101919-Chapter 5 - Geography and Tourism in Europe

THC101: GLOBAL CULTURE AND TOURISM GEOGRAPHY
CHAPTER 5: Geography and Tourism in Europe

TMP101: GLOBAL CULTURE AND TOURISM GEOGRAPHY
EUROPE
Map Location: Latitude: 54.5260° N, Longitude: 15.2551° E.
Population: 748,699,832 as of 2022
Time zone: Currently there are three standard time zones in the EU:
Western European Time GMT+0 (Ireland, Portugal),
Central European Time GMT+1 (17 Member States) and
Eastern European Time GMT+2 (Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland,
Greece, Latvia, Lithuania and Romania).
Daylight Saving
Time: The Daylight Saving Time (DST) period in Europe runs from 01:00 UTC
(Coordinated Universal Time) on the last Sunday of March to 01:00 UTC
on the last Sunday of October every year.
It includes all countries in the European Economic Area (EEA), except
Iceland. Switzerland follows the same schedule although the country is
not part of the EEA.
EUROPEAN COUNTRIES AND THEIR CAPITAL

COUNTRY CAPITAL COUNTRY CAPITAL
Albania Tirana Estonia Tallinn
Andorra Andorra la Vella Finland Helsinki
Austria Vienna France Paris
Belarus Minsk Germany Berlin
Belgium Brussels Greece Athens
Bosnia and Herzegovina Sarajevo Hungary Budapest
Bulgaria Sofia Iceland Reykjavik
Croatia Zagreb Ireland Dublin
Czechia Prague Italy Rome
Denmark Copenhagen Latvia Riga
COUNTRY CAPITAL COUNTRY CAPITAL

Liechtenstein Vaduz Poland Warsaw
Lithuania Vilnius Portugal Lisbon
Luxembourg Luxembourg Romania Bucharest
Malta Valletta Russia Moscow
Moldova Chisinau San Marino San Marino
Monaco Monaco Serbia Belgrade
Montenegro Podgorica Slovakia Bratislava
Netherlands Amsterdam Haag Slovenia Ljubljana
North Macedonia Skopje Spain Madrid
Norway Oslo Sweden Stockholm
COUNTRY CAPITAL
Switzerland Bern
Ukraine Kiev
United Kingdom London
Europe is the second-smallest continent of the

world. The term 'Europe' comes from Greek words
meaning broad (eurys) and face (ops) and there
was a princess name 'Europa' in the Greek
mythology. Europe is a peninsula. Europe located
between the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic
Ocean to the west, and the Mediterranean, Black,
and Caspian seas to the south. Tourism is a major
sector of the European countries economy.
EUROPE GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES
Geographical Features
Europe is separated from Asia by a series of water bodies - the Ural
River, the Caspian and Black Seas. Europe covers from Iceland in the
west to the Ural Mountains of Russia in the east. The northern point of
Europe is the Svalbard island of Norway and it ranges to the south of
Greece and Malta. Europe is peninsula of peninsulas. The geography of
Europe divided into four major physical regions - Western Uplands,
North European Plain, Central Uplands, and Alpine Mountains.
The Western Uplands covers the

western border of Europe and describe
the physical scenery of Scandinavia. The
Western Uplands is earliest rock that
formed by glacier. Glaciers made a
number of different physical features
such as marshlands, lakes, and estuary.
Countries:
Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, and Denmark),
Finland, Iceland, Scotland, Ireland, the
Brittany region of France, Spain, and
Portugal.
The North European Plain covers

from the southern UK to Russia. It
contains portions of France, Belgium, the
Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Poland,
the Baltic States and Belarus. Maximum
portion of Great European Plain lies
under 152 meters in elevation. It is home
to many rivers such as the Rhine, Weser,
Elbe, Oder, and Vistula. These physical
structures permitted for early
communication, travel, and agricultural
development. It is the most densely
settled region of Europe. Countries:
It includes parts of France, Belgium, the
Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Poland, the
Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania),
and Belarus.
The Central Uplands cover east west

across central Europe. It includes
western France, Belgium, Germany,
Czech Republic, northern Switzerland
and Austria. The Central Uplands are low
land. The area is forestry. This area is
sparsely settled except the Rhine, Elbe,
and Danube river valleys.
Countries:
The Central Uplands extend east-west across Central
Europe and include western France and Belgium,
southern Germany, the Czech Republic, and parts of
northern Switzerland and Austria.
The Alpine Mountains covers the

