EuropeCulture

Honors World Geography

CultureIrish/British

• Ireland & G. Britain share many cultural features

• Cultural Similarities of British/Irish Culture:– Social life is often centered around local eateries (1)

• Pubs

– Popular sports include soccer, rugby, cricket (2)

– English is the main language (3)• Some Irish speak Gaelic

Culture Irish/British continued

• Ireland/Britain differ --- How?– Both countries are democracies but, Ireland is a

republic w/ a President & G. Britain is a constitutional monarchy (1)• Constitutional monarchy: king/queen is a head of state,

but a parliament led by a prime minister serves as the lawmaking branch of gov’t

– Religious differences (2)• Majority of Ireland is Catholic• Majority of G. Britain/United Kingdom is Protestant

London, England• Largest city & capital of the United Kingdom

• A cultural & financial center of Europe

• Visitors can see historic buildings like:– Buckingham Palace– Big Ben

• Heathrow Airport is one of the world’s busiest travel centers– Ties London to cities around the world

French Culture

• France has a strong cultural identity unified by language & religion

• Majority religion is Roman Catholic

• French gov’t spends money to promote French culture & language

France vs the U.S.

• In the past, France/U.S. have long, friendly relationship

• Some French people worry that the American culture has too much influence– Believe traditional French culture has been ruined

by American fast food, media, slang

Paris, France

• Considered to be a primate city– Primate city: one that ranks 1st & dominates a

country in terms of population & economy– Reason Paris is a primate city:• Paris is the center of banking, business,

communications, education, gov’t & transportation

• Paris is the center of the fashion world

• Major tourism industry

Culture/Benelux Countries

• Benelux Countries include:– The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg

• Dutch & Flemish (dialect of Dutch) are the main languages

• Brussels, Belgium– Europe’s most cosmopolitan city• Cosmopolitan city: one that is characterized by many

foreign influences• Antwerp, Belgium --- major diamond industry• Belgium chocolate popular

Spanish Culture• Main religion: Roman Catholic• Main feature of many Spanish towns is a plaza

– Serve as social gathering places

• Most Spanish speak Castilian Spanish– Castilian Spanish is derived from a region around Madrid

• Moorish influences can be seen in Spain– Moors were a group of Islamic people from North Africa that

occupied Spain for about 800 years– Seen in architecture

Italian Culture

• Main religion: Roman Catholic• Birthplace of the Renaissance:– French word meaning “rebirth– Describes the renewed interest in learning that

spread throughout Europe from the 1300’s-1500’s• Time period was important b/c:

• it had the development of a specific style of architecture, painting, sculpture, music, literature, etc.