CU-BSC.TTM-SEM-III-Tourism Products Europe & America- Second Draft

UNIT 6 PHYSICAL-GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION OF EUROPE Structure 6.0 Learning objective 6.1 Introduction to Europe 6.2 Geographical location of Europe 6.2.1 Climate 6.2.2 Biomes of Europe and surrounding regions 6.2.3 Other geographic details 6.2.4 Geology 6.2.5 History and other facts of Europe 6.2.6 Flora 6.2.7 Fauna 6.3 Countries of Europe in the world map 6.3.1 Countries in Europe 6.3.2 Countries of Europe and their details 6.3.3 Europe map 6.4 Summary 6.5 Keyword 6.6 learning activity 6.8 Unit End Questions 6.9 References 6.0 LEARNING OBJECTIVES After studying this unit, the students will be able to  Describe about the geo superlatives of Europe  List the Basic facts about Europe  Elaborate graphical location of Europe  List the Countries of Europe  State the Countries of Europe and its location in map 101 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

Figure: 6.1 Political Map of Germany 102 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

Figure: 6.2 Europe Political Map 6.1 INTRODUCTION TO EUROPE  Europe is a continent located entirely in the Northern Hemisphere and mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere. It comprises the westernmost peninsulas of the continental landmass of Eurasia, and is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and Asia to the east.  Europe is commonly considered to be separated from Asia by the watershed of the Ural Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian Sea, the Greater Caucasus, the Black Sea, and the waterways of the Turkish Straits. Although much of this border is over land, Europe is 103 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

generally accorded the status of a full continent because of its great physical size and the weight of history and tradition.  Europe covers about 10,180,000 km2 (3,930,000 sq mi), or 2% of the Earth's surface (6.8% of land area), making it the second smallest continent (using the seven-continent model). Politically, Europe is divided into about fifty sovereign states, of which Russia is the largest and most populous, spanning 39% of the continent and comprising 15% of its population.  Europe had a total population of about 741 million (about 11% of the world population) as of 2018. The European climate is largely affected by warm Atlantic currents that temper winters and summers on much of the continent, even at latitudes along which the climate in Asia and North America is severe. Further from the sea, seasonal differences are more noticeable than close to the coast.  European culture is the root of Western civilization, which traces its lineage back to ancient Greece and ancient Rome. The fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD and the subsequent Migration Period marked the end of Europe's ancient history and the beginning of the Middle Ages.  Renaissance humanism, exploration, art and science led to the modern era. Since the Age of Discovery, started by Portugal and Spain, Europe played a predominant role in global affairs. Between the 16th and 20th centuries, European powers colonized at various times the Americas, almost all of Africa and Oceania, and the majority of Asia.  The Age of Enlightenment, the subsequent French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars shaped the continent culturally, politically and economically from the end of the 17th century until the first half of the 19th century. The Industrial Revolution, which began in Great Britain at the end of the 18th century, gave rise to radical economic, cultural and social change in Western Europe and eventually the wider world.  Both world wars took place for the most part in Europe, contributing to a decline in Western European dominance in world affairs by the mid-20th century as the Soviet Union and the United States took prominence. During the Cold War, Europe was divided along the Iron Curtain between NATO in the West and the Warsaw Pact in the East, until the revolutions of 1989 and fall of the Berlin Wall.  In 1949, the Council of Europe was founded with the idea of unifying Europe to achieve common goals and prevent future wars. Further European integration by some states led to the formation of the European Union (EU), a separate political entity that lies between a 104 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

confederation and a federation. The EU originated in Western Europe but has been expanding eastward since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.  The currency of most countries of the European Union, the euro, is the most commonly used among Europeans; and the EU's Schengen Area abolishes border and immigration controls between most of its member states and some non-members states. There exists a political movement favoring the evolution of the European Union into a single federation encompassing much of the continent. 6.2 GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION OF EUROPE Figure: 6.3 Location of Europe in World Map Map of populous Europe and surrounding regions showing physical, political and population characteristics, as per 2018  Europe makes up the western fifth of the Eurasian landmass. It has a higher ratio of coast to landmass than any other continent or subcontinent. Its maritime borders consist of the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and the Mediterranean, Black, and Caspian Seas to the south. Land relief in Europe shows great variation within relatively small areas. The southern regions are more mountainous, while moving north the terrain descends from the high Alps, Pyrenees, and Carpathians, through hilly uplands, into broad, low northern plains, which are vast in the east. This extended lowland is known as the Great European Plain, and at its heart lies the North German Plain. An arc of uplands also exists 105 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