Italian and Balkan capes, northern
Spain, and southern France. The region
contains Alps, Pyrenees, Apennines,
Dinaric Alps, Balkans, and Carpathians
mountains.
Countries:
The Alps skirt, straddle, or wholly encompass 7
European countries: France, Italy, Switzerland,
Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, and Slovenia.
EUROPEAN CULTURE
European Culture
In Europe, there are some 160 culturally distinct groups, including a range of groups that
have affinities with both Asia and Europe in the Caucasus region. One of these large
groups exhibits two critical characteristics. First, each is differentiated by its members'
degree of self-recognition, although the basis for such a collective identification differs
from group to group. Second, within a distinctive territorial homeland, each community,
except the Jews and the Roma (Gypsies), appears to be concentrated and numerically
dominant.
For the majority of groups, ownership of a distinctive language or dialect is the

foundation of collective identification. For instance, the Catalans and the Galicians of
Spain have languages that vary significantly from the Castilian languages of the majority
of Spaniards.
EUROPEAN CULTURE
On the other hand, due to differences in faith, some populations might share a common
language but set each other apart. For example, in the Balkan region, Eastern Orthodox
Serbs, Muslim Bosnians (Bosniaks), and Roman Catholic Croats all speak a language
referred to by linguists as Serbo-Croatian, but each group typically prefers to designate
their language as Serbian, Bosnian, or Croatian. Some groups may share a common
language, but because of differing historical paths, they remain distinct from each other.
Thus, both the Walloons of southern Belgium and the Jurassiens of the Jura in
Switzerland speak French, but they see themselves as very distinct from the French since
their communities have formed almost entirely outside France's borders.
Some communities may have similar languages and shared religions even when
coexisting within the same state, but because of different past connections, they remain
distinctive from each other. The historical ties between the Slovaks with the Hungarian
Kingdom and the Czechs with the Austrian Empire played a role in holding the two
groups apart during Czechoslovakia's 74 years as a single state; the country was split
into two independent states, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, in 1993.
EUROPEAN CULTURE
Ethnographers have related the primary European cultural groups to some 21 cultural
areas. The groupings are mainly based on language similarities and territorial proximity
similarities. While people are normally conscious of their cultural links within a primary
group, the different groups within an ethnographically defined culture region do not
generally share any self recognition of their affinities with each other. This is particularly
true in the sphere of Balkan culture. By comparison, people in the areas of Scandinavian
and German (German-language) culture are far more mindful of belonging to larger
regional civilizations.
TOURIST DESTINATION IN EUROPE
Leaning Tower of Pisa – Italy

For its incredible four degree tilt, the
world-famous leaning tower is
recognized across the globe, which
makes it look as if the tower is about
to tip over. Behind Pisa Cathedral sits
the impressive slanted belltower and
it was designed in the Romanesque
style.
Canals of Bruges – Belgium

The roads linking the city have long
been the arteries of the old city, the
canals of Bruges. The inner canals of
Bruges mark the old city walls and
ramparts and make for a beautiful
place to explore on foot or on one of
the many tourist vessels. Cruise past
the numerous old brick bridges
overhead, sail along small streams,
and spot the picturesque riverside
homes.
Cliffs of Moher – Ireland

Located in Ireland's County Clare, the
Cliffs of Moher are an awe-inspiring
sight. The coastal cliffs are made of
214 meters of steep stone and stretch
from Hag's Head to Doosouth for 14
km. The Aran Islands can be seen
from the sparkling waters from the
top of the cliffs. A great ramble
through the natural scenery, where
you can see the castle-like cliffs, is
the coastal walking routes along the
cliffs.
Pompeii – Italy
With catastrophic impact, Mount
Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. Many
small towns and settlements in the
area, including Pompeii, were total
devastated by the eruption.
Ironically, being buried under layers
of ash that to from the volcano has
resulted in an amazingly well-
preserved snapshot of disaster-
frozen Roman city,
Meteora – Greece
In Greek, Meteora is a jutting rock
formation in Thessaly, Greece,
meaning "elevated"- a wild landscape
made up of hill-like boulders
dominating the skyline. However,
part of what makes the beautiful
landscape so incredible are the
monasteries that cling to the rocks
precariously.
Sagrada Familia - Spain

