In the new conditions of the post-bipolar world, the United States, like other actors on the world stage claiming to be a great power, in the global strategic plan, is faced not so much with military-political as with economic, social, scientific and technical challenges. It is known that it is in these areas that they often lose the race in competition with the most dynamic subjects of the world community. An example is the new economic giants, which are not only catching up with the United States, but in a number of areas ahead of them. In the field of economics and scientific and technological progress, the EEC, Germany, Japan, and China are rapidly coming forward.

The American model of the market economy is, for example, less attractive for the countries of East Asia with an organic socio-cultural tradition than the Western European models (Swedish, German, French, etc.), for which solidaristic, paternalistic elements are stronger, the state plays an important role in determining social and economic strategies. The American idea is now being challenged by the resurgent European idea, the Japanese model, the model of newly industrialized countries, and other competing models that have a significant impact on the nature of the relationship between various regional centers of economic, sociocultural and political power.

As the former Secretary General of NATO, Lord Carrington, rightly pointed out, in the period between the Battle of Waterloo (1815) and the outbreak of the First World War, “Europe not only played a role in world politics, but also to a large extent personified this world politics.”

Indeed, world wars can serve as milestones in the evolution of Europe's role in international relations. First World War 1914-1918- the imperialist war between the two groups of capitalist powers - the Triple Alliance and the Entente - ended in the defeat of Germany and its allies. World War II 1939-1945- the war unleashed by fascist Germany, fascist Italy and militaristic Japan for the purpose of a new redistribution of the world also ended in the defeat of its instigators. At the same time, under militarism(from French militarisme) understand the system of political, economic and ideological means used by the ruling circles of a particular state to build up its military power.

As you know, before the Second World War, Europe was the main center of world politics. But it emerged from this war extremely weakened, and in the first one and a half to two post-war decades it was assigned the role of a kind of field of confrontation between the two superpowers. Commenting on this situation, the Polish historian O. Halecki, not without some exaggeration, wrote in 1950 that the history of Europe had ended and was now replaced by the history of the Atlantic community.

However, further developments showed that the old continent has a future. The most far-sighted representatives of the European peoples came out for a united Europe, united for the optimal realization of the goals and aspirations of all its nations and peoples. “The unity of Europe,” German Chancellor K. Adenauer said in 1954, “was the dream of a few. It has become a hope for many. Today it is a necessity for all of us. It is necessary for our security, for our freedom, for our existence as a nation and as a spiritual and creative community of peoples.” So the idea gradually gained strength European integration- the economic and political unification of most of the countries of Europe, which led to the creation of the European Union (EU).

We must also not forget that after the Second World War, for well-known reasons, the image of Europe, the European idea itself, somewhat faded. If at the end of the XIX century. it seemed that Europe dominated the whole world, but now, wrote the German philosopher K. Jaspers in 1949, “she retreated before America and Russia; the fate of Europe now depends on their policies - unless Europe manages to unite at the last minute and prove strong enough to remain neutral when the destructive storms of a new world war break out over our planet.

In this context, in the post-war decade, much was said about the fact that Europe has already lost self-consciousness, the will to preserve its identity, that Europe is sick and its disease is “neurotic” and, therefore, “moral” in nature. In the late 70s - early 80s. they started talking about “Eurosclerosis” and “Europessimism”. Commenting on these sentiments, the editor-in-chief of the journal Neue Gesellschaft, Glotz, wrote in 1985 that if Europe does not come together soon, “if the technical and political-economic changes of the 70s are not taken into account, then the concept of “Europe” will lose its spiritual content and Europe will be only a small piece of land on the western outskirts of Asia. In this situation, he said, by the fiftieth anniversary of Yalta, that is, the signing of the Yalta-Potsdam agreements, Europe will turn into a kind of museum for American, Russian, Japanese and, possibly, even Chinese tourists.

However, in the same year, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of France, R. Dumas, published an article with the characteristic title "Ending European Pessimism", which touched upon some of the political and economic problems of Western Europe. He believes that there are no grounds for a pessimistic view of its development, and substantiates the idea that the United States cannot be considered an absolute model, since the “European model of soft response” to emerging problems has its merits compared to “American rudeness and unpredictability”.

The validity of the position of R. Dumas was evidenced by the fact that already at that period there were visible signs of the revival of the optimistic faith of Europeans in their destiny and destiny, the strengthening of independence and the increasingly assertive identity of Europe. While maintaining its distinct mentality and spirit, Europe plays an important role in modern world. Despite the obvious differences between the regions, countries, peoples of Europe, they are united by something in common - this is, first of all, a common historical destinies, a system of values, cultural heritage etc. It is these phenomena, as rightly emphasized in the book "Metamorphoses of Europe", "allow us to interpret Europe as a cultural and historical community with a single cultural and genetic code, with a characteristic sense of self and self-knowledge of Europeans."

The paradox is that the activity of the EU, on the one hand, reduces the scope of the sovereignty of its member states, and on the other hand, makes this sovereignty stronger, since the formal legal restrictions imposed by it are compensated by political aspects, in particular, the establishment bonds of mutual responsibility.

During " cold war”, especially in the first decades after World War II, Western Europe valued the United States as a political and military counterweight to the Soviet Union, while not wanting to become an instrument of Washington’s global politics. She opposed the globalization of NATO's activities, mixing its interests as a regional alliance with the interests of the United States as a world superpower. In the last two or three decades, Europe, as its economic, scientific and technological potential has been building up, as well as the expansion and deepening of integration processes in the EEC, has gained more and more weight and independence. This was especially evident in the fact that over the course of the 1970s and 1980s, in relations with the United States, Europe more and more confidently moved from relations characteristic, as they say, of relations between “elder” and “little brothers”, to relations of equal partners. The Europeanization of European politics from time to time manifested itself in a certain opposition of the countries of Europe to the hard line of the Americans towards the Soviet Union, in the expansion of their own line of dialogue with it.

The leading figures of European politics gradually realized that, having restored its economic and military-political power in the 60-70s, Europe in the modern world would play the role of one of several centers of world politics. Moreover, in the multipolar world of existing giants (USA, Japan, China) and potential giants in the future, Europe can defend its interests, being united in the most important areas: economic, technological, security, etc.

Based on the understanding of this reality, the European countries have developed and systematically implemented a strategy for restoring European priorities and the status of Europe corresponding to its weight and influence in the world community. The trend towards the revival of Europe became especially evident with the unfolding of the processes of the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War. If quite recently, in the 70s, the thesis about the decline and decline of Europe, the American challenge, etc. was widely discussed in the intellectual circles of the West, then since the beginning of the 80s, they began to speak more and more confidently about the revival of Europe, a new European identity, new European dynamism, etc.

Many leading figures in European countries have become increasingly persistent in advocating further political integration and, consequently, giving supranational bodies state powers and functions. Thus, speaking at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on October 23, 1985, R. von Weizsacker complained about the lack of powers of the European Parliament. Strengthening its role, said von Weizsacker, is necessary because the European Community “should be not only an association of democratic states, but also a community of citizens, i.e. democratic community." And “democracy is legitimized through parliament”. Therefore, he argued, the European Community should have the same parliament that exists in individual member countries of the EEC.

