The people of southern Europe are diverse and hold to many different traditions but are tied together by the sea and the land, which create similar lifestyles and economic activities. The whole of Russia has a total land area of 17,098,242 square km, with 3,972,400 sq km of the country considered to be part of Europe. These Are the 25 Most Powerful Militaries in Europe - Business Insider Ireland has embraced EUs economic connections, but the British people have been hesitant to relinquish full autonomy to the EU. The south-central region of the country is home to the Massif Central, which is a plateau and highland region made up of a large stretch of extinct volcanoes. List of sovereign states in Europe by GDP (nominal) - Wikipedia Industrialization caused a rural-to-urban shift in Britain. Only Oceania has less landmass. Sandwiched on the border of these two states is the ministate of Lichtenstein. Germany is also a major tourist destination. Germanys present geopolitical configuration is quite young, as it reunified the eastern and western portions into a single entity in 1990. The Black Forest, Bavaria, the Alpine south, a variety of medieval castles, national parks, and a vibrant assortment of festivals such as Oktoberfest attract millions of tourists to Germany every year. There are even famous rock bands and singers from Western Europe, such as Germanys Rammstein, Belgiums Brutus, the Netherlands Asphynx, and Frances Gojira. The Smallest Countries in Europe - WorldAtlas Devolutionary cultural differences can be noted by studying the different heritages found in each region. The game of golf originated in Scotland and is still popular today. During the two World Wars, Western Europe generally referred to the Allied powers and neighboring neutral countries. Protestant Christianity has prevailed in northern Europe since about 1000 CE. Outline the main economic activities for each of the regions of Western Europe. Olive oil and wine have been major agricultural exports. Germany was formed in 1871 during the leadership of Otto von Bismarck in an attempt to create a Germanic power base. Switzerland is noted for its banking and financial markets. Eastern Europe is everything east of Germany, Austria, and Italy. France is second only to the United States in terms of agricultural exports. The break with London provided local autonomy, but Wales is still reliant on the United Kingdom in national and foreign affairs. Sweden, northern Europes largest country, has used its natural iron ore supply to develop its manufacturing sector. Though the French Empire no longer exists, France has progressed into a postindustrial country with one of the most developed economies in the world. Europe: Human Geography - National Geographic Society Scotland has strong centripetal forces uniting the Scottish people, including victories over the British by Scottish clans lead by William Wallace in 1297 and Robert the Bruce in 1314; these forces within Scotland have created a devolutionary split with the UK parliament. The Lutheran Church has traditionally been the state church until recent years. How to Think About Ukraine, in Maps and Charts If you think of cheese and wine when you think of France, you have identified two of its largest food processing endeavors, along with sugar beets, meats, and confectionaries. Thus, all but one of the founding members were Western European countries. Economic and political relationships are more integrated than they were in past eras when nation-states and empires were more significant. By way of comparison, Brazil has more than twice as many Christians as Nigeria and about three times as many as Germany. Summarize how each region has developed an industrialized economy. Sources: CIA Factbook: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/it.html. The capital is Kiev, which is also the largest city in the country. 110,496km, This page was last edited on 12 June 2023, at 07:16. It is a major player in European affairs, the EU, and the United Nations (UN). However, according to projections by Pew Research Center, the Muslim population of the continent will soar in the coming decades. The lack of natural resources and the lack of opportunities and advantages held back the Republic of Ireland from developing a strong economy. This space covers five time zones, borders the United States along 7,885 km (4,900 miles), and envelops 243,042 km ( 151,019 miles) of coastline, a global high. The 9 Western European countries are: There are approximately 196 million people living in Western Europe. The Benelux countries have a great deal in common historically. The attractive elements included a mild climate, a similar English language, an educated workforce, and a low cost of living. The so-called Ancona Line can be drawn across the middle of Italy from Ancona on the east coast to Rome on the west coast to separate the industrial north with the more agrarian south. There are five countries with territory on both sides of the 180th meridian, and thus can be said to be both the westernmost and easternmost countries: Russia, New Zealand, Fiji, United States, and Kiribati (as well as . Florence is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is noted for its art and architecture. The northern city of Milan is a core industrial center for the nation and for Europe. Underground paramilitary groups such as the Irish Republican Army (IRA) have heightened tensions between the two