Chapter 12 Homework

Chapter 12, Section 1

1. Over the past 100 years, how has immigration influenced the populations of countries in Northern Europe?

Answer:

Immigrants from other countries have made the populations more diverse.  People within the country usually immigrated to the cities of the country, making the cities have a higher population and the country have a lower population.

2. How has physical geography helped shape the population patterns of northern Europe?

Answer:

The UK, Ireland, and Denmark have mild climates and fertile soil that supported a big population at any place in the countries.  Scandinavia had harsh terrain and a brutal climate, resulting in infertile soil.  this made Scandinavians move and settle along the coasts.

Creative Writing: Although they do not all provide the same benefits to their citizens, all the Countries in northern Europe are welfare states. Education, health-care, unemployment benefits, disability payments, retirement benefits, child care, parental leave, and housing subsidies may be guaranteed by the government. Write a paragraph comparing some of the advantages and disadvantages of living in a country that is a

welfare state.

Answer:

Some benefits of living in a country with welfare are knowing that even if you cannot pay or are poor, your child can still go to school, you can still recieve healthcare, someone will pay for your disability and retirement, and other things.  If you lose your house, then the government garuntees a house for you.  If a child loses his or her parents, the government garuntees that he or she will be taken care of.  If you are laid off of your job, the government will support you until you can find a new one.

Some disadvantages are having to pay extra money to supply the government with the money to have these welfare functions.  To support the welfare, the country may have to borrow from other coutnries, making the country go into debt.

Chapter 12, Section 2

1. What are three ways that religion has helped shaped the history and governments in western Europe?

Answer:

The Crusades (wars between European countries and the Middle East over Palestine) have resulted in new and extended trade routes in the eastern Mediterranean.
Religious wars and Enlightenment ideas have moved the governments away from monarchy and toward democracy and republics

2. How did World War II help shape the population patterns of western Europe?

Answer:

After World War II, Germany and other countries needed more workers because of the people that they lost.  Immigrants from all around the world came for work and settled in the countries.

Creative Writing: The people of western Europe have a high standard of living, and governments provide citizens with medical care, maternity and retirement benefits, and other services. The population in Western Europe is aging, with declining birthrates and death rates. Write a paragraph about some of the social problems Western Europe may face in the next twenty-five years.

Answer:

Because all of the adults are getting older and retiring and there are no more children to work, people will be forced to work longer to provide money for the retired, but still living, old people.  When those people are too old to work and retire, there will be no more people to work for the country, or maybe just less people, and the country's economy might start to decline because people cannot pay for themselves AND other people who are retired.x

Chapter 12, Section 3

1. What are some of the effects on the population patterns and cultures of southern European countries, now that immigration is outpacing emigration?

Answer:

The cultures are becoming richer, blending multiple ideas and customs together. The countries are becoming melting pots for all types of people.  The populations in those countries are becoming more concentrated in the city areas where work is available.

2. What are three of the cultural elements that are shared by most of the people in southern Europe?

Answer:

Three of the cultural elements that are shared by most people in Southern Europe are language (all originating from Latin), religions (most people are Roman Catholic), and soccer.

Creative Writing: Write a paragraph describing some of the ways that the culture of ancient Rome still influences southern Europe.

Answer:

Ancient Rome came up with Latin, which all other languages in Southern Europe are based off of.  Every root of every word can be traced back to a Latin word, which came from Romans.  The Romans also started the Roman Catholic Church, which is the church that most South Eurpopeans belong to.  Roman artchitecture carried on into other country's buildings so that the buildings would be stronger and look better.