7
Overview
Europe is a region that has dominated the world landscape through its colonial powers and powerful trade routes and partners. Europe has a rich history of religious, political, and economic change. The emergence of the influence of the European Union has become an area of conflict for many of the region’s powerful countries such as Russia and the United Kingdom. Movement throughout the region has been made easier through investments in high speed rail, reduction of economic restrictions, as well as the broadening of immigration policies, allowing the reduction of border restrictions.
The traditional boundaries of the European continent include the North Atlantic Ocean to the west, and Russia up to the Ural Mountains to the east. The Arctic Ocean creates a natural boundary to the north. The southern boundary of Europe is the Mediterranean Sea. A portion of Turkey is in Europe, but Turkey is considered a part of Asia Minor and is usually included in the study of the Middle East region. The waterway in Turkey between the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea is the Bosporus, or the Istanbul Strait, which creates a natural border between Asia and Europe. Europe is also close to North Africa, and Morocco’s coast can be seen across the Strait of Gibraltar from Spain. Russia is the largest country in physical area—almost twice the size of the United States. The country extends from its European core, where most of the population live, across the Ural Mountains into Siberia and the Russian Far East, where residents have more economic and social connections with China than with Europe. The main part of Russia is so big that it requires eight time zones.
Map of Europe
Suggested Research Links for Europe
In this section you will find website links to additional resources to help enhance your research. Your research for your assignments are not limited to the resources that we provide. Please expand your research above and beyond this list.
CIA World Factbook
- https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/
- The World Factbook is a reference resource produced by the Central Intelligence Agency with almanac-style information about the countries of the world.
Rick Steves Travel Videos
- https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/tv-show/european-travel-skills-part-1
- https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/tv-show/european-travel-skills-part-2
- https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/tv-show/european-travel-skills-part-3
- Rick Steves offers travel videos on what to see when traveling through Europe. This website offers information on various European countries and destinations.
Lonely Planet – Europe
- https://www.lonelyplanet.com/europe
- Lonely planet is the largest travel travel guide book publisher in the world.
Nomadic Matt – Europe
- http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-guides/
- Nomadic Matt is a travel blog and website that was created by the author of the New York Times best-selling book, How to Travel the World on $50 a Day. It expresses how to travel on a budget.
Rough Guides – Europe
- http://www.roughguides.com/destinations/europe/
- Rough guides is a “tell it like it is” travel guide with contemporary writing and up-to-date information.
Travel and Leisure Online
- http://www.travelandleisure.com/
- This travel site offers world news, travel tips, guides and information on the top destinations of the world. This resource also includes articles, videos, guides to lodging and restaurants.
Weather and Climate
- https://weather.com/
- Resource to local weather from around the world.
BBC Online
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/
- This resource offers a brief description of the major religions of the world.
Wandering Earl – Travel Blog
- http://wanderingearl.com/
- A personal travel blog that describes his adventures from traveling the world.
Eating Around the World
- http://globaltableadventure.com/
- Over 650+ food recipes from around the world!
Vagabrothers
- https://www.youtube.com/user/vagabrothers
- Two brothers travel around the world on a budget and create video blogs to explore the world and its people.
Travel Channel
- http://www.travelchannel.com/interests/travel-tips
- On this resource, you will find tricks and tips on how to be a safe traveler. Topics include packing, lodging and transportation.