This famously opulent church in
Barcelona, officially the Basilica de la
Sagrada Familia, is the brainchild of
the renowned Catalan architect
Antoni Gaudi. The Sagrada is still
unfinished with construction
beginning on the church back in
1882, 137 years later. The building is
anticipated to be finished in 2026.
Tallinn Old City - Estonia

In the Old City, which still maintains
its 13th-century town plan, the riches
of Tallin's history can be seen.
Authentically medieval, the
cobblestone streets are lined by
grand merchant houses and
churches. Town Hall Square, home to
the Gothic Town Hall, is one of the
main sites in the cultural and
historical center of the Estonian
capital. Elsewhere, you'll find the
oldest church in Estonia, the
cathedral of Saint Mary the Virgin in
the 13th century, set on Toompea
Hill.
Tower Bridge – United Kingdom

Often mistakenly thought to be London
Bridge, Tower Bridge is a late Victorian
masterpiece showcasing the height of
London's standing on the world stage.
Opened in 1894, the bridge crosses the
Thames close to the Tower of London,
another London landmark.
Neuschwanstein Castle –
Germany
The quintessential fairytale castle is one
of the architectural ventures of "Mad"
King Ludwig II of Bavaria,
Neuschwanstein Castle. In fact, it was the
soaring spires and Romanesque revival
style of the castle that inspired the
Sleeping Beauty Castle of Walt Disney.
The construction of the castle began in
1869, but, unfortunately, Ludwig never
resided in his castle; he died in 1886, the
same year that the castle was completed.
Set among forested mountains and
mirror-like lakes in South Bavaria, the
castle's picturesque setting is as
impressive as the building itself.
Mont Saint-Michel – France

Around a kilometer off the
northwestern shores of Normandy,
France, this famous fortified island is
situated. It might feel as if you were
transported back to another time to
walk around Mont-St-Michel: the
monastery here dates back to the 8th
century and is still used today.
Intriguing areas to explore are the old
walls and chapels.
Lake Bled – Slovenia

A gleaming emerald lake
surrounded by spectacular
verdant hills is located in
northwest Slovenia, near to the
town of Bled. Catch one of the old
wooden boats on the tiny Bled
Island in the middle of the lake,
called Pletna. The island is home
to the Church of the Assumption of
Mary, a building from the 17th
century with some gothic frescoes
from the 15th century still intact.
Dubrovnik Old Town –

Croatia
The Old Town of Dubrovnik, one of
the most beautiful old towns in
Europe, is a red-roofed wonder
that calls for discovery. The
ancient city walls jut into the
Adriatic Sea, and a wealth of
restaurants, pubs, boutiques, and
museums are concealed in its
cobblestone streets.
Canals of Amsterdam –
Netherlands
Amsterdam is well known for its
canals. More than 100 kilometers
of canals are currently winding
around the capital of the
Netherlands, creating around 90
islands and needing 1,500 bridges
to get around. The rivers
contribute to the 'Venice of the
North' being called Amsterdam.
Eiffel Tower – France

Named after Gustave Eiffel, a sight
that must be seen while visiting
the French capital is the
unmistakable emblem of Paris.
The tower, designed between
1887 and 1889, was originally
constructed as the impressive
gateway to the World's Fair in
1889. The tower stands at a height
of 324 meters and was the tallest
man-made structure in the world
before the Empire State Building
took the title in 1930.
Prague Old Town –

Czech Republic
The medieval Old Town of the
capital of the Czech Republic is
bristling with historical sights,
making it such a popular
destination. The Old Town Square
is at its center, where you can find
the Old Town Hall, which has the
Orloj or Astronomical Clock,
which dates back to 1410, making
it the world's oldest clock still in
operation.
St. Peter’s Basilica – Italy