And on the eve of the summit meeting of EU member states in Maastricht in December 1991, almost all political parties of the FRG welcomed initiatives in matters related to intentions to form a common foreign policy and political security for the future European Union. Moreover, they saw the ultimate goal of such a course in the creation of the United States of Europe.

The growing tilt towards the Europeanization of European politics is more and more clearly manifested in the build-up of the so-called “European dimension” of defense both within NATO and outside it. The Europeans are more and more frankly expressing their desire to get out of Washington's one-man command. They express their readiness to bear a great burden and responsibility in settling conflicts and, accordingly, to increase their role in the bloc and in the international arena. Considerations are being expressed regarding the expediency of dismantling the old structures of the Cold War era alliance in order to avoid Russian discontent in the event of its expansion to the east. This line was clearly manifested, in particular, at the forum of the member countries of the alliance in Berlin in June 1996.

An increasing role in this context is assigned to the Western European Union (WEU), which is a military-political alliance of Western European countries and is considered as the “European pillar of NATO”. In this capacity, he plays the role of a kind of link between NATO and the European Union. After the Maastricht agreements of 1992 on the formation of the European Union, the WEU became, as it were, an integral part of the EU, its defense structure. In December 1994, NATO officially endorsed the activities of the WEU in building a European security identity. Currently, work is underway to create a regional tactical missile defense (ABM) system designed to protect the European countries of the Alliance from a possible missile attack from third countries. With this development of events, NATO is assigned the role of not the only, but one of the two pillars of European security.

The formation and functioning of the institution of a joint foreign and security policy within the framework of the WEU contributes to reducing the possibilities for an individual state that is part of the EU/WEU to pursue a separate policy that is contrary to the security interests of all members of the union. Such a situation serves, among other things, as a factor of "taming" and a certain neutralization of the possible negative consequences of the growing power and influence of Germany. Europe understands that a united Germany has a knot of many European contradictions, an attempt to resolve which can lead to sharp conflicts.

In the same context, one should also consider the steps of the influential forces in the region towards the creation of a common Western European nuclear force independent of the United States. So, back in 1959, F. Mulley, who served as Secretary of State for Defense in the Labor government of Great Britain, proposed the creation of a joint European strategic nuclear force in order to overcome the obvious dangers of nuclear anarchy. The main goals of the proposed structure were, firstly, to enable all WEU member countries to participate in the development of nuclear policy and, secondly, to prevent the danger of nuclear proliferation and the associated waste of resources.

Such calls became especially frequent after the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union. Thus, the former chairman of the EU Commission, J. Delors, said in January 1991: “I cannot get rid of the idea that if one day the EU becomes a very strong political union, nuclear weapons can be transferred to this political power. It is clear that nuclear solidarity lies at the end of the path of European solidarity.”

These tendencies became more and more definite and convincing as 1993 approached, when the Treaty on European Union entered into force. It was a qualitatively new stage in terms of European integration. It is noteworthy that S. Huntington, one of the consistent adherents of the idea of ​​the American century, remarked that although all over the world people are jostling in lines at the doors of American consulates in the hope of obtaining an immigrant visa, in Brussels entire countries lined up outside the doors of the EU, seeking to join it.

“A federation of democratic, wealthy, socially diverse countries with a mixed economy,” he wrote, “can become a powerful force on the world stage. If the next century is not an American century, then it is most likely to be a European century. The key of world leadership that moved west across the Atlantic in the early twentieth century may move back east a century later.”

Thus, Europe retains its potential. From this point of view, the thoughts of those peoples and countries that after the collapse of the Eastern bloc and totalitarianism rushed “to Europe” were dictated not only by its geographical proximity, but no less by the fact that for many of them it becomes a “city on a hill.” ”, which the United States has single-handedly claimed for generations. To this it should be added that the end of the Cold War put an end to such an anomalous phenomenon as the division of Europe by the Iron Curtain into two hostile camps. In fact, the countries of Central and Eastern Europe have literally reunited with Western Europe. The very concepts of "Eastern Europe" and "Central Europe" again acquired their original political-geographical and geopolitical meanings.

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FOREIGN EUROPE

GEOGRAPHICAL SPECIFICITY

Europe from the Greek "zurope" - the country of the West, from the Assyrian "ereb" - darkness, "sunset", "west" (Asia from "asu" - "sunrise").

Peculiarities geographical location

1. The territory of foreign Europe (excluding the CIS countries) is 5.1 million km 2, and the total area is about 10 million km 2. The length from north to south (from the island of Svalbard to the island of Crete) is 5 thousand km, and from west to east - more than 3 thousand km.

2. Relief "mosaic" of its territory: 1:1 - lowlands and elevated territories. Among the mountains of Europe, most of the average height. The borders pass mainly along such natural boundaries that do not create obstacles for transport links.

3. High degree indented coastline.

4. Coastal position of most countries. The average distance from the sea is 300 km. In the western part of the region there is no place more than 480 km away from the sea, in the eastern part - 600 km.

5. The "depth" of the territory of most countries is small. So in Bulgaria and Hungary there is no place that would be removed from the borders of these countries by more than 115-120 km.

6. Neighborhood favorable for integration processes.

7. Favorable position in terms of contacts with the rest of the worlds, because located at the junction with Asia and Africa, far advanced into the ocean - "a large peninsula of Eurasia."

8. Diversity of natural resources, but non-complex distribution across countries, many deposits are largely depleted.

CONCLUSION: profitable EGP, good prerequisites for the development of the economy.

POLITICAL MAP OF EUROPE

Until the mid-1980s, there were 32 sovereign states, including microstates. Since the beginning of the 90s - about 40 states.

6 largest by territory: France, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Finland.

POLITICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE-TERRITORIAL STRUCTURE OF EUROPEAN COUNTRIES

Most are sovereign states, 34 are republics, 14 are monarchies.

Principalities: Monaco, Liechtenstein, Andorra.

Duchy: Luxembourg.

Kingdoms: UK, Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Spain, Sweden.

They are all constitutional monarchies.

Theocratic monarchy: papacy - Vatican.

Federations: Germany, Belgium, Austria, FRY, Spain.

Confederation: Switzerland.

The oldest republic is San Marino (since the 13th century), the Swiss confederation has existed since the end of the 13th century.

Major political and economic alliances

The vast majority of countries are members of the UN. Switzerland joined the UN in September 2002.

NATO members (14 countries): Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Belgium, Great Britain, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic. At the Prague Summit in November 2002, 7 new members were invited to the Alliance: Slovakia, Slovenia, Romania, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania. But they can become full members only in 2004.

EU members (15 countries): Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Great Britain, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Germany, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Austria. From January 2002 the number of countries in the EU will increase. From January 2004 the number of countries in the EU may increase due to Poland, Lithuania and other countries.

DIFFERENTIATION OF COUNTRIES BY THE LEVEL OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Most of the countries belong to the industrialized group. Four countries: Germany, Great Britain, France and Italy are part of the "big seven countries of the West." A special place on the economic map of the region is occupied by post-socialist countries or countries with economies in transition.

NATURAL RESOURCES

Natural resources of world importance

Coal:

Total reserves: 3rd in the world after Asia and America

Hard coal: 3rd place in the world after Asia and America

Explored reserves: 3rd place after Asia and America

Hard coal - 2nd place after Asia

Lignite - 3rd place after America and Asia

For hard coal: Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Great Britain

Brown coal: Germany, Eastern Europe

Mining and chemical raw materials (potassium salts): Germany, France

Recreational resources: Southern Europe, France, etc.