along the north-western seaboard, which begins in the western parts of the islands of Britain and Ireland, and then continues along the mountainous, fjord-cut spine of Norway.  This description is simplified. Sub-regions such as the Iberian Peninsula and the Italian Peninsula contain their own complex features, as does mainland Central Europe itself, where the relief contains many plateaus, river valleys and basins that complicate the general trend. Sub-regions like Iceland, Britain, and Ireland are special cases. The former is a land unto itself in the northern ocean which is counted as part of Europe, while the latter are upland areas that were once joined to the mainland until rising sea levels cut them off. 6.2.1 Climate Figure: 6.4 Climatic variations of Europe 6.2.2 Biomes of Europe and surrounding regions  Tundra  Alpine tundra  Taiga  Montane forest  Temperate broadleaf forest  Mediterranean forest  Temperate steppe  Dry steppe 6.2.3 Other geographical details  Europe lies mainly in the temperate climate zones, being subjected to prevailing westerlies. The climate is milder in comparison to other areas of the same latitude around the globe due to the influence of the Gulf Stream.[212] The Gulf Stream is nicknamed \"Europe's central heating\", because it makes Europe's climate warmer and wetter than it would 106 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

otherwise be. The Gulf Stream not only carries warm water to Europe's coast but also warms up the prevailing westerly winds that blow across the continent from the Atlantic Ocean.  Therefore, the average temperature throughout the year of Aveiro is 16 °C (61 °F), while it is only 13 °C (55 °F) in New York City which is almost on the same latitude, bordering the same ocean. Berlin, Germany; Calgary, Canada; and Irkutsk, in far southeastern Russia, lie on around the same latitude; January temperatures in Berlin average around 8 °C (14 °F) higher than those in Calgary, and they are almost 22 °C (40 °F) higher than average temperatures in Irkutsk. Similarly, northern parts of Scotland have a temperate marine climate. The yearly average temperature in city of Inverness is 9.05 °C (48.29 °F). However, Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, is on roughly the same latitude and has an average temperature of −6.5 °C (20.3 °F), giving it a nearly subarctic climate.  The large water masses of the Mediterranean Sea, which equalize the temperatures on an annual and daily average, are also of particular importance. The water of the Mediterranean extends from the Sahara desert to the Alpine arc in its northernmost part of the Adriatic Sea near Trieste.  In general, Europe is not just colder towards the north compared to the south, but it also gets colder from the west towards the east. The climate is more oceanic in the west, and less so in the east. This can be illustrated by the following table of average temperatures at locations roughly following the 60th, 55th, 50th, 45th and 40th latitudes. None of them is located at high altitude; most of them are close to the sea. (location, approximate latitude and longitude, coldest month average, hottest month average and annual average temperatures in degrees C) 107 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

Figure: 6.5 Köppen-Geiger Climate Classification Map for Europe. Temperatures in °C Location Latitude Longitude Coldest Hottest Annual month month average Lerwick 60 N 1W 3.5 12.4 7.4 Stockholm 59.5 N 19 E −1.7 18.4 7.4 Helsinki 60 N 25 E −4.7 17.8 5.9 Saint Petersburg 60 N 30 E −5.8 18.8 5.8 Edinburgh 55.5 N 3W 4.2 15.3 9.3 Copenhagen 55.5 N 12 E 1.4 18.1 9.1 Klaipeda 55.5 N 21 E −1.3 17.9 8.0 Moscow 55.5 N 30 E −6.5 19.2 5.8 Isles of 6W 7.9 16.9 11.8 Sicily 50 N 4E 3.3 18.4 10.5 Brussels 50.5 N 108 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

Krakow 50 N 20 E −2.0 19.2 8.7 Kyiv 50.5 N 30 E −3.5 20.5 8.4 Bordeaux 45 N 0 6.6 21.4 13.8 Venice 45.5 N 12 E 3.3 23.0 13.0 Belgrade 45 N 20 E 1.4 23.0 12.5 Astrakhan 46 N 48 E −3.7 25.6 10.5 Coimbra 40 N 8W 9.9 21.9 16.0 Valencia 39.5 N 0 11.9 26.1 18.3 Naples 40.5 N 14 E 8.7 24.7 15.9 Istanbul 41 N 29 E 6.0 23.8 11.4 Table: 6.1 Details of temperature  It is notable how the average temperatures for the coldest month, as well as the annual average temperatures, drop from the west to the east. For instance, Edinburgh is warmer than Belgrade during the coldest month of the year, although Belgrade is around 10° of latitude farther south. 6.2.4 Geology Figure: 6.6 - Mount Elbrus 109 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