groups for decades, with car bombings and other terrorist acts. Human rights, education, and social concerns are high priorities of the governments of northern Europe, and the quality of these elements rank highly by global comparisons. The remaining countries of Western Europe all have less than 10 million inhabitants. Agriculture is an important sector of the French economy, as it has been for centuries, and is tied to industry through food processing. As an independent country separate from the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland has ascended the economic ladder to become a part of the global economic community. Poland borders a number of countries, namely Germany, Lithuania, Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. Austria has a worldwide reputation in music and the arts. In 2010, the population was estimated at 8.4 million. The capital and largest city in Spain is Madrid, while the second largest city is Barcelona. Which of the states of Western Europe most resembles a nation-state? Other major cities in the subregion include Vienna, Hamburg, Lyon, Marseille, Munich, Zurich, Amsterdam, Cologne, Lille, and Toulouse, all of which have populations of 1 million or more. List of European countries by population - Wikipedia The EU has had an enormous influence on the British Isles. English people definitely want to remain with the UK parliament. These regions are purely geographical regions that may share similar physical geography or cultural traits based on physical geographical demands. London is an international city that has a powerful draw for tourists. Because Ireland was a member of the EU, it was a convenient intermediary location between the United States and the European mainland. Germany is the most populous country in Western Europe and the second most populated country in Europe after Russia, with nearly 84 million people living within its borders. The Danube River flows through the country, including the capital city of Vienna. Italy has about sixty million people in an area smaller than Norway, which has less than five million. The Pennines mountain chain runs through northern England and was the source of the coal, ores, and waterpower that fueled the Industrial Revolution. Greenland only had a population of about 57,670 in 2011, and 80 percent of its surface is covered with ice. Outline how the physical geography varies from region to region. World's Muslim population more widespread than you might think Progress in Northern Ireland is an uphill battle with high unemployment, a poor resource base, and few economic opportunities. Norway, which is found in northwestern Europe, has Oslo as its capital and largest city. To gain national income, Germany has promoted manufacturing as a major component of its economy. Scotland benefited and gained wealth during the Industrial Revolution. A great power is a nation or state that, through its economic, political and military strength, is able to exert power and influence not only over its own region of the world, but beyond to others. Landlocked in the center of Europe are the two main states of Switzerland and Austria. The U.S. is considered the most influential country in the world, according to a global survey. Factories closed, production became automated, and unemployment increased. Because cultural differences can be clearly witnessed between Catholics and Protestants, religion has become the identifier of the two sides. Indeed, in many countries, the largest group is far larger than the second-largest group. These countries are located in the core economic region of Europe and have stable democratic governments and a relatively high standard of living by world comparisons. After the war, however, the countries of Western Europe slowly began integrating their economies. Luxemburg has an enviable economic situation with a stable and prosperous economy, low unemployment, and low inflation. The people of Scottish descent would prefer total independence from all outside forces. Europe extends from the island nation of Iceland in the west to the Ural Mountains of Russia in the east. Top 20 Largest Countries in Europe - is Ukraine the Biggest? - Mappr A Viennese specialty, it is a strong black coffee served in a glass and topped with whipped cream; it comes with powdered sugar, which is served separately. A modern bridge has been constructed across the Baltic Sea from Denmark to Sweden to increase the flow of people, goods, and materials between the Scandinavian Peninsula and mainland Europe. Modern transportation and communication technology has brought this cornucopia of European identities into one single sphere of global recognition. Brussels is connected to other European cities through high-speed rail networks. Northern Europe has worked diligently to integrate itself with the global community and yet maintain its cultural identity. Various banks have been targeted for bailout funds from the government, and the economy witnessed a sharp decline. Automobile manufacturing as well as prestigious universities, art galleries, and cultural centers can be found here. Rail service connects Liverpool with London, which is connected to Paris through a tunnel under the English Channel called the Chunnel. Germany is Europes largest economy, with strong exports of manufactured goods. Germany was excluded from this definition as it was an enemy state, as was Italy during WWII. This trend is common in