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.
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Main Idea 1:
The physical features of West-Central Europe
include plains, uplands, mountains, rivers, and
seas.
Plains
Uplands
• 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.
• 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.
Holt McDougal,
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.
Holt McDougal,
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.
Holt McDougal,
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.
Holt McDougal,
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.
Holt McDougal,
Main Idea 1:
During its history France has been a kingdom,
empire, colonial power, and republic.
Kingdom
Empire
• France was once part of
Gaul, which was conquered
by the Roman Empire.
• From the 1500s to the 1700s
most French people were
poor.
• After the fall of Rome the
Franks built a kingdom in
Gaul. Their greatest ruler
was Charlemagne.
• In 1789 the French people
overthrew their king in the
French Revolution.
• 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.
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• 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
Republic
• Even before the French
Revolution, France was
building a colonial empire.
• Today France is a republic.
• 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.
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• 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.
•
Most people speak French and are Catholic.
Language
and Religion • Many immigrants have brought their own
languages and religions to France.
Customs
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.
•
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.
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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.
Holt McDougal,
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.
Holt McDougal,
The Benelux Countries
Belgium
• 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
Netherlands
• Low and flat with
some land below
sea level
• The country is
sometimes called
Holland. The
people and their
language are
called Dutch.
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
• Rotterdam is a
busy seaport.
• Most people are
Roman Catholic
and speak French
or German.
• Amsterdam and
the Hague are
political centers.
• Earns much of its
income from
banking
• Known for cheese
and tulips
• Produces steel
and chemicals
Holt McDougal,
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.
Holt McDougal,
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.
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Division and Unification
War and Division
• 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.
A Reunited Germany
• 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.
Holt McDougal,
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.
Holt McDougal,
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
The Arts and Sciences
• Religious festivals are very
popular.
• Music—Germany has
produced famous
composers like Johann
Sebastian Bach and Ludwig
van Beethoven.
• 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.
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• 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.
Government • Federal republic headed by a chancellor, or
prime minister, and parliament
• Belongs to EU and NATO
Economy • 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.
Cities • Most people live in cities.
• Largest city is Berlin, the capital.
• Other key cities are Hamburg and Munich.
Holt McDougal,
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.
Holt McDougal,
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
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