Europe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcftwdM02_o
http://www.webburgr.com/fun-facts/
Geographically, Europe’s borders are defined by
– the Atlantic Ocean to the west
– Turkey and Russia to the east
– the Mediterranean Sea to the south
– the Arctic to the north
Europe is the #1 tourist destination in the world
Europe
• Europe is a very diverse continent with many
languages and cultures that flow between the
borders of its many nations
 Approx. 230 languages spoken in modern Europe
• Europe’s history is characterized by
– Invasions from various groups, both internal and
external
– Conflicts, between nations and within nations
– Shifting power structures and alliances
Fast Facts
• 3 Biggest Countries: Russia, Ukraine, France
• Smallest Country: Vatican City – 0.44 sq km
• Most Populated: Russia, Germany, France
• Least Populated: Vatican City – 800 people
• # of Countries: Approximately 50 (some are
not universally recognized as countries, like
Kosovo)
How Small is Vatican City?
The Vatican City = 0.44 km²
Monaco = 1.96 km²
Biggest Cities
1. Istanbul, Turkey – 14 million (but some don’t
consider it as being in Europe)
2. Moscow, Russia – 12 million
3. London, UK – 7.5 million
4. St. Petersburg, Russia – 5 million
5. Berlin, Germany – 3.5 million
6. Madrid, Spain – 3.2 million
Unification
• After WW2 many western European nations joined
together to help each other rebuild
(telecommunications, transportation, energy
systems), which ended up with the creation of the
European Union (EU)
• 28 countries
belong to
the
European
Union
Unification
• The EU facilitates other unifying forces
– Common currency (the Euro)
– European citizenship
– European Laws/Regulations
• 17 countries are in the ‘Eurozone’, meaning
they all have started using the Euro as their
currency
The Iron Curtain
• During the Cold
War, Europe
was split into
two parts
• The eastern
part allied with
Russia and was
Communist
• It fell in 1989
France
France Facts
• Capital = Paris:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FYKIhJZ
daI
• The most visited country in the world
• 3rd biggest and 3rd most populated in Europe
• Known for the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, famous
painters and writers
United Kingdom
United Kingdom Facts
• Capital: London
• England is just one part of the whole country,
along with Scotland, Wales, and Northern
Ireland
• Great Britain is the name of the island where
England, Scotland and Wales are
• United Kingdom is the whole country
• Known For: the Royal family, castles
• Capital of UK (and England): London
• Capital of Scotland: Edinburgh
• Capital of Wales: Cardiff
• Capital of Northern Ireland: Belfast
Ireland
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSIWK6zaMzg
Ireland Facts
• Capital: Dublin
• It was split into 2, and the Northern part
stayed a part of the United Kingdom
• Known for: beer, St. Patrick’s Day, leprechauns
• Called the ‘Emerald Isle’ because it is so green
Germany
Germany Facts
• Capital: Berlin
• Was split into 2 parts after WW2
• The East side was Communist and the West
Side was Democratic
• The two sides were reunited in 1990
• 4th largest economy in the world
• Known for: beer, forests, fairy tales, sausages
http://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/berlinwall/videos/deconstructing-history-berlin-wall
Spain
Spain Facts
• Capital: Madrid
• One of the top 3 visited countries in the world
• Known for: beautiful weather, amazing food,
bullfighting, beaches
Portugal
Portugal Facts
• Capital: Lisbon
• Known for: its beautiful beaches, its food and
wine, its seafood
• They eat more shellfish and fish per person
than any other country
Italy
Italy Facts
• Capital: Rome
• Its population is actually slowly shrinking
• The original Mafia came from Italy’s island of
Sicily
• Known For: canals of Venice, Leaning Tower of
Pisa, museums, paintings and sculptures, wine
and food
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zS5IAX
hkhnY
Greece
Greece Facts
• Capital: Athens
• Currently undergoing financial trouble
• It is fighting with Turkey over the island of
Cyprus
• Known for: mythology, beautiful ruins and
temples
Switzerland
Switzerland Facts
• Capital: Bern
• There is no Swiss language, but most people
speak Swiss German
• They have 4 official languages
• Known for: chocolate, mountains and ski
resorts, millionaires and secret bank accounts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_Bu5
PEOO7s
Austria
Austria Facts
• Capital: Vienna
• Is one of the richest countries with one of the
highest standards of living in the world
• Known for: classical music and Mozart, skiing
in the Alps, Arnold Schwarzenegger
The Netherlands
The Netherlands Facts
• Capital: Amsterdam
• People call it Holland but Holland is just a
small part of the whole country
• Known for: legal pot, windmills, tulip fields
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqEh0i
FWlgs
Scandinavia: Sweden, Finland, Norway
Scandinavia Facts
•
•
•
•
Sweden’s capital: Stockholm
Norway’s capital: Oslo
Finland’s capital: Helsinki
These countries have the highest standard of
living in the world and the best education
• Known for: beautiful fjords, cold weather
Denmark
Denmark Facts
• Capital: Copenhagen
• Danes are often called the ‘happiest people on
Earth’
• Denmark owns the huge island of Greenland
• Known for: its royal family, its high standard of
living, Vikings
Iceland
Iceland Facts
• Capital: Reykjavik [ˈreiːcaˌviːk]
• Known for: geysers, volcanoes, hot springs,
weird local cuisine such as fermented shark
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxdQ1or3dw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwJYW
EEL6wc
To be continued...
STILL TO COME: EASTERN EUROPE