Culture of Western Culture of Western EuropeEurope

An overviewAn overview

Population GrowthPopulation Growth

Europe has Europe has maintained a zero maintained a zero population growth population growth for several years.for several years.

Reasons: People wait Reasons: People wait longer for marriage longer for marriage and kids; Many and kids; Many couples do not have couples do not have kids; emigration to kids; emigration to better climates and better climates and more opportunities.more opportunities.

MulticulturalMulticultural

Because Europe is Because Europe is small and has many small and has many nations with different nations with different cultures… it is very cultures… it is very multicultural.multicultural.

Many nations speak Many nations speak multiple languages.multiple languages.

Why? Proximity and Why? Proximity and good transportation.good transportation.

TransportationTransportation

Europe’s public Europe’s public transportation transportation system is effective system is effective and affordable.and affordable.

This is one of the This is one of the main causes of main causes of cultural diffusion and cultural diffusion and convergence in the convergence in the region.region.

Trains, buses, roads Trains, buses, roads etc.etc.

EconomyEconomy

Mixed- Socialism Mixed- Socialism dominates most nations.dominates most nations.

Government operates Government operates utilities, healthcare etc.utilities, healthcare etc.

Everything else Everything else controlled by the private controlled by the private industry.industry.

This promotes economic This promotes economic equality and equality and competition.competition.

European UnionEuropean Union

Began in 1952Began in 1952 27 European nations 27 European nations

are members.are members. Economic Economic

organization designed organization designed to align and improve to align and improve European economy.European economy.

Developed the Euro Developed the Euro as currency.as currency.

NATONATO

North Atlantic North Atlantic Treaty Treaty OrganizationOrganization

Designed as a Designed as a defense/military defense/military alliance.alliance.

United States, United States, Canada, and most Canada, and most of Europe are of Europe are members.members.

SecularSecular

Secular is the Secular is the separation of religion separation of religion and all else in life. and all else in life. Their religion stays Their religion stays private for the most private for the most part and not in the part and not in the workplace.workplace.

Why? Reformation, Why? Reformation, centuries of church centuries of church control.control.

Culture DifferentiationCulture Differentiation

What are some of What are some of the main reasons the main reasons for northern and for northern and southern Europe to southern Europe to have such different have such different cultures?cultures?

AnswersAnswers Climate- Southern Europe is mostly Climate- Southern Europe is mostly

highlands and Mediterranean while highlands and Mediterranean while Northern is all Marine West Coast and Northern is all Marine West Coast and Humid Continental.Humid Continental.

Natural Barriers- Mountain ranges like Natural Barriers- Mountain ranges like the Alps and Pyrenees impede cultural the Alps and Pyrenees impede cultural diffusion.diffusion.

History- Each nation in Europe has its History- Each nation in Europe has its own distinct history that provides a own distinct history that provides a foundation for the present-day culture.foundation for the present-day culture.