Northern Europe Chapter 14 Northern Europe Physical Geography

Northern Europe Chapter 14

Northern Europe

Physical Geography • Two regions make up Northern Europe – British Isles: a group of Islands located across the English Channel – Scandinavia: a region of islands and peninsulas in far northern Europe, including Iceland to the west

Physical Features • Rugged hills stretch across Iceland, northern Scotland, and Scandinavia • The Kjolen Mountains divide Norway from Sweden • Rocky soil and uneven terrain make farming difficult • Fewer people live there

Physical Features • Farmland Plains – Stretch across southern parts of the British Isles and Scandinavia – Ireland’s rolling, green hills provide rich farmland – Wide valley’s in Denmark and England also have fertile soil

Physical Features • Effects of glaciers – Jagged coastlines – Fjords: narrow inlets of the sea set between high rocky cliffs, formed as glaciers melted – Thousands of lakes carved out by glaciers

Natural Resources • Energy – Oil and natural gas under the North Sea – Hydroelectric energy produced by lakes and rivers – Geothermal energy, or energy from the Earth’s interior, from Iceland’s hot springs

Natural Resources • Forests and soils • Timber producing forests stretch across Finland the Scandinavian Peninsula • Fertile soils provide rich farmland for crops • Livestock like sheep and dairy cattle are common

Natural Resources • Seas and Oceans provide rich stocks of fish – North Sea – Norwegian Sea – Atlantic Ocean Fishing is a key industry in Norway, Denmark, and Iceland http: //youtu. be/o. Bh. K 0_Hj. V e 0 Herring

Climate • Much of Northern Europe lies near the Arctic Circle • North Atlantic Drift: an ocean current that brings warm, moist air across the Atlantic Ocean, results in Northern Europe’s mild climates • Much of Northern Europe has a marine west coast climate – Denmark, the British Isles, and western Norway

Climate • Other parts have a humid continental climate – Central Norway, Sweden, and southern Finland • Far north are colder climates – Northern Scandinavia has subarctic climate – Iceland has tundra and ice cap climates

Review Northern Europe United States • Physical Features • Natural Resources • Climate

The British Isles • Two independent countries make up the British Isles – Ireland – United Kingdom • • England Scotland Wales Northern Ireland • Throughout history the people of the British Isles have been linked together

Early History • Early settlers built Stonehenge, an ancient monument, some 5, 000 years ago • In 450 BC – the Celts arrived in the British Isles and settled in Scotland, Wales, and Ireland

Early History • Britain became part of the Roman Empire • AD 1066 – the Normans from northern France conquered England established a strong kingdom • England grew in strength and soon overshadowed its neighbors in the British Isles • By the 1500 s strong rulers like Queen Elizabeth I had turned England into a world power

Rise and Decline of the British Empire • Rise – England joined with Wales and Scotland to create the United Kingdom of Great Britain – Launched overseas empire and had colonies in Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Australia by the late 1800 s – Economy soared with the industrial revolution in the 1700 s and 1800 s – At its height the British Empire was the largest in history

British Empire

Rise and Decline of the British Empire • Decline – 1900 s, British Empire began to crumble – World War I and the Great Depression hurt the British economy – Rebellions in Ireland forced Britain to grant self rule to all but the northern part of Ireland – Other overseas colonies began movements for independence – After World War II Great Britain gave up most of its colonies – http: //youtu. be/Di. EQ 4 ZAB 5 NA

Government of the United Kingdom • Constitutional monarchy: a type of democracy in which a king or queen serves as head of state but a legislature makes the laws • Led by a prime minister • Most members of parliament, Britain’s legislative body, are elected

British Government

Magna Carta • A document drawn up in the Middle Ages limited the power of kings • http: //youtu. be/w. UVnp e 8 uffs

Republic of Ireland • President as head of state • Prime minister, appointed by the president, runs the government with the Irish parliament Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar Irish President Michael Higgins

