WSE - Western and Southern Europe Module Overview

Western and Southern Europe

Image of Nice, France. Panoramic view of the old city and the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, on the French Riviera (Alpes-Maritime, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France), from the fortress (looking westwards).

Introduction

The western and southern portions of the European continent are bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the west and the Mediterranean Sea to the South. Surrounded by waters, the continent could not help but produce seafaring explorers who would eventually lead colonization efforts that spread European cultures to distant parts of the world. 

 

Essential Questions

  • How do climate and the availability of freshwater impact human settlement patterns?
  • How has religion influenced the development of countries and laws?  
  • How have resources and religion influenced modern conflicts?

 

Key Terms

  • British Isles – the British Isles are a group of islands off the north-western coast of continental Europe that consist of the islands of Great Britain, Ireland and over six thousand smaller isles. 
  • Biodiversity – diversity in the number of species in an ecosystem and the number of members of each species.
  • Catholicism – the faith, practice, and church order of the Roman Catholic Church. Adherence to the forms of Christian doctrine and practice which are generally regarded as Catholic rather than Protestant or Eastern Orthodox.
  • Christianity – the religion of Christians. A monotheistic religion founded on the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth.
  • Demographic Transition Model (DTM) - American demographer Warren Thompson developed this model to explain population growth.
  • Devolution - the term devolution refers to the process whereby regions or people within a state demand independence and autonomy at the central government's expense.
  • Dike – is a barrier used to regulate or hold back water from a river, lake, or ocean. 
  • Eastern Orthodox – the faith, practice, and church order of the Greek Orthodox Church. Adherence to the forms of Christian doctrine and practice which are generally regarded as Eastern or Greek Orthodox rather than Protestant or Catholic.
  • Human Development Index (HDI) - measures the quality of life for a specific country. The HDI is used as an indicator of a country's economic and technological development.
  • Gulf Stream – a warm ocean current of the northern Atlantic Ocean that originates in the Gulf of Mexico, flows northward along the southeastern coast of the United States, and crosses the Atlantic Ocean moving warm waters north and east toward the coasts of lands, such as Scotland, in northern latitudes.
  • Highlands – short rugged mountains.
  • Infrastructure – the physical buildings, roads, and utilities of a country.
  • Islam – the religion of Muslims. A monotheistic religion was revealed by the prophet Muhammad.
  • Judaism – the religion of Jews. A monotheistic religion of which Abraham was the patriarch.
  • Lowlands – an area of land that is lower than the land around it.
  • Mineral – naturally occurring inorganic elements such as salt, gold, and silver.
  • Muslim – a follower of the religion of Islam.
  • Ocean Current – a continuous, directed movement of seawater.
  • Peninsula - is a piece of land that extends from a larger body of land and is bordered by water.  
  • Polders – a stretch of land reclaimed from the sea or a lake.
  • Strait – a narrow passage of water connecting two larger bodies of water.

 

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