List of Western European countries and their capitals. Colonial conquests of European states in Asia and Africa

Europe is a significant part of the major continent Eurasia, which is located in the west. In the south it is separated from Africa by the Mediterranean Sea, and in the East from Asia by the Ural Range, the Emba River and the Caspian Sea. It is located on an area of ​​about 10 million square kilometers. This is an important geopolitical region. The list of countries in Europe includes all dependent states, as well as unrecognized republics and controlled territories with a special political status - they are subject to the legislation of the European protectorate. Some states, being in Asia, economically and culturally gravitate towards Europe.

Territorial division of the region

All according to their location, are divided into western, eastern, northern and southern. There are 65 entities in this region: 19 European countries do not have maritime border and are located in the depths of the continent, 32 states are located on the coast of oceans and seas, and 14 are located on islands close to the European continent.

Northern Europe

Located in the north of the continent, is as follows: Finland, Lithuania, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, Latvia, Iceland, Denmark. Norway and Iceland are not members of the EU as of the end of 2017. Iceland has just entered and is taking steps towards further integration. Unlike her, Norway, as a country with a strong economy and strong social policy, refuses to go towards the bloc. In pursuit of the goal of further economic growth and the preservation of the achievements of the nation, Norway is trying to develop away from the political bloc and have its own commodity currency. Although in Norway, both the US dollar and the euro are in free circulation along with the Norwegian krone.

Western Europe

The list of European countries that are located in the west of the continent includes the following states: Switzerland, the Netherlands, France, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Luxembourg, Ireland, Great Britain, Belgium, Austria and Germany. These countries have a high level economic development e.g. Germany, Switzerland, France, UK. On the territory of Western Europe, there is also a geopolitical association, which is an intergovernmental organization of the Benelux. It includes Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands - very similar states that are part of the European Union.

Some of the listed states, apart from Switzerland and England, are members of the EU. The latter in 2016 expressed a desire to leave it. De facto, the UK remains a member of the EU, as the procedure for its exit has not yet taken place. Despite the will of the people of England, the results of the referendum can still be revised. Switzerland, even because of the national idea of ​​neutrality, refused to join any political blocs, which is largely due to a high level of well-being.

Southern Europe

In the south of Europe there are mostly small states. These are Montenegro, Croatia, Greece, Serbia, Slovenia, Macedonia, Malta, Andorra, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Portugal, San Marino, Vatican, Serbia. More European countries should be added to this list major states located in the south of the continent. These are Italy and Spain. These are countries with a European culture, but different in economic development. The leaders of the region are: Spain, Italy, Greece and Croatia.

The economic position of the rest of the states is relatively low. But, for example, the Vatican, Malta and San Marino should not be included in this rating. For the Vatican, the economy is not at all of decisive importance, and in the dwarf state of San Marino, the tourism industry is quite successful, due to which the country ensures a high level of its own well-being. Malta cannot be considered as a developed economy, but it is firmly held by cooperation with England and the expensive procedure for obtaining citizenship for a private investor. All the countries of southern Europe, the list of which is indicated above, are distinguished by an interesting centuries-old history.

Eastern Europe

Located in the east, relatively small. These are medium and large states by European and world standards, although among them there are also countries that are small in area. The list consists of the following states: Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Russia, Moldova and Belarus. The 4 states at the end of the list are not included in the EU. Belarus is the only state without membership in the Council of Europe.

The position of Belarus in Europe resembles that of the unrecognized republics. In Europe, this is the Donetsk People's Luhansk People's Republic, the Republic of Kosovo. Europe (the list is located above), as well as the UN member states have not yet recognized their right to independence, and therefore their existence is legal only from the point of view of their own constitutions.

Dependent and disputed territories of Europe

The list of dependent territories should include Åland Islands, Guernsey, Jersey, Gibraltar, Faroe Islands, Isle of Man, Svalbard. The Åland Islands are dependent on Finland and represent a monolingual autonomy within this state on a demilitarized territory. Maine, Guernsey and Jersey are islands belonging to Great Britain, her crown possessions. Gibraltar is also a dependent territory, owned by the UK, although Spain also claims it.