Mount Elbrus in Southern Russia, is the highest mountain in Europe. Figure: 6.7 – Volga The Volga, which flows from Central Russia and into the Caspian Sea is the longest river in Europe. 6.2.5 History and other facts of Europe  The geological history of Europe traces back to the formation of the Baltic Shield (Fennoscandia) and the Sarmatian craton, both around 2.25 billion years ago, followed by the Volga–Uralia shield, the three together leading to the East European craton (≈ Baltica) which became a part of the supercontinent Columbia. Around 1.1 billion years ago, Baltica and Arctica (as part of the Laurentia block) became joined to Rodina, later respiting around 550 million years ago to reform as Baltica. Around 440 million years ago Euramerica was formed from Baltica and Laurentia; a further joining with Gondwana then leading to the formation of Pangea. Around 190 million years ago, Gondwana and Laurasia split apart due to the widening of the Atlantic Ocean. Finally, and very soon afterwards, Laurasia itself split up again, into Laurentia (North America) and the Eurasian continent. The land connection between the two persisted for a considerable time, via Greenland, leading to interchange of animal species. From around 50 million years ago, rising and falling sea levels have determined the actual shape of Europe, and its connections with continents such as Asia. Europe's present shape dates to the late Tertiary period about five million years ago. 110 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

Figure: 6.8 - Strait of Gibraltar  Europa Point as seen from the Strait of Gibraltar, which separates the continents of Europe and Africa, also being between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.  The geology of Europe is hugely varied and complex, and gives rise to the wide variety of landscapes found across the continent, from the Scottish Highlands to the rolling plains of Hungary. Europe's most significant feature is the dichotomy between highland and mountainous Southern Europe and a vast, partially underwater, northern plain ranging from Ireland in the west to the Ural Mountains in the east. These two halves are separated by the mountain chains of the Pyrenees and Alps/Carpathians. The northern plains are delimited in the west by the Scandinavian Mountains and the mountainous parts of the British Isles. Major shallow water bodies submerging parts of the northern plains are the Celtic Sea, the North Sea, the Baltic Sea complex and Barents Sea.  The northern plain contains the old geological continent of Baltica, and so may be regarded geologically as the \"main continent\", while peripheral highlands and mountainous regions in the south and west constitute fragments from various other geological continents. Most of the older geology of western Europe existed as part of the ancient microcontinent Avalonia. 6.2.6 Flora  Having lived side by side with agricultural peoples for millennia, Europe's animals and plants have been profoundly affected by the presence and activities of man. With the exception of Fennoscandia and northern Russia, few areas of untouched wilderness are currently found in Europe, except for various national parks. 111 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

Figure: 6.9 – Flora Land use map of Europe with arable farmland (yellow), forest (dark green), pasture (light green), and tundra or bogs in the north (dark yellow)  The main natural vegetation cover in Europe is mixed forest. The conditions for growth are very favorable. In the north, the Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Drift warm the continent. Southern Europe could be described as having a warm, but mild climate. There are frequent summer droughts in this region. Mountain ridges also affect the conditions. Some of these (Alps, Pyrenees) are oriented east–west and allow the wind to carry large masses of water from the ocean in the interior. Others are oriented south–north (Scandinavian Mountains, Dina rides, Carpathians, Apennines) and because the rain falls primarily on the side of mountains that is oriented towards the sea, forests grow well on this side, while on the other side, the conditions are much less favorable. Few corners of mainland Europe have not been grazed by livestock at some point in time, and the cutting down of the pre-agricultural forest habitat caused disruption to the original plant and animal ecosystems. Floristic regions of Europe and neighbouring areas, according to Wolfgang Frey and Rainer Loach  Probably 80 to 90 percent of Europe was once covered by forest. It stretched from the Mediterranean Sea to the Arctic Ocean. Although over half of Europe's original forests disappeared through the centuries of deforestation, Europe still has over one quarter of its land area as forest, such as the broadleaf and mixed forests, taiga of Scandinavia and Russia, 112 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