People and Culture • Common heritage – many people of the British Isles can trace their heritage to the regions’ early settlers • Sports such as soccer and rugby are popular • Regions, particularly Ireland Scotland, maintain their unique identities • Immigrants from all corners of the world have settled in Britain, adding to the rich culture of the region

Popular Culture • Influences people around the world • English is the language of business, education, and the internet in many places • British music and literature are popular

Conflicts in Ireland • Catholics believe they have not been treated fairly by Protestants, who are in the majority • Bitter and violent struggle lasted for many years • Cease-fire in the 1990 s, but some groups refused to disarm, or give up all weapons • Still working toward a long lasting peace • http: //youtu. be/1 k. R 11 vn 41 XU

Economy • Economies are strong • London, the capital of the UK, is a center for world trade and history • In Dublin, Irelands capital, computer equipment and software have become major industries

Review • What two countries make up the British Isles? • Why did the economy of the United Kingdom grow so quickly in the 1700 s and 1800 s? • Why did tensions between the United Kingdom and Ireland increase during and after the 1840 s?

Scandinavia • The history of Scandinavia dates back to the Vikings • Vikings were Scandinavian warriors who raided Europe and the Mediterranean in the early Middle Ages – Excellent sailors – Conquered British Isles, Finland, and parts of France, Germany, and Russia • https: //youtu. be/OFewmanx e. KY

Vikings • The Vikings were great explorers • Established settlements in Iceland Greenland • First Europeans to reach North America • Viking activity

After the Vikings • Viking raids ended in 1100 s • 1300 s: Denmark ruled a union of all Scandinavian kingdoms • Sweden challenged Denmark’s power and left the union, taking Finland with it • 1900 s: Norway, Finland, Iceland became independent • Greenland remains a self-ruling territory of Denmark

Scandinavia Today

Scandinavia Today

Scandinavia Today • Scandinavian countries have much in common – Similar political views, language, and religion – Large, wealthy cities, strong economies, well educated workers – High standards of living Stockholm, Sweden

Scandinavia Today • Sweden, Denmark, Greenland, Finland, Norway, and Iceland are among the world’s most peaceful, stable, and prosperous nations Finland

Sweden • Largest and most populous Scandinavian country • More than 80% live in urban areas • Stockholm, the capital and largest city, is built on 14 islands and part of the mainland • Sweden has been a neutral country for more than 200 years, meaning it has chosen not to take sides in international conflicts. • http: //youtu. be/mllg-avz. B 2 Q

Denmark • Smallest Scandinavian country and most densely populated • About 50% of land is used for farming • Farm goods are important exports • Modern industries, such as iron and electronics, are important as well

Greenland • Geographically part of North America but a territory of Denmark • Think ice sheets cover 80% of the land • Much of the island is uninhabitable, or not able to support human settlement • Most live on the southwest coast where the climate is the warmest • https: //youtu. be/m 741 CDs 1 NMI • Heavily dependent on imports and economic aid from Denmark

Norway • One of the longest coastlines in the world • Fjord’s shelter Norway’s many harbors • Oslo, the capital city, is the country’s leading seaport and industrial center • Highest per capita GDP in Scandinavia • North Sea provides valuable natural gas and oil resources • Not part of the European Union • http: //youtu. be/Ey. ZW_0 n. GNLU

Finland • Easternmost Scandinavian country, between Sweden and Russia • Helsinki is the capital and largest city • Trade is important • Paper and forest products are important exports • Shipbuilding and electronics are important industries

Iceland • Fertile farmland along the islands coast produces crops and supports cattle and sheep • Fish account for 70% of Iceland’s exports • Steam from hot springs and geysers produce geothermal energy • Tourists come to see the geysers, volcano’s and glaciers • https: //youtu. be/ncs. HKWp. YT 9 E

Visual Summary

Review History Sweden Denmark Iceland Norway Finland Similarities among Countries Unique Features