countries in stage 5 of the index of economic development. Summarize how each region has developed an industrialized economy. The number of Muslims in Russia is expected to grow from 16.4 million in 2010 to 18.6 million in 2030. It has a land area of 338,145 sq km. Norway, Sweden, and Finland are quite large in area but are not densely populated compared with other European nations. There are many other autonomous communities in Spain, each with its own distinct heritage and culture. Most of these immigrants target the urban areas in search of employment and opportunity. Anchored by the primate city of London, southern England also is home to the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. The troubles of Northern Ireland have diminished its economic and employment opportunities. The first iron bridge ever built (1879) was located in central England, home of the Industrial Revolution. Switzerland, officially known as the Swiss Confederation, is divided into twenty-six cantons (states). The Iberian Peninsula consists of Spain and Portugal. Only Paris has a larger overall metropolitan area. Danish colonization in the eighteenth century included Greenland and the Faeroe Islands, which are located between Scotland and Iceland. The norths heavy industries experienced a decline in demand. Since 2007, the global depression has taken its toll on the Irish economy. Christians are the second-largest religious group in 43 countries - including in much of predominantly Muslim North Africa and the Middle East - although in many of these states, such as Saudi Arabia and Libya, less than 5% of inhabitants are Christian. The Habsburgs were great patrons of the arts, and hence music, drama, and art thrived for centuries in Austria. The Iron Curtain divided the two Germanys, with the Berlin Wall dividing the city of Berlin. 15 European Countries With Most Muslims - WorldAtlas As an early export product, scotch whisky has profited many whisky marketers and has become the largest export product of Scotland. Bordered on the south by the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, Ukraine. When counted as European, Kazakhstan ranks as the second-largest country in Europe at 2,724,900 (1,052,100). Italys mild Mediterranean climate has enhanced tourism opportunities for many Italian cities such as Palermo. The major industries include food processing, chemicals, petroleum refining, and electrical machinery. Raw cotton was brought in from the colonies of India and Egypt. The central part of the city of Naples, Italy, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was the original manufacturer of Nokia cell phones, an example of its technological advancements. However, this is all done with the overall perspective of remaining under the umbrella of the EU. With natural resources and postindustrial opportunities, Scotland is in a good position to compete in the global economic community. The Netherlands is a top exporter of agricultural products, which contribute substantially to its economy. Belgium also has a significant services sector. That puts the country more than 10 percentage points ahead of the United States, which used to have the world's largest manufacturing sector . In Germanys rise to power before World War II, Hitler annexed his native Austria to Germany. Russia will continue to be the European country with the largest Muslim population in the next 20 years. Here are the top 10 most competitive economies in the world. Scotland attracts a healthy tourism market with its Highlands and many castles. Germany is the most populous country in Europe, with over eighty-two million people in 2010. Founded by the Phoenicians, this city became the capital of the kingdom of Sicily. The total surface area of Europe is approximately 3,930,000 square miles and the population as of 2016 was 741,447,158, which was 11% of the worlds population. FAST FACTS OFFICIAL NAME: Argentine Republic FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Republic CAPITAL: Buenos Aires POPULATION: 44,694,198 OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: Spanish MONEY: Argentine peso AREA: 1,073,364 square miles. The Netherlands produces 4 million cows, 13 million pigs and 104 million chickens annually and is Europe's biggest meat exporter. List of modern great powers - Wikipedia The services sector, including real estate, hotels, restaurants, and entertainment, thrives in part because Brussels is the headquarters of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and components of the EU. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com, European Countries That Are Not Members Of The European Union. You can see the data for individual EU countries in . Devolutionary forces are active in the United Kingdom. Southern Spain has large rural areas with economies heavily based on agricultural production. For example, the price of gasoline in the United Kingdom might be two or three times that in the United States. The regions of the British Isles follow similar dynamics to those of other countries in Western Europe. Islam is Europe's second-largest religion. Germany and France are the two dominant states, with Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg making up the Benelux countries. Belgium remains heavily industrialized and is a major exporter of products, including finished diamonds, food products, nonferrous metals, technology, petroleum products, and plastics. Cuba Black population: 