Natural resources of regional importance

Forest

3rd place in the world after South America and the CIS

Forest cover - 32% - shares 3rd place with Zarub. Asia, yielding to Latin America and the CIS.

Most forested: Finland (59%), Sweden (54%)

Fish

Northern Europe (Norway, Iceland)

mineral

Uranium ores: France, Sweden, Spain

Iron ores: France, Sweden

· Copper ores: Poland, Finland, ex. Yugoslavia

Oil: UK, Norway, Romania

Gas: Netherlands, UK, Norway

· Mercury ores: Spain, Italy

Bauxites: France, Greece, Hungary, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sulfur: Poland

Graphite: Czech Republic

Hydropower resources

Resources of total river flow per capita - 6 thousand m3 per year, less only in Asia

Hydropotential - in the penultimate place (lower only in Australia and Oceania). But the degree of development is high - 70% - 1st place in the world.

Agro-climatic resources

Mediterranean, Central and Eastern Europe

Land resources

World land fund: 134 million sq. km. Of these, foreign Europe accounts for 5.1 million square meters. km (the last place in the world). Per capita - 1 ha

The structure of the land fund of Europe in%: 29/18/32/5/16 (For reference: the structure of the land fund of the world in%: 11/23/30/2/34).

By the share of cultivated land - 1st place (29%)

The share of land under pasture (18%) is lower than the world average (23%), while the share of land under forest (32%) is higher (30%).

The largest proportion of land in the world is under settlements: 5%

Less than in other parts of the world, the share of unproductive land is 16%

The provision of arable land per capita is 0.28 ha, while the world average is 0.24-0.25 ha

POPULATION

Table 1. Demographic and socio-economic indicators of the world, foreign Europe and sub-regions of Europe

Indicators		Foreign Europe	Northern Europe	Western Europe	Southern Europe	Eastern Europe
Area, thousand km 2
Population in 1998, million people
Birth rate, ‰
Mortality, ‰
natural increase
Life expectancy, m/f
Age structure, under 16 / over 65
Share of urban population in 1995, %
GDP per capita in 1995, $

In Europe, there are 96 men for every 100 women.

Urbanization

Most of the countries of Foreign Europe are highly urbanized - Belgium (97%), the Netherlands and Great Britain (89% each), Denmark (85%). Only Portugal (36%), Albania (37%), Bosnia and Herzegovina (49%) belong to medium urbanized countries (the share of the urban population does not exceed 50%).

The largest agglomerations of Europe: London, Paris, Rhine-Ruhr.

Megalopolises: English, Rhine.

A characteristic process is suburbanization.

Migration

Centers for international immigration: France, Great Britain, Germany, Switzerland, in which over 10% of the total number of employees are foreign workers. Areas of emigration - countries of Southern Europe: Italy, Portugal, Spain, Serbia; Türkiye, North African countries.

National composition

Most European countries belong to the Indo-European family.

Types of state by national composition:

· single-national(i.e. the main nationality is over 90%). Most of them are in Europe (Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Austria, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Italy, Portugal),

· with a sharp predominance of one nation, but in the presence of more or less significant minorities (Great Britain, France, Spain, Finland, Romania);

· binational(Belgium);

· multinational countries, with a complex and ethnically heterogeneous composition (Russia, Switzerland, FRY, Latvia, etc.).

In many countries there are complex problems of interethnic relations: Great Britain, Spain (Basques), France (Corsica), Belgium, Cyprus, etc.

Religious composition of the population

The dominant religion is Christianity.

Southern Europe - Catholicism

Northern - Protestantism

Medium - Protestantism and Catholicism

Eastern - Orthodoxy and Catholicism

Albania, Croatia - Islam

ECONOMY: PLACE IN THE WORLD, DIFFERENCESBETWEEN COUNTRIES

Foreign Europe, as an integral region, ranks first in the world economy in terms of industrial and agricultural production, in the export of goods and services, in reserves of gold and currency, in development international tourism.

The economic power of the region is primarily determined by four countries that are members of the "big seven" Western countries - Germany, France, Great Britain and Italy. It is these countries that have the widest range of various industries and industries. But the balance of power between them has changed in recent decades. The role of the leader has passed to the FRG, whose economy is developing more dynamically on the path of reindustrialization. Great Britain, the former "workshop of the world", has lost many of its former positions.

Of the rest of the countries of foreign Europe, Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium and Sweden have the greatest economic weight. In contrast to the four main countries, their economy is primarily specialized in certain industries, which, as a rule, have won European or world recognition. Small and medium-sized countries are particularly widely involved in world economic relations. The highest levels of economic openness have been reached in Belgium and the Netherlands.

A special place on the economic map of the region is occupied by the countries of Eastern Europe, where since the late 80s. there is a transition from the former system of public ownership and central planning to a system based on market principles. These post-socialist countries, which for a long time in their socio-economic development focused primarily on the Soviet Union (and the Baltic countries were part of it), are now more "looking" not at the East, but at the West of Europe. Such a change in orientation has a great impact on the sectoral and territorial structure of their economy, on the direction of foreign economic relations.

Industry: major industries.

The region produces more machine tools, industrial robots, precision and optical instruments, automobiles, tractors, petroleum products, plastics, and chemical fibers than the United States.

mechanical engineering- the leading industry of foreign Europe, which is its homeland. This industry accounts for 1/3 of the total industrial output of the region and 2/3 of its exports.

Particularly great development has been Automotive industry. Such car brands as Renault (France), Volkswagen and Mercedes (Germany), FIAT (Italian Automobile Factory Torino), Volvo (Sweden), Tatra (Czech Republic), are world famous. buses "Ikarus" (Hungary). In the UK, Belgium, Spain, and other countries, factories of the Ford Motor company operate.

Mechanical engineering, which focuses primarily on labor resources, scientific base and infrastructure, most of all gravitates towards large cities and agglomerations, including metropolitan ones.

Chemical industry in foreign Europe takes the second place after mechanical engineering. In particular, this applies to the most "chemicalized" country not only in this region, but also in the whole world - Germany.

Until the Second World War, the chemical industry focused mainly on hard and lignite coal, potash and table salts, and pyrites, and was located in areas where they were mined. The reorientation of the industry to hydrocarbon raw materials has led to the fact that it has moved "to oil". In the western part of the region, this shift found expression primarily in the emergence of large centers of petrochemistry in the estuaries of the Thames, Seine, Rhine, Elbe, and Rhone, where this industry is combined with oil refining.

The region's largest hub of petrochemical production and refineries was formed in the estuary of the Rhine and Scheldt in the Netherlands, near Rotterdam. In fact, it serves the whole of Western Europe.

In the eastern part of the region, the shift "to oil" has led to the creation of refineries and petrochemical plants along the routes of main oil and gas pipelines.

The main oil refining and petrochemical enterprises of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary were built on the route of the Druzhba international oil pipeline and gas pipelines, through which oil and natural gas came from the Soviet Union. In Bulgaria, for the same reason, petrochemistry has been "shifted" to the Black Sea coast.

