LANGUAGE
Many Europeans are bilingual or multilingual
The native language in Europe is the Indo-European
language. This includes the Germanic, Romance, and
Slavic languages
Germanic: German and English. English is spoken in
more parts of the world that any other language.
LANGUAGE
Romance: French and Italian. Based on Latin.
Germanic and Romance languages use the same
alphabet
Slavic: Russian
Slavic Languages are based on ancient Greek letters.
LITERACY RATE
Ability to Read and Write.
Standard of living is often determined by education
and income.
European Countries have high literacy rates close to
100%
Example: France and Germany. Place great
emphasis on education and have many universities.
Kindergarten started in Germany.
LITERACY RATE
Literacy rate does not always help with standard of
living.
Russia has a high emphasis on education but their
economy has struggled since the break up of the
Soviet Union.
High Unemployment rate
RELIGIONS
Three major religions: Christianity, Judaism, and
Islam.
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are examples of
monotheism: belief in one supreme god.
JUDAISM
Religion and culture of the Jewish people.
First religion to worship only one God.
Founded by Abraham around 2000 BC
Holy book is the Torah, contains oral and written laws
of the Jews.
Followers today are known as Jews.
JUDAISM
Worship in Synagogues and Temples
Believe that a messiah will take them to the promised
land.
Descendants of Abraham and believe that they own
the land of Canaan.
Framework for Christianity and Islam.
Over the centuries, the Jewish
people were conquered and forced
to leave their homeland many
times.
Diaspora: Scattering of the Jews
Most European Jews now live in
France, United Kingdom, Russia,
and other countries formerly part
of the Soviet Union.
JUDAISM
CHRISTIANITY
Religion based on the teaching of Jesus Christ: love of
God and neighbor, regard for justice, belief that Jesus is
the son of God
Religious Text is the Bible: old and new testament
Dominant religion in Western and Eastern Europe
Worship in churches and chapels
CHRISTIANITY
Two major divisions: Catholic and Protestant
Most Christians in Europe are Catholic and concentrated
in the southern region in countries like France, Spain, and
Italy.
Protestants are located in northern countries like Germany
and the United Kingdom.
Eastern European practice Eastern Orthodoxy Christianity
Religious faith of Muslims
ISLAM
Founded by prophet Muhammad to spread word of
Allah
Muslims are migrating to Western Europe: France,
Germany, United Kingdom
Fastest growing religion in Europe
Koran is their holy book
ISLAM
Five pillars of faith:
Prayer
Give to charity
Fasting
Trip to Mecca
Belief in Allah