CHAPTER 14Introduction to

WESTERN EUROPE

A.Europe: A

Peninsula of Peninsulas

B.Europe: A

Land of Coastlines

C. Densely Populated1. 2/3 of Western Europe’s

population lives in only four countries:

a. United Kingdom (England)

b. France

c. Germany

d. Italy

2. Most people live in urban areas

Why are there areas of low population density?

D. NORTH EUROPEAN PLAIN1. Stretches from France through

Russia2. Flat and Fertile land3. Many rivers for irrigation

E. MAJOR RIVERS OF WESTERN EUROPE

1. Seine River:a. France

Island of Paris

2. Rhine River:a. Switzerland, Germany,

France, & Netherlands

3. Danube River:a. Austria, Hungary,

Yugoslavia & Bulgaria

F. MULTILINGUAL

1. Someone who speaks more than one language

2. Many Europeans

3. Most languages developed from:

a. Latin (Italy)

b. German

G. NORTH ATLANTIC DRIFT

1. Begins as the Gulf Stream Current

a. In the Gulf of Mexico

b. Very warm water

2. Prevailing Westerliesa. A constant flow of wind from

west to east in the temperate zones of the Earth

b. These winds are heated when they blow over the very warm water of the North Atlantic Drift

c. When the warm winds reach Western Europe, they warm the land.

WARM AIR WARMS THE LAND!

H. Mountains Cause a Rain-Shadow

1. Mountains on the Iberian Peninsula block the moist Atlantic winds

a. Spain and most of the Mediterranean have dry weather during the summer

H. Mountains Cause a Rain-Shadow

2. Mountains on the Scandinavian Peninsula block moist Atlantic Winds

a. Northern portions of Sweden and Norway have a dry Subarctic climate.

I. EUROPEAN UNION

1. World’s largest trading block

2. 27 Countries

3. Cooperate in trade

4. NO Tariffs or customs between member countries

5. Common money “EURO”

6. Future U. S. of Europe?

J. RESOURCE RICH COUNTRIES

1. Abundance of coal and iron found in Germany and England

2. Changed western Europe from an agricultural to an industrial society in just 100 years

3. Made Western Europe the richest continent in the world during the 1700s and 1800s.

Reach For A Star ProductionReach For A Star ProductionJohn P. LukeJohn P. Lukewww.mrluke.netwww.mrluke.net