Faroe islands- This is an autonomous region of Denmark, which independently decides its state issues. But Denmark provides their police, justice and money circulation. Svalbard is a demilitarized zone that belongs to Norway. However, to implement economic activity only Russia can do it due to the special status of the archipelago.

These northern Europeans, whose list includes Svalbard and the Faroe Islands, are distinguished by economic inferiority and, one way or another, depend on their protectorates. Also, Turkey, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Cyprus are often included in the states of Europe, but this is due to discrepancies in the interpretation of the boundaries of the continent and differences in mentality.

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Industry development

Agriculture and trade

After the revolution, feudal relations in the countryside were almost completely eliminated. The lands of the nobles - supporters of Spain and the Catholic Church - were confiscated and transferred to the bourgeoisie and farmers. Commercial agriculture and commercial animal husbandry, horticulture and horticulture developed.

In agriculture, a multi-field system and a fruit-shifting system were established, while in other countries they still used a three-field system and developed the economy extensively.

In the 17th century Holland ranked first in the world in the development of productive animal husbandry. Her thoroughbred cattle was considered the best in the world. Butter and cheese produced here were exported to many countries.

Industries processing agricultural raw materials (beer, vodka, sugar, tobacco) successfully developed. The products of these industries have been successfully sold in many countries.

The economic rise of Holland in the 17th century. closely associated with trade. Holland seized the trade in the basins of the Northern and Baltic Seas. From Scandinavia, Dutch merchants exported timber (for shipbuilding), furs, fish, from Northern Germany, Poland and Lithuania - bread, cattle, flax, etc. Dutch merchants established a connection with the Russian market. They exported timber, flax and other raw materials from Russia. The Dutch traded with Narva, Reval, Riga, Libava, Koenigsberg, Gdansk, Hamburg, etc.

In the XVI century. the Dutch replaced the Hanseatic in trade with England, and in the 17th century. established trade relations with France.

Finance and credit

In 1609, the first Amsterdam deposit and foreign exchange bank was founded. His deposits in 1610-1640. increased eight times. Credit operations have reached a large scale. Amsterdam became the financial center of the world, the international securities market, where loans of all European countries. In the 17th century Holland was international center speculation.

The development of capitalist relations was also reflected in the finances of Holland. The public debt system was established. In the middle of the XVII century. The Dutch public debt amounted to 150 million guilders, which annually absorbed 6.5 million guilders in interest.

colonial expansion

Special companies were formed to exploit the colonies. In 1602, the East India Company was founded with the participation of the government, which existed until 1792. The company owned a monopoly on trade with the countries of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. On behalf of the government, she entered into trade and peace treaties, had an army and police, military and merchant fleet, minted coins. In the colonies, the company created spice plantations and many trading posts. The East India Company is historically the first public company. Removed the fact of misuse of funds. The actual development of North America begins. Holland is the first country acting on the world market as a creditor.

Briefly:By the middle of the XVI century. most of The Netherlands has made significant progress on the path of capitalist development. The role of the capitalist structure in the country's economy has increased. The presence of remnants of feudalism, especially in the south, hampered the development of productive forces: the guild system fettered the growth of manufacturing production, customs restrictions hindered the expansion of the domestic market. Feudal remnants hindered the development of the productive forces of the countryside.

An external force - feudal Spain - defended the feudal regime in the Netherlands. For Spain, the Netherlands was a source of income (40% of income) - a "cash cow" that gave four times as much money as all of its overseas colonies. Spain's dominance in the Netherlands was based both on military force and catholic church, which defended the feudal regime and the dominance of Spain. With the development of industry and the formation of a single market, the Dutch bourgeoisie faced feudal Spain. This contradiction developed into a bourgeois revolution, which took on the character of a national liberation, anti-Spanish war. It was an early bourgeois revolution that took place at the beginning of the manufacturing period. In the second half of the XVI century. the Spanish authorities carried out economic repressions against the Dutch bourgeoisie: they set high customs duties on Spanish wool imported here; prohibited Dutch merchants from entering and trading in Spanish colonies. The industry and trade of the Netherlands suffered a serious loss. In addition, the activities of the Inquisition intensified. The uprising that began in 1566 covered 12 provinces of the Netherlands out of 17. The troops of the Spanish government occupied the Netherlands. The Duke of Alba, appointed governor of the Netherlands, established a terrorist regime in the country. The execution of heretics and the confiscation of their property became important sources of income for the Spanish treasury. In 1571, ayakabala was introduced - a system of taxes: 1% - on all movable and immovable property, 5% - on the sale of real estate, 10% - on the sale of each product. Such a strong blow to the industrial and commercial Netherlands suspended the economic life of the country - followed by unemployment, hunger, a people's war began against the Spanish invaders.

