Europe Countries and Cultures. Political Map Europe

Europe

Countries and Cultures

Political Map Europe

Regions of Europe

• ██ Western Europe

• ██ Northern Europe

• ██ Eastern Europe

• ██ Southern Europe

• ██ Turkey (Asia and Europe)

Western Europe

• France• Belgium• Netherlands• Germany• Switzerland• Austria• Luxemburg• Lichtenstein• Monaco

France

• Capital - Paris• Language - French• Government - Democracy• History – Napoleon, WWI &

WWII, Unified in 486, settled parts of N. America

• Daily life – Fashion, Soccer, cycling, food, & art

• Religion – Catholic 80%

Lance Armstrong, an American, is the only person to have won the Tour De France 7

times.

France• Most French are Catholic but only about

14% attend church regularly• Most French have up to 5 weeks of paid

vacation per year compared with 2 for Americans

• The Chunnel connects England with France by going under the English Channel.

• All of the lands on the map in blue were part of Napoleons' Empire at one time.

Belgium

• History -Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830; it was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II

• Government - Parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarch

• Daily life - Known for it’s chocolate, soccer, family, very liberal

• Language - Belgian

Netherlands

• The Netherlands, on the coast of the North Sea, is twice the size of New Jersey

• Government -Constitutional monarchy

• Language - Dutch

• Population 16 million

• About half the country's area is below sea level, making the famous Dutch dikes a requisite for the use of much of the land

• Government - Federal republic

• Religion – Protestant & Catholic

• Language - German

• Daily Life – Soccer, beer, sausages, education, & timely

• Europe's largest economy and second most populous nation

Germany

Germany

• The Christmas Tree (Tannenbaum) was borrowed from Germany

• One of the 20th Century’s most diabolical dictators, Adolph Hitler, was responsible for the Holocaust.

• Germany was split into West and East after WWII and reunified in 1990

• Some of the most beautiful classical music come from German composers, such as Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, and Wagner (pronounced Vagner).

Beethoven

Switzerland

• Government - Federal republic

• History - Strict neutrality was its policy in both world wars. Founded 1291

• Language - Speak mostly German, some French and Italian

• Religion –Catholic & Protestant

• Daily Life – Peaceful, Timely, skiing and winter sports, & Soccer

Austria• Government - Federal

republic

• Religion – Catholic and Protestant

• Daily Life – customs similar to Germany, Soccer, mountain climbing, beer, sausages, & timely

• History – Austro-Hungarian Empire, Archduke Francis Ferdinand was assassinated by a Serbian nationalist in Sarajevo in 1914, World War I, WWII, Established 1156

• Language - Speak primarily German and some Hungarian

Luxembourg

• Luxembourg is about half the size of Delaware. The Ardennes Mountains extend from Belgium into the northern section of Luxembourg.

• Government - Constitutional monarchy

• Autonomous in 1848

• Language - Luxembourgish, German, French

• Capital Luxembourg City

• Population 475,000

Liechtenstein

• Tiny Liechtenstein, not quite as large as Washington, DC

• Government - Hereditary constitutional monarchy

• History - member of the German Confederation from 1815 to 1866, Founded in 1719, It abolished its army in 1868 and has managed to stay neutral and undamaged in all European wars since then

• Language - German

• Capital Vaduz


Monaco• Monaco is a tiny, hilly wedge driven

into the French Mediterranean coast; it is 9 mi east of Nice, France.

• Government - Constitutional monarchy

• Monaco has a tourist business that attracts as many as 1.5 million visitors a year and is famous for its beaches and casinos, especially world-famous Monte Carlo.

• No official Capital


• Language - French and Italian

• Founded 1419

Regions of Europe






Northern Europe • Ireland• England• Scotland• Wales• Iceland• Norway• Denmark• Sweden• Finland• Lithuania• Latvia• Estonia

United Kingdom & the Irelands

NEWS North Ireland

England

Wales

Scotland

Ireland• Religion – Catholic / strong

influence on life and education• Language - English• History – Many years of

oppression by England, immigration to USA

• Daily Life – Potatoes, Soccer, Cricket, Gaelic Football, golf, Rugby

• Government – Representative Democracy

• Nickname: Emerald Isle

Ireland

• St. Patrick's Day is the celebration of a 5th Century Priest (Saint Patrick). He reportedly brought Christianity to Ireland

• In Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day is a typically a quiet religious holiday, unlike here in the United States.

• In Ireland, the Catholic church decides what students will learn about.

• Government is heavily influenced by the church as well.