St Peter's Basilica, located in Vatican City, is
the world's largest church and one of the most
prominent examples of Italian Renaissance
architecture. Construction started in 1506 on
this monument, with none other than
Michelangelo being one of the architects. This
is where the Pope addresses the tens of
thousands of worshippers who crowd the
adjacent Square of St Peter himself. The
present basilica was replaced by the old St
Peter's Basilica, which was founded about 360
AD in the same location. It is assumed that the
church itself is being constructed over the
tomb of St Peter.
Canals of Venice – Italy

Venice is the original canal city; Venice is
compared to any other canal city in the
world. More than 150 waterways and 400
bridges, including the famous Bridge of
Sighs, are located in the mysterious
waterlogged area. The two-milelong
Grand Canal, which flows past St Mark's
Square and is lined with some of the
historic architecture of Venice, from
Medieval to Baroque, is the largest canal
in Venice.
Palace of Versailles – France

Versailles is a monument like no
other; Versailles undoubtedly ranks
first when it comes to palaces. From
1682 until the 1789 French
Revolution, this grandiose house was
the main residence for French
royalty. Some rooms inside the
castle, such as the Hall of Mirrors
with its opulent gilded decoration,
are as popular as the palace itself.
Conical trees punctuate the
geometric Garden of Versailles and
are woven like canals and fountains.
Fjords of Norway – Norway

Seeing the magnificent fjords is one
of the top reasons many people fly to
Norway. The towering U-shaped
valleys and their cut cliffs, shaped by
glaciers over an incomprehensibly
long 2.5 million years or so, produce
a breathtaking landscape that is
almost too large to take in.
Alhambra – Spain
The Alhambra is a combined palace
and fortress located in Granada,
Spain, built on the remains of Roman
fortifications in 889 AD. Most of the
Iberian peninsula has been
controlled by the Islamic Moors for
almost 1,000 years, with Andalusia
(the region where the Alhambra is
located) being their longest-held
territory.
Hagia Sophia – Turkey

Hagia Sophia has been the
largest cathedral in the world
for almost 1,000 years and it is
still a beautiful building to look
at. Originally founded as an
Eastern Orthodox Cathedral
when Istanbul was called
Constantinople, Hagia Sophia
became an Ottoman mosque in
1453 and is now a museum to
be enjoyed by all faiths.
Acropolis – Greece
In Athens, the Acropolis is literally a
beautiful sight. The location of a number of
ancient sites dating back to the 5th century
BC is this monumental hill. The Temple of
Athena Nike, the Erechtheion, and, naturally,
the Parthenon are some of the attractions
that crown the Acropolis. Established in 447
BC at the height of the Athenian Empire, the
Parthenon is a landmark of Greece and is
impressed by its countless columns.
Dedicated to Athena, it became a Christian
church in the 6th century AD and, after the
Ottoman invasion, a mosque in the 1460s.
The Acropolis is lit up after nightfall with a
light that can be seen throughout Athens.
Colosseum – Italy
The Colosseum at its peak is the
perfect emblem of the Roman
Empire's strength. It was
planned to accommodate 50,000
spectators dating back to 72 AD
and was, at the time, the largest
amphitheater ever constructed.
Here, from animal hunts and
executions to gory gladiator
fights, all sorts of public displays
were shown; it was also packed
with water for mock sea battles.
EUROPEAN PRODUCTS
European Products
Germany: Mass/Maß
Germans have long been known for
their love of beer - they drink it by
the liter in heavy glass mugs known
as a mass. Italy: Leather goods - Italy
is filled with outdoor markets full of
suppliers offering a range of leather
goods ranging from bags to belts to
notebooks. The most popular market
in the country is the Florentine San
Lorenzo Market.
EUROPEAN PRODUCTS
Croatia: Licitar heart

