A Regional Overview of Europe
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Europe is made up of 41 countries:
Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemborg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Vatican City
Physical Features:
Feature 1
The English Channel
The English Channel extends off the Atlantic Ocean and joins the North Sea to the Atlantic. It lies between France and Great Britain and covers approximately 30,000 square miles. Its orientation is 48'38'23"N 4'34'13"W. Many people reside along its shores. Today the Channel is the world's busiest seaway and it carries over 500 ships per day. The English Channel is used as a corridor through Europe and travellers use the many ferry routes that operate on the Channel. Many people have been successful at swimming the length of the Channel and it is a popular tourist destination making it a vital aspect of the surrounding economy. (Maritime and Coastguard Agency, 2011)
Feature 2
The Alps
The Alps extend through the countries of Slovenia, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Austria and Liechtenstein. The coordinates of the Alps are 45'50'01"N 06'51'54"E. The highest mountain in the Alps is Mont Blanc which is 15,782 feet tall and is on the Italy and France border. The Alps are divided into two regions-the Eastern Alps and the Western Alps. The Eastern Alps are then subdivided into three regions: Northern Limestone Alps, Central Eastern Alps, and Southern Limestone Alps. The Western Alps subdivisions are: Liguarian, Maritime, Cottian, Dauphine, Graian, Chablais, Pennine, Bernese, Lepontine, Glarus and Appenzell Alps. The region is split between five different climatic zones: the neve zone, which is the coldest climate, the alpine zone, less cold than neve, the subalpine zone, forests grow in this zone, the arable zone, farming is done, and the lowlands, where a large variety of vegetation is produced. The Alps are a very popular tourist destination and is responsible for a significant portion of revenue in the region. The Alps are home to a variety of wildlife and plant species. (Pulsipher & Pulsipher, 2008)
Feature 3
The Rhine River
The Rhine River is a major waterway through Germany. It links to other canals to major rivers throughout Western Europe. Many industrial and manufacturing cities line its shores and it is an important part of the shipping and transportation industries in the region. One of the key characteristics of the Rhine River is that it is rich in Medieval history. Many of the castles that still exist in Germany are along the Rhine River. This makes the Rhine River a popular tourist destination in Germany. The Rhine River's orientation is 51'58'54"N 4'4'50"E. The origin of the name Rhine mean to move, flow or run. The river is 766 miles long and runs through the countries of Germany, Italy, Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, France and the Netherlands. The Rhine flows from the Alps to the North Sea Basin. (Castles of the World, 2008)
Feature 4
Danube River
The Danube River runs through the countries of Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Moldova, Ukraine and Romania. Its orientation is 45'13'3"N 29'45'41"E. According to the Danube River's website the river begins at the confluence of the two headstreams Breg and Brigach near Donaueschingen in the Black Forest. The Danube is 1,777 miles long. It is the second longest river in Europe after the Volga. Many cities line in shores making it essential for shipping and transportation. It is also a source of drinking water for more than 10 million people situated along its water. The brand of purified water Danube originates from the river. It is also important for the local economy as it is an important tourist destination due to the array of National Parks that are frequented each year. (Danube River, 2011)
Feature 5
Pyrenees Mountains
The Pyrenees Mountains are a mountain range in southwest Europe that forms a border between France and Spain. Its orientation is 42'40'N 1'00'E. The Pyrenees are older than the Alps are the mountains consist of granite, gneissose, and limestone. The highest point is Mount Aneto, which is 11,168 feet. The natural resources of the Pyrenees are the mineral springs, ore and iron. The climate varies in depending on the location within the mountains. The Eastern side does not receive as much precipitation as the western because the western experience the winds from the Atlantic Ocean. The mountains have an abundance of fauna and vegetation and the mountain range is a popular destination for winter sports. (Encyclopedia of Britannica, 2006)
Climate:
There are three main climate types on the continent of Europe. The temperate client prevails in the northwestern portion of Europe. It is strongly influenced by the Atlantic Ocean. The Mediterranean climate is in the southern portion of the region and is marked by warm, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. The humid continental climate is marked by its hot summers, and long, cold winters. Europe experiences such mild climates because of the winds off the Atlantic Ocean. The climate remains much the same throughout the continent because Europe does not have a mountain barrier. The warm winds originate in the Gulf of Mexico and the ocean currents carry them to Europe. Most of Europe receives an annual rainfall of about 20-60 inches. (Europe, 2008)
