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From: Amanda Sharp
Date: 10/23/01
Time: 6:08:56 PM
Remote Name: 152.163.197.191
Western Europe is at the heart of the European Realm. The region is made up of Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria and the microstate of Liechtenstein. These countries have some of the richest economies in the world. Their total combined population is approximately 181 million.
Germany is one of the dominant countries in the region. Its area is 134,900 square miles with a population of 81.9 million. The population density is 607.4 per square mile with a physiologic density of 1840.6 per mile. Life expectancy in Germany, like the other Western European counties, is quite long with an average of 74 years for males and 80 for females. The urban population constitutes 86% of the total. The annual rate of natural increase is at -0.1% due to a death rate that is slightly higher than the birth rate. The per capita gross national product is $26,570. Post World War II West Germany developed Europe’s most successful economy. This was in large part due to the aid received under the Marshall Plan. Geography also aided in Germany’s economic development. Germany borders all the other Western European countries except Liechtenstein. It has a vast surface transportation system of railways, highways, navigable rivers and artificial waterways. Germany also enjoys the use of Rotterdam, one of the world’s largest ports. Germany is not a single core country.
After World War II, Germany adopted a federal political system. This was also used in what was East Germany after reunification. Germany is divided into 16 Länder or states, the largest of which is Bavaria. The most populous Länder is North Rhine-Westphalia. One of reunified Germany’s biggest problems is the economic disparity among its regions. Hesse is the leader in per capital GNP with the other Länder of Western Germany following. The six Länder lying in what was East Germany still lag well behind.
France is territorially much larger than Germany. Its area is 212,400 square miles with a population density of 59.9 per square mile and a physiologic density of 61.6 per square mile. The annual rate of natural increase is 0.4%. The life expectance for males is 75 and 82 for females. The per capita GNP is $24,210. One of the main differences in Germany and France is that France has one dominant city, Paris. Paris itself has a population of 9.6 million. Germany has no single city with a comparable population size. Paris seems to have grown despite having no major raw materials nearby. This can be explained by looking at the site and its situation. The site was originally on an island in the Seine River chosen for its ability to be defended. Eventually the island become overcrowded and the city expanded along the Seine. Soon its situation aided in its further growth. The surrounding agricultural hinterland flourished and Paris was a growing market. The Seine has several tributaries which were expanded further by canals linking Paris to the other regions. Its only disadvantage is its lack of access to a seaport. France’s manufacturing and industry has been less successful than its agriculture. There are a wide variety of soils and climates. This allows farms to produce a wide range of products including wines and cheeses that are sold around the world. Today high tech industry, especially transportation and telecommunication, are the most important to France’s economic geography.
Benelux is a collective name given to the countries of Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. They are also referred to as the Low Countries since most of the land is very flat and lies at or below sea level. The Benelux countries are some of the most densely populated on earth with about 26.6 million people in an area the size of Maine. Belgium has 11800 square miles with a population density of 866.1 and a physiologic density of 1680 per square mile. The annual rate of natural increase is 0.4% with an average life expectancy of 74 for males and 80 for females. The country’s population is 88% urban with a per capita GNP of $45,100.
The Netherlands has an area of 13100 square miles with a physiologic population density 4531.4 per square mile. The annual rate of natural increase is 0.4% with males living on average 75 years and females living an average of 81 years. The population is 81% urban and enjoys a per capita GNP of $24,780.
Tiny Luxembourg has an area of 1000 square miles and a population density of 403.2 per square mile and a physiologic density of 1680. The annual rate of natural increase is 0.4%. Males in Luxembourg live an average of 74 versus 80 for females. The population is 88% urban and the per capita income is $45,100.
Major differences exist between Belgium and the Netherlands. Their economies are complementary. Belgium has two industrial corridors, one where there are heavy industries and the other with lighter and more varied manufacturing. Their products include metals, chemicals, furniture, pianos, soaps and cutlery.
Netherlands, in contrast, has a large agricultural base. It exports dairy products, meats, vegetables, and other foods. Three cities form the core of the Netherlands. They are Rotterdam, Amsterdam and The Hague. These three cities form what is known to geographers as conurbanation which is the formation of a huge multimetropolitan complex by the coalescence of two or more major urban areas. This area is known as Randstad. It is a ring-shaped urban area that surrounds a rural center. Since in all three countries, space is at a premium, they have turned to managing international trade.
Switzerland, Austria and Liechtenstein form what are known as the Alpine States. Switzerland has an area of 15300 square miles and a physiologic density of 465.9. Austria’s area is largest at 31900 square miles. As in most of the other Western European counties, the Alpine States have high per capita GNP, long life expectancies, and a low annual rate of natural increase. Switzerland and Austria share a similar geography, but they do not share many other features. Austria is a member of the European Union. It is monolingual and has a large primate city. Austria has a large range or raw materials and is nearly twice as large in size and population than Switzerland. However Switzerland leads the Alpine States in per capita GNP. The Swiss have been able to use their landlocked location to their advantage over the years. They have avoided the problems experienced by other landlocked areas. Switzerland has acted as an intermediary in international trade. They have built hydroelectric power plants to attract industry and tourists. Its stability and neutrality have made it a world banking center. Switzerland has become synonymous with quality. It is the only Western European country that has not joined the EU. Austria joined in the EU in 1995.