ATLAS EXERCISE
Geography of Europe
Texas A&M University

DUE: September 17, 2004

VALUE: 50 Points (or 5% of grade)
 
 
Purpose:
    The atlas exercise is designed to have students use various maps and geographical sources to increase proficiency in European geography. The essentials of learning and memorizing absolute locations, place-names, and spatial recognition of major physical and cultural features are emphasized as well as process and application of geographic knowledge.

Directions:
    Complete the 5 tasks (3 maps and 1 table and 1 state profile with map)
    Answer the following 20 questions on a large gray scantron:
    Turn in the scantron and the five items before the due date (9/17).


Background: Compile the necessary information to make a table and label a map with the all European states.
                        Know which European State you are assigned for the Profile.

 

Map One: Locator Map

            Enter the abbreviation (official letter code) for each state onto the map.
            Do not add any other information to this map.

Map Two: Economic

            Select suitable variables for both economic strength and weakness
            Shade in the ten largest European economies (exclude Russia)
            Shade (differently) the ten poorest/weakest economies (exclude Russia) 

 
Map Three: Physical

            Label all the Physical features on this map that are marked with a letter (O, Q, X, Y, Z)
             (O = rivers, Q = lakes, X = specific land/water feature, Y = islands, Z = mountain ranges)

Table One: European States

           Using a spreadsheet program, create a table of all European states
                 (use Jordan’s p. xvi-xvii and exclude the dependent territories).
        Sort your table by column 1, which is the standard English name.
        Column 2 should be the native name of the state;
        column 3 is the official letter code;
        column 4 is population;
        column 5 is area;
        column 6 is population density.
           

ATLAS EXERCISE

Internet:

            Use the “world wide web” to find answers and associate the websites for future reference.

EU website: < http://europa.eu.int>

 

1. How many languages does the EU website support?
[A] 1                [B] 7                [C] 15              [D] 20              [E] 25

 
2. What day of the year is “Europe Day?”
[A] April 1st                             
[B] May 9th     
[C] July 4th                              
[D] August 1st  
[E] October 31st          

 

NATO website: < http://www.nato.int>

3. How many “Official Languages” does NATO have?
[A] 1               
[B] 2               
[C] 3               
[D] 4               
[E] 5

 
4. The Atlantic Charter was issued before NATO was formally formed; what date was it signed?
[A] January 1, 1941                
[B] August 14, 1941
[C] December 9, 1941            
[D] July 4, 1945
[E] April 4, 1949


Rumantsch is the “4th Language” of Switzerland. (Dr. Prout’s research)

Go to the following website  http://www.liarumantscha.ch

5. Which two “Idioms” are known as Ladin?
[A] Sursilvan and Surmirin                   
[B] Sursilvan and Sutsilvan
[C] Puter and Sursilvan            
[D] Puter and Vallader
[E] Vallader and Surmirin

 

CIA’s World Factbook  is an excellent source for general geographical information.

Go to http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/ , select “Switzerland”

6. What is the “conventional long form name” for Switzerland?
[A] Switzerland                                   
[B] Swiss Confederation                      
[C] Eidgenossenschaft             
[D] Land of the Swiss

 
7. What does the “H” in CH (letter abbreviation) stand for?
[A] Help                                              
[B] Herring      
[C] Happy                                           
[D] Helvetia     
[E] Chicano
General Questions:

 
8. Turkey is a __________________________
[A] Member of EU (European Union).
[B] Member of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization).
[C] Member of both European Union and NATO.
[D] Not a member of either the EU or NATO.

 
9. Turkey’s location could be described as:
[A] … being both in Europe and Asia
[B] … being mostly on Asia Minor
[C] … having both a Black Sea and Aegean Sea coastline
[D] … having land borders with Greece, Bulgaria, Armenia, and Georgia
[E]       All of the above

 

True [A] or False [B]

 
10. The Danube is Europe’s longest river.

11. Hammerfest is the largest metropolitan area poleward of the Arctic Circle.

12. Kaliningrad = Königsberg (historical name dating back to the Hanseatic League.

13. Lake Balaton is located at 46° 47’ N, 17° 55’ E.

14. Rome is located at 41°54’ E, 12° 30’ N.

15. Four capital cities are located along the Rhine River.

16. The Ural Mountains divide Russia from Kazakhstan.

17. Crimea is in Ukraine but most speak Russian

18. Corsica and Sardinia are both parts of Italy.

19. Copenhagen is Sweden’s primate city.

20. The Volga River naturally empties into the Caspian Sea.


ATLAS EXERCISE ONE
Geography of Europe
                                                                                                Student Name:                         
INDIVIDUAL STATE PROFILE
                                                                                                            UID:                                        
 
