Understanding
Northern Europe
What countries are considered part
of Northern Europe?
• United Kingdom
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–
–
–
•
•
•
•
•
•
(England)
(Scotland)
(Wales)
(Northern Ireland)
Ireland
Denmark
Norway
Sweden
Finland
Iceland
Nordic Countries
Nordic Countries
• A group of seafaring warriors from
Sweden, Norway and Denmark terrorized
Europe beginning around 795.
• Denmark, Sweden and Norway each
became a kingdom in the 900’s but no
Nordic country ever became a major
empire.
Iceland’s nickname
• Land of Fire and Ice
– Volcanoes and ice
found in Iceland
Nordic Government
• Most Nordic countries have a
constitutional monarchy government
• Denmark, Norway, and Sweden have
constitutional monarchy
• Iceland has constitutional republic
• Finland has a republic
Nordic Countries
• What do Nordic countries have in common
with Switzerland?
– Winter sports
– Neutrality
Land of the Midnight Sun
• During the summer, the sun shines for 24
hours a day in the Northern Regions
Fjords
• From Glaciers
• Found in Nordic countries
• A narrow inlet of the sea
British Isles
Northern
Ireland
Scotland
England
Ireland
Wales
Great Britain
• Great Britain built an empire that strongly
affected the rest of the world.
• They first set out to control their neighbors
– Wales, Ireland and Scotland.
• In 1801, the nation became known as the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland.
Great
Britain
United
England (Britain) Kingdom
England
British
Isles
England
England
England
Scotland
Scotland
Scotland
Wales
Wales
Wales
Northern
Ireland
Northern
Ireland
Ireland
• Britain drew on its geographic advantages
to grow in strength.
• Being an island helped protect Britain and
helped them to develop a strong navy.
• Drawing on its economic and naval
strength, Great Britain built a global
empire.
• A popular saying declared, “The sun never
sets on the British Empire.”
• As a result, the English language and
British culture spread worldwide.
Queen
Elizabeth II
Queen since 1952
In line for the throne…
1st – Prince Charles
2nd – Prince William
Buckingham Palace has been the home to the
royal family of England since 1837. It also
serves as the administrative headquarters for
the monarchy. The people that work here ensure
that the queen’s day to day activities run
smoothly. Also in attendance at Buckingham
Palace are the many tourists, and guests that
are invited for ceremonies, etc. During the
summer, the Changing of the Guard ceremony
occurs every day at 11:30am. The palace is over
300 years old.
Buckingham Palace
Palace of Westminster
Big Ben
London
The Tower Bridge
London street
London’s Famous Double-decker
Busses
Stonehenge
4000-4500 years old
How can you
connect the
United
Kingdom to
mainland
Europe?
A CHUNNEL
Costs
One Billion
Pounds
Seven Years
15,000
Workers
Opened
in 1994
The Eurostar travels 100 mph in the Chunnel
The
Eurotunnel
Shuttle is a
rail fairy
service
The two most popular sports in the
British Isles…
Rugby
Soccer
Soccer (a.k.a. Football) is the source of
much entertainment and athleticism in
Europe. The popularity of soccer in
Europe can easily be compared to football
in the United States. Some games can
draw up to 93 million viewers…topping
even the most prestigious football game in
the States, the Super Bowl. Soccer
players are viewed as celebrities in
Europe.
United Kingdom Notes
• Great Britain established a global
empire based partly on their naval
strength
• “The sun never sets on the British
Empire”
• Government: Constitutional Monarchy
–Queen is symbolic leader
–Prime Minister and Parliament (like
Congress) have real power
UK Notes, Continued
• London (capital) is located on the
River Thames
• English Channel Tunnel (Chunnel)
connects England to France