Resources:
Construction Materials
Timber is a large industry in Europe. Over twenty percent of the world's timber comes from the Siberian Forests in Russia. The timber industry provides numerous jobs on the continent and increases the local economy. (Pulsipher & Pulsipher, 2008)
Environmental Issues:
Issue 1
Air pollution
Europe produces approximately one quarter of the world's total carbon dioxide emissions. While the air pollutants in Europe has fallen substantially since 1990 the quality of the ozone and particulate matter in the air has not shown a significant improvement. According to the European Commission, the European Union has been working to improve the quality of air by controlling emissions of harmful substances in the atmosphere. They are working to improve fuel quality, and by integrating environmental protection requirements into the transport and energy sectors. (European Commission Environment, 2011)
Issue 2
Water Pollution
Many of the world's oceans and waterways converge in Europe circulate the pollution that enters the water from this region which disperses the pollutants worldwide. There is easy access to the water because so much of Europe sits on coastlines. The leading causes of pollution in Europe are litter, industrial waste and chemical waste. (Pulsipher & Pulispher, 2008)
Population Patterns:
Europe was originally settled with peoples from ancient Greece and Rome. The decline of the Roman Empire led to a social system called feudalism. This developed during the Medieval era. Over time rural areas became populated and cities developed. The Industrial Revolution and the Democratic Revolution led to the shaping of the political and social structures that now exist in Europe. Today Europe has a population of over 525 million people. (Pulsipher & Pulsipher, 2008)
Role of Gender:
While women are emerging into the European workforce they are often making far less money than their male counterparts. Women in the workforce do have more flexible job schedules with the understanding that they are responsible for the domestic duties in European homes. They handle all the doestic affairs of the family while men are considered less skilled. Men are considered the stronger of the sexes and still have greater social status, larger incomes and more managerial positions. (Pulsipher & Pulsipher, 2008)
Religions:
Religion 1
Christianity
The largest religion in Europe is Christianity. Christianity in Europe is divided into Catholicism, Eastern Christianity and Protestantism. Catholicism is the largest of these denominations. A few countries in Europe have official religions. Catholicism is the official religion of Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco and the Vatican City. Other countries in Europe that have large Catholic denominations include: Spain, Italy, France, Belgium, Ireland, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia. (Pulsipher & Pulsipher, 2008)
Religion 2
Muslim
Four countries in Europe are predominantly Muslim. According to the Minister of the Interior, Muslims account for 9% of the population in France, 6% in the Netherlands, 5% in Denmark, 3% in the United Kingdom. In Turkey Muslims make up more than 95% of the population, between 12-15% in Russia, and 40-70% in Albania. Muslim came into Europe in the 7th century and continue to migrate into Europe making it the fastest growing religion in the region. (Pulsipher & Pulsipher, 2008)
Transportation:
The main modes of transportation throughout Europe include by air, land, rail and sea. More than 700 million Europeans use these modes of transportation everyday according to the Department of Economic and Social Affairs. The rail system came into Europe in the 19th century and Europe is known for its Eurail Pass which transports passengers through 18 different countries. Europeans drive on the left hand side of the road. Europe has an extensive highway system which includes the Autobahnen in Germany. Air transport is worldwide with major airports in Europe including Heathrow Airport in London and Amsterdam airport. Sea and river transport is an important part of Europe's economy. Europe is a large port of oil tank discharge. The English Channel is a busy seaway in Europe, carrying more than 400 ships per day. (Pulsipher & Pulsipher, 2008)
Country of Focus:
Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein is a principality located in Western Europe. Its population is 34,000 people and it is only 62 square miles. Liechtenstein is a very rich country. It has the second highest GDP in the world and is one of the smallest countries. It is culturally rich in music with an esteemed conservatory. It is also home of the world famous composer, Josef Rheinberger. German is the language spoken primarily in this principality. The capital of Liechtenstein is Vaduz and its orientation is 47'08.5'N and 9'31.4'E. Liechtenstein is bordered by Austria and Switzerland. National currency in Liechtenstein is the Swiss franc. It is one of the few countries in the world with more companies than citizens. The economy in this country is free enterprise and it has a large financial service sector. The country produces ceramics, sausage casings, false teeth, textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals and foods. Liechtenstein is the fourth smallest country in Europe. The only smaller countries are Vatican City, Monaco, and San Marino. A majority of the population is Roman Catholic. Liechtenstein does not have an airport and only contains about 6 miles of roadway. (CIA World Factbook, 2006)
Health Care Practices:
Healthcare in Europe is primarily funded through taxation. This is also termed universal healthcare. There is a wide range of healthcare systems in place in Europe and there are managed nationally. According to the World Health Organization, France is the highest ranked healthcare system in the world. The lowest ranking European country was Russia according to this year 2000 study. Italy placed second highest along with San Marino, Andorra, Malta, Spain, Austria, Norway, Portugal and Monaco rounding out the top ten. The U.K. spends 8.4% of its GDP on health care, making it one of the cheapest in Europe. Europeans typically see their doctors more frequently than people in the U.S. (World Health Organization, 2000)
References:
Pulsipher, L. & Pulsipher, A. (2008) World Regional Geography: Global Patterns, Local Lives (4th Edition) New York: Freeman Company
Europe World. (Nov 2008) Europe Climate. Retrieved from: http://www.europeworld.com/europe-climate-mildly-spectacular/
European Commission Environment (Jan 2011) Air. Retrieved from: http://ec.europe.eu/environment/air
CIA World Factbook (2006) Liechtenstein Retrieved from: http://www.cia.gov/library
Maritime and Coastguard Agency (2007) The Dover Strait Retrieved from: http://www.mcga.gov.uk/
Castles of the World (1995-2008) Rhine River Retrieved from: http://www.castles.org/castles/Europe/
World Health Organization (2000) The World Health Report 2000 Retrieved from: http://www.who.int/whr/2000
Platinum Today (2005) PGM Mining in Russia Retrieved from: http://www.platinum.matthey.com/production/russia
Danube River (2010) Danube River: Cruise Experience Retrieved from: http://www.danube-river.com/)
Encyclopedia Britannica (2008) Pyrenees Retrieved from: http://www.encyclopediabritannica.org
Photos: Creative Commons. (2011) Retrieved from: http://www.weebly.com
Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemborg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Vatican City
Physical Features:
Feature 1
The English Channel
The English Channel extends off the Atlantic Ocean and joins the North Sea to the Atlantic. It lies between France and Great Britain and covers approximately 30,000 square miles. Its orientation is 48'38'23"N 4'34'13"W. Many people reside along its shores. Today the Channel is the world's busiest seaway and it carries over 500 ships per day. The English Channel is used as a corridor through Europe and travellers use the many ferry routes that operate on the Channel. Many people have been successful at swimming the length of the Channel and it is a popular tourist destination making it a vital aspect of the surrounding economy. (Maritime and Coastguard Agency, 2011)
Feature 2
The Alps
The Alps extend through the countries of Slovenia, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Austria and Liechtenstein. The coordinates of the Alps are 45'50'01"N 06'51'54"E. The highest mountain in the Alps is Mont Blanc which is 15,782 feet tall and is on the Italy and France border. The Alps are divided into two regions-the Eastern Alps and the Western Alps. The Eastern Alps are then subdivided into three regions: Northern Limestone Alps, Central Eastern Alps, and Southern Limestone Alps. The Western Alps subdivisions are: Liguarian, Maritime, Cottian, Dauphine, Graian, Chablais, Pennine, Bernese, Lepontine, Glarus and Appenzell Alps. The region is split between five different climatic zones: the neve zone, which is the coldest climate, the alpine zone, less cold than neve, the subalpine zone, forests grow in this zone, the arable zone, farming is done, and the lowlands, where a large variety of vegetation is produced. The Alps are a very popular tourist destination and is responsible for a significant portion of revenue in the region. The Alps are home to a variety of wildlife and plant species. (Pulsipher & Pulsipher, 2008)
Feature 3
The Rhine River
The Rhine River is a major waterway through Germany. It links to other canals to major rivers throughout Western Europe. Many industrial and manufacturing cities line its shores and it is an important part of the shipping and transportation industries in the region. One of the key characteristics of the Rhine River is that it is rich in Medieval history. Many of the castles that still exist in Germany are along the Rhine River. This makes the Rhine River a popular tourist destination in Germany. The Rhine River's orientation is 51'58'54"N 4'4'50"E. The origin of the name Rhine mean to move, flow or run. The river is 766 miles long and runs through the countries of Germany, Italy, Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, France and the Netherlands. The Rhine flows from the Alps to the North Sea Basin. (Castles of the World, 2008)
