Secondary sector
THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION



Industry was born in Europe two centuries
ago and had massive effects on politics,
culture and society.
The Industrial Revolution started at the
end of the 18th century in the UK, where the
Scottish instrument maker James Watt
invented
the
steam
engine
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoNvW
JyBp0Q)
In the 19th century, industrialisation spread
throughout Western Europe and the US.
THE SITUATION TODAY

Central-western Europe is still the most
industrialised area of our continent.

The principal manufacturing zone extends
from
Britain
through
north-eastern
France, Belgium, Germany, to Silesia.

Other important industrial areas are found
in Switzerland and Northern Italy.
INDUSTRY IN WESTERN EUROPE
1) The UK
 It was the first country in the world to
become highly industrialised

It lost its leadership in the 20th century.

However, the industrial structure of the
UK is considered important, thanks to new
high-tech industries.
INDUSTRY IN WESTERN EUROPE
2) The Rhine—Ruhr Valley
 Iron
and steel manufacturing
is
concentrated here:
- this area is near to large coalfields
- the Rhine provides easy transportation.
 The Rhine is Europe's most important
river, this has made Rotterdam one of
the world’s largest ports.
INDUSTRY IN WESTERN EUROPE
3) Northern Italy
 Modern industrial progress here started
in the 19th century because of a large
workforce and cheap hydroelectricity.
 Factories developed especially in the so
called “industrial triangle”.
INDUSTRY IN EASTERN EUROPE





Silesia
around Moscow and
St. Petersburg
along the Volga
in the Donets Basin
(in
Ukraine
and
Russia)
around the Urals
INDUSTRY IN EASTERN EUROPE
1)
Silesia
Now
is
located
mostly in Poland
 It’s rich in coal
and minerals
 “Slesia” in italian

INDUSTRY IN EASTERN EUROPE
2) The Volga
region
 It’s not so far from
the Urals’ resources
 It’s
connected to
Russia’s
major
inland
waterway,
which also provides
hydroelectric power.
INDUSTRY IN EASTERN EUROPE
3) The Donbass
(Donets Basin)
 It has large coal and
mineral reserves
 It was one of the first
industrialised areas in
Eastern Europe
 High levels of pollution
in the Donets river
INDUSTRY IN EASTERN EUROPE
3) The Urals
 They’re rich in iron and other minerals
 There are also oil fields nearby
MAIN INDUSTRY SECTORS

The most important industry sectors in
Europe are:
-
automotive
aerospace
chemical and pharmaceutical
biotechnology
electrical and mechanical engineering
food industry.
-
MAIN INDUSTRY SECTORS
The European Union is the world’s largest
producer of motor vehicles; automotive
factories are widespread above all in
Germany, France and Italy.
 France and the UK are the leaders in the
aerospace industry, which is the
second most important in the world (after
NASA).
 Germany, France and the UK are also
leaders in the chemical sector.

PROBLEMS IN WESTERN EUROPE
Manufacturing has become less important
and jobs are being moved to regions
with cheaper labour costs (mainly
China, India and Eastern Europe).
 Another
problem
is
the
energy
dependency of the European Union,
because most countries can’t cover their
energy
needs
with
their
internal
resources.

Automotive factories are closing in Western Europe
and opening in the East