Consequences: In 1572 there was a general uprising in the bourgeois northern provinces, and in 1576 - in the southern provinces. In 1579, the Union of Utrecht was concluded, the Republic of the Seven United Provinces was formed, headed by Holland as the most developed and economically. Spain recognized the independence of the United Provinces in 1609.

Thus, the Dutch Revolution - the first bourgeois revolution in history (1566-1609) ended with the emergence of a new bourgeois state - Holland.

The revolution transferred power to the bourgeoisie and ensured its complete dominance in the economic and political life countries. It freed the bourgeois society of the Netherlands from the feudal-absolutist fetters that limited its development. In the north of the country, all the conditions for economic development were created on the basis of capitalist production relations. The bourgeoisie of Holland, freed from paying part of their income to feudal Spain, quickly enriched themselves and invested in the creation of manufacturing industries.

Manchester:

In 1803 ;

New productions:

Since 1760, the delivery of coal from the mines - ponies with carts =>

Manchester:

in 1782 - 2 cotton factories

In 1802 - 52 cotton mills

In 1803 the value of exports of cotton fabrics surpassed the value of exports of woolen fabrics;

half of all cotton production went to foreign markets.

New productions:

the use of tea and coffee - the appearance of porcelain

sulfuric acid, chlorine and its derivatives (fabric bleaching)

production of soap, paper, glass, paints, etc.

the coal industry produced tar as a by-product - it began to be used instead of natural in the manufacture of marine gear when the Napoleonic wars broke off relations with the continent,

gas, which was also a by-product, was used to light the streets of London as early as 1812,

The development of the coal industry stimulated the development railways:

Since 1760, the delivery of coal from the mines - ponies with carts => iron plates under the wheels of carts ...

The rails were laid in the ports, along them the goods "descended" along the slopes of the banks on carts under their own weight, the carts were returned back by horses, and at the beginning of the 19th century - with the help of steam engines.

By the time the locomotive appeared, Great Britain already had several hundred miles of railways.

Efimov A.V. "Outline of US History: 1492-1870" pp. 94-95

Efimov A.V. "Outline of US History: 1492-1870" p. 97

Efimov A.V. "Outline of US History: 1492-1870" pp. 113-114

Efimov A.V. "Outline of US History: 1492-1870" p. 134

Efimov A.V. "Outline of US History: 1492-1870" p. 163

Formation and operation of colonial possessions European states in the XVI-XVII centuries.

The colonization of North America began only in the 17th century. In 1609, the Dutch established a colony on the river. Hudson. Subsequently, several settlements were founded, including New Amsterdam (1613), renamed by the British in 1664 ~. to New York. By the beginning of the 18th century, total area French possessions in North America exceeded the area of ​​the English colonies. But the number of French colonists by the middle of the XVIII century. was only 80 thousand, while there were 1.5 million English settlers. As a result of the Seven Years' War (1756-1763), France ceded Canada to England. In 1620, New Plymouth was founded, marking the beginning of New England.

England entered the arena of colonial conquests when Portugal and Spain already had extensive colonial possessions and Holland vigorously fought for their colonies.

The great geographical discoveries created favorable conditions for the commercial and colonial expansion of England. During the discoveries themselves, maritime navigation and foreign trade in England were poorly developed, although English sailors and merchants, with the help of the government, were looking for new trading bases and countries, and carried out a number of expeditions in India and China.