Feature 4
Danube River
The Danube River runs through the countries of Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Moldova, Ukraine and Romania. Its orientation is 45'13'3"N 29'45'41"E. According to the Danube River's website the river begins at the confluence of the two headstreams Breg and Brigach near Donaueschingen in the Black Forest. The Danube is 1,777 miles long. It is the second longest river in Europe after the Volga. Many cities line in shores making it essential for shipping and transportation. It is also a source of drinking water for more than 10 million people situated along its water. The brand of purified water Danube originates from the river. It is also important for the local economy as it is an important tourist destination due to the array of National Parks that are frequented each year. (Danube River, 2011)
Feature 5
Pyrenees Mountains
The Pyrenees Mountains are a mountain range in southwest Europe that forms a border between France and Spain. Its orientation is 42'40'N 1'00'E. The Pyrenees are older than the Alps are the mountains consist of granite, gneissose, and limestone. The highest point is Mount Aneto, which is 11,168 feet. The natural resources of the Pyrenees are the mineral springs, ore and iron. The climate varies in depending on the location within the mountains. The Eastern side does not receive as much precipitation as the western because the western experience the winds from the Atlantic Ocean. The mountains have an abundance of fauna and vegetation and the mountain range is a popular destination for winter sports. (Encyclopedia of Britannica, 2006)
Climate:
There are three main climate types on the continent of Europe. The temperate client prevails in the northwestern portion of Europe. It is strongly influenced by the Atlantic Ocean. The Mediterranean climate is in the southern portion of the region and is marked by warm, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. The humid continental climate is marked by its hot summers, and long, cold winters. Europe experiences such mild climates because of the winds off the Atlantic Ocean. The climate remains much the same throughout the continent because Europe does not have a mountain barrier. The warm winds originate in the Gulf of Mexico and the ocean currents carry them to Europe. Most of Europe receives an annual rainfall of about 20-60 inches. (Europe, 2008)
Resources:
Construction Materials
Timber is a large industry in Europe. Over twenty percent of the world's timber comes from the Siberian Forests in Russia. The timber industry provides numerous jobs on the continent and increases the local economy. (Pulsipher & Pulsipher, 2008)
Environmental Issues:
Issue 1
Air pollution
Europe produces approximately one quarter of the world's total carbon dioxide emissions. While the air pollutants in Europe has fallen substantially since 1990 the quality of the ozone and particulate matter in the air has not shown a significant improvement. According to the European Commission, the European Union has been working to improve the quality of air by controlling emissions of harmful substances in the atmosphere. They are working to improve fuel quality, and by integrating environmental protection requirements into the transport and energy sectors. (European Commission Environment, 2011)
Issue 2
Water Pollution
Many of the world's oceans and waterways converge in Europe circulate the pollution that enters the water from this region which disperses the pollutants worldwide. There is easy access to the water because so much of Europe sits on coastlines. The leading causes of pollution in Europe are litter, industrial waste and chemical waste. (Pulsipher & Pulispher, 2008)
Population Patterns:
Europe was originally settled with peoples from ancient Greece and Rome. The decline of the Roman Empire led to a social system called feudalism. This developed during the Medieval era. Over time rural areas became populated and cities developed. The Industrial Revolution and the Democratic Revolution led to the shaping of the political and social structures that now exist in Europe. Today Europe has a population of over 525 million people. (Pulsipher & Pulsipher, 2008)
Role of Gender:
While women are emerging into the European workforce they are often making far less money than their male counterparts. Women in the workforce do have more flexible job schedules with the understanding that they are responsible for the domestic duties in European homes. They handle all the doestic affairs of the family while men are considered less skilled. Men are considered the stronger of the sexes and still have greater social status, larger incomes and more managerial positions. (Pulsipher & Pulsipher, 2008)
