WG.7 c - Economic Characteristics of Europe

The student will analyze the characteristics of the European region by 

c) explaining important economic characteristics;  

Europe’s abundance of natural resources has helped to develop and shape lifestyles and the economy.

Economic characteristics 

• Mountain regions: Tourism, recreation, mineral resources 
• Areas threatened by air and water pollution because of industry 
• Forests (Black Forest) 
• Cities (Venice) 
• Rivers (Rhine, Danube, Seine) 
•  Development of industrial and transportation centers near mineral deposits (e.g., coal and iron ore) 
• Ruhr valley 
• Po valley 
• Rivers and canals serving as major transportation links 
  
• Oil reserves in the North Sea 
  
• Well-educated work force: Industrial and technological societies 
• Advanced farming techniques, high crop yields, fertile soils, black earth (chernozem) 
• Well-developed infrastructure (e.g., the Chunnel) 
• Differences in Western and Eastern European industrial development due to differing economic systems in prior years 
• Replacement of communism with capitalism in Eastern Europe 
• European Union; trade interdependence 
• Large role of government in some economies (Sweden, Denmark)
  
• Reclaimed land: Polders in The Netherlands 
• Demographics typical of developed economies 
• High per capita GDP 
• High life expectancy 
• Low population growth rate 
• Low infant mortality rate 
• Small percentage of population under age 15 
• High literacy rate