IN fuel and energy economy most countries of foreign Europe, the leading place was occupied by oil and natural gas, produced both in the region itself (the North Sea) and imported from developing countries, From Russia. The extraction and consumption of coal in the UK, Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Belgium have declined sharply. In the eastern part of the region, the focus on coal is still preserved, and not so much on hard coal (Poland, Czech Republic), but on brown coal. Perhaps there is no other area in the world where brown coal would play such a big role in the fuel and energy balance.

The majority of TPPs are also oriented towards coal basins. But they are also built in seaports (on imported fuel) and in large cities. An increasing impact on the structure and geography of the electric power industry - especially in France, Belgium, Germany, Great Britain, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria - is exerted by the construction of nuclear power plants, of which there are already more than 80 in the region. On the Danube and its tributaries, on the Rhone, upper Rhine, Duero hydroelectric power stations or their entire cascades were built.

But still, in most countries, with the exception of Norway, Sweden and Switzerland, hydroelectric power plants now play a supporting role. Since the region's hydro resources have already been used by 4/5, more economical pumped storage power plants have been built in recent years. Iceland uses geothermal energy.

Metallurgical industry foreign Europe was mainly formed before the beginning of the era of scientific and technological revolution. Ferrous metallurgy has developed primarily in countries that have metallurgical fuel and (or) raw materials: Germany, Great Britain, France, Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland, and the Czech Republic.

After the Second World War, large plants were built or expanded in seaports with a focus on importing higher quality and cheaper iron ore and scrap metal. The largest and most modern of the plants built in seaports is located in Taranto (Italy).

Recently, not large plants, but mini-factories have been built mainly.

The most important branches of non-ferrous metallurgy - aluminum And copperindustry.Productionaluminum arose both in countries with bauxite reserves (France, Italy, Hungary, Romania, Greece), and in countries where there is no aluminum raw material, but a lot of electricity is generated (Norway, Switzerland, Germany, Austria). Recently, aluminum smelters are increasingly oriented towards raw materials coming from developing countries by sea.

copper industry received the greatest development in Germany, France, Great Britain, Italy, Belgium, Poland, Yugoslavia.

timber industry, focusing primarily on the sources of raw materials, has become an industry of international specialization in Sweden and Finland, which have long been the main "forest shop in the region." geographic division europe resource

Light industry, with which the industrialization of foreign Europe began, has largely lost its former significance. The old textile districts, which were formed at the dawn of the industrial revolution (Lancashire and Yorkshire in Great Britain, Flanders in Belgium, Lyon in France, Milan in Italy), as well as those that arose already in the 19th century. The Lodz region of Poland still exists today. But lately light industry has been shifting to Southern Europe, where there are still reserves of cheap labor. So, Portugal has become almost the main "clothing factory" of the region. And Italy in the production of shoes is second only to China.

In many countries, rich national traditions are also preserved in the production of furniture, musical instruments, glassware, metal products, jewelry, toys, etc.

SELSWHAT HOUSEHOLD: THREE MAIN TYPES

For the main types of agricultural products, most countries fully meet their needs and are interested in selling them on foreign markets. The main type of agricultural enterprise is a large highly mechanized farm. But in Southern Europe, landownership and small-scale land use by tenant peasants still predominate.

Main Industries Agriculture foreign Europe - crop and livestock, which are ubiquitous, combined with each other. Under the influence of natural and historical conditions, three main types of agriculture have developed in the region:

1) Northern European, 2) Central European and 3) South European.

For northern European type, common in Scandinavia, Finland, and also in the UK, is characterized by the predominance of intensive dairy farming, and in the crop production that serves it, fodder crops and gray bread.

Central European type It is distinguished by the predominance of dairy and dairy-meat cattle breeding, as well as pig and poultry farming. Animal husbandry has reached a very high level in Denmark, where it has long become an industry of international specialization. This country is one of the world's largest producers and exporters of butter, milk, cheese, pork and eggs. It is often referred to as the "dairy farm" of Europe.

Crop production not only satisfies the basic needs of the population in food, but also "works" for animal husbandry. A significant and sometimes predominant part of arable land is occupied by fodder crops.

For southern European type characterized by a significant predominance of crop production, while animal husbandry plays a secondary role. Although grain crops occupy the main place in the crops, the international specialization of Southern Europe is determined primarily by the production of fruits, citrus fruits, grapes, olives, almonds, nuts, tobacco, and essential oil crops. The Mediterranean coast is the main "garden of Europe".

The entire Mediterranean coast of Spain, and especially the region of Valencia, is usually called "huerta", that is, "garden". Various fruits and vegetables are grown here, but most of all - oranges, which are harvested from December to March. In the export of oranges, Spain ranks first in the world. There are over 90 million olive trees in Greece. This tree has become a kind of national symbol for the Greeks. Since the time of Ancient Hellas, the olive branch has been a sign of peace.

In many cases, the specialization of agriculture acquires a narrower profile. So, France, the Netherlands and Switzerland are famous for cheese production, the Netherlands for flowers, Germany and the Czech Republic for growing barley and hops and brewing. And in terms of the production and consumption of grape wines, France, Spain, Italy, Portugal stand out not only in Europe, but throughout the world.

Fishing has long been an international specialty in Norway, Denmark and especially Iceland.

NON-MANUFACTURING SPHERE

Transport: main highways and nodes.

The regional transport system of the region belongs to Western European type. In terms of transportation distance, it is much inferior to the systems of the United States and Russia. But in terms of the provision of a transport network, it is far ahead, ranking first in the world. Relatively short distances stimulated the development of road transport, which now plays a major role in the transportation of not only passengers, but also goods. The railway network in most countries is declining, and large new buildings in the 50-70s. were characteristic only for some countries of Eastern Europe (Poland, Yugoslavia, Albania).

The configuration of the region's land transport network is very complex. But its main frame is formed by the highways of the latitudinal and meridional directions, which are of international importance. The main latitudinal trans-European highways run as follows: 1) Brest - Paris - Berlin - Warsaw - Minsk - Moscow, 2) London - Paris - Vienna - Budapest - Belgrade - Sofia - Istanbul.

River routes also have meridional (Rhine) or latitudinal (Danube) directions. The transport significance of the Rhine-Main-Danube waterway is especially great.

The Danube is a "transnational arrow": Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, FRY, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine

Rhine: Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, France, the Netherlands.

Drava: Italy, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, FRY

Tisza: Ukraine, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, FRY

Large transport hubs arose at the intersections of land and inland waterways. In essence, such nodes are also seaports, serving primarily international transportation. Many of the world's yurts (London, Hamburg, Antwerp, Rotterdam, Le Havre) are located in the estuaries of rivers that connect them with the hinterland. All of them have actually become one port industrial complexes. They are characterized by the development of branches of the maritime economy, and especially the so-called "port industry", working on imported, overseas raw materials. The largest of them is Rotterdam. The turnover of the port of Rotterdam is about 300 million tons per year. Located on one of the branches of the Rhine, 33 km from the sea, it serves as the main sea gate for many European countries. It is connected with the hinterland by waterways along the Rhine and Moselle, railways and highways, and oil and gas pipelines.

Western Europe - good example how even large natural barriers cease to be an insurmountable obstacle to transport links. Numerous railways, roads and pipelines cross the Alps. Ferry crossings link the shores of the Baltic, North, and Mediterranean seas. Road bridges are thrown over the Bosphorus, across the Great Belt. Completed "project of the century" - the construction of a railway tunnel across the English Channel.

Science and finance: technoparks, technopolises and banking centers.

