1. EUROPE

3.  By GDP (2008): Switzerland: $251.9 bil. Luxembourg: $27.3 bil. Norway: $183 bil. COUNTRIES  By Land Mass: Ukraine: 233,100 sq. mi. France: 211, 210 sq. mi. Spain: 194,890 sq. mi.

4.  By Population (2008) Germany: approx. 82.5 million United Kingdom: approx. 61 million Italy : approx. 58 million France: approx. 61 million COUNTRIES

5. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS  Part of a large landmass called “Eurasia”  Peninsulas  Islands  Fjords  Mountains

7.  North European plain  Rivers  Seas  Oceans PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS  Strait of Gibraltar  Varied climate regions (Tundra to Mediterranean)  North Atlantic Drift  Prevailing westerlies

8.  Mountain regions  Areas threatened by air and water pollution  Development of industrial and transportation centers near mineral deposits ECONOMIC CHARACERISTCS

9.  River/canal transportation  Oil reserves in the North Sea  Well educated work force  Well developed infrastructure  European Union ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS  Replacement of communism in many countries  Interdependence  Many developed economies

10.  Birthplace of Industrial Revolution  Diverse ethnic groups (languages, religions, customs)  Conflict (wars and revolutions) CULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS

11.  Western culture (Greece and Rome)  Exploration, colonization, imperialism  Cities of culture and trade centers CULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS

12. CULTURAL LANDSCAPE