From the second half of the XVI century. England embarked on the path of colonial conquest. Ireland was conquered first. In 1578 England captured Bahamas. In 1578, the struggle between England and Spain ended with the defeat of the "Invincible Armada". At the end of the XVI century. England began the colonization of North America. At the beginning of the XVII century. on American continent the first English colony was created - Virginia, and then New England, Nova Scotia, Carolina, Maryland, Guiana. New trading posts were created in the West Indies, in Africa (Gambia). The first trading post in India-Surat, then in Madras.

With trade wars, Holland gradually destroyed the colonial monopoly of Spain and Portugal and, having captured their colonies, created its own colonial empire, covering possessions on three continents.

Special companies were formed to exploit the colonies. In 1602, the East India Company was founded with the participation of the government, which existed until 1792. The company had a monopoly on trade with the countries of the Pacific and Indian Ocean basins. On behalf of the government, she concluded trade and peace treaties, had an army and police, military and merchant fleet, and minted coins. In the colonies, the company created spice plantations and many trading posts.

The colonial policy of Holland did not differ from the colonial policy of its predecessors - Portugal and Spain. The Dutch robbed the colonial population, took away expensive products for export to Europe, forced local princes to supply colonial goods, the purchase prices for which were determined by the Dutch, and were lower than the prices set by their Spanish and Portuguese predecessors.

To maintain a monopoly on the spice trade and to maintain high prices on them, the Dutch reduced production, burned goods on the spot, and limited their import to Europe. They also traded in opium from Bengal. Since 1610, the East India Company began trading in Chinese tea, which it sold 4-4.5 times more expensive in Europe.

In 1621, the Dutch West India Company was established, which was engaged in the slave trade, piracy, and robbery and lasted until 1674. The robbery of Spanish ships gave the company a big profit.

31 Causes, economic and economic consequences of the bourgeois revolution in the Netherlands.

Way of life (during the period of primitive accumulation of capital) is a non-dominant mode of production that arises within the framework of the dominant type. May exist for a long time (collective-farm-cooperative economy of the USSR)

By the middle of the XVI century. most of the Netherlands has made significant progress on the path of capitalist development. The role of the capitalist structure in the country's economy has increased. The presence of remnants of feudalism, especially in the south, hindered the development of productive forces: the guild system fettered the growth of manufacturing production, and customs restrictions prevented the expansion of the domestic market. Feudal remnants hindered the development of the productive forces of the countryside.

An external force - feudal Spain - defended the feudal regime in the Netherlands. For Spain, the Netherlands was a source of income (40% of income) - a "cash cow" that gave four times more than all of its overseas colonies. Spain's dominance in the Netherlands rested both on military force and on the Catholic Church, which defended the feudal regime and Spanish dominance.

With the development of industry and the formation of a single market, the Dutch bourgeoisie faced feudal Spain. This contradiction developed into a bourgeois revolution, which took on the character of a national liberation, anti-Spanish war. It was an early bourgeois revolution that took place at the beginning of the manufacturing period.

In the second half of the XVI century. the Spanish authorities carried out economic repressions against the Dutch bourgeoisie: they set high customs duties on Spanish wool imported here; banned Dutch merchants from entering and trading in the Spanish colonies. The industry and trade of the Netherlands suffered a serious loss. In addition, the activities of the Inquisition intensified.

The uprising that began in 1566 covered 12 provinces of the Netherlands out of 17. The troops of the Spanish government occupied the Netherlands. The Duke of Alba, appointed governor of the Netherlands, established a terrorist regime in the country. The execution of heretics and the confiscation of their property became important sources of income for the Spanish treasury. In 1571, alkabala was introduced - a system of taxes: 1% - on all movable and immovable property, 5% - on the sale of real estate, 10% - on the sale of each product.

Such a strong blow to the industrial and commercial Netherlands suspended the economic life of the country - followed by unemployment, hunger, a people's war began against the Spanish invaders.

Consequences of the bourgeois revolution

In 1572 there was a general uprising in the northern provinces, and in 1576 in the southern provinces. In 1579, the Union of Utrecht was concluded, the Republic of the Seven United Provinces was formed, headed by Holland as the most economically developed. Spain recognized the independence of the United Provinces in 1609.

Thus, the Dutch Revolution - the first bourgeois revolution in history (1566-1609) ended with the emergence of a new bourgeois state - Holland.