Following the example of "Silicon Valley" in the United States, many research parks and technopolises have also emerged in foreign Europe, which already largely determine the geography of science in a number of countries. The largest of them are located in the vicinity of Cambridge (Great Britain), Munich (Germany). In the south of France, near Nice, the so-called "Valley of high technology" is being formed.

In foreign Europe there are 60 of the 200 largest world banks. Switzerland has long been the benchmark country-banker: half of all the world's securities are in the safes of its banks. The "economic capital" of the country, Zurich, stands out in particular. Recently Luxembourg and Frankfurt am Main have turned into a banker country. But still the largest financial center was and remains London.

Recreation and tourism

Foreign Europe has been and remains the main area of ​​international tourism. All types of tourism have developed here, the "tourism industry" has reached a very high level. Spain, France and Italy also invariably act as the leading countries of international tourism. Great Britain, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Greece, Portugal, Czech Republic, Hungary are also among the most popular countries for attracting tourists. And in such microstates as Andorra, San Marino, Monaco, tourist services have long been the main source of income. There are 100 tourists for every inhabitant.

Environmental protection and environmental issues

As a result of high population density, long-standing industrial and agricultural development of the territory, the natural environment of foreign Europe has become the geographical environment of human society to the greatest extent. All types of anthropogenic landscapes are widespread here. But at the same time, this led to the aggravation of many environmental and environmental problems.

Some of them are associated with open mining, combustion and chemical processing of high-ash (primarily brown) coal. Others - with the placement of a number of cities and agglomerations, metallurgical, oil and gas processing and petrochemical plants, nuclear power plants on the banks of the Rhine, Elbe, Danube, Vistula, on the coasts, others - with the spread of acid rain. Fourth - with the ever-increasing "density of cars", which in a number of urban agglomerations already reaches 250-300 cars per 1 km2. Fifth - with the spontaneous development of tourism, which has already led to significant degradation of the natural environment, both in the Alps and on the Mediterranean coast. Sixth - with a huge danger to the natural environment, which is created by catastrophes of supertankers, which often occur, especially on the approaches to the English Channel.

All countries in the region are pursuing a state environmental policy and are taking more and more decisive measures to protect the environment. Strict environmental laws have been issued, mass public organizations and green parties have emerged, the use of bicycles is being promoted, and the network of national parks and other protected areas has been expanded.

All this led to the first positive results. Nevertheless, in many countries the environmental situation is still difficult. First of all, this applies to the UK, Germany, Belgium, Poland, and the Czech Republic.

In general, the ecological situation in the eastern part of foreign Europe is much worse than in the western.

GEOGRAPHICALFIGURE OF SETTLEMENT AND ECONOMY

"Central axis" of development- the main element of the territorial structure of the region.

The territorial structure of the population and economy of foreign Europe was mainly formed back in the 19th century, when the natural resource was almost the main factor of location, and when the coal and metallurgical regions of Great Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, Poland, the Czech Republic, and other countries arose. After the Second World War, this structure was most influenced by the factors of labor resources and the benefits of the EGP, and more recently also by knowledge intensity and environmental factors.

In total, there are approximately 400 urban agglomerations and about a hundred industrial areas in the region. The most significant of them are located within the "central axis" of development, stretching across the territory of eight countries. Its core is the "main street of Europe" - the Rhine-Rhone line. 120 million people live within the boundaries of this "axis", and about half of the entire economic potential of the region is concentrated.

In foreign Europe, several more similar "axes" of a smaller scale can be distinguished. This is an industrial-urban belt stretching along the common borders of Poland, the Czech Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany, the Danube "axis", stripes along the main oil pipelines, and some coastal zones.

Highly developed rayons: examples of London and Paris

The most striking examples of highly developed areas that concentrate the latest industries, infrastructure, science, culture, and services are the metropolitan regions of Greater London and Greater Paris.

Both London and Paris have grown primarily as the administrative and political centers of their countries, which they have served for more than eight centuries. Both capitals are large industrial centers, where high-tech science-intensive industries are widely represented, and in Paris there is also the production of so-called "Paris products" (clothing, jewelry, etc.), thanks to which it has been acting as a trendsetter for everything for several centuries. peace. But more importantly, what is concentrated here largest banks and stock exchanges, headquarters of monopolies, leading scientific institutions, as well as the residences of many international organizations. In accordance with regional programs, unloading of the central parts of both metropolitan regions is being carried out.

Eight satellite cities have been built in the vicinity of London, and five satellite cities have been built in the vicinity of Paris.

Examples of other highly developed regions of foreign Europe are: the southern region of Germany with centers in Stuttgart and Munich, the "industrial triangle" Milan - Turin - Genoa in Italy, the industrial-urban agglomeration Randstad ("ring city") in the Netherlands. All of them are within the "central axis" of development.

Old industrial areas

No other region of the world has such a large number of old industrial areas with a predominance of basic industries as in foreign Europe. The largest of them arose on the basis of coal basins. But even among such areas, the Ruhr stands out, which for many decades has been rightfully considered the industrial heart of Germany.

Within the Ruhr basin and adjacent areas, the Lower Rhine-Ruhr agglomeration has developed. Here, on an area of ​​9 thousand km2, 11 million people live and about a hundred cities are concentrated, including 20 large ones. There is probably no other such cluster of large cities in one territory anywhere in the world. In some parts of the agglomeration, the population density reaches 5 thousand people per 1 km2. The Ruhr part forms a complex urban area with almost no gaps, which is usually called the "Ruhrstadt", that is, the "city of the Ruhr". In fact, this is really a single city, the western gate of which is Duisburg, the eastern gate is Dortmund, the "capital" is Essen, and the main "safe" is Düsseldorf.

Recently, the industry of the Ruhr, numbering several thousand enterprises, has undergone a significant reconstruction. In the 50s and 60s. The Ruhr was considered almost a classic depressive area. But today it would be wrong to put it in this category. A large environmental program has been carried out in the Ruhr region. The Rhine, which not so long ago was called the gutter of Europe, became cleaner, and fish appeared again.

Examples of other old industrial areas are Lancashire, Yorkshire, the West Midlands, South Wales in the UK, the Northern Region, Alsace and Lorraine in France, the Saarland, which is often called the "Little Ruhr", in the Federal Republic of Germany, the Upper Silesian region in Poland, Ostrava in the Czech Republic . But most of them fall into the category of depression.

backward agricultural areas

In foreign Europe there are still quite a few rather backward, predominantly agrarian regions. A striking example of this kind is the South of Italy, which occupies 40% of the country's territory, concentrates more than 35% of the population and only 18% of those employed in industry. The per capita income here is almost two times lower than in the North. After the Second World War, due to the relative agrarian overpopulation, more than 5 million people emigrated from the South.

The state pursues a regional policy aimed at the rise of the South. It led to the construction of large metallurgical, petrochemical plants and other enterprises here. As a result, the South has ceased to be a purely agricultural area. However, the plants have almost no connection with the surrounding territory, since they work on imported raw materials, and their products are exported to other parts of the country and to other countries.

Examples of other backward agrarian regions of foreign Europe are: the western part of France, the central and southwestern parts of Spain, Portugal and Greece. All of them are located outside the "central axis". The problem of the rise of backward regions is also relevant for many countries of Eastern Europe.

