European Demographics and Government

 Remember that your PowerPoint on the book you choose is due January 19.

Europe is a heavily populated continent, with most people living in cities concentrated in geographically favorable areas. There are over 40 countries in Europe, each with its own unique history and culture.  While each country tries to maintain its national identity, the region is moving toward European unity.

Here are the nations of Europe, organized by geographic region:

Countries of Northern Europe:  Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)

Countries of Eastern Europe:  Belarus, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Moldova, Poland, Romania Slovakia, Ukraine.

Countries of Western Europe:  Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Switzerland.

Countries of Southern Europe:  Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cy0rus, Greece, Italy, Macedonia, Malta, Montenegro, Portugal, San Marino, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Vatican City.

In addition, there are several dependencies or territories:

U.K.: Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Gibraltar

Denmark: Greenland, Faroe Islands

Two countries straddle the border of Europe and Asia:  Russia and Turkey.  (In this course, Russia is covered on its own and Turkey is considered part of Asia)

Most geographical features remain relatively stable over time.  The Alps, for example, are constantly changing but the change usually happens gradually over millennia.  In contrast, national boundaries are dynamic.  For instance, during and after World War II, many national boundaries in Europe went through rapid and significant changes.  Even today, geo-political boundaries continue to change.  Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia in 2008 and continues to work toward recognition as a sovereign state.  Recently, the Czech Republic and Poland worked to settle a border dispute, and Ireland and Northern Ireland have a long, complex history of tensions.

Europe's extensive coastlines, natural harbors, and overland trade routes encouraged exploration, which spread European ideas and ways abroad while bringing cultural influences from far away lands into Europe.  As a result, Europe has a diverse population with many ethnic groups.  While these groups live together peacefully in most countries, ethnic tensions exist elsewhere.  Incoming immigrants, including many refugees fleeing war or political upheaval in their countries of origin, put pressure on a nation's infrastructure as they try to house, feed, clothe, and provide jobs, education, and medical care for those newly arrived.  Despite these immigrants, Europe's overall population is shrinking.

Population shifts and migrations have been an important part of Europe's history for centuries.  The population density is greater in Europe than on any other continent except Asia, with most people concentrated in areas with fertile soil, favorable climates, mineral resources, and inland waterways.  The Industrial Revolution changed Europe to an urban society, and labor shortages during the 1950s and 1960s brought many immigrants to Europe.  The 20th century's two world wars redrew national boundaries, displaced many people, and altered population pat terns.  Jews, Roma people (once called Gypsies), and others were systematically executed by the Nazis during World War II, and surviving populations scattered.

The Cold War that followed World War II divided Europe into two parts: communist eastern Europe, tied to the Soviet Union, and largely democratic western Europe, allied to the United States.  While eastern Europe stagnated economically and politically, democratic western Europe rebuilt and prospered.  After communism's collapse in the 1990s, migration from eastern to western Europe increased as people sought jobs and a better standard of living.  Meanwhile, western Europe's prosperity also drew migrants from Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean.  Many major cities today face problems of overcrowding and pollution, but they are also combining old and new ways of life in unique ways.  Many European countries as a group are working toward economic prosperity and political unity within the European Union.

• Glencoe World Geography pages 286-300
• Countries of Europe
  Population data (click on individual countries)
  1000 years of European borders
  Population density in Europe
  
  

Mapping:

1. On a map of Europe label each country.  Use color to make the shape, size, and location of each country easier to see.
2. Identify the capital of each nation.  Add as many major cities as you like.