Main Idea 1:The physical features of Northern Europe

include low mountain ranges and jagged coastlines.

• Two regions make up Northern Europe.– British Isles-The United Kingdom and Ireland

– Scandinavia— Norway Sweden and Finland. Denmark and Iceland.

Physical Features

Hills and Mountains

• Rocky soil and uneven terrain make farming difficult.

• Fewer people live there.

Farmland and Plains

• Southern parts of British Isles and Scandinavia.

• Ireland’s hills provide rich farmland.

Effects of Glaciers

• Jagged coastlines cut by glaciers

• Fjords, narrow inlets of the sea set between high, rocky cliffs, formed as glaciers melted.

Main Idea 2:Northern Europe’s natural resources include

energy sources, soils, and seas.

• timber-producing forests in the Scandinavian peninsula.

• rich farmland.

• sheep and dairy cattle are common.

Energy

• Oil and natural gas in the North Sea

• Hydroelectric energy

• Geothermal energy, or energy from the heat of Earth’s interior

ForestsandSoils

• Fishing is key industry in Norway, Denmark, and Iceland.Seasand

Oceans

Main Idea 3: The climates of Northern Europe range from

a mild coastal climate to a freezing ice cap climate.

• North Atlantic Drift, an ocean current that brings warm, moist air across the Atlantic Ocean.

• Much of Northern Europe has wet and mild climate.

– Denmark, the British Isles

• Far north are colder climates.

– Northern Scandinavia has a subarctic climate.

– tundra and ice cap climates.

Main Idea 1:British Isles Today.

• Two independent countries make up the British Isles.

– Republic of Ireland

– United Kingdom, which is a union of four small countries

• England

• Scotland

• Wales

• Northern Ireland

Main Idea 2:British culture, such as government and music, has influenced much of the world.

• United Kingdom

– Constitutional monarchy—a democracy in which a king or queen serves as a leader but a legislature makes laws

- Prime minister leads British government.

- Britain’s Parliament Makes its laws.

• Republic of Ireland

– President as head of state

– Prime minister, appointed by the president, runs the government with the Irish parliament.

Main Idea 2: Scandinavia today is known for its peaceful

and prosperous countries.

• Today, the countries of Scandinavia have much in common– Similar political views, languages, and religion

– strong economies, and well-educated workers

– Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Norway, are peaceful, stable, and prosperous nations.

Scandinavia TodaySweden

• Largest and most populous Scandinavian country

• More than 80 percent live in urban areas

• Stockholm, capital and largest city, is built on 14 islands and part of the mainland.

• Sweden has been a neutral country for more than 200 years, meaning that it has chosen not to take sides in international conflicts.

Denmark• Smallest

Scandinavian country and most densely populated

• About 50 percent of land is used for farming.

• Farm goods are important exports.

• Modern industries, such as iron and electronics, are important as well.

Scandinavia Today, continuedNorway

• One of the longest coastlines in the world

• Fjords shelter Norway’s many harbors.

• Oslo, capital city, is the country’s leading seaport and industrial center.

• Highest per capita GDP in Scandinavia

• North Sea provides valuable oil and natural gas resources.

• Refused to join the European Union

Finland• Easternmost

Scandinavian country, between Sweden and Russia

• Helsinki is the capital and the largest city.

• Trade is important.

• Paper and forest products are important exports.

• Shipbuilding and electronics are important industries.

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