Areas of new development

For a long-established territory of foreign Europe, areas of new development are generally not typical. Usually only the northern part of Scandinavia was referred to them. But the opening in the early 60s. large oil and gas basin in the North Sea has changed the situation.

By the beginning of the 90s. more than 250 oil and natural gas deposits were discovered on this "golden bottom". In addition, one of the world's largest gas fields is located off the coast in the Netherlands. The North Sea region satisfies 1/3 of the needs of foreign Europe in oil and 2/3 of the needs in natural gas. Today, the sea is literally “stuffed” with drilling platforms; several thousand kilometers of pipelines have been laid along its bottom. But in this regard, there is a considerable environmental threat, not to mention fisheries, which have suffered irreparable damage.

The impact of international economic integration on the territoryhistorical structure of the economy

Among the favorable prerequisites for the development of international economic integration in the region are territorial proximity, high development of the territory, high level socio-economic development, good transport security, a long tradition of economic ties. During the existence of the EU, all this has already led to further merging territorial structures economy of individual countries, especially within the "central axis" of development. Border integration regions are being formed: between Germany and France, between France and Belgium, France and Italy, etc.

Figure 1. Sub-regions of Foreign Europe.

Table 2. What some countries of Foreign Europe produce and export.

	Products of industrial production and export
	Automobiles, aircraft, ships, weapons, equipment for the forestry and pulp and paper industry, paper, cellulose, iron ore, medicines, livestock products.
Finland	Lumber, paper, pulp, equipment for the forestry and woodworking industries, marine vessels, dairy products.
Great Britain	Machinery and equipment, aircraft, cars, tractors, weapons, oil, chemicals, fabrics, light industry products.
	Cars, aircraft, ships, weapons, equipment for nuclear power plants, ferrous metals, aluminum, fabrics, clothes, perfumes, wheat, dairy and meat products, sugar, wines.
	Automobiles, machine tools, industrial equipment, electrical and electronic products, weapons, chemicals, light industry products.
	Automobiles, ships, electrical equipment, chemicals, metal ores, light industry products, citrus fruits, olive oil, wines.
	Automobiles, ships, electrical equipment, weapons, chemicals, refrigerators, washing and office machines, textiles and garments, shoes, vegetables, fruits, citrus fruits, wines.
	Machinery and equipment, ships, coal, copper, sulfur, medicines, textiles, agricultural products.
Bulgaria	Electrical and electronic products, handling equipment, agricultural machinery, non-ferrous metals, clothing and tobacco products, canned food, wines, rose oil

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Introduction 3

1. The place and role of Europe in the modern world 4

2. National security and its priorities for Russia 11

Conclusion 21

References 22

Introduction

The situation in the world is characterized by a dynamic transformation of the system of international relations. The formation of international relations is accompanied by competition, as well as the desire of a number of states to increase their influence on world politics, including through the creation of weapons of mass destruction. The importance of military-strength aspects in international relations continues to be significant.

Russia is one of the largest countries in the world with a long history and rich cultural traditions. Despite the difficult international situation and internal difficulties, due to its significant economic, scientific, technical and military potential, unique strategic position on the Eurasian continent, it objectively continues to play an important role in world processes.

Looking forward to broader integration Russian Federation into the world economy, expanding cooperation with international economic and financial institutions. Objectively, the commonality of interests of Russia and the interests of other states on many issues of international security, including countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, preventing and resolving regional conflicts, combating international terrorism and drug trafficking, solving acute environmental problems of a global nature, including the problem of ensuring nuclear and radiation security.

1. The place and role of Europe in the modern world

The total economic power of Western Europe at the beginning of the 21st century was actually equal to the American indicators - 19.8% of the global gross product, in the USA - 20.4%. In terms of population, Europe surpasses the US by 40%, the share of the EU in world exports is constantly growing and already now significantly exceeds the share of the US (37% - the EU, 16.5% - the USA).

Interested observers warn that the United States and the European Union are on the verge of a wide-ranging trade and economic conflict. The euro diverts significant financial flows from the American market, complicates the US budget deficit, becomes a powerful competitor to the dollar in international settlements, and weakens America in its desire to dictate fixed prices for oil and other raw materials.

American experts believe that a single monetary union could transform the dollar-dominated global financial system into a new bipolar “dollar-euro-order”. The current zone of the single European currency is the world's largest zone of rich countries - consumers of expensive goods on the world market. Eurobonds issued in 1999 accounted for 44% of all bonds issued in the world, while the dollar accounted for 43%. The EU is constantly expanding its trade through association agreements with 80 countries. Given the size of the euro area, many companies in Latin America, Asia, Eastern Europe and North Africa are seeking to reduce their share of dollar transactions by expanding their network of euro contracts. The emerging trends testify to the decline of the "dollar era" as the only world currency.

This is what allowed G. Kissinger to declare that “the creation of the European Monetary Union puts Europe on a path that is opposite to the Atlantic partnership of the last five decades ... There is no reason to assume that a united Europe will ever voluntarily wish to help the United States in its global burden” . French Foreign Minister Y.Vedrine was even more categorical: "Europe must create a counterbalance to the dominance of the United States in a multipolar world."

Statements by major political figures in Europe and the United States are not empty declarations. They hide not only significant differences in European and American economic policy but also strategic geopolitical differences. Essentially, they cover three main areas:

When international conflicts and problems arise, Europeans prefer to act through international organizations, the US often rejects this path;

Europeans evaluate international collisions from a regional point of view, the USA - from a global one;

In settling conflicts, the Europeans tend to use political and economic opportunities, while the United States does not rule out a military solution to problems.

In addition, there are many disagreements of a more personal nature: on issues of global economic liberalization, global warming, energy policy, antitrust laws (for example, the Boeing-McDonnell Douglas merger), US economic sanctions, economic stimulus, regarding the import of steel and machinery from Europe, etc.

In the 1990s, the Europeans laid the foundations for a new, fairly independent defense and security policy. Important milestones along this path were: the Maastricht Agreement of 1991, which prescribes the "formulation of a common defense policy" and establishes the responsibility of the Western European Union for the defense aspects of the evolution of the EU; the Amsterdam Treaty of 1997, which formulated the common strategy of the European Union and approved the post of High Representative of the European Commission responsible for the common foreign and defense policy; The EU summit in Helsinki in 1999, at which it was decided to create a single Rapid Reaction Corps of 60 thousand people within two years, and J. Solana was appointed EU High Representative responsible for the common foreign and defense policy.

Experts have already calculated that in order to achieve a military power comparable to that of the United States, united Europe will need to increase its military spending by 4 times. The European Union plans to create a network of satellites, intelligence centers, its own common military headquarters, where the possibilities of conducting operations inside and outside NATO will be considered. Even now, Western Europe is striving to produce its own types of weapons so that it has its own military industry, independent of the American one.

Military experts report that a project has been developed to create a pan-European fighter, in the production of which German and British firms cooperate primarily. A plan is being discussed to create a unified European Aerospace Defense Company (EAOC), which will include the French Aerospatiale, British Airspace, the German Daimler-Chrysler Airspace, the Spanish CASA, the Swedish SAAB, the Italian Finmekannika-Alenia. We are talking about a super-company that produces aircraft, helicopters, spacecraft, guided weapons and other military systems. All this allows Europeans to hope that, along with a single currency, an independent military industry will become an essential feature of an integrated Europe, and this, in turn, will require a special European political, economic and military infrastructure.