1,126,894 In 2012, Census showed that black people constituted 9.26 percent of total population. About one-fifth of Europes largest corporations have their headquarters in London. This is a list of countries by westernmost point on land (dependent territories included). What is each country's second-largest religious group? With a population of 62 million people, Italy also has the highest available manpower of 28 million people. Italian culture balances the food and lifestyle of the rural countryside with the history and heritage of the cities. The hosting of the 2006 Winter Olympics gave witness to Turins capacity and success. Europe: Physical Geography - National Geographic Society After decades of dealing with this type of unrest, France passed laws in response to the 1995 Islamic terrorist bombings that some civil libertarians found unsettling. In 1957, the European Economic Community (EEC) was formed. Denmark doesnt have a legal age for consumption of alcoholic beverages, though tradition sets the age at about fourteen. London is a global center that holds prominence in world markets and the globalization process. Who has contributed most to global CO2 emissions? Germany had the historical Ruhr industrial complex along the Rhine that supported the high-tech industries in southern Germany in the cities of Stuttgart, Mannheim, and Munich. 1. The culture and traditions of Western Europe have helped shape the world we know today. 10. Cultural forces have traditionally supported nationalistic movements that work to preserve the culture, heritage, and traditions of a people. Austria has various Alpine ranges, with the highest peak at 12,457 feet in elevation. 25. Denmarks main exports are food products and energy. They have managed to work together toward a common economic objective in spite of their cultural differences. Outline how the physical geography varies from region to region. Italy is more representative of Europe, with about 68 percent of the population urbanized. Belgium is next with around 11 million. How are the troubles in Northern Ireland similar to or different from the Basque situation. Ireland is bracing itself for a sluggish economic road ahead. Reclaiming land from the sea in areas called polders has provided this densely populated country with more land area for its people to expand their activities. Norway has been benefiting from the enormous oil and natural gas reserves under the North Sea. Civil rights for minorities, women, and other groups is assured and protected. As a continent, Europe's total geographical area is about 10.18 million square kilometres. This northern region of Italy has the economic muscle to be one of Europes leading manufacturing centers. Spotlight on Brazil More than 175 million Brazilians are Christian, making the country's Christian population the largest outside the United States. Islam is the fastest growing religion, even though Muslims make up less than 10 percent of the total population. Volvo Car Corporation was purchased by Ford Motor Corporation in 1999 and then acquired by a Chinese automaker in 2010. France is second with a population of approximately 65 million. Fishing and modest agricultural activities had been Norways traditional means of gaining wealth, but now it is the export of the much-in-demand energy resources. Moscow is the capital city and is the largest city in Russia. Its largest city and capital is Helsinki. The urbanized Catalonia region around Barcelona in the northeast has high-tech industries and a high standard of living. Just as the Industrial Revolution attracted cheap labor, the aging workforce has enticed people from former British colonies to migrate to the United Kingdom in search of increased employment opportunities. But it also provides vegetables to much of . Europe | History, Countries, Map, & Facts | Britannica Isolation in northern Europe does create an element of economic cost, and transportation technology has been leveraged to address this. These countries are often referred to as the Nordic countries. Before colonial times, the traditional food crops included such turnips and rutabagas. India has the world's second-largest Muslim population in raw numbers (roughly 176 million), though Muslims make up just 14.4% of India's total population. The soils are traditionally rocky with few nutrients. France covers 211,209 square miles and is the second-largest European country; Ukraine is slightly larger in physical area. Most countries in Western Europe are members of the NATO military alliance and the European Union. The southern countries of Portugal, Greece, and southern Italy are more agrarian and have been struggling economically since the global recession began in 2007. Energy Fact Sheet: Why does Russian oil and gas matter? The parliament is the official legislative body with a prime minister as head of government. (For more information on Russia's Muslim population, see sidebar on page 128.) Southern Europe includes three large peninsulas that extend into the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. A centralized totalitarian state quickly resulted. French cuisine and fashion have long been held in highest esteem worldwide and are a source of national pride. The decline in coal mining has reduced the shipping activity in the port of Cardiff in the twenty-first century. Monaco, San Marino, Andorra, and Vatican City are also independent states located within the region. In