Religions:
Religion 1
Christianity
The largest religion in Europe is Christianity. Christianity in Europe is divided into Catholicism, Eastern Christianity and Protestantism. Catholicism is the largest of these denominations. A few countries in Europe have official religions. Catholicism is the official religion of Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco and the Vatican City. Other countries in Europe that have large Catholic denominations include: Spain, Italy, France, Belgium, Ireland, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia. (Pulsipher & Pulsipher, 2008)
Religion 2
Muslim
Four countries in Europe are predominantly Muslim. According to the Minister of the Interior, Muslims account for 9% of the population in France, 6% in the Netherlands, 5% in Denmark, 3% in the United Kingdom. In Turkey Muslims make up more than 95% of the population, between 12-15% in Russia, and 40-70% in Albania. Muslim came into Europe in the 7th century and continue to migrate into Europe making it the fastest growing religion in the region. (Pulsipher & Pulsipher, 2008)
Transportation:
The main modes of transportation throughout Europe include by air, land, rail and sea. More than 700 million Europeans use these modes of transportation everyday according to the Department of Economic and Social Affairs. The rail system came into Europe in the 19th century and Europe is known for its Eurail Pass which transports passengers through 18 different countries. Europeans drive on the left hand side of the road. Europe has an extensive highway system which includes the Autobahnen in Germany. Air transport is worldwide with major airports in Europe including Heathrow Airport in London and Amsterdam airport. Sea and river transport is an important part of Europe's economy. Europe is a large port of oil tank discharge. The English Channel is a busy seaway in Europe, carrying more than 400 ships per day. (Pulsipher & Pulsipher, 2008)
Country of Focus:
Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein is a principality located in Western Europe. Its population is 34,000 people and it is only 62 square miles. Liechtenstein is a very rich country. It has the second highest GDP in the world and is one of the smallest countries. It is culturally rich in music with an esteemed conservatory. It is also home of the world famous composer, Josef Rheinberger. German is the language spoken primarily in this principality. The capital of Liechtenstein is Vaduz and its orientation is 47'08.5'N and 9'31.4'E. Liechtenstein is bordered by Austria and Switzerland. National currency in Liechtenstein is the Swiss franc. It is one of the few countries in the world with more companies than citizens. The economy in this country is free enterprise and it has a large financial service sector. The country produces ceramics, sausage casings, false teeth, textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals and foods. Liechtenstein is the fourth smallest country in Europe. The only smaller countries are Vatican City, Monaco, and San Marino. A majority of the population is Roman Catholic. Liechtenstein does not have an airport and only contains about 6 miles of roadway. (CIA World Factbook, 2006)
Health Care Practices:
Healthcare in Europe is primarily funded through taxation. This is also termed universal healthcare. There is a wide range of healthcare systems in place in Europe and there are managed nationally. According to the World Health Organization, France is the highest ranked healthcare system in the world. The lowest ranking European country was Russia according to this year 2000 study. Italy placed second highest along with San Marino, Andorra, Malta, Spain, Austria, Norway, Portugal and Monaco rounding out the top ten. The U.K. spends 8.4% of its GDP on health care, making it one of the cheapest in Europe. Europeans typically see their doctors more frequently than people in the U.S. (World Health Organization, 2000)
References:
Pulsipher, L. & Pulsipher, A. (2008) World Regional Geography: Global Patterns, Local Lives (4th Edition) New York: Freeman Company
Europe World. (Nov 2008) Europe Climate. Retrieved from: http://www.europeworld.com/europe-climate-mildly-spectacular/
European Commission Environment (Jan 2011) Air. Retrieved from: http://ec.europe.eu/environment/air
CIA World Factbook (2006) Liechtenstein Retrieved from: http://www.cia.gov/library
Maritime and Coastguard Agency (2007) The Dover Strait Retrieved from: http://www.mcga.gov.uk/
Castles of the World (1995-2008) Rhine River Retrieved from: http://www.castles.org/castles/Europe/
World Health Organization (2000) The World Health Report 2000 Retrieved from: http://www.who.int/whr/2000
Platinum Today (2005) PGM Mining in Russia Retrieved from: http://www.platinum.matthey.com/production/russia
Danube River (2010) Danube River: Cruise Experience Retrieved from: http://www.danube-river.com/)
Encyclopedia Britannica (2008) Pyrenees Retrieved from: http://www.encyclopediabritannica.org
Photos: Creative Commons. (2011) Retrieved from: http://www.weebly.com