• Before the potato famine of 1845, the average Irish person ate about 10 pounds of potatoes a day.

England

• Religion - Protestant• Language - English• History – Tied to USA,

wars w/ France, Empire, WWI & WWII

• Daily Life – Soccer, Cricket, Rugby, & Guy Fawks Night

• Government – Constitutional Monarchy

England

• Sandwich invented by the Earl of Sandwich to help him with cards

• One of the biggest celebrations in England is Guy Fawks night.

• English children Refer to Santa Claus as Father Christmas.

English vs. American 1. Biro2. Chemist3. Lift4. Dust Bin5. Petrol6. Motorway7. Mack8. Lorry9. Jumper10. Barrister11. Bobbies

1. Pen2. Drug Store3. Elevator4. Garbage Can5. Gasoline6. Highway7. Raincoat8. Truck9. Sweater10. Lawyer11. Policemen

Scotland• Religion – Protestant• History – Conflict w/

England during Middle ages, attacked by Vikings. Daily Life – Golf, Soccer, Haggis, Bag Pipes, Rugby

• Language – English• Golf & Curling were

invented in Scotland

The Cryptid (Loch Ness Monster)

Wales

• Religion - Protestant

• History – Intertwined W/ England

• Daily Life – Soccer & Rugby, Cricket, very friendly

• Language – Welsh and English

Scandinavia• Finland

• Iceland

• Norway

• Denmark

• Sweden

• Also known as Nordic countries

FI N DS

Vikings originated from these countries

Iceland

• Religion - Protestant

• History – Founded by Vikings

• Daily Life – Cold, Fishing, lamb, and dairy, soccer, and basketball

• Language – Icelandic

• Government – Parliamentary Republic

Norway• Religion - Protestant• History – Vikings, WWII, first

Europeans in North America as Vikings, Sleds dating back to 800AD were found in Norway

• Daily Life – Snow sports, Fishing, Winter Sports

• Economics - Market• Language – Norwegian• Government – Constitutional

Monarchy

It is believed that the Vikings had sledding competitions

Denmark

• Government – Constitutional Monarchy

• Religion - Protestant• Daily Life – Soccer, sailing,

meat and fish• History – Vikings, annexed

by Germany in WWII, & Handball

• Language - Danish

Sweden• Government – Constitutional

Monarchy• Religion - Protestant• Daily Life – Winter sports

(skiing, sledding, hockey, skating) . Simple healthy foods & (Smorgasbord), lots of coffee

• History – Neutrality during WWI and WWII

• Language - Swedish

Finland

• Government - Parliamentarian • Religion - Lutheran• Daily Life – Close families, hockey &

racing (formula 1), simple foods (fish, meat, berries)

• Economics – capitalist, with heavy taxes to fund their programs

• History – Part of Russian Empire 1809-1917, war with Russia 1939-40

• Language - FinnishNokia

Latvia• Government – Parliamentarian• Religion – Catholic, Lutheran, &

Orthodox• Daily Life – Theatre, basketball,

hockey• Economics - Capitalist• History – Former part of Soviet

Union• Language - Latvian

Estonia• Government – 1st country to vote via

internet, Parliamentarian • Religion – Lutheran, though most are non-

practicing• Daily Life – Parliamentary Democracy• Economics – Capitalist, formerly

communist• History – Taken by Soviet Union in 1940.

Became independent in 1991• Language – Estonian / Finnish

Lithuania• Government – Democratic

Presidential system• Religion – Mostly Catholic• Daily Life – Basketball &

strong families• Economics – Capitalist,

formerly communist• History – Taken by Soviet

Union in 1944. Independent in 1993

• Language - Lithuanian

Regions of Europe






Eastern Europe• Poland • Ukraine • Belarus • Russia • Romania• Moldova• Hungary• Bulgaria• Czech Republic• Slovakia

Eastern Europe Eastern Europe was almost entirely made up

of Communist Countries controlled by the Soviet Union (Russia).

Warsaw Pact The countries of Eastern

Europe under the leadership of the Soviet Union created a Military Alliance called the Warsaw Pact to match the Western European & American Alliance called NATO

Russia• Government – Officially a Federation, looks more like a

dictatorship, was formerly communist• Religion – Orthodox and Muslim• Daily Life – Chess, ice skating, vodka, hockey, soccer, and

basketball. Easter is main holiday of Orthodox. Not much better than when USSR

• History – Czarist Russia, USSR, WWII, Cold War, Present• Language – Russian (Slavic) & Cyrillic letters БВГДЄЖЅЗИІ

Russia• Russia was formerly part of a larger country called

the Soviet Union. • The Soviet Union collapsed due to its failed

economic system communism.• Russia is becoming more like it used to be, the

government owns all news stations and papers.