The revolution transferred power to the bourgeoisie and ensured its complete dominance in the economic and political life of the country. It freed the bourgeois society of the Netherlands from the feudal-absolutist fetters that limited its development. In the north of the country, all the conditions for economic development were created on the basis of capitalist production relations. The bourgeoisie of Holland, freed from paying part of their income to feudal Spain, quickly enriched themselves and invested in the creation of manufacturing industries.

Trade:

The first cargo of spices from Lisbon was delivered to Antwerp not by Portuguese, but by Dutch ships.

Venetian fleet (Flanders) own last flight made in 1532.

The growth of local trade in the XVI century.

The decline of the Hansa is associated with the growth and efficiency of Dutch trade.

Herring trade.

In 1521 Holland becomes a possession Spanish crown

Since 1555, the Netherlands has been a duchy within Spain. It was a developed, rich region. But not all provinces in the Netherlands were developed equally. Industry (woolen and linen production) and trade were especially developed in Flanders and Brabant.

At the end of the XVI century. the first manufactories arose with the use of hired labor. Capitalist relations were born. In the competitive struggle with manufactory production, the guild craft was defeated and fell into decay.

In industry, the production of carpets, glass, and metal was developed. Cloth, glass, sugar, soap were made in Antwerp, carpets in Brussels, weapons in Liege. Shipbuilding developed widely in Amsterdam and Saadam. The centers of the wool industry were Leiden, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Utrecht. A thin and sailing canvas was produced here. Fishing played an important role. In the middle of the XVI century. more than a thousand ships left the port of Amsterdam for fishing.

There was a significant increase in trade. Main city Brabant - Antwerp in the XVI century. became a pan-European center of trade and credit. All European banking houses had their offices here. Ships with colonial goods came directly to Antwerp and from here they went along the rivers to the hinterland of Europe.

on the Antwerp Commodity Exchange in in large numbers goods were sold. Antwerp was until 1576. financial center where you can get a loan. After the defeat by the Spaniards, the role of the center of international trade passed to Amsterdam.

Development of the Dutch Navy:

During the 17th century, the displacement of ships increased from 200 tons to 600 tons. Warships reached 1500 tons.

The most significant achievement is the flibot (for transporting timber and grain)

By the middle of the 17th century, the total merchant fleet of Holland was 22 thousand ships (75% of the total merchant fleet of all of Europe)

Only in Amsterdam and Zaandam - 130 shipyards.

Of the 40,000 ships registered in the Danish customs books entering and leaving the Baltic between 1497 and 1660, 60% were Dutch (245 annually), the rest were English, Scandinavian, German, Scottish, etc.

The need for rigging for ships stimulated the growth of the textile industry (linen and ropes).

Due to the specifics of the settlement of the territory, there was no serfdom.

Instead of subsistence farming, regional specialization and market orientation are developing.

Despite the fact that Spain in those days was the greatest and richest power, it does not create its own eq. system, because the basis of their wealth is New World which she ruined.

In the central provinces of the Netherlands, the peasant was legally free and rented land from the feudal lord. The “price revolution” ruined part of the landowners and their lands passed into the hands of farmers. In agriculture, the use of hired labor began. The three-field crop rotation system was replaced by a more progressive crop rotation system. However, there were still few capitalist farms in the countryside. Landlord and church landed property predominated. The peasantry performed various feudal duties, and paid church tithes. Serf relations remained in some southern provinces.

Capitalist relations in agriculture developed more rapidly in the northern provinces. The nobility itself switched to capitalist methods of housekeeping. Great importance acquired grass seeding and soil fertilization.

From the beginning of the XVI century. work on the construction of dams was widely deployed. On fertile land reclaimed from the sea, highly intensive animal husbandry developed, which produced meat, cheese, and butter. The legally free peasantry produced marketable products. The capitalist lease of land was born. Commercial agriculture and specialization of the regions arose. In the province of Zeeland, wheat and dyes were cultivated. On the irrigated lands of Holland, productive animal husbandry was developed. In a number of areas of Flanders, flax was cultivated, etc.

