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Northern Europe

World Geography

Physical Geography

The Big Idea

Northern Europe is a region of unique physical features, rich resources, and diverse climates.

Main Ideas

•The physical features of Northern Europe include low mountain ranges and jagged coastlines.

•Northern Europe’s natural resources include energy sources, soils, and seas.

•The climates of Northern Europe range from a mild coastal climate to a freezing ice cap climate.


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Northern Europe

World Geography

Main Idea 1: The physical features of Northern Europe include low mountain ranges and jagged coastlines.

• Physical geography of Northern Europe changes greatly from one location to another.

• Two regions make up Northern Europe.

– British Isles—a group of islands located across the English Channel from the rest of Europe

– Scandinavia—a region of islands and peninsulas in far northern Europe, including Iceland to the west


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Northern Europe

World Geography

Hills and Mountains

•Rugged hills stretch across Iceland, northern Scotland, and Scandinavia.

•The Kjolen Mountains divide Norway from Sweden.

•Rocky soil and uneven terrain make farming difficult.

•Fewer people live there.

Farmland and Plains

•Fertile farmland and plains stretch across southern parts of British Isles and Scandinavia.

•Ireland’s rolling, green hills provide rich farmland.

•Wide valleys in Denmark and England also have fertile soil.

Physical Features

Effects of Glaciers

•Jagged coastlines cut by glaciers

• Fjords, narrow inlets of the sea set between high, rocky cliffs, formed as glaciers melted.

•Thousands of lakes carved out by glaciers


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Northern Europe

World Geography

Main Idea 2: Northern Europe’s natural resources include energy sources, soils, and seas.

Energy

Forests and Soils•Large areas of timber-producing forests stretch across Finland and Scandinavian Peninsula.•Fertile soils provide rich farmland for crops.•Livestock like sheep and dairy cattle are common.

Seas and Oceans

•The science of making maps

•Develop accurate maps on almost any scale and keep them up to date.

• North Sea, Norwegian Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean provide rich stocks of fish.

• Fishing is key industry in Norway, Denmark, and Iceland.

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• Oil and natural gas deposits under the North Sea

• Hydroelectric energy produced by lakes and rivers

• Geothermal energy, or energy from the heat of Earth’s interior, from Iceland’s hot springs


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Northern Europe

World Geography

Main Idea 3: The climates of Northern Europe range from a mild coastal climate to a freezing ice cap climate.

• Much of Northern Europe lies near Arctic Circle.

• North Atlantic Drift, an ocean current that brings warm, moist air across the Atlantic Ocean, results in Northern Europe’s mild climates.

• Much of Northern Europe has a marine west coast climate.

–Denmark, the British Isles, and western Norway

• Other parts have a humid continental climate.

–Central Norway, Sweden, and southern Finland

• Far north are colder climates.

–Northern Scandinavia has a subarctic climate.

–Iceland has tundra and ice cap climates.


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Northern Europe

World Geography

The British Isles

Main Ideas

•Invaders and a global empire have shaped the history of the British Isles.

•British culture, such as government and music, has influenced much of the world.

•Efforts to bring peace to Northern Ireland and maintain strong economies are important issues in the British Isles today.

The Big Idea Close cultural and historical ties link the people of the British Isles today.


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Northern Europe

World Geography

Main Idea 1: Invaders and a global empire have shaped the history of the British Isles.

• Two independent countries make up the British Isles.

– Republic of Ireland

– United Kingdom, which is a union of four small countries

•England

•Scotland

•Wales

•Northern Ireland

• Throughout their history, the people of the British Isles have been linked together.


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Northern Europe

World Geography

Early settlers built Stonehenge, an ancient monument, some 5,000 years ago.

450 BC—the Celts arrived in the British Isles and settled in Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.

AD 1066—the Normans from northern France conquered England and established a strong kingdom.

By the 1500s strong rulers like Queen Elizabeth I had turned England into a world power.

Britain became part of the Roman Empire.

Over time, England grew in strength and soon overshadowed its neighbors in the British Isles.

Early History


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Northern Europe

World Geography

Rise and Decline of the British Empire

Rise

• England joined with Wales and Scotland to create the United Kingdom of Great Britain.

• Launched overseas empire and had colonies in Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Australia by the late 1800s

• Economy soared with the Industrial Revolution in the 1700s and 1800s.

• At its height the British Empire was the largest in history.

Decline

• In the 1900s the British Empire began to crumble.

• World War I and the Great Depression hurt the British economy.

• Rebellions in Ireland forced Britain to grant self-rule to all but the northern part of Ireland.

• Other overseas colonies began movements for independence.

• After World War II Great Britain gave up most of its colonies.


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Northern Europe

World Geography

Main Idea 2: British culture, such as government and music, has influenced much of the world.