Licitar hearts, popular throughout
Croatia, are simple cakes made of
flour, water, yeast, and sugar molded
with tin molds and then baked and
painted in bright colors. Since the
Middle Ages, hearts have been
around. The smaller versions is a
perfect ornament for the Christmas
tree.
EUROPEAN PRODUCTS
Netherlands: Delftware
Delftware is blue and white pottery
named after Delft, the city where it is
made. The pottery dates back to the
1600s, and the 33 factories making the
unique pieces were based in Delft at its
height.
Austria: Mozartkugeln
Mozartkugeln are chocolate-coated
truffles filled with marzipan and nougat
flavored with pistachio, and they're one
of the most beloved confections in
Austria. They were first created by Paul
Fürst in 1890 in Salzburg, who decided to
name his creation after Wolfgang
Amadeus Mozart, the famous Austrian
composer.
EUROPEAN PRODUCTS
Romania: Wooden spoon

Romanian wooden spoons, once used
for more practical purposes, are now
mainly decorative objects. The hand-
carved utensils come in a number of
diverse styles, from animals to
individuals to religious symbols. Many
motifs also have special significance: a
rooster, for instance, is intended to
symbolize hope.
EUROPEAN PRODUCTS
Spain: Handheld fan

A lot woman in Spain is using bright,
portable fans. Even if you do not wish to use
the fan for its actual intent, thanks to the
intricate hand-painted designs you'll find on
most of them, it can serve as a great
decorative item.
Turkey: Turkish coffee

Turkish coffee is served black and is
considered to be both stronger and sweeter
than the average coffee one can find in the
United States. One of the most historic
brands in the country is Kurukahveci
Mehmet Efendi. Coffee is traditionally
served in Turkey in a copper cup.
EUROPEAN PRODUCTS
Poland: Amber
Known as the gold of the Baltic, amber is
everywhere in the port city of Gdansk,
Poland. One can find plenty of shops selling
unique jewelry made from the stuff, which is
simply water-hardened and weathered tree
resin.
Sweden: Dala horse

Dating back to the beginning of the 19th
century, dala horses are named after the
area they came from: Dalarna, in central
Sweden. The brightly-painted horses are
now regarded as the unofficial emblem of
the region, and although they are popular as
souvenirs, many locals also have one in their
homes. The most common one is the red
horse.
EUROPEAN PRODUCTS
Portugal: Port wine

The scenic Duoro Valley of Portugal is
the only producer of port wine in the
world, a fortified wine which is sweet
and sometimes enjoyed after a meal.
Greece: Evil eye beads

The evil eye (mati) is a symbol that can be
found in bright blue charms and jewelry
around the country, believed by the Greeks
to help ward off misfortune. For decades, it's
been a fixture in Greek culture.
EUROPEAN PRODUCTS
France: Camembert cheese

The creamy cow's milk cheese comes from
the northern Normandy region and is the
perfect ending to any meal.
Ukraine: Lizhnyk
(hand-woven wool blanket)
Lizhnyk are wool blankets that are mainly
handmade in Yavoriv, a village on the
western border of Ukraine with Poland. The
wool used to make the blankets comes from
sheep raised in the Carpathian mountains,
and the blankets are made in the
oldfashioned manner: on a handmade
wooden loom. They're super warm and
gentle.
EUROPEAN PRODUCTS
Czech Republic: Bohemian crystal

Bohemian crystal is glass that is made in Silesia
and Bohemia. The two regions now become part
of the Czech Republic. The glass is known for
being hand-blown, cut, and etched, often
featuring exquisite details. It is also better
quality than most other lenses, and more
durable.
EUROPEAN PRODUCTS
Switzerland: Lindt chocolate

The Swiss consume a whopping 23 pounds
per year of Swiss chocolate, a remarkable
number given the size of the country. Many
of the greats of the chocolate industry have
been produced by Switzerland, including
Rudolf Lindt, a Swiss-born chocolatier who
invented the conche in 1879, a machine
that changed the way the dessert was
produced forever. This process is still used
by Lindt to make the rich chocolate they
manufacture today,
EUROPEAN PRODUCTS
Norway: Knit wool sweater

Norway is regarded as a maker of high-
quality knit sweaters. Dale of Norway is an
especially popular brand that has been
handcrafting the intricately made wool
sweaters since the late 1800s at their
headquarters in Dale. Since the 1950s,
they've even been outfitting the Norwegian
national ski teams.
EUROPEAN PRODUCTS
Hungary: Embroidered tablecloths

