Economic and Political
Characteristics of
Europe
Resources


Tourism and recreation found in the
mountain regions.
Mineral resources can also be found in the
mountain regions.
Industrial and transportation centers have
developed near mineral deposits, coal, and iron
ore.
Examples:
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/5124
76/Ruhr
Read about it above!
Ruhr Valley: located in Germany; grew during the
industrial revolution because of coal mining and
steel production
Po Valley: located in Italy, near the Po River
Turin
Fiat Headquarters
Located in Turin, Italy!
Along the PO River
 Oil can be found in the North Sea
Click on the link:
http://archive.is/UiqK
Answer the following questions on your
worksheetWhen was oil discovered in the
North Sea?
According to the article what is
happening to oil supplies in the
North Sea?
Trade
Trade has been important to Europe for thousands
of years.
 By the 1540s, Portugal had established a chain of
trading posts all the way to Japan!
 Over time, European merchants and
governments created new economic systems to
meet the consumer demands for new products
from around the world.
The Industrial Revolution in the 1700s enabled
European nations to ship traded goods faster and
more efficiently with the railroad.
Click on the link:
http://www.flowofhistory.com/units/eme/17/FC11
2
Read the summary about the
railroad and write 2 positive effects
of the railroad on your sheet.
Today, many major trading routes cross the
continent and rivers and canals serve as major
transportation routes.
Industry and Infrastructure
 Europe was the birthplace of the Industrial
Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries.
 The most populous countries (U.K., France,
and Germany) are the major industrial
powers.
 A well-educated workforce uses the
continent’s mineral resources efficiently in
modern factories.
 The modern factories are linked together by wellorganized transportation (infrastructure)
Read about one of these forms of transportation by
clicking on the link, then answer the questions on
your sheet:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/wonder/structur
e/channel.html
Click on link below to learn more about the building of the Chunnel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgwG4VWSkKA
Role of Government in Economy
 There is a large difference in the economies
and industrial development of Eastern and
Western European countries that dates back
to communist times.
 Many eastern European countries were
poorly managed under the Soviet communist
government in the 20th century, leading to
problems with infrastructure, industry, and
pollution in these areas.
In recent decades, Europe has taken important steps
toward unity
Click on the link; Read the information on the website;
Answer the questions on the sheet.
http://europa.eu/abc/panorama/index_en.htm
What is the European Union?
What are its results?
Pollution
Several areas in Europe are
threatened by air and water pollution.
 Forests:
Black Forest in Germany is threatened
with acid rain.
Click on this Prezi to get a better
understanding of the
Acid Rain issue in the Black Forest
https://prezi.com/d2dt9779sjbx/acid-rain-in-germany/
Cities
Venice, Italy
Rivers
Rhine, Danube, Seine
Use map on next page to help
you label these rivers on your
map on the Economic notes!
You are now done with your
Europe Economic Characteristics!
You may now spend time improving your mental map of
Europe:
Go to the following website
www.sheppardsoftware.com/Geography.htm
Click on Europe Geography Games
Here you can practice labeling countries, capitals and
rivers!