mixed rainforests of the Caucasus and the Cork oak forests in the western Mediterranean. During recent times, deforestation has been slowed and many trees have been planted. However, in many cases monoculture plantations of conifers have replaced the original mixed natural forest, because these grow quicker. The plantations now cover vast areas of land, but offer poorer habitats for many European forest dwelling species which require a mixture of tree species and diverse forest structure. The amount of natural forest in Western Europe is just 2–3% or less, in European Russia 5–10%. The country with the smallest percentage of forested area is Iceland (1%), while the most forested country is Finland (77%).  In temperate Europe, mixed forest with both broadleaf and coniferous trees dominate. The most important species in central and western Europe are beech and oak. In the north, the taiga is a mixed spruce–pine–birch forest; further north within Russia and extreme northern Scandinavia, the taiga gives way to tundra as the Arctic is approached. In the Mediterranean, many olive trees have been planted, which are very well adapted to its arid climate; Mediterranean Cypress is also widely planted in southern Europe. The semi-arid Mediterranean region hosts much scrub forest. A narrow east–west tongue of Eurasian grassland (the steppe) extends westwards from Ukraine and southern Russia and ends in Hungary and traverses into taiga to the north. 6.2.7 Fauna Biogeographic regions of Europe and bordering regions  Glaciation during the most recent ice age and the presence of man affected the distribution of European fauna. As for the animals, in many parts of Europe most large animals and top predator species have been hunted to extinction. The woolly mammoth was extinct before the end of the Neolithic period. Today wolves (carnivores) and bears (omnivores) are endangered. Once they were found in most parts of Europe. However, deforestation and hunting caused these animals to withdraw further and further. By the Middle Ages the bears' habitats were limited to more or less inaccessible mountains with sufficient forest cover. Today, the brown bear lives primarily in the Balkan peninsula, Scandinavia, and Russia; a small number also persist in other countries across Europe (Austria, Pyrenees etc.), but in these areas brown bear populations are fragmented and marginalized because of the destruction of their habitat. In addition, polar bears may be found on Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago far north of Scandinavia. The wolf, the second largest predator in Europe after 113 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

the brown bear, can be found primarily in Central and Eastern Europe and in the Balkans, with a handful of packs in pockets of Western Europe (Scandinavia, Spain, etc.). Figure: 6.10 - European bison  Once roaming the great temperate forests of Eurasia, European bison now live in nature preserves in Białowieża Forest, on the border between Poland and Belarus.  European wild cat, foxes (especially the red fox), jackal and different species of martens, hedgehogs, different species of reptiles (like snakes such as vipers and grass snakes) and amphibians, different birds (owls, hawks and other birds of prey).  Important European herbivores are snails, larvae, fish, different birds, and mammals, like rodents, deer and roe deer, boars, and living in the mountains, marmots, steinbocks, chamois among others. A number of insects, such as the small tortoiseshell butterfly, add to the biodiversity.  The extinction of the dwarf hippos and dwarf elephants has been linked to the earliest arrival of humans on the islands of the Mediterranean.  Sea creatures are also an important part of European flora and fauna. The sea flora is mainly phytoplankton. Important animals that live in European seas are zooplankton, mollusks, echinoderms, different crustaceans, squids and octopuses, fish, dolphins, and whales.  Biodiversity is protected in Europe through the Council of Europe's Bern Convention, which has also been signed by the European Community as well as non-European states. 114 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

6.3 COUNTRIES OF EUROPE IN THE WORLD MAP 6.3.1 Countries in Europe  44 countries under  There are 44 countries in Europe today, according to the United Nations. The full list is shown in the table below, with current population and subregion (based on the United Nations official statistics). Not included in this total of \"countries\" and listed separately are:  Dependencies (or dependent territories, dependent areas) or Areas of Special Sovereignty (autonomous territories). 6.3.2 Countries of Europe and their details # Country Population Subregion 1 Russia (2020) Eastern Europe 2 Germany 145,934,462 Western Europe 3 United Kingdom 83,783,942 Northern Europe 4 France 67,886,011 Western Europe 5 Italy 65,273,511 Southern Europe 6 Spain 60,461,826 Southern Europe 7 Ukraine 46,754,778 Eastern Europe 8 Poland 43,733,762 Eastern Europe 9 Romania 37,846,611 Eastern Europe 10 Netherlands 19,237,691 Western Europe 11 Belgium 17,134,872 Western Europe 12 Czech Republic (Czechia) 11,589,623 Eastern Europe 13 Greece 10,708,981 Southern Europe 14 Portugal 10,423,054 Southern Europe 15 Sweden 10,196,709 Northern Europe 16 Hungary 10,099,265 Eastern Europe 17 Belarus 9,660,351 Eastern Europe 18 Austria 9,449,323 Western Europe 9,006,398 115 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