• United Kingdom

– Constitutional monarchy—a type of democracy in which a king or queen serves as head of state but a legislature makes the laws

– Magna Carta, a document drawn up in the Middle Ages, limited the powers of kings.

– Prime minister leads British government.

– Most members of Parliament, Britain’s legislative body, are elected.

• Republic of Ireland

– President as head of state

– Prime minister, appointed by the president, runs the government with the Irish parliament.


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Northern Europe

World Geography

People and Culture

People

•The science of making maps

•Develop accurate maps on almost any scale and keep them up to date.

• Common heritage—many people in the British Isles can trace their heritage to the region’s early settlers.

• Sports such as soccer and rugby are a shared trait among people of Britain.

• Regions, particularly Ireland and Scotland, maintain their unique identities.

• Immigrants from all corners of the world have settled in Britain, adding to the rich culture of the region.

Popular Culture

• Influences people all around the globe

• English is the language of business, education, and the Internet in many places.

• British music and literature are popular.


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Northern Europe

World Geography

• Conflict in Northern Ireland

– Catholics believe they have not been treated fairly by Protestants, who are in the majority.

– Bitter and violent struggle lasted for many years.

– Cease-fire in 1990s, but some groups refused to disarm, or give up all weapons

– Still working toward long-lasting peace

• Economies are strong.

– London, the capital of the United Kingdom, is a center for world trade and industry.

– In Dublin, Ireland’s capital, computer equipment and software have become major industries.

Main Idea 3: Efforts to bring peace to Northern Ireland and maintain strong economies are important issues in the British Isles today.


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Northern Europe

World Geography

Scandinavia

The Big Idea

Scandinavia has developed into one of the most stable and prosperous regions in Europe.

Main Ideas

•The history of Scandinavia dates back to the time of the Vikings.

•Scandinavia today is known for its peaceful and prosperous countries.


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Northern Europe

World Geography

Main Idea 1: The history of Scandinavia dates back to the time of the Vikings.

Vikings

• Vikings were Scandinavian warriors who raided Europe and the Mediterranean in the early Middle Ages.

–Excellent sailors–Conquered the British Isles, Finland, and parts of France, Germany, and Russia

• Great explorers–Established settlements in Iceland and Greenland–First Europeans to reach North America


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Northern Europe

World Geography

In the 1100s the Viking raids ended and powerful Scandinavian chiefs competed for power in the region.

By the late 1300s Denmark ruled a union of all Scandinavian kingdoms and territories.

By the 1900s Scandinavian countries wanted independence.

Greenland remains a part of Denmark as a self-ruling territory.

Sweden challenged Denmark’s power and left the union, taking Finland with it.

Norway, Finland, and Iceland all became independent.

After the Vikings


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Northern Europe

World Geography

Main Idea 2: Scandinavia today is known for its peaceful and prosperous countries.

• Today, the countries of Scandinavia have much in common– Similar political views, languages, and religion– Large, wealthy cities, strong economies, and well-educated workers

– High standards of living

– Sweden, Denmark, Greenland, Finland, Norway, and Iceland are among the world’s most peaceful, stable, and prosperous nations.


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Northern Europe

World Geography

Denmark•Smallest Scandinavian country and most densely populated•About 50 percent of land is used for farming.•Farm goods are important exports.•Modern industries, such as iron and electronics, are important as well.

Scandinavia Today

Greenland•Geographically part of North America, but is a territory of Denmark•Thick ice sheet covers about 80 percent of the land.•Much of island is uninhabitable, or not able to support human settlement.•Most live on southwest coast where climate is warmest.•Heavily dependent on imports and economic aid from Denmark

Sweden•Largest and most populous Scandinavian country•More than 80 percent live in urban areas• Stockholm, capital and largest city, is built on 14 islands and part of the mainland.•Sweden has been a neutral country for more than 200 years, meaning that it has chosen not to take sides in international conflicts.


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Northern Europe

World Geography

Norway•One of the longest coastlines in the world•Fjords shelter Norway’s many harbors.• Oslo, capital city, is the country’s leading seaport and industrial center.•Highest per capita GDP in Scandinavia•North Sea provides valuable oil and natural gas resources.•Refused to join the European Union

Finland•Easternmost Scandinavian country, between Sweden and Russia• Helsinki is the capital and the largest city.•Trade is important.•Paper and forest products are important exports.•Shipbuilding and electronics are important industries.

Iceland•Fertile farmland along the island’s coast produces crops and supports cattle and sheep.•Fish account for about 70 percent of Iceland’s exports.•Steam from hot springs and geysers, or springs that shoot hot water and steam into the air, produce geothermal energy.•Tourists come to see the geysers, volcanoes, and glaciers.

Scandinavia Today {continued}

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