The ambitious plans of the Europeans in the field of military policy and defense have already led to contradictions within NATO today, which may become explosive in the future. It is known that during the first visit to Western Europe, Minister of Defense of the Republican Administration D. Rumsfeld demanded that the military contingent formed by the European Union of 60 thousand soldiers be subordinated to NATO, and Western Europeans expressed their disapproval in connection with the creation of a separate national strategic defense system of the United States.

Americans are making efforts to keep the process of European integration under control. First of all, they exercise strategic control over the European space through NATO and the military presence in Europe. With the help of the Alliance, in which the United States plays the role of an axial power, they are trying to prevent Western Europe from drifting towards national self-assertion and away from the current level of economic and political cooperation. In doing so, they skillfully exploit European disagreements: French fears of German dominance; German fears about Russian re-emergence; Britain's jealousy of the possibility of consolidating the continent without her participation; doubts of the European community about the possibilities to resolve the issue with the explosive Balkans on their own. The "German card" is played especially often by the Americans. The specter of Germany's rise to imperial heights haunts Europe and terrifies Europeans who have not yet forgotten the nightmares of World War II. This phantom is a trump card in the hands of the Americans, who use it as a pledge to receive American troops in the center of Europe.

It is obvious that the policy of inciting separatism within the EU is of a strategic nature: a European Union deprived of cohesion will not be able to confront America on either economic or political issues, whether it be disagreements between members of the World Trade Organization or the issue of an anti-terrorist operation in Iraq.

The role of another strategic instrument of control over European integration is played by American transnational corporations. They are expanding their branches in European centers, strengthening American economic positions in the Western European region. TNCs are pursuing a policy of active investment in Europe, attracting high-tech goods here. S. Bergsten believes that the goal of American foreign policy is to create a kind of "North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement" - "super-NAFTA", which would account for more than half of world trade and the world's gross product.

There are many supporters of an active European policy in the United States. Among them is Z. Brzezinski, who believes that Europe is America's "natural ally", its "global partner". He believes that it is quite possible to involve Western Europe in "governing the world", since the United States is not strong enough to dominate the global geopolitical space, relying only on its own strength.

The demagoguery of a "global partnership" with Europe is necessary to keep the EU as America's most important geopolitical foothold in Eurasia. Z. Brzezinski states this bluntly: “America’s main geostrategic goal in Europe ... through a more sincere transatlantic partnership, is to strengthen the American foothold on the Eurasian continent so that a growing Europe can become an even more real springboard for advancing an international democratic order and cooperation into Eurasia » . Obviously, without close transatlantic ties, America's dominance in Europe will immediately disappear, and the US's ability to extend its influence deep into Eurasia may be significantly limited.

To ensure Atlantic control over the processes of European integration, the latest information geopolitical technologies are also used. First of all, American strategists seek to shape the "pro-American" thinking of Europeans by filling all media channels with overt and covert propaganda of the American way of life and the values ​​of liberal democracy. It is known that 75% of the information that circulates in the European media is of American origin.

Brzezinski proudly emphasizes that not only John F. Kennedy found passionate admirers in Europe, even less famous American leaders are becoming objects of careful study and imitation (in particular, with the help of the popular TV programs “Political Hero of the Day”). Many European politicians find it highly appropriate to copy the mannerisms, populist sense of comradeship and public relations tactics of American presidents. The imitation of American political style creates favorable conditions for the establishment of "indirect and seemingly consensual" American control over European politics.

Among geopolitical information technologies, it should be noted that the Americans skillfully use the idea of ​​"fighting international terrorism" to maintain a certain tension in the European space. This indirectly initiates the militarization of the European economy and the inclusion of the EU in the arms race. The destabilization of the European space is also carried out through a system of "managed" local crises and "humanitarian catastrophes" in certain European countries (a vivid example is Yugoslavia).

Why is Europe playing the Atlantic games? First of all, European geopoliticians seek to get rid of the last "centers of totalitarianism and communism" on the continent "with American money". The message is simple: “Let Americans keep spending; the more, the better, so they will leave sooner.” Undoubtedly, Europe no longer wants the direct presence of the United States, but still cannot do without the "big brother". The ambivalent position of European politicians creates a wide field for American maneuvers in the Old World.

It should also be emphasized that the states of Eastern Europe, to a much greater extent than those of Western Europe, are interested in maintaining the US military presence on the continent, considering American influence as a factor in their own political stabilization and security. This is not only about the eternal "Russian question" and the possible geopolitical claims of Russia. Eastern Europe is much more concerned about a united Germany and its possible territorial claims against its neighbors in the European home.

The current situation is skillfully used by the NATO leadership as a way of geopolitical pressure on Russia. Despite this, our country today takes a friendly and constructive position towards the European Community. The Russian political leadership gave a positive assessment of the EU and its enlargement. According to V. Putin, it is necessary to use the great historical chance to build common European spaces. In response to this, the former German Foreign Minister F. Genscher noted that "since the time of Gorbachev's picture of a common European home, there has not been such a clear turn of Russia towards Europe" .

Nevertheless, European geopoliticians made it clear that in the near future, V. Putin's proposal to transform Europe, and, accordingly, the EU through the unification of Russia with a rich resource potential from a regional into a global partner in a multipolar one, cannot be on the agenda of Russian-European relations in the near future. system of international relations. As the German researchers K. Mayer and H. Timmermann emphasize, "... such an intention could lead to positioning Europe, together with Russia, as a pole opposite to the United States in world politics" . Europe is not yet ready for such decisive geopolitical turns. The pro-Atlantic course of European integration seems to European geopoliticians to be a calmer course.

However, there are already quite a few opponents in the US itself of continuing an active European policy. A powerful anti-European lobby has developed in Congress. There is only one motive: control over European politics is too costly for American taxpayers. The United States spends $2 billion more on stationing its troops in Europe than on its own soil. American military experts emphasize that the United States spends 4% of its gross national product on defense, France and Britain - 3.1% each, Germany - 1.7%. European NATO members spend only 66% of the US military budget on military needs.

Finally, Americans are increasingly irritated by growing European "anti-Americanism." US Senator J. Biden notes: "We see a deliberately selective selection of facts about life in the United States and American actions that portray the United States in the most unfavorable light." American sociologists cite the following data: 68% of the French polled expressed their concern about the superpower status of the United States, and only 30% admitted that there is at least something worthy of admiration beyond the Atlantic Ocean. 63% of the French have no sense of solidarity or closeness with Americans.

The video lesson is dedicated to the topic “Foreign Europe. Composition, political map. This topic is the first not only in the section of lessons devoted to Foreign Europe, but also the first in the regional geography of the 10th grade. You will get to know the old Europe, which continues to play a leading role in the modern economy due to its financial, geopolitical influences and features of the economic and geographical position. The teacher will tell in detail about the composition, borders, history, countries of Foreign Europe.

Topic: Regional characteristics of the world. Foreign Europe

Lesson:Foreign Europe. Composition, political map

Europe is a part of the world with an area of ​​​​about 10 million km² (of which 5.1 million km² fall on Foreign Europe, in relation to the CIS countries) and a population of 740 million people (about 10-11% of the world's population). The average height is about 300 m, the maximum is 4808 m, Mount Blanc.