19 Serbia 8,737,371 Southern Europe 20 Switzerland 8,654,622 Western Europe 21 Bulgaria 6,948,445 Eastern Europe 22 Denmark 5,792,202 Northern Europe 23 Finland 5,540,720 Northern Europe 24 Slovakia 5,459,642 Eastern Europe 25 Norway 5,421,241 Northern Europe 26 Ireland 4,937,786 Northern Europe 27 Croatia 4,105,267 Southern Europe 28 Moldova 4,033,963 Eastern Europe 29 Bosnia and Herzegovina 3,280,819 Southern Europe 30 Albania 2,877,797 Southern Europe 31 Lithuania 2,722,289 Northern Europe 32 North Macedonia 2,083,374 Southern Europe 33 Slovenia 2,078,938 Southern Europe 34 Latvia 1,886,198 Northern Europe 35 Estonia 1,326,535 Northern Europe 36 Montenegro 628,066 Southern Europe 37 Luxembourg 625,978 Western Europe 38 Malta 441,543 Southern Europe 39 Iceland 341,243 Northern Europe 40 Andorra 77,265 Southern Europe 41 Monaco 39,242 Western Europe 42 Liechtenstein 38,128 Western Europe 43 San Marino 33,931 Southern Europe 44 Holy See 801 Southern Europe Table: 6.2 European countries and population 116 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

Figure: 6.11 Map of Russia Dependencies or other territories Population Dependency of (2020) U.K. # Territory 173,863 U.K. 1 Channel Islands 85,033 Denmark 2 Isle of Man 48,863 U.K. 3 Faeroe Islands 33,691 4 Gibraltar 117 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

Table: 6.3 Territories and population 6.2.3 Europe Map Figure: 6.12 - Europe map 6.4 SUMMARY  Europe is a continent located entirely in the Northern Hemisphere  Europe is commonly considered to be separated from Asia by the watershed of the Ural Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian Sea, the Greater Caucasus, the Black Sea, and the waterways of the Turkish Straits  Europe covers about 10,180,000 km2 2% of the Earth's surface  Europe had a total population of about 741 million, about 11% of the world population, as of 2018  The currency of most countries of the European Union, the euro, is the most commonly used among Europeans 118 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

6.5 KEYWORDS  Eurasia–It is the largest continental area on Earth, comprising all of Europe and Asia. ... Physio graphically, Eurasia is a single continent. The concepts of Europe and Asia as distinct continents date back to antiquity, and their borders are geologically arbitrary.  Renaissance humanism - It was a movement in thought, literature, and art, typified by a revival in interest in the classical world and studies which focused not on religion but on what it is to be human  Cold war - a state of political hostility between countries characterized by threats, propaganda, and other measures short of open warfare.  Biomes - A biome is a collection of plants and animals that have common characteristics for the environment they exist in. They can be found over a range of continents. 6.6 LEARNING ACTIVITY 1. Find out about the western culture and how did it evolve from Europe and where does it date back to. ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 2. Learn why Europe is called ‘ahead of its time’ and how can we make it happen in India. ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 6.7UNIT END QUESTION A. Descriptive Questions 119 Short Questions 1. Which all places share its border with Europe? 2. How much does Europe contribute in world’s population and land mass? 3. Which affects the European climate largely? 4. How did the world adopt the western culture from Europe? 5. Where does the western culture of Europe dates back? Long Questions ` CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

1. Explain the bio diversity of Europe. 120 2. Explain the flora of Europe 3. Elaborate the climatic conditions of Europe. 4. Discuss the history of Europe 5. Where is Europe located and enumerate the facts about its geography. B. Multiple choice Questions: 1. Mount Elbrus in_____________, is the highest mountain in Europe. a. Southern Russia. b. Northern Russia c. western Germany d. eastern Russia 2. Which is the longest river in Europe? a. The Volga b. The gulf stream c. The Amazon river d. The Ural river 3. Europe is located in which hemisphere? a. Northern b. Southern c. Eastern d. Western 4. Europe has how many countries according to UN? CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

a. 46 b.44 c. 35 d. 38 5. __________ is nick named as \"Europe's central heating\". a. The gulf stream b. Sahara Desert c. Iberian Peninsula d. Trieste Answers 1-a, 2-a, 3-a, 4-b, 5-a 6.8 REFERENCES Reference books:  Specific Country Guide Books of Lonely Planet Publication.  DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Europe  A.K Bhatia – International Tourism Management.  International Geography for Travel and Tourism by John P.Wrades 121 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

UNIT 7 TOURIST DESTINATION – UNITED KINGDOM Structure 7.0 Learning objective 7.1 General and basic facