Chapter 17 – West-Central Europe

Section NotesPhysical GeographyFrance and the Benelux CountriesGermany and the Alpine Countries

VideoImpact of Living Below Sea Level

ImagesGeographyFrance’s History: Early HistoryConnecting to Technology:

Dutch PoldersFrance’s Current Export Partners

Quick FactsChapter 17 Visual Summary

MapsWest-Central Europe: PoliticalWest-Central Europe: PhysicalWest-Central Europe: Land Use

and ResourcesGermany: PoliticalSwitzerland: Language RegionsWest-Central Europe

Close-upParis

World AlmanacGermany’s Population, 2003

Physical Geography

The Big Idea

West-Central Europe has a range of landscapes, a mild climate, and rich farmland.

Main Ideas

• The physical features of West-Central Europe include plains, uplands, mountains, rivers, and seas.

• West-Central Europe’s mild climate and resources support agriculture, energy production, and tourism.

Main Idea 1:The physical features of West-Central Europe

include plains, uplands, mountains, rivers, and seas.

Plains

• The Northern European Plain is a low, broad coastal plain. Most of it is covered with flat or rolling terrain.

• The region’s best farmland is on the plains.

• The region’s largest cities are also on the plain.

Uplands

• The Central Uplands region has hills, valleys, and plateaus.

• The Massif Central and Jura Mountains are part of the uplands.

• Forests and coalfields are common in the uplands.

Mountains

• The Alps and the Pyrenees stretch into West-Central Europe from Southern Europe.

• Europe’s highest mountains are in the Alps. Europe’s highest peak, Mont Blanc, is in this region.

Water Features of West-Central Europe

Rivers

• Several rivers cross West-Central Europe.

• Many of the region’s rivers are navigable, or deep and wide enough for ships to use.

• Important rivers include the Danube and the Rhine.

• People travel and ship goods along these rivers.

Seas

• The North Sea lies just north of West-Central Europe. It is connected to the Atlantic Ocean by the English Channel.

• The Bay of Biscay and the Atlantic Ocean are west of the region.

• France is bordered to the south by the Mediterranean Sea.

Main Idea 2:West-Central Europe’s mild climate and resources support agriculture, energy

production, and tourism.

• Most of the region has a marine west coast climate with mild summers, cold winters, and frequent rain.

• The region’s climate is kept mild by a warm ocean current that flows along Europe’s northwestern coast.

• Some parts of the region do have different climates:

– Because of their high elevation, the Alps have a colder, wetter climate than the rest of West-Central Europe.

– Southern France has a Mediterranean climate.

• The region’s mild climate and ample rainfall make its farmlands very productive.

Resources of West-Central Europe

The region’s farmlands support a variety of crops, including grapes, grains, and vegetables. In addition, upland pastures support the raising of livestock.

Mineral resources of the region include coal in France and Germany, iron ore in France, and natural gas in the Netherlands.

The region’s rivers are a good source of hydroelectric power.

Tourists are drawn to the region’s breathtaking scenery. The Alps are one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe.

France and the Benelux Countries

The Big Idea

France and the Benelux Countries have strong economies and rich cultural traditions.

Main Ideas

• During its history France has been a kingdom, empire, colonial power, and republic.

• The culture of France has contributed to the world’s art and ideas.

• France today is a farming and manufacturing center.

• The Benelux Countries have strong economies and high standards of living.

Main Idea 1:During its history France has been a kingdom,

empire, colonial power, and republic.Kingdom

• France was once part of Gaul, which was conquered by the Roman Empire.

• After the fall of Rome the Franks built a kingdom in Gaul. Their greatest ruler was Charlemagne.

• Groups such as the Normans moved into France after Charlemagne died.

• In the Middle Ages parts of France were ruled by England until the French drove the English out.

Empire

• From the 1500s to the 1700s most French people were poor.

• In 1789 the French people overthrew their king in the French Revolution.

• After the Revolution a brilliant general named Napoleon took power in France. He conquered much of Europe.

• In 1815 a group of countries joined together to defeat Napoleon.

Later French History

Colonial Power

• Even before the French Revolution, France was building a colonial empire.

• The French established colonies in the Americas, Africa, and Asia in the 1500s, 1600s, and 1700s.

• During the 1950s and 1960s many former French colonies gained their independence.

Republic

• Today France is a republic.

• The government is led by an elected president and a parliament.

• France still controls many overseas territories. One such territory is Martinique in the West Indies.

• Since World War II the French economy has grown tremendously.

Main Idea 2:The culture of France has contributed to the

world’s art and ideas.

• The French enjoy life. They like good food, good company, and good conversation.

• The major national festival in France is Bastille Day, celebrated on July 14.

Languageand Religion

• Most people speak French and are Catholic.

• Many immigrants have brought their own languages and religions to France.

Customs

• In the Middle Ages the French built huge cathedrals like Notre Dame in Paris.

• France was a center of the Enlightenment.

• Impressionism began in France.

• France is still known for art, fashion, and film.

Artand

Ideas

Main Idea 3:France today is a farming and

manufacturing center.

• France has a strong economy.

– It is the EU’s leading agricultural producer. Its major crops are wheat and grapes.

– It is a major exporter of goods such as perfumes and wines.

– Tourism is also a major industry.

• The major city in France is Paris.– Center of business, learning, and culture

– World-class museums, art galleries, and restaurants

– Famous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral

• Other major cities include Marseille and Lyon. Most people in France today live in cities like these.

Main Idea 4:The Benelux Countries have strong

economies and high standards of living.

The Benelux Countries are Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. They are also called the Low Countries.

Throughout history many nations and empires have ruled the area that now includes the Benelux Countries.

After World War II the Benelux Countries joined NATO. Later they joined the group of nations now called the EU.

Each of the Benelux Countries is ruled by a parliament and a ceremonial monarch. The countries are small and densely populated.

The Benelux CountriesBelgium

• More than 95 percent of the people live in cities.

• Brussels, the capital, is the headquarters for international organizations.

• Cities are cosmopolitan, or influenced by other cultures.

• Two languages are spoken, Flemish in the north and French in the south.

• Known for lace, cheese, cocoa, and chocolate

Luxembourg• Very small

country, smaller than the state of Rhode Island

• Has one of the world’s highest standards of living

• Mostly forested and hilly

• Most people are Roman Catholic and speak French or German.

• Earns much of its income from banking

• Produces steel and chemicals

Netherlands

• Low and flat with some land below sea level

• The country is sometimes called Holland. The people and their language are called Dutch.

• Rotterdam is a busy seaport.

• Amsterdam and the Hague are political centers.

• Known for cheese and tulips

Germany and the Alpine Countries

The Big Idea

Germany and the Alpine Countries are prosperous countries with similar cultures.

Main Ideas

• After a history of division and two world wars, Germany is now a unified country.

• German culture, known for its contributions to music, literature, and science, is growing more diverse.

• Germany today has Europe’s largest economy, but eastern Germany faces challenges.

• The Alpine Countries reflect German culture and have strong economies based on tourism and services.

Main Idea 1:After a history of division and two world wars,

Germany is now a unified country.

• Tribes from northern Europe settled in what the Romans called Germania.

• Over time many small states formed. Each state was ruled by a prince.

• With the support of the Roman Catholic Church, these small German states became the Holy Roman Empire.

• The Holy Roman Empire remained a loose association of states for hundreds of years.

• In 1871 Prussia, the strongest German state, unified the others into one country—Germany.

War and Division

A Reunited Germany

• In 1914 Germany began World War I, which it lost.

• In 1939 Adolf Hitler and the Nazis ordered the invasion of Poland, launching World War II. Germany also lost this war.

• After the war, the victorious Allies occupied Germany and over time two countries, East Germany and West Germany, emerged.

• The city of Berlin was divided and the Soviets built the Berlin Wall through it.

• With U.S. aid, West Germany became an economic power. East Germany was poorer, and its people had few freedoms.

• In 1989 democracy movements swept through East Germany. The Communist government collapsed, and the Berlin Wall was torn down.

• In 1990 East and West Germany reunified.

Division and Unification

Main Idea 2:German culture, known for its contributions to music, literature, and science, is growing more

diverse.

People

• Most Germans share a common heritage.

• About 90 percent are ethnic German.

• Most people speak German.

• Recently, immigration has increased, helping make Germany more diverse.

Religion

• Most people in north and central Germany are Protestant.

• Most people in the south are Catholic.

• People in the east are usually less religious because of their Communist past.

German Culture

Customs

• Religious festivals are very popular.

• Lent and Christmas are among the most popular festival times.

• Local festivals are also popular.

• Oktoberfest, held in Bavaria, a region of southeastern Germany, celebrates the region’s food and drink.

The Arts and Sciences

• Music—Germany has produced famous composers like Johann Sebastian Bach and Ludwig van Beethoven.

• Literature—Authors such as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe are among the most famous in Europe.

• Science—Germans have made great advances in chemistry, engineering, medicine, and physics.

Main Idea 3:Germany today has Europe’s largest economy,

but eastern Germany faces challenges.

• Europe’s largest economy

• Market economy with many exports

• Based on industry, such as chemicals, engineering, and steel

• The eastern region’s economy still lags.

Government • Federal republic headed by a chancellor, or prime minister, and parliament

• Belongs to EU and NATO

Economy

• Most people live in cities.

• Largest city is Berlin, the capital.

• Other key cities are Hamburg and Munich.

Cities

Main Idea 4:The Alpine Countries reflect German culture

and have strong economies based on tourism and services.

The Alpine Countries are Austria and Switzerland. They are named for the Alps, which cover most of both countries.

The beauty of the Alps draws many tourists to these two countries every year.

Both Austria and Switzerland were once part of the Holy Roman Empire. Both countries have been heavily influenced by German culture.

The Alpine Countries

Austria

• Most Austrians speak German and are Roman Catholic.

• The country’s capital, Vienna, is filled with historic palaces and is a center of art and music.

• Austria has a prosperous economy based on service industries such as banking. Tourism is also important.

Switzerland

• Republic divided into 26 cantons, or districts, with capital at Bern

• Has remained neutral for centuries and has not joined NATO or the EU, but remains active in international organizations

• Several languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansch

• Famous for banks, watches, chocolate, cheese, and for having the world’s highest standard of living

Click on the window to start video