Rice. 1. Mont Blanc

Features of the geographical location:

1. The length from north to south (from the island of Svalbard to the island of Crete) is 5 thousand km, and from west to east - more than 3 thousand km.

2. Relief "mosaic" of its territory: lowlands and elevated territories. Among the mountains of Europe, most of the average height. The borders pass mainly along such natural boundaries that do not create obstacles for transport links.

3. High degree of indentation of the coastline.

4. Coastal position of most countries. The average distance from the sea is 300 km. In the western part of the region there is no place more than 480 km away from the sea, in the eastern part - 600 km.

5. The "depth" of the territory of most countries is small. So in Bulgaria and Hungary there is no place that would be removed from the borders of these countries by more than 115-120 km.

6. Neighborhood favorable for integration processes.

7. Favorable position in terms of contacts with the rest of the worlds, because located at the junction with Asia and Africa, far advanced into the ocean - "a large peninsula of Eurasia."

8. Diversity of natural resources, but non-complex distribution across countries, many deposits are largely depleted.

Europe is usually divided into Northern and Southern, Western and Eastern, this is rather conditional, especially since not only purely geographical, but also political factors come into play here.

A single economic, political and financial space is being formed in foreign Europe.

The vast majority of countries are members of the UN. Switzerland joined the UN in September 2002, NATO members - 14 countries, EU members - 15 countries. Most of the countries belong to the industrialized group. Four countries: Germany, Great Britain, France and Italy are part of the "big seven countries of the West." A special place on the economic map of the region is occupied by post-socialist countries or countries with economies in transition.

Council of Europe- an international organization that promotes cooperation between all European countries in the field of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, legality and cultural interaction. Founded in 1949, the Council of Europe is Europe's oldest international organization. The best-known organs of the Council of Europe are the European Court of Human Rights, acting in accordance with the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, and the Commission of the European Pharmacopoeia.

Rice. 2. Emblem of the Council of Europe

After the collapse of the socialist regimes, the situation changed markedly. Most of the countries of the former "socialist camp" reoriented towards Western structures. Currently, more than half of the states of Europe are members of the European Union and NATO, and almost all the rest declare their desire to join these organizations.

The following events had the greatest influence on the formation of the political map of Europe: the First World War, the Second World War, the collapse of the USSR and the entire world socialist system. Until the mid-1980s, there were 32 sovereign states, including microstates. Since the beginning of the 90s - about 40 states.

At present, there are more than 40 states in Europe. Most of the states in the form of government are republics, 12 monarchies. According to the administrative - territorial structure, all countries (except Belgium, Germany, Austria and Switzerland) are unitary. Largest countries by area: France, Spain, Sweden, Germany, Finland. Largest countries by population: Germany, France, Great Britain, Italy. Four states of foreign Europe are members of the Big Seven: France, Germany, Italy, Great Britain. main economy Europe is considered Germany.

Rice. 3. Political map of Europe

Homework

Topic 6, Item 1

1. What are the features of the geographical and economic-geographical position of the countries of foreign Europe?

2. What regions (sub-regions) are distinguished in Foreign Europe?

Bibliography

Main

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3. Atlas with a set of contour maps for grade 10 Economic and social geography of the world. - Omsk: Federal State Unitary Enterprise "Omsk Cartographic Factory", 2012 - 76 p.

Additional

1. Economic and social geography of Russia: Textbook for universities / Ed. prof. A.T. Khrushchev. - M.: Bustard, 2001. - 672 p.: ill., cart.: tsv. incl.

Encyclopedias, dictionaries, reference books and statistical collections

1. Geography: a guide for high school students and university applicants. - 2nd ed., corrected. and dorab. - M.: AST-PRESS SCHOOL, 2008. - 656 p.

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2. The most complete edition of typical options for real USE assignments: 2010: Geography / Comp. Yu.A. Solovyov. - M.: Astrel, 2010. - 221 p.

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Materials on the Internet

1. Federal Institute of Pedagogical Measurements ().

2. Federal portal Russian Education ().

6. Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe ().

The basis of the economy of foreign Europe -. The leading industry is , which accounts for 1/3 of all industrial products and 2/3 of its exports. Foreign Europe is the birthplace of mechanical engineering, the world's largest manufacturer and exporter of machinery and industrial equipment.

Mechanical engineering is guided here by the presence of a highly skilled workforce, a developed scientific base and infrastructure.

All the main ones have been widely developed:

• production of machine tools and forging and pressing machines (Germany, Great Britain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Czech Republic, etc.),
• production of power equipment, electronic equipment, television and radio equipment (Germany, Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, etc.),
• automotive industry (France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Czech Republic, etc.), shipbuilding (Germany, Sweden, Great Britain, Spain, France, the Netherlands, Poland, etc.).
  Military engineering has reached a large scale, in particular aircraft construction (the Federal Republic of Germany, France, and Great Britain stand out).

It is characterized by the absence in this region of territorial nodes of a pan-European scale. This industry is represented in almost every major city in the region.

Foreign Europe occupies a leading position in the world also in the production and export of products (plastics, synthetic and artificial fibers, pharmaceuticals, nitrogen and potash fertilizers, varnishes and paints). The chemical industry in Europe ranks second after mechanical engineering.

The raw material base of the industry consists of (both own and imported), associated petroleum gases and refined products, resources of local deposits of rock and potash and common salt.

In the production and export of products, the share of Germany, Great Britain, is especially large. In the chemical industry, many countries in the region have a clear specialization:

• Germany - dyes and plastics;
• France - synthetic rubber;
• Belgium - chemical fertilizers and soda production;
• Sweden and Norway - wood chemistry;
• Switzerland, Hungary - pharmaceuticals;

Unlike mechanical engineering, the chemical industry of the region is characterized by the presence of a number of large centers. The largest centers of petrochemistry arose in the estuaries of the Rhine (Rotterdam), Seine,. In Eastern Europe, petrochemical centers have been built along the routes of oil and gas pipelines.

One of the oldest industries in foreign Europe -. has been developed in countries that traditionally have metallurgical fuel and raw materials: Germany, Great Britain, France, Sweden, Poland, etc. In recent years, there has been a shift towards ports in this industry. Large metallurgical plants have been set up in seaports (Genoa, Naples, Taranto, etc.) with a focus on imported raw materials and fuel.

The most important industries are aluminum, lead-zinc, and have also been predominantly developed in countries with sources and cheap electricity (France, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Switzerland, Great Britain specialize in aluminum smelting; Germany, France, Poland stand out in copper smelting; Germany, Belgium - lead and zinc).

Branches of international specialization are the timber industry, which focuses on sources of raw materials (Sweden and Finland), clothing () and footwear (Italy, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, etc.), focusing on reserves of cheap labor.

In the fuel and energy balance of foreign Europe, the leading place is occupied by oil and natural gas, produced both in the region itself and imported from the countries of the Near and Middle East, Africa, the CIS (Russia), etc.

Most of the oil production falls on (sectors of Great Britain and) and the Netherlands (Groningen field in the north-east of the country). Coal mining (stone and brown) is carried out in Germany, Great Britain, and Slovakia.

In most countries of foreign Europe (France, Belgium, Germany, Great Britain, Poland, Sweden, etc.), the role of thermal power plants and nuclear power plants is great. The exception is Norway and Iceland, where hydroelectric power stations are the main type of power plants.