EUROPE Readings
Name ________________________
Sequence _______
Greenland
4 per answer
Greenland is the largest island in the world that is NOT also considered a continent. Greenland is about 81%
ice-capped, an impressive island terrain. The sea is either permanently frozen or chilled by the cold currents.
Greenland is a self-governing Denmark province located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans. Though
geographically and ethnically an Arctic island nation associated with the continent of North America, politically
and historically Greenland is closely tied to Europe, specifically Norway and Denmark. In 1978, Denmark
granted home rule to Greenland, making it an equal member of the Rigsfællesskab which is an unofficial
Danish term for the relationship between Denmark and its two self-governing areas (the Faroe Islands and
Greenland). Both the Faroe Islands and Greenland manage most of their own internal affairs, but most
foreign relations are undertaken by Denmark. Denmark is a member of the European Union while both
Greenland and the Faroe Islands have opted to remain outside of the EU.
Greenland is dependent on a single natural resource - fishing. Around 56,700 people live in Greenland. With
a rate of natural increase of under 10 per thousand, the population is modestly increasing. Most of the
population live around the ice-free coastal region. Some people are unaware of Greenland’s beautiful sights,
including the spectacular Northern Lights. The profusion of snow creates the perfect conditions for activities
such as dog sledging and tour cruises, which weave in and out of Greenland's dazzling array of fjords,
mountains, islands and icebergs. The wildlife includes creatures such as whales, seals and birds.
Europe’s Microstates
Europe contains 37 countries where states range in size from large (France, Spain, Germany) to microstates
or tiny countries (Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Malta, and Vatican City). Most of these
microstates are fully independent, with their own sovereign governments and unique histories. Liechtenstein
(LIKT-uhn-shtyn) is located in the Alps between Austria and Switzerland. Andorra lies in the Pyrenees between
Spain and France.
Monaco is located on the Mediterranean Sea, tucked into the Maritime Alps and has a population of around
35,000. Its constitutional monarchy is led by Prince Albert II. Monaco is famous for the Formula 1 Grand Prix
car race, one of Europe's premier social highlights of the year.
On a mountain slope in west-central Italy may be Europe’s oldest country, San Marino. These people trace
their country’s history back to the A. D. 300’s. At that time a small group of Christians came to the area and
found a safe place to live and practice their religion. Since then, mountains and allies(wise choices) have
isolated and protected the country. Today San Marino is surrounded by Italy - just 24 square miles in area.
Malta is Europe's only island microstate. Many tourists visit the country, which has historic stone temples and
beautiful scenery.
Vatican City in Rome is the world’s smallest country at just 109 acres. Vatican City is all that is left of the old
Papal States. The pope heads Vatican’s City’s government as well as the Roman Catholic Church. Church
officials elect the pope and then he rules with absolute authority for the rest of his life.
These countries have survived for a variety of reasons, such as physical isolation and international treaties.
They have different kinds of governments. Tourism and trade are important to the economies of the
microstates. Low taxes too have attracted foreign citizens and businesses.
Questions:
1. Greenland is a province of what COUNTRY? ______________________
2. True
False
Greenland is a member of the European Union (EU).
3. What is the main resource for Greenland that its economy depends on? ______________
4. Greenland is the largest island that is not a ________________________ .
5. What is the name of the smallest country in the world? _____________________________
6. What are Microstates? _______________________________________
7. What is Europe’s only island microstate? _______________________
8. Two things have isolated and protected San Marino - _________________ ________________________
9. What country(from reading), could you watch a famous car race? ____________________ .
United Kingdom / London
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (shortened to the United Kingdom, the UK, or Britain) is
a country and sovereign state that is situated in west Northern Europe. The mainland is linked to France by
the Channel Tunnel and Northern Ireland shares a land border with the Republic of Ireland. The UK is a
political union made up of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Ireland is the third largest island in Europe. It lies in between the Atlantic Ocean and the Irish Sea. Politically it
is divided into a sovereign state, the Republic of Ireland, that covers about five-sixths of the island and
Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom, covering the northeastern sixth of the island.
