Western Europe Analysis
Essay by 24 • January 21, 2011 • 1,417 Words (6 Pages) • 1,563 Views
REGIONAL ANALYSIS CHECKLIST
WESTERN EUROPE
1. Name all the countries in the region
a. Give a brief economic history (past 50 years) of each country
France:
- One of the members who helped the creation of the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1957.
- In January 2002, the Euro replaced the Franc, currency that had been in circulation since 1360.
- Past two decades France has gone through a period of privatization.
- 4th largest exporter of services in the world.
- 5th largest exporter of good to the world.
- The majority of its exports go to Germany.
http://www.economist.com/countries/France/profile.cfm?folder=Profile-FactSheet
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/999717.stm
Germany:
- Germany, along with six other nations helped create the original European Economic Community (EEC) in 1957.
- Germany has become one of the strongest political and economic powers after suffering two World Wars.
- After reconstruction, Germany has solidified with a very stable economy and achieving trade surplus and currently holding the spot of the world’s leading exporter.
- In 2006, the number of unemployed in Germany fell below 4 million. First time the number of unemployed is reached in 4 years.
http://www.economist.com/countries/Germany/profile.cfm?folder=Profile-FactSheet
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/1053880.stm
Italy:
- Italy is another of the six nations to have signed the initial document that would pave the way for European integration.
- Italy is the 4th largest economy of the European Union.
- The country suffered in the manufacturing industry in the mid 90’s but has recovered from the fall.
- In 2002, the Euro replaces the Italian Lira.
http://www.economist.com/countries/Italy/profile.cfm?folder=Profile-FactSheet
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/1065897.stm
Spain:
- In 1986, Spain joined the EEC
- In 2002, the Euro replaced the Peseta
- 16th exporter in the world
- 12th importer of the world
http://www.economist.com/countries/Spain/profile.cfm?folder=Profile-FactSheet
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/992004.stm
http://www.answers.com/topic/economy-of-spain?cat=travel
United Kingdom
- Britain joined the European Community (now the EU) in 1973
- Has the 5th largest economy in the world
- 2nd largest economy in Europe after Germany
- London is one of three major financial centers in the world
http://www.economist.com/countries/Britain/profile.cfm?folder=Profile-FactSheet
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/1038820.stm
http://www.answers.com/topic/economy-of-the-united-kingdom?cat=biz-fin
b. Describe the natural resources of the region.
France:
- Rich agricultural land
- Tourism from beaches, rivers, forests, and mountains
- Hydroelectric production, but inadequate for its needs
- Other: Coal, iron ore, bauxite, zinc, uranium, antimony, arsenic, potash, feldspar, fluorspar, gypsum, timber, fish
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/profiles/France.pdf
Germany:
- Coal is the major natural resource that Germany possesses
- Other: Lignite, natural gas, iron ore, copper, nickel, uranium, potash, salt, construction materials, timber, arable land
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/profiles/Germany.pdf
Italy:
- Italy’s major natural resource is natural gas
- Other: Coal, mercury, zinc, potash, marble, barite, asbestos, pumice, fluorspar, feldspar, pyrite (sulfur), crude oil reserves, fish, arable land
http://www.answers.com/Economy+of+Italy?cat=travel
Spain:
- Coal, lignite, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, uranium, tungsten, mercury, pyrites, magnesite, fluorspar, gypsum, sepiolite, kaolin, potash, hydropower, arable land
United Kingdom:
- Coal, petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, lead, zinc, gold, tin, limestone, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, potash, silica sand, slate, arable land
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2111.html
c. List GDPs by country.
GDP (PPP) GDP (Real Growth Rate)
France: $ 2,067,000,000,000 1.8% (2007 est.)
Germany: $ 2,833,000,000,000 2.6% (2007 est.)
Italy:
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