Northern & Western Europe-Chapter #14-

Netherlands

Luxembourg

I. The British Isles

• Two countries?

• United Kingdom (4?)

• Sequent occupance?

A. The British Empire*Naval Power?*Controlled over ¼ of world The Empire on which the sun never sets.*Benefits of British colonies?*Commonwealth of Nations?

The Emerald Isle*Independence from Brits?*Potato famine?

B. Culture

• Similarities betw. Brits. & Irish?– sports?– language? – religion?

British Govt.

*Constitutional Monarchy

-Parliament & Prime Minister?

-Margaret Thatcher

-David Cameron

Irish Govt.

• Republic– President Mary McAleese (1997-2004 & 2004-

present)

london-capital, cultural & world financial center

-River Thames (TEMZ)

Dublin

• Meaning of Irish flag?– Green = Cath.– Orange = Prot.– White = PEACE

C. Economic Geography of G.B.

*Industrial Revolution?

*Early industries?

*Nationalized?

*Silicon Glen?

D. Economic Geography of Ireland

*Traditionally based on farming*Modern industries?

Issues…”the Troubles”

The Channel Tunnel (Chunnel)

• 31 mi. long (23.5 mi. under sea)

• 1988-1994

• $15 bill.

• 20 min. to cross

Largest railway wagons in the world!

II. France

• Language?

• Religion?

A. French Society

• French/American Relationship?

• Threat of American culture?

B. Cities

• Paris– Primate city?

C. Economy

• Shortest work week?– “le bac” (baccalaureate)

• French industries?– 2nd largest ag. exporter in world

D. Issues in France

• Socialism in France? – WAS highly taxed, highly regulated, govt.-owned – Hurts creativity?

• NOW = Economic transition to market economy (US)

• Anti-Muslim sentiment?

Islam in EuropeIslam in Europe   <1% (Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia)   1%-2% (Belarus, Croatia, Italy, Monaco, Ukraine)   2%-4% (Andorra, Denmark, Luxembourg, Norway, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain)   4%-5% (Germany, Greece, Lichtenstein, Switzerland, United Kingdom)   5%-10% (Austria, Belgium, Netherlands, Sweden)   10%-20% (Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, Montenegro, Russia)   20%-50% (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia)   50%-90% (Albania)   >90% (Kosovo, Turkey)

E. Govt.

• Republic

• Pres. Nicolas Sarkozy

III. The Benelux Countries

• BElgium-- NEtherlands --LUXembourg

The European Union

EU = organization of countries interested in increasing economic & political cooperation between its members (27 today)

*eliminate trade barriers *originally = 1957: European Economic Community (EEC) *2002 = euro = common currency*largest economy in the world! (30% of world GDP)

European Union & the Eurozone

Land Reclamation

• Netherlands = low lands (27% below sea level)

• Polders?

• Worries?

Language

-Netherlands & N. Belgium = Dutch

-N. Belgium = Flemish (60%) (Flanders)

-S. Belgium = French (Wallonia) (Walloons)

A. Urban & Economic Environments

» BRUSSELS:» --Headquarters for EU? » --NATO: 1949 – military alliance

Netherlands=cheese & tulips

• The Randstad (“Ring City”)– 4 largest cities & urban areas (conurbation)

• Amsterdam, Rotterdam, the Hague, & Utrecht

– Pop. = about 7.5 mill. (1/2 of Dutch pop.)

• Amsterdam = Cultural capital of Netherlands

• The Hague = seat of the govt.– Administrative Cap.– Also, seat of the International Criminal Court

• Luxembourg (small but mighty!)– 3rd highest per

capita GDP in

world!

IV. Scandinavia

• 5 countries?

• Modern economies, high standard of living

• Lapland – Lapps/Sami

Settlement Patterns

Greenland & Iceland

GREENLAND:-85% = icecap-Uninhabitable?-most live along S.W. coast

ICELAND:-Reykjavik -geothermal energy?

A. Economy

• High standards of living

• Sweden (capitalism & socialism) – High taxes (where does all that $$$$ go?)