Industry:

Construction. The lack of building material led to the development of brick production.

Shipbuilding - over the century in the Netherlands, the construction of ships has grown 10 times in number and more significantly in terms of tonnage. The fleet is the largest in Europe, three times the size of England, which was second, and more than the fleet of all other countries combined.

Metallurgy:

Water-driven bellows, a rolling mill, a device for drawing wire, etc. The new method required capital (most of it in raw materials, not yet in mechanisms).

Sweden is rich in copper and iron: mines and mining, as well as processing, are organized with the help of Dutch capital.

Wood came from Sweden and Norway.

Coal - mined in Germany and the Netherlands.

The impact of the reformation:

Since 1521, the Inquisition appears in the Netherlands, confiscation of property from bankers and merchants begins

1557 - Philip II declares the kingdom bankrupt - the losses are borne by the bankers of the Netherlands. The first default in the history of the economy.

1560 - duties on Spanish wool (the basis of Dutch manufactory) are increased.

Ban on trade in the Spanish colonies.

1566 - the fight against the Inquisition.

From 1566-67 a protest movement begins in the Netherlands

1579 - Union of Ukhret (Establishment of the United Provinces of the Netherlands)

Formation of the United Provinces of the Netherlands (Union of Utrecht, 1579)

1571 - tax system established:

1% - for real estate;

5% - from real estate sales;

10% - from sales of all goods (alkabala).

Announcement by the Spaniards of the mouth of the Scheldt (Antwerp) as a zone closed to trade

The World Trade Center has moved to Amsterdam.

Geza is a political party in Holland. Goal: get rid of the Spanish influence

Composition of Parliament:

-1/3 bourgeois

-1/3 clergy and peasants

-1/3 nobles

"Exemplary capitalist country"(based on free competition)

They monopolized the spice trade in Indonesia, and by the middle of the 17th century they had established their dominance in this region.

In 1624 they founded New Amsterdam in Manhattan (name - until 1664)

They founded the Port of Orange (Albany) and transferred the land to families such as the Rensselaers and Roosevelts.

Land and river trade.

Capital goes into trade, banks and expensive types of production

Since the 17th century the economic rise of Holland began, and it turned into a "model" capitalist country, became. first trade and maritime power, "world carrier".

The economic rise of Holland in the 17th century. contributed to a number of circumstances.

As a result of the great geographical discoveries there has been a shift in the world trade routes to the Atlantic Ocean, and Holland was at the center of world ocean trade. She inherited that role in world trade, which was previously performed by Spain and Portugal, as well as the Hansa. The Netherlands concentrated in their hands intermediary trade between different countries. They also took advantage of uneven price increases in different countries as a result of the "price revolution" and profited greatly from it.

Nevertheless, domestic factors were decisive for the economic recovery of Holland.

The most important condition for the economic rise of Holland was the bourgeois revolution and the early development of capitalism in the northern Netherlands. The bourgeoisie that came to power created favorable conditions for the development of industry and trade on a capitalist basis.

The industrial rise of Holland was also facilitated during the period of revolution and wars by emigration from southern provinces to the north of the commercial and industrial population.

Industry development

During the years of economic recovery, the Dutch manufacturing industry successfully developed. The largest branch of industry was shipbuilding, which occupied one of the first places among the branches of the economy. Many ships were built at the shipyards of Amsterdam, Saardam and other cities. Shipbuilding was specialized, ships for various purposes were built. Holland created the most powerful merchant fleet, exceeding the merchant fleet of all other European countries. Thanks to the cheapest freight, Holland became the "world cabbie".

The most important sector of the economy was fishing, harvesting herring. At the beginning of the XVI century. 1600 vessels were employed in fishing, and in the subsequent period - 2000. The number of people employed in this industry was 100-120 thousand people.

The main branch of the Dutch industry was the production of cloth. The canvas made in the country was exported to many countries. Products of silk manufactories in their cheapness competed with the French.

For export, there were productions for leather and paper cutting.

If you do not take into account dependent regions and not fully recognized states, then Europe for 2017 covers 44 powers. Each of them has a capital in which not only its administration is located, but also the highest authority, that is, the government of the state.

