countries distributed with regard to cities?
Chapter 14