THE EASTERN HEMISPHERE

1. THE EASTERN HEMISPHERE Europe

2. Europe

3. Europe can be divided into four major landforms. • The Northwest Highlands-Ireland, England, Scotland, most of the Iberian Peninsula, Norway, and Sweden. • The Northern European Plains-extends from France into Russia, bordering the sea.

4. The Central Uplands-includes the plateaus of Germany and the Czech Republic. • The Alps-western and central Europe’s highest mountain range, extending from the Mediterranean coast of France through Switzerland, Austria, and northern Italy to the Balkan Peninsula. (Mont Blanc is the highest peak in the Alps.)

6. Climate • Most of Europe has mild climate conditions throughout the year.

7. Natural Resources • The Mediterranean Sea is the largest sea bordering Europe. Other major seas include the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. Europe’s coastline is about 37,877 miles long. The Rhine and Danube rivers are Europe’s most developed rivers.

8. Most of Europe’s original forests were cut for timber or cleared for farming centuries ago. Only Finland and Sweden have large areas of timber-producing forest.

9. Europe relies heavily on imports to meet its current industrial and energy needs. There are some deposits of iron and coal. France has been successful in producing ocean tidal power and in using solar energy.

10. Historical Geography

11. Europe has seen many wars and changes in leadership that have changed the political map frequently. France was Europe’s strongest power until the British defeated Napoleon’s army at Waterloo in 1815, after which Britain was Europe’s leading political and economic power. Britain’s colonial empire became the largest in the world, including ¼ of the world’s population and 1/5 of the world’s land area.

12. Human Geography

13. Rapid population growth occurred between 1000 and 1300. Major declines occurred due to diseases, famines, and wars between 1300 and 1450. As the Industrial Revolution took hold during the 1800s, Europe’s population grew dramatically. Millions of Europeans immigrated to the United States, Canada, Australia, and South America seeking new opportunities, or escaping religious persecutions, wars, famine, and poverty.

14. The English language is the most widely spoken language in Europe, although there are many other languages. 90% of all Europeans between the ages of 15 and 24 speak a second language fluently.

15. Roman Catholicism dominates Southern Europe. Northern and Central Europe is mainly Protestant. Small numbers of Jews live in many parts of Western Europe, while significant numbers of Muslims live in southeastern Europe.

16. World War II put severe stress on Europe’s economy. To strengthen their economies, the nations of Western Europe formed economic associations.

17. European Union (EU) was formed in 1957 and today is comprised of 15 nations: Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, West Germany, and Italy; the United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Finland, and Sweden. In 1998, 11 EU nations adopted the euro, a common currency which will rival the U.S. dollar and may help unify the continent.

18. The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is made up of Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland.

19. Society • Europe is a society of consumers. Advanced transportation and communication networks crisscross much of Europe. Social programs often provide for the health care, education, and welfare of citizens throughout their lives. These programs are supported by high taxes.

20. Unemployment, crime, traffic congestion, limited energy resources, and environmental pollution are all growing concerns in Europe.

21. The nations of Europe

22. The United Kingdom • Composed of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The people are often referred to as British because most of them live on the island of Great Britain. London is the United Kingdom’s capital and largest urban area.

23. The United Kingdom

24. The Republic of Ireland • In 1921, Ireland became a British dominion, called the Irish Free State. In the 1930s, the Irish government cut most of its ties with Britain, and in 1949, a completely independent republic of Ireland was recognized by Britain. Today, the Irish Republic covers about 80% of the island. Dublin is the capital.

25. The Republic of Ireland

26. The Nordic Countries • Norway (Oslo)-Europe’s leading fishing nation. • Sweden (Stockholm-a major commercial center). • Denmark (Copenhagen)-very densely populated.

27. Greenland (Nuuk)-85% of the island is covered by thousands of feet of ice cap. • Iceland (Reykjavik)-a land of lava rocks, volcanoes, and glaciers. • Finland (Helsinki)-has 50,000 lakes. • Lapland-a land of reindeer herders.