States of Europe

The territory of Europe stretches from east to west for more than 3 thousand kilometers, and from south to north (from the island of Crete to the island of Svalbard) for 5 thousand kilometers. The European powers are, for the most part, comparatively small. With such small sizes of territories and good transport accessibility, these states either closely border on each other or are separated by very small distances.

The European continent is divided territorially into parts:

• western;
• eastern;
• northern;
• southern.

All powers located on the European continent belong to one of these territories.

• IN western region located 11 countries.
• In the east - 10 (including Russia).
• In the north - 8.
• In the south - 15.

Let's list all the countries of Europe and their capitals. We will divide the list of countries and capitals of Europe into four parts according to the territorial and geographical position of the powers on the world map.

Western

List of states belonging to Western Europe, with a list of main cities:

The states of Western Europe are washed mainly by currents Atlantic Ocean and only in the north of the Scandinavian Peninsula do they border on the waters of the Arctic Ocean. In general, these are highly developed and prosperous powers. But they are distinguished by an unfavorable demographic situation. This is a low birth rate and a low level of natural growth of inhabitants. In Germany, there is even a decline in population. All this led to the fact that developed Western Europe began to play the role of a subregion in the global system of population migration, it turned into the main center of labor immigration.

Eastern

List of states located in the eastern zone European continent and their capitals:

States of Eastern Europe have a lower level of economic development than their western neighbors. However, they better preserved cultural and ethnic identity. Eastern Europe is more of a cultural and historical region than a geographical one. Just in time for eastern territory Europe can also be attributed to Russian expanses. And the geographical center of Eastern Europe is located approximately within Ukraine.

Northern

List of states included in northern Europe, including capitals, looks like this:

The territories of the states of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jutland, the Baltic States, the islands of Svalbard and Iceland are included in northern part Europe. The population of these regions is only 4% of the entire European composition. most big country the eight is Sweden, and the smallest is Iceland. The population density in these lands is less in Europe - 22 people / m 2, and in Iceland - only 3 people / m 2. This is due to harsh conditions. climate zone. But the economic indicators of development distinguish northern Europe as the leader of the entire world economy.

South

And finally, the most numerous list of territories located in the southern part, and the capitals of European states:

Balkan and Iberian Peninsula occupied by these South European powers. Industry is developed here, especially ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy. The countries are rich in mineral resources. In agriculture, the main efforts focused on the cultivation of food products, such as:

• grape;
• olives;
• pomegranate;
• dates.

It is known that Spain is the world's leading country in the collection of olives. It is here that 45% of all olive oil in the world is produced. Spain is also famous for its famous artists - Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, Joan Miro.

European Union

The idea of ​​creating a single community of European powers appeared in the middle of the twentieth century, or rather after the Second World War. The official unification of the countries of the European Union (EU) took place only in 1992, when this union was sealed by the legal consent of the parties. Over time, the number of members of the European Union has expanded, and now it includes 28 allies. And states that want to join these prosperous countries will have to prove their compliance with the European foundations and principles of the EU, such as:

• protection of the rights of citizens;
• democracy;
• freedom of trade in a developed economy.

Members of the EU

The European Union for 2017 includes the following states:

There are now applicant countries to join this foreign community. These include:

1. Albania.
2. Serbia.
3. Macedonia.
4. Montenegro.
5. Turkey.

On the map of the European Union, you can clearly see its geography, the countries of Europe and their capitals.

Regulations and prerogatives of EU partners

The EU has a customs policy under which its members can trade with each other without duties and without restrictions. And in relation to other powers, the adopted customs tariff applies. Having common laws, the EU countries created a single market and introduced a single monetary currency- Euro. Many EU member states are part of the so-called Schengen zone, which allows their citizens to move freely through the territory of all allies.

The European Union has common governing bodies for member countries, which include:

• European Court.
• European Parliament.
• European Commission.
• The audit community that controls the EU budget.

Despite unity, the European states that have joined the community have full independence and state sovereignty. Each country uses its own national language and has its own governing bodies. But for all participants there are certain criteria, and they must meet them. For example, coordination of all important political decisions with the European Parliament.