STATE:                                                                                                                                               
(common short English name)                (Official long name in English)   
 
Local Names and variations:                                                                                                                
 
Write short descriptions of the following categories:
 
Major Land/Water features
 
 
 
International borders (neighbors)
 
 
 
Population
 
 
 
Education
 
 
 
Culture
 
 
 
Economy
 
 
 
Political
 
 
 
Member of EU (and when if yes)
 
Member of NATO (and when if yes)
 
Attach a printout of a “good” internet map

ATLAS EXERCISE 2
Geography of Europe
Texas A&M University

DUE: October 15, 2004

VALUE: 50 Points (or 5% of grade)
 
 
Purpose:
    The atlas exercise is designed to have students use various maps and geographical sources to increase proficiency in European geography. The essentials of learning and memorizing absolute locations, place-names, and spatial recognition of major physical and cultural features are emphasized as well as process and application of geographic knowledge.

Directions:
    Complete the 5 tasks (4 maps and 1 table)
    Turn in the scantron and the four items below before the due date (10/15).


Background: Compile the necessary information to make a table and label a map with the members of the European Union and North Atlantic Treaty Organization. You will need access to the internet as well as the broschures handed out during class.

 

Map One: Core/Incipient Area of Modern States (use MAP ONE)

            Determine if States have historical core and/or incipient areas.

            Locate, Delineate, and Label

 

Map Two: European Union (use Alliance map)         

            Highlight the current members of the EU (25).

            Label year entered for current members.

            Asterix the ten states that become members in 2004.

            Identify the other states that have applied.

 

Map Three: NATO (use Alliance map)

            Highlight the current members of NATO.

            Label year entered for current members. (2 dates for Germany)

            Asterix the states that were once members of the Warsaw Pact

            Star the states that have applied to join.

            Draw in the old “Iron Curtain” as a thick solid line.

 

Map Four: Cultural Minorities (use the coloring book—physical map)

            Identify 25 linguistic and/or religious minority situations in Europe

            Locate and Label on this map.

 

 

Table One: European Integration

            Using a spreadsheet program, create a table of 30 selected European states (use GSE p. 7 exclude micro states). You can also “Save as” your existing table before making changes.
 Sort your table by column 1, which is the standard English name.
column 2 is EU entry date or application status
column 3 is EFTA entry (and exit) date / status
column 4 is OSCE entry date or status (formerly CSCE)
column 5 is OECD entry date or status (formally OEEC)
column 6 is Council of Europe entry date or status
column 7 is NATO membership date or status

column 8 is WEU membership date / status

column 9 is Rapid Reaction Force status

 

Answer the following 20 questions on a large gray scantron:

 

ATLAS EXERCISE TWO

Geography of Europe

                                                                                    Student Name:                                    

INDIVIDUAL STATE PROFILE

                                                                                    UID:                                                                

 

                                                                                    STATE:                                                           

Answer the following:

 

COE

What does the acronym stand for?

When was this group initially formed?

What is its purpose?

 

Is your State a member?

 

 

EU

What does the acronym stand for?

Who were the original six members?

When was this group initially formed?

What was the proceeding treaty between those six?

 

What are the earlier acronyms that preceded EU?

 

How many members are there now?

 

Is your State a member?

 

 

EFTA

What does the acronym stand for?

When was this group initially formed?

What is its purpose?

 

Who left EFTA to join the EU?

 

Is your State a member?

 

 

OSCE

What does the acronym stand for?

When was this group initially formed (CSCE)

What is its purpose?

 

Is your State a member?

OECD

What does the acronym stand for?

When was this group initially formed? (OEEC)

What is its purpose?

 

Is your State a member?

 

 

NATO

What does the acronym stand for?

When was this group initially formed?

What is the defining treaty called?

What is its purpose?

 

How many members have joined since 1990?

 

Is your State a member?

 

 

WEU

What does the acronym stand for?

When was this group initially formed?

When was this group dismantled?

When was this group reformed?

What is its current purpose?

 

Is your State a member?

 

 

Does the Rapid Reaction Force have an acronym?

When was this group initially formed?

Who is a participant?

What is its current purpose?