Physical Geography of Northern Europe

Physical Geography of Northern Europe

• Northern Europe consists of the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Scandinavia, and Iceland
• The region's physical geography is characterized by plate tectonics, glaciers, fjords, volcanoes, and geysers
• The River Thames in England, lochs in Scotland, Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland, and fjords in Norway and Iceland are notable bodies of water
• Rivers and lakes in Sweden and Finland are also prominent geographical features

Climates of Northern Europe

• The North Atlantic Drift moderates the climate of Northern Europe
• The UK, Denmark, and coastal areas of Norway and Sweden have a marine-west-coast climate
• Southern parts of Sweden, Finland, and Norway have a humid continental climate
• Northern regions of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and southern Iceland have a subarctic or polar climate
• Tundra covers much of Iceland and Greenland

Resources of Northern Europe

• Hydroelectric energy is generated using running water
• Geothermal energy is harnessed from steam heated by magma intrusions

Human Geography of Northern Europe

Governments

• All nations in Northern Europe have some level of representation, with ceremonial monarchies
• Welfare states are prevalent, with some nations returning responsibilities to citizens

Economies

• The UK has a market economy, the largest in Northern Europe
• Ireland has a market economy
• Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland have mixed economies

Demographics

• The UK is home to British, Scottish, Welsh, and Irish populations, with minorities from Africa, the Caribbean, Asia, and Pakistan
• Ireland has an Irish population, with minorities from European countries, Asia, and Africa
• Scandinavia has Danish, Swedish, Finnish, Norwegian, and Icelandic populations, with minorities from European countries, Russia, Turkey, Iraq, and Syria

Religion

• Northern Europe has historically been primarily Protestant, with a trend towards non-Christian religions or secularism
• Ireland is an exception, with a strong Catholic presence
• Secularism is a belief system that rejects or excludes religion

Interactions of People and Places

• Challenges of living in Northern Europe include environmental degradation from mining, drilling, exhaust, logging, and energy combustion
• Solutions for the UK and Ireland include using electric and hybrid cars, converting coal-fired energy plants, and increasing windmill technology
• Scandinavia faces water pollution from acid rain and industrial chemicals, with solutions including continued use of hydroelectric and geothermal power, windmill technology, and sustainability planning

Cultural Significance

• Stonehenge is an architecturally sophisticated artifact from the Neolithic period
• Hadrian's Wall is located near the border between modern-day Scotland and England
• Irish dance is a significant part of Irish culture, particularly for Irish nationalist movements
• William Butler Yeats was a prominent Irish poet and playwright
• Soda bread is a traditional quick bread made in various cuisines
• The Northern Lights are best viewed in Norway from November to March
• Christmas Eve is an occasion for the famous Swedish smorgasbord