There are several distinct embroidery
styles that are common in Hungary.
Flowers are possibly the most common
style, and on the various tablecloths and
runners sold in shops and stalls
throughout the nation make for a beautiful
decoration.
EUROPEAN PRODUCTS
England: Cadbury Chocolate

There is Cadbury chocolate in the US, but
the ingredients and flavor are not the
same. The Cadbury chocolate that is sold
here is made by Hershey's, and it may have
more sugar than the British variety, and is
not nearly as smooth or rich. Go for the
popular cream eggs of the company or just
get a chocolate bar; there are a multitude
of exclusive flavors which one can find in
England that do not exist in the United
States.
EUROPEAN PRODUCTS
Ireland: Whiskey stones

Whiskey stones are best known for their
ability to hold a glass of whiskey at just the
right temperature without diluting it. A
trip to Connemara on the west coast of
Ireland and one can find stones made of a
rare marble that only occurs in that part of
the world.
CHALLENGES FACED IN TOURISM IN EUROPE

The main challenges facing in tourism of European countries are as
follows:
• Security and Safety: Security and protection have been identified as
one of the main components of sustainable tourism in the tourism
sector. In tourism, security concerns often represent the personal
safety of tourists and their products. It includes facilities for the
creation of an unfamiliar environment, the comprehension of the
native sign system, social norms and, finally, the protection of
shopping and consumer services. Every year, European countries
receive high numbers of foreign visitors. Security and protection
are, thus, the key challenges facing the tourism sector in Europe.
• Economic Competitiveness: GDP growth of 5 percent is generated by

the European tourism sector. The economic competitiveness of the
European tourism industry has been demonstrated by some
factors. There is no way to describe a specific concept of
effectiveness in the tourism industry. However, the value of tourism
activities relates to economic competitiveness. This is also an
important challenge facing countries involve in tourism sector in
Europe.
• Technological Aspects: The world is seeing up-to-date IT

innovations triggered by knowledge globalization and
technological advances. Today, the tourism sector uses the most
efficient set of instruments for its marketing and promotional
activities. ICTs make it possible to convey the attributes of a
destination and its goods and services to a vast number of
potential travelers.
• Markets and Competition: Increased demand for personalized

experiences, new products and rising competition from other
destinations in the EU. The Statement, 'Europe the world's No. 1
destination,' was adopted by the European Commission as a new
political agenda for tourism in Europe. A new strategy and action
plan for European tourism has been set out in this declaration.

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THC101: GLOBAL CULTURE AND TOURISM GEOGRAPHY

CHAPTER 5: Geography and Tourism in Europe

EUROPEAN COUNTRIES AND THEIR CAPITAL

COUNTRY CAPITAL COUNTRY CAPITAL

Europe is the second-smallest continent of the

The Western Uplands covers the

The North European Plain covers

The Central Uplands cover east west

The Alpine Mountains covers the

For the majority of groups, ownership of a distinctive language or dialect is the

Leaning Tower of Pisa – Italy

Canals of Bruges – Belgium

Cliffs of Moher – Ireland

Sagrada Familia - Spain

Tallinn Old City - Estonia

Tower Bridge – United Kingdom

Mont Saint-Michel – France

Lake Bled – Slovenia

Dubrovnik Old Town –

Eiffel Tower – France

Prague Old Town –

St. Peter’s Basilica – Italy

Canals of Venice – Italy

Palace of Versailles – France

Fjords of Norway – Norway

Hagia Sophia – Turkey

Croatia: Licitar heart

Romania: Wooden spoon

Spain: Handheld fan

Turkey: Turkish coffee

Sweden: Dala horse

Portugal: Port wine

Greece: Evil eye beads

France: Camembert cheese

Czech Republic: Bohemian crystal

Switzerland: Lindt chocolate

Norway: Knit wool sweater

Hungary: Embroidered tablecloths

England: Cadbury Chocolate

Ireland: Whiskey stones

CHALLENGES FACED IN TOURISM IN EUROPE

• Economic Competitiveness: GDP growth of 5 percent is generated by

• Technological Aspects: The world is seeing up-to-date IT

• Markets and Competition: Increased demand for personalized

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