the far south, the Pyrenees run along the border with Spain. In 2010, Frances population was about sixty-five million, with about ten million living in Frances primate city of Paris. Southern England is also home to Great Britains seat of government The UK government is considered a constitutional monarchy with a king or queen as head of state. The country has been home to many famous composers and musicians and is the setting for the story behind the movie The Sound of Music. Barges transport goods along the beautiful Rhine River in Germany, where historic towns share the landscape. Business boomed in the 1990s, and incomes and the cost of living rose. Albert Einstein, though born in Germany, relocated to Switzerland and later became a Swiss citizen. Today, the EU includes all of Western Europe, except Switzerland, Monaco, and Liechtenstein. Europe is the world's sixth largest continent by land area. The hatred that has been built up over the years can be eased with each new generation if centripetal forces work to bridge the differences and unite the social fabric. Typically, one language predominates in any given canton. Many urban dwellers do not own automobiles but instead use public transportation. Islam is the main religion of the Turkish north. The Largest Countries In The World by Area - WorldAtlas Many forms of surveillance are legal and routine, including forms of surveillance that violate private communications. Emigration has caused a leveling off of population growth, and the number of people who speak Welsh has diminished. The six founding countries of the emerging economic bloc were Germany, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Italy. Both are now under the government of Denmark but retain a high level of self-rule and autonomy, which has aided them in holding on to their cultural identity. The main languages spoken in the small landlocked country of Luxemburg are French, German, and Luxembourgish. With a large metropolitan area, the city of Milan has a long history as a center of industry and power. The Hapsburgs came to power in a new way with the formation of the Austrian Empire in 1804. Inland water is included in area numbers. Compared to Germany and France, the populations of Western Europes other countries are quite small. The Lake District of northern England is a noted vacation destination, and short mountains and scenic landscapes attracted a number of Englands writers. Great Britain was an avid colonizer and controlled colonies on all inhabited continents. Welsh nationalism prompted the declaration of a separate parliament in the capital of Cardiff. But of course, Western Europe is not just known for cultural contributions of the past. It was also home to many of the worlds greatest musicians, such as Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, Brahms, Wagner, Debussy, Chopin, and Haydn. The city of Paris started as a citadel on an island in the middle of the Seine River. In 1933, with an environment of poverty, disenfranchisement of the people, and great instability in the government, Germany gave way to the appointment of Adolf Hitler as chancellor of Germany. However, the rapidly expanding economic conditions of the 1990s have not extended into the twenty-first century. Thanks to rich iron-ore deposits, this country was able to develop a very robust steel industry, which was the cornerstone of the nations prosperity until the 1970s. It wasnt until the 1990s that conditions improved. Chapter 8: North Africa and Southwest Asia, https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/it.html, http://www.citymayors.com/gratis/italian_cities.html, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. In the early twentieth century, the port of Cardiff handled the largest amount of coal in the world and handled more tons of cargo than Liverpool or London. Traditionally, Florence has been a city of commerce, trade, and the arts. Kilts and bagpipes are a part of Scottish history and often distinguish themselves as a part of the regions heritage. Figure 2.23 President Ronald Reagan Speaking at the Brandenburg Gate, Germany, June 12, 1987, From this speech comes his famous quote, Mr. In 1989, the Berlin Wall came down, and the two Germanys were reunited in 1990. This bitterly fought conflict has become well entrenched in Irish culture and literature. Locate and describe the various traditional regions of Western Europe. The next largest city of Lyon, which is a major high-tech industrial center for Europes economy, can only boast a population of about 1.4 million. Europe's northernmost point is the Svalbard archipelago of Norway, and it reaches as far south as the islands of Greece and Malta. Ireland is not a large country. Rock, hip-hop, and pop music are common genres. 77% of the total population of the country lives on the European side. Belgium has the most urbanized population, with 98% of its people living in cities. The United States is home to about 7% of all Catholics in the world. There are five ministates in this region. Western Europe was the home of artists like Van Gogh and Monet, and musicians like Beethoven and Chopin. Russia - 3,972,400 sq km Russia is the largest country in Europe by land area. They serve as traditional labels of geographic location. The Iron Curtain and the Berlin Wall were major symbols of the Cold War. Rotterdam is located at the mouth of the Rhine River and is one of the busiest ports on the continent.