EUROPEAN CULTURE

LANGUAGE / RELIGION

LANGUAGEMany Europeans are bilingual or multilingual

The native language in Europe is the Indo-European language. This includes the Germanic, Romance, and Slavic languages

Germanic: German and English. English is spoken in more parts of the world that any other language.

LANGUAGERomance: French and Italian. Based on Latin.

Germanic and Romance languages use the same alphabet

Slavic: Russian

Slavic Languages are based on ancient Greek letters.

LITERACY RATEAbility to Read and Write.

Standard of living is often determined by education and income.

European Countries have high literacy rates close to 100%

Example: France and Germany. Place great emphasis on education and have many universities.

Kindergarten started in Germany.

Literacy rate does not always help with standard of living.

Russia has a high emphasis on education but their economy has struggled since the break up of the

Soviet Union.

High Unemployment rate

LITERACY RATE

RELIGIONSThree major religions: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are examples of monotheism: belief in one supreme god.

JUDAISMReligion and culture of the Jewish people.

First religion to worship only one God.

Founded by Abraham around 2000 BC

Holy book is the Torah, contains oral and written laws of the Jews.

Followers today are known as Jews.

JUDAISMWorship in Synagogues and Temples

Believe that a messiah will take them to the promised land.

Descendants of Abraham and believe that they own the land of Canaan.

Framework for Christianity and Islam.

JUDAISM

Most European Jews now live in France, United Kingdom, Russia, and other countries formerly part of the Soviet Union.

Over the centuries, the Jewish people were conquered and forced to leave their homeland many times.

Diaspora: Scattering of the Jews

CHRISTIANITYReligion based on the teaching of Jesus Christ: love of God and neighbor, regard for justice, belief that Jesus is the son of God

Religious Text is the Bible: old and new testament

Dominant religion in Western and Eastern Europe

Worship in churches and chapels

CHRISTIANITYTwo major divisions: Catholic and Protestant

Most Christians in Europe are Catholic and concentratedin the southern region in countries like France, Spain, andItaly.

Protestants are located in northern countries like Germanyand the United Kingdom.

Eastern European practice Eastern Orthodoxy Christianity

ISLAMReligious faith of Muslims

Founded by prophet Muhammad to spread word of Allah

Muslims are migrating to Western Europe: France, Germany, United Kingdom

Fastest growing religion in Europe

Koran is their holy book

ISLAMFive pillars of faith:

PrayerGive to charityFastingTrip to MeccaBelief in Allah