28. France (Paris) • A nation fiercely protective of their rich culture.

29. Germany (Berlin) • Reunified in the late 1980s.

30. The Benelux Countries • Belgium (Brussels)-known for quality carpets, cut diamonds, and fine chocolate; headquarters for the EU and NATO. • The Netherlands (Amsterdam)-sometimes referred to as Holland; the people are known as Dutch. • Luxembourg-a world banking center.

31. The Alpine Countries • Switzerland (Bern)-a confederation of 26 cantons, or states. Zurich is a leading world-banking center; Geneva is home to many international organizations. • Austria (Vienna)-on the banks of the Danube River supports tourism.

32. Spain (Madrid) • Has one of the world’s largest tourist industries

33. Portugal (Lisbon) • A powerful nation between the 15th & 17th centuries.

34. Italy (Rome) • Unified in the late 19th century; a nation rich in cultural heritage.

35. Greece (Athens) • One of the poorest nations in the EU. The Golden Age of Greece took place between 477 B.C. and 431 B.C.

36. Eastern Europe • After World War II, the Soviet Union came to dominate Eastern Europe, forming a boundary with the west known as the Iron Curtain. Beginning in 1989, the countries of Eastern Europe were successful in establishing independent governments, however many ethnic conflicts have resurfaced. The Council for Mutual Economic Assistance, or COMECON, oversaw economic ties between the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. With the breakup of the Soviet Union, economic reorganization among these countries has varied.

37. The nations of Eastern Europe

38. Poland (Warsaw) • In 1980, Solidarity formed in Poland becoming a popular focus for Polish nationalism and anti-Soviet activities.

39. The Czech Republic (Prague) and Slovakia (Bratislava) • Formerly Czechoslovakia, peacefully dividing in 1993.

40. Hungary (Budapest) • A major agriculture producer.

41. Romania (Bucharest) • A developing country.

42. Bulgaria (Sofia) • A developing country.

43. Albania (Tirane) • Eastern Europe’s least developed and poorest country.

44. A region in conflict: • Yugoslavia was created after World War I by Allied policy makers. The main Slavic groups in former Yugoslavia were the Serbs, Croats, Bosnians, Slovenians, and Macedonians. Serbs and Croats think of themselves as separate peoples. Most Croats and Slovenians are Roman Catholic. Serbs and Macedonians are Eastern Orthodox Christians. Many people in Bosnia are Muslims. Yugoslavia began to unravel violently in 1980.

45. Serbia and Montenegro have claimed the name Yugoslavia. • Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia, and Macedonia have all declared their independence. Due to the ethnic and religious differences, civil war broke out in Bosnia between Serbs, Croats, and Bosnians. The once-beautiful city of Sarajevo was destroyed by civil war. The history of the Balkan region is being rewritten every day.

46. Russia and Northern Eurasia-Muscovy rule was prevalent from 1547 to 1917 when the Bolshevik party overthrew the government in the Communist Revolution. Thus was formed the Soviet Union. After World War II, the Soviet Union and the United States were bitter rivals in a competition known as the Cold War.

47. In 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev became what turned out to be the last leader of the Soviet Union. He introduced glasnost (a policy of openly discussing the country’s problems) and perestroika (major economic reforms). On August 20, 1991, conservative Communist party leaders staged a coup against Gorbachev. Gorbachev and his family were imprisoned in their vacation home.

48. The coup was unsuccessful, thanks in part to the efforts of Boris Yeltsin. Gorbachev later resigned as the Communist party leader. The Soviet Union was replaced with the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

49. Physical Geography of Russia and Northern Eurasia • The Ural Mountains divide Asia from Europe. Russia has many rivers forming a network of waterways that provide transportation and produce hydro-electric power.

50. Economy • The economy is struggling. Moscow, Russia’s capital, has a population of 9 million people, and is the heart of the country’s industrial region. Large areas of Siberia are nearly uninhabited.