It should be noted that since its founding, only one power has left the European community. It was Danish autonomy - Greenland. In 1985, she was outraged by the low quotas introduced by the European Union for fishing. You can also recall the sensational events in 2016 referendum in the UK, when the population voted to leave the country from the European Union. This suggests that even in such an influential and seemingly stable community, serious problems are brewing.

Europe is part of the world, which, together with the other part of the world, Asia, forms a single continent - Eurasia. On its vast territory there are 44 independent states. But not all of them are included Foreign Europe.

Foreign Europe

In 1991 was established international organization CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States). Today it includes the following states: Russia, Ukraine, the Republic of Belarus, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan. In relation to them, the countries of Foreign Europe are singled out. There are 40 of them. This figure does not include dependent states - possessions of a state that are not formally its territory: Akrotili and Dhekelia (Great Britain), Aland (Finland), Guernsey (Great Britain), Gibraltar (Great Britain), Jersey (Great Britain) ), Isle of Man (Great Britain), Faroe Islands (Denmark), Svalbard (Norway), Jan Mayen (Norway).

In addition, this list does not include unrecognized countries: Kosovo, Transnistria, Sealand.

Rice. 1 Map of Foreign Europe

Geographical position

The states of Foreign Europe occupy a relatively small area - 5.4 km2. The length of their lands from north to south is 5000 km, and from west to east - more than 3000 km. extreme point to the north is the island of Svalbard, and to the south - the island of Crete. This region surrounded by seas on three sides. In the west and south it is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Geographically, Foreign Europe is divided into regions:

• Western : Austria, Belgium, Great Britain, Germany, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Portugal, France, Switzerland;
• Northern : Denmark, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Estonia;
• South : Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Vatican, Greece, Spain, Italy, Macedonia, Malta, Portugal, San Marino, Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro;
• Eastern : Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Czech Republic.

From ancient times to the present day, the development of Greece, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Great Britain, Norway, Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands is inextricably linked with the sea. In the west, it is difficult to find a place that would be more than 480 km away from the water, and in the east - 600 km.

general characteristics

The countries of Foreign Europe vary in size. Among them are large, medium, small and "dwarf" states. The latter include the Vatican, San Marino, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Malta. As for the population, one can mainly observe countries with a small number of citizens - about 10 million people. According to the form of government, the vast majority of countries are republics. In second place are constitutional monarchies: Sweden, the Netherlands, Norway, Luxembourg, Monaco, Denmark, Spain, Great Britain, Andorra, Belgium. And at the last step in the singular - the theocratic monarchy: the Vatican. The administrative-territorial structure is also heterogeneous. The majority are unitary states. Spain, Switzerland, Serbia, Montenegro, Germany, Austria, Belgium are countries with a federal structure.

Rice. 2 The developed countries Europe and their capitals

Socio-economic classification

In 1993, the idea of ​​European unification received a new breath: that year the treaty establishing the European Union was signed. At the first stage, some countries opposed joining the ranks of such an association (Norway, Sweden, Austria, Finland). The total number of countries that make up the modern EU is 28. They are united not only by the name. First of all, they "confess" general economy(single currency), common domestic and foreign policy as well as the security policy. But within this alliance, not everything is so smooth and uniform. It has its leaders - Great Britain, France, Germany and Italy. They account for about 70% of the total GDP and more than half of the population of the European Union. The following are small countries, which are divided into subgroups:

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• First : Austria, Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, Belgium, Netherlands, Sweden;
• Second : Greece, Spain, Ireland, Portugal, Malta, Cyprus;
• Third (developing countries): Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia.

In 2016, the UK held a referendum to leave the EU. The majority (52%) was in favor. So, the state is on the verge of a difficult process of leaving the big "European family".

Rice. 3 Rome is the capital of Italy

Foreign Europe: countries and capitals

The following table lists the countries and capitals of Overseas Europe in alphabetical order:

What have we learned?

In this article, we talked about the countries and main cities of Foreign Europe. Foreign Europe is a region of Europe. What is included in its composition? It includes all countries located in the European part of Eurasia, except for the states belonging to the CIS. On the territory of foreign Europe there is an association European Union, which rallied 28 states under its roof.

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