• Vlad Putin does not allow opposition to his party.

Yuri Gagarin

Vlad Putin

Poland• Government - Parliamentary

Democracy / Formerly Communist• Religion – Catholic (former Pope

John Paul from Poland)• Daily Life - Basketball, handball,

volleyball, and soccer, sausage, cabbage, & timely

• History – In dependence in 1918, Occupied by Russia and Germany WWII, Warsaw Pact & communism, Solidarity 1989

• Language - Polish

Ukraine

• Government – Republic (some corruption issues) / Formerly Communist

• Religion – Orthodox and Catholic• Daily Life – Easter is the main holiday, celebrate

Christmas on 1/7 due to Julian calendar, soccer, basketball, chess, & hockey

• History – Part of Soviet Union from 1921 to 1991• Language – Slavic, very similar to Russian, use

the Cyrillic alphabet БВГДЄЖЅЗИІ

Slovakia

• Government - Parliamentary Democracy / Formerly Communist

• Religion – Catholic, Orthodox, and Lutheran

• Daily Life – Soccer, Hockey, Easter most important holiday

• History – In dependence in 1993, controlled by Russia after WWII, Part of Warsaw Pact (Czechoslovakia)

• Language – Czech and Hungarian

Czech Republic• Government - Parliamentary

Democracy / Formerly Communist

• Religion – Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox

• Daily Life – Czechs drink more beer than anyone in world, Hockey

• History – In dependence in 1993, controlled by Russia after WWII, Part of Warsaw Pact (Czechoslovakia)

• Language – Czech and Slovak

Bulgaria

In Bulgaria, Shaking your head side to side means Yes, up and down means no

•Government – Parliamentary Democracy / Formerly communist

•Religion - Orthodox

•Daily Life – Turkish & European food, weightlifting, wrestling (not like WWE), gymnastics, Easter is big.

•History – Former Warsaw Pact, WWI & II w/ Germans, Independent from Turks in 1908, Free from Communism in 1989

•Language - Bulgarian (South Slavic) Cyrillic Letters БВГДЄЖЅЗИІ

Moldova• Government – Parliamentary

Republic• Religion – Primarily Orthodox• Daily Life – Love ballet,

Gymnastics, soccer, & family• History – Part of Romania

until 1940, Part of Soviet Union until 1991

• Language – A dialect of Romanian

Romania

• Government - Republic / formerly communist

• Religion - Orthodox, Lutheran, Catholic

• Daily Life - Soccer, Oina (similar to baseball), target Shooting, Tennis, Gymnastics, (French, Greek, and Russian influenced foods).

• History – Vlad Tepes aka Dracula, was the leader of an area known as Wallachia inside present day Romania around the 1400’s. WWI & WWII w/ Germany, formerly communist

• Language – Romanian (Latin Based - Romance)

Dracula

Hungary

A & H

•Government – Parliamentary Democracy

•Religion – 2/3 Catholic, Protostant, Orthodox

•Daily Life – swimming, sailing, canoeing, soccer, chess, formula 1, food uses lots of paprika, sausage

•History – part of Turkey in 1600’s, Austro-Hungarian empire 1848-1918, WWII w/ Germany, Warsaw Pact and communist, 1989 free from Soviet control

•Language – 44 characters in the Hungarian language, they say names backward Maurice Jones-Drew would be Jones-Drew Maurice

In Hungary, 10:30 is said like this ½ 11. 1:45 would be ¾ 2.

Belarus

• Government – Technically a Dictatorship, rigged elections, death camps, political disappearances

• Religion – Orthodox & Catholic • Daily Life – Gymnastics, weightlifting,

fishing, & soccer• History – Formerly part of Soviet

Union, & independence in 1991• Language – Belarusian (Eastern Slavic)

Cyrillic alphabet БВГДЄЖЅЗИІ

Bison

Regions of Europe






Southern Europe• Portugal• Spain• Italy• Greece• Slovenia• Cyprus

• Croatia• Albania• Macedonia• Serbia• Bosnia

Former Republic of Yugoslavia

Formed in 1918 and finally dissolved in 2003

Consisted of : Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Montenegro, and Macedonia

