Economic & Political Characteristics of Europe

Francisci WG.4

Political Maps• The political map of Europe has changed several times.

– Europe before WWII looked very different than post-WWII Europe.

Political Maps• The map of Europe also changed after the 1990s.– West and East Germany united and the political boundaries

of the Balkan Peninsula changed as a result of conflicts. – The former Yugoslavia on the Balkan Peninsula was an area

of conflict between the Serbs, Croats and Muslims.

Economy• After WWII, Eastern

Europe was made up of mostly communist nations with command economies.

• By the 1980s and 1990s, these countries became democratic and switched to capitalist economies.

• Eastern Europe has developed industry slower than Western Europe because of the history of communism.

Agriculture• Since Europe is very developed, it focuses on commercial farming using advanced farming techniques.

• The very fertile soil (called chernozem) of the black earth belt results in high crop output.

• Much of the farming in Europe takes place in the North European Plain.

Mineral Resources• The mountain regions of

Europe include the Alps and Pyrenees which contain mineral resources.

• The North Sea has oil reserves.

• Industrial and transportation centers are often located near mineral deposits or coal and iron ore.– Ruhr Valley: southwest

Germany; area of coal and iron ore.

– Po Valley: Italy; coal and iron ore

Polders• The Netherlands consists of a large amount of land

that is either at or below sea level.– Polders: very fertile land that has been reclaimed from the

North Sea.– It was once covered by the North Sea and there is a system

of dams and dikes keeping the North Sea off the land.

Pollution

• Europe suffers from air and water pollution.– The Black Forest of

Germany and Scandinavia are dying because of acid rain.

– Water pollution has become a problem in Venice, Italy where numerous canals exist.

– The Rhine, Danube and Seine Rivers all have water pollution.

Transportation Routes

• The rivers and canals of Europe are used as major transportation routes for trade purposes.

• The English Channel: goes beneath the water and connects Great Britain to France.

Global Trade• Trade is important to Europe and the countries of Europe are considered interdependent.

• United Colors of Benetton of Italy: clothing company that markets its products globally.

• Since Switzerland has limited natural resources, it focuses on the global market in the banking industry.

• The work force of Europe is well-educated and trained.

Political Organizations• European Union (EU):– economic alliance

created after WWII and made up of 20 European countries.

– Created to reduce trade barriers among members.

• Common Wealth of Nations: – Consists of 53 nations

including the United Kingdom and some former British colonies that maintain allegiance to the British.

Political Organizations• North Atlantic Treaty

Organization (NATO):– Political organization of

26 countries from North America and Europe that supports democracy and security for its members.

• United Nations (UN):– Political organization

created in 1945 and made up of over 190 countries.

– The goal is to work for international peace.

Site

• Site: Actual location of a city.– Hilltop sites: Rome, Italy

and Athens, Greece– Island site: Paris, France

(originally on an island in the Seine River)

– Site where a river narrows: London, England (on the Thames River)