Geography

1.
How does the European Lowland differ north and south of the
Rhine River? Why is this?
- The north lowland is far less fertile for agriculture than the south
lowland due to moraines left on the plains of the north. Glacial
meltwater created infertile outwash plains that limited the agricultural
potential of the area.
2. Describe the different upland and mountain regions of
Europe.
- The Western Uplands is defined by hard, ancient rock that was
formed by glaciation. As glaciers retreated from the area, they left
distinct physical features, including many marshlands, lakes, and
fjords.
The Central Uplands are lower in altitude, less rugged, and more
heavily wooded than the Alpine region. This region is sparsely
populated except in the Rhine, Rhine, Elbe, and Danube river valleys.
The Alpine Mountains include the Alps, Pyrenees, Apennines, Dinaric
Alps, Balkans, and Carpathians. They have high elevations, rugged
plateaus, and steeply sloping land define the region The Alpine region
also includes active volcanoes, such as Mount Etna and Mount
Vesuvius in Italy
3. What are the major factors influencing Europe's weather and
climate?
- Overall, much of Europe has a relatively mild climate, at least when
compared with other regions in the world lying at the same latitude.
This is mainly due to the Atlantic Ocean's warm Gulf Stream current,
which exerts a moderating effect on a significant portion of the
continent, particularly its westernmost half. Also, the continent's landforms, such as the Alps and Pyrenees, alter the climates of certain
areas. Europe's climates and corresponding weather can be roughly
divided into six categories, based on geography. Western Europe,
Mediterranean, Iberian Peninsula, Central and Eastern Europe and
the Alps, Pyrenees, Carpathians, Balkans and the mountains of
Norway.
4. List those European countries that are below replacement in
natural population increase, as well as those that will grow in the
next 20 years. Explain the factors behind these differences.
- Factors between the counties that will increase in natural population
versus the ones that are decreasing are relatively low birth rates and
net migration.
5. Explain what is meant by 'Schengenland' and 'Fortress
Europe.' What are the geographic advantages and
disadvantages of the new arrangement behind these two terms?
- Schengenland is a term used to describe the agreement where a
group of EU nations decided to ease the crossings of borders for
travelers going between EU nations. Fortress Europe is a term used
by non-Europeans to describe how hard it is for outsiders to enter
Europe and the Schengen agreement is seen as hostile to
immigrants. Some advantages are the free movement of people and
goods between EU nations as well as immigration control; some
disadvantages include how it complicates the situation with a great
numbers of illegal immigrants from former Soviet countries, Africa and
Asia.
6. What are the major tongues of the Germanic language family?
Which have the most speakers?
- The major tongues of the Germanic language family are Danish,
Swedish, Norwegian and German. German is the most widespread
Germanic language of the region.
7. Map the interface boundaries, both historical and modern,
between Christianity and Islam in different parts of Europe.
Where is this interface still a problem? Why?
- Historically there has always been conflict in Yugoslavia between
Christianity and Islam. Christianity has also conflicted with Islam in
the Holy Land and at Constantinople; Islam was spread all around the
Balkans due to the imperialism of the Ottoman Empire.
Large Muslim populations in England, Germany, and France have
caused tension and the proposed addition of Turkey into the EU has
raised concerns due to its majority Muslim population.
8. List the new nation-states that appeared on Europe's map in
1919, 1945, and 1992.
- 1919: Yugoslavia, Turkey, Hungary, Austria, Czechoslovakia,
Ireland, Albania, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland
1945: West Germany, East Germany
1992: Germany (reunified), Croatia, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina,

Macedonia (FYROM), Moldova, Slovenia, Ukraine, Cyprus, Malta,
Serbia & Montenegro
9. Trace the evolution of the EU since 1952, noting how its goals
and membership have changed. Be prepared to make a map of
its membership at different points in time.
- May 1952: France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, and
Luxembourg all joined the European Coal and Steel Community
(ECSC)
-March 1957: prompted by success of ECSC, members signed the
Treaty of Rome that established the European Economic Community
(EEC). The EEC created a greater European market that would
encourage the free movement of goods, labor, and capital
-1965: Brussels Treaty, EEC turned into European Community (EC)
with the purpose of adding more political groundwork i.e. council,
court, parliament, and political commission
-1991: The EC became the European Union (EU) after signing the
Treaty of Maastricht, continual economic integration, single currency,
discussion of common foreign policies and mutual security
agreements
-January 1, 1999: 11 of 15 EU members joined the European
Monetary Union (EMU) cross border business and trade took place in
the euro
-January 1, 2002: euro coins and bills became available for everyday
use
-July 2002: Euroland currencies completely replaced by the euro
-May 2004: EU added 10 new states: Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania,
Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia, Malta and
Cyprus
-January 2007: Bulgaria and Romania were added to EU
-Late 2010: Turkey, Iceland, and several Baltic countries applied for
EU membership
10. Discuss the kinds of economic, social, and political changes
that have taken place in eastern European countries since 1990.
- After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, a chaotic period of
economic transition followed for Eastern Europe. Russia stopped
supplying natural gas to former Soviet countries and instead sold it on
the global market, this caused mayhem as many Eastern European

industries were unable to run without Russias natural gas. As a
result, many Eastern European countries looked to the EU. Countries
like Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Poland began shifting their
economies to capitalist, free market models by going through
privatization. Unfortunately, many people could not afford the new
amount of goods and services from the EU because of years of
Soviet government subsidies, but the goal still remains in many
Eastern European countries to join the EU.

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1992: Germany (reunified), Croatia, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina,

the global market, this caused mayhem as many Eastern European

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