Many ethnic and political conflicts throughout history

Croatia

• Government – Parliamentary Democracy, formerly communist under Yugoslavia

• Religion – Roman Catholic• Daily Life – swimming in Adriatic,

soccer, gymnastics, hunting and eating game

• History – Part of Austro-Hungary until 1918, Yugoslavia until 1991, from 1991-1995 bloodshed between Serbs and Croats

• Language – Croatian (Southern Slavic)

Marco Polo was born on a Croatian Island

Serbia

• Government - Republic• Religion – Orthodox & Islam (Recent conflict

between the groups in Kosovo)• Daily Life – Track & Field, Soccer, shooting

and hunting, meat & potatoes, • History – Slavic, Yugoslavia, WWI, WWII

Communism (Serbia has had a turbulent history)

• Language – Serbian (South Slavic)

Gavrillo Princip

Archduke Ferdinand

Macedonia• Government –Parliamentary Republic /

formerly Communist• Religion – 66% Orthodox & 30% Islamic• Daily Life – Wrestling, Soccer, Boxing, food

influenced by Greece and Turkey• History – Alexander the Great was born here,

occupied by Turkey until 1878, Formerly part of Yugoslavia, Not member of Warsaw Pact

• Language – Macedonian & use of Cyrillic letters

Albania

In Albania, Shaking your head side to side means Yes, up and down means no

•Government – Emerging Democracy / corruption abounds / formerly communist

•Religion – 70% are Islamic, Orthodox & Catholic

•Daily Life – Soccer, basketball, volleyball, swimming at beach. Eat lots of fruit, milk, cheese and bread

•History – occupied by Turks for 500 years, 1912 gained independence, Communist in 1946, Semi-democratic after 1992, currently ethnic fighting

•Language – Albanian is a combination of Slavic and Latin

Spain• Government – Constitutional Monarchy,

formerly Dictatorship from 1936 to 1975• Religion – Roman Catholic, strong supporters of

the Church• Daily Life – Time is very relaxed, Soccer,

cycling, & bull fighting • History – Wars with Moors, Settled the

America’s, Wars w/ England, France, USA. • Language - Spanish

Spain

• Since 1924, 15 people have been killed Running w/ the Bulls in Pamplona

• Spanish Culture has flourished throughout South and North America.

• Spaniards take their time with everything. It is not uncommon for lunches to run 3 hours.

• Nothing happens on time in Spain.

Spanish Culture

Slovenia• Government - Democratic

Republic, formerly Communist

• Religion – Primarily Catholic

• Daily Life – Basketball, Hockey

• History – Former Yugoslav Republic.

• Language – Slovene and Italian

Bosnia

• Government – Democracy, formerly Communist

• Religion – Christian and Islamic• Daily Life – love board games, eat lots

of pork and lamb, shop daily for food• History – Former Yugoslav Republic,

Independent since 1992, location of fierce fighting between Serbs and Bosnians

• Language – Bosnian, Serbian, Croatian

Portugal• Government – Democratic Republic• Religion – Catholic• Daily Life – Soccer, similar relaxed time

like Spain, music and art, sailing & fishing• History – Exploration and sailing:

Portuguese sailors “discovered” Brazil & much of Africa. Colonized parts of Asia, S. America, and Asia

• Language – Portuguese (Latin based) – similar in many ways to Spanish (spoken in Brazil). Why?

Portugal produces 50% of the worlds cork

Italy

• Government - Republic• Religion – Catholic, The Vatican City, Considered it’s

own country, is in Rome• Daily Life – Soccer, Bocce, cycling, racing, cards, art,

opera, food & wine. • History – Rome & Caesars, Renaissance (DaVinci,

Michelangelo), Fascism during WWII allied with the Nazi’s

• Language - Italian

Almost all of Italy takes vacation in August

Vatican City has a population of about 900, and is 108 acres.

Mussolini

Greece• Government – Parliamentary Republic• Religion – Orthodox • Daily Life – Basketball, lots of fruit, track

and field, olive oil• History – Birthplace of Democracy &

Olympics, wars with Turkey, Aristotle and Socrates

• Language – Greek

Cyprus• Government – Republic

• Religion – Primarily Orthodox some conflict between Turkish Muslims and Greek Orthodox

• Daily Life – Separation of ethnic communities (Turks & Greeks) 1000 UN Peacekeepers, Rugby, Cricket, Soccer, lots of Tomatoes and Cucumbers found in most meals

• History – Formerly a British Colony, Independence in 1960, Turmoil between Turks and Greeks

• Language – Greek & Turkish

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Europe Countries and Cultures. Political Map Europe