Unit 4: Europe
Cultural Characteristics
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Europe is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural society.
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Results from migration and cultural diffusion (the spreading of culture).
- more than 160 ethnic groups
- population of ≥ 800 million
- over 60 languages spoken
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Some countries have only one major ethnic group, like Sweden (they
share a common language, culture, and religious heritage)
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Some countries, like Belgium, have two major ethnic groups - the
Flemings and the Walloons of Belgium share a common religion, but
they do not speak the same language
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Some countries, like Switzerland, have multiple languages spoken
there. Switzerland has 3 official languages: French, German, &
Italian. A fourth language, Romansch (a derivative of Latin), is
spoken by a small percentage of the population.
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Europe’s multi-ethnic society can be a source of tension.
An example of this tension is: the Balkan Peninsula.
Multi-ethnic
rivalries within the (former) country of Yugoslavia have caused bitter
conflict. This area is often called a shatter-belt, because the once
communist country split into five separate countries. Even after the split,
ethnic differences still cause fighting and conflict.
- The ABC’S of the Balkan Conflict:
Albanians
Bosnians
Croats
Serbs
These ethnic groups, particularly the Serbs, have followed a policy of
ethnic-cleansing - the expelling of, or the killing of, an entire ethnic
group. This policy has resulted in a number of deaths and refugees,
people who flee their homeland for safety purposes.
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Notice the Map on page 312 in your textbook!!!
ð***Even with ethnic rivalries and tensions within the former Yugoslavia,
most of Europe has become unified.
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Most European countries share a commitment to democracy, or
government where the leaders rule only with the consent of the
population.
- the ancient civilizations of Greece and Rome laid the foundation for
western democracy ****(the birthplace of western democracy)
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European countries also share a commitment to free markets or
economies based on capitalism and free enterprise.
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Another source of unity is the European Union an economic
alliance, designed to promote free trade and open borders within
Europe.
Europe’s Cultural Landscape
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Europe’s natural landscape: mountains, islands, and beaches are
tourist attractions.
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Europe’s cultural landscape also attracts millions of tourists. The cultural
landscape includes:
~ Castles - a result of the feudalistic Middle Ages
~ Chalets - especially in high mountainous terrain and snow prone areas
~ Cathedrals – Roman Catholic influence
~ Museums – the Louvre, in Paris, France (home to the Mona Lisa)
~ Cultural landmarks include:
- Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, in London, England
(Great Britain/United Kingdom)
- The Chunnel or the Channel Tunnel, an underwater
tunnel that links London, England (Great Britain) to
Paris, France *** It goes under the English Channel
- Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Arc de Triomphe,
and the Louvre Museum in Paris, France
- Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany
- The
Parthenon in Athens, Greece
- The Leaning Tower of Pisa in Pisa, Italy, the Colosseum
in Rome, Italy, and St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City
(where the Pope lives) in Italy.
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Windmills throughout the Netherlands – they used the
windmills to pump water out of the polders (land reclaimed
from the sea).