History of Eurostar or Chunnel - The idea of a road tunnel between England and France was first
suggested by Napoleon in 1802. It was not until nearly two centuries later that the dream became reality when
digging began on the Channel Tunnel or "Chunnel" as it was known in its construction period. The $15 billion
link, one of Europe's biggest infrastructure projects to date, was officially opened by President Mitterand of
France and Queen Elizabeth II of England, in 1994. The tunnel consists of 3 interconnected tubes: 1 rail track
each way plus 1 service tunnel. Its length is 31 miles, of which 23 miles are underwater. Its average depth is
150 feet under the seabed.
Did You Know? The American Society of Civil Engineers has declared the tunnel to be one of the Seven
Wonders of the Modern World. Also, London was the first city to have an underground rail system or
underground mass transit system. This subway system is called the Tube.
Questions:
10. What person had the idea of a road tunnel connecting France and England? _________________
11. What 4 areas make up the U K? __________________
______________________
__________________
_____________________
12. What is the third largest island in Europe? ____________________
13. How much did the Chunnel cost? _____________________
14. Who is Elizabeth ll ? ____________________________________
(title and name)
15. Where was the world’s first underground rail system built? _______________________
Changes in Europe
On July 1, 2006, the United Nations, the U.S. State Department, as well as other many additional countries
around the world recognized both Montenegro and Serbia as separate nations. Serbia's capital is Belgrade,
and Montenegro's is now Podgorica. Kosovo, a region of Serbia, is administrated by NATO and the United
Nations.
In 1999, the world watched in horror as Serbs began a massive expulsion of ethnic Albanians living in
Kosovo. That action provoked an international response that included the bombing of Serbia, and the
positioning of NATO peacekeepers in Kosovo. Within months, Serbia's former leader (Slobodan Milosevic)
was arrested; awaiting trial in The Hague, Netherlands for crimes against humanity, but he died.
Kosovo is one of the poorest economies in Europe, with per capita income of an estimated $1,118 per year in
2006. Located in the heart of the Balkans, Kosovo is landlocked. The capital of Kosovo is Pristina. More than
90 percent of the population of Kosovo is ethnic Albanian, with the remainder being mostly Serb and
Montenegrin. During the 1990s, poor economic policies, international sanctions, weak access to external trade
and finance, and ethnic conflict severely damaged the economy. Kosovo’s unemployment is above 50%.
In 2008, the Kosovo Assembly declared Kosovo independent. Since then, over sixty countries have
recognized Kosovo, and it has joined the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. The territory
immediately won recognition from the U.S. and major European Union countries. But Serbia, with the help of
its big-power ally Russia, has vowed to block Kosovo from getting a United Nations seat. Serbia continues to
reject Kosovo's independence and it subsequently sought an advisory opinion from the International Court of
Justice (ICJ) on the legality under international law of Kosovo's independence declaration. In 2010 the ICJ
ruled that Kosovo's declaration of independence did not violate international law.
In 2013, 108 countries had recognized Kosovo’s independence, including 23 of 28 EU member states, all of
its neighbors except Serbia.
Questions:
16. Which of these is not an official world country?
Serbia
Kosovo
Montenegro
17. Who was arrested for war crimes against the Albanians? _________________________________
18. Which of these country-capital matches is NOT correct? ____
1. Kosovo
2. Serbia
3. Montenegro
19. What is the current total number of countries that recognize Kosovo? ____________
20. How many land units surround Montenegro? ___________
Pristina
Belgrade
Sarajevo
The Commonwealth is an association of 54 independent member countries which were
formerly parts of the British Empire. These countries are found in all continents and their
population is over 1.7 billion people. Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Kenya, Jamaica and
India are some of its members. Queen Elizabeth II is Head of the Commonwealth.
Roots of the Commonwealth are in the British Empire, which was the largest empire in the
history of the world, including roughly 1/4 of the entire earth's surface and population. As
the old timers could truthfully say, "The sun never sets on the British Empire". After WW I,
and increasingly after WW II however, more and more British colonies gained independence
and the various dominions and commonwealths began to desire a new form of equal
partnership with each other and the old "Mother Country" of Great Britain. The
Commonwealth of Nations is the largest international alliance in world history.
22. Why do you think the United States is NOT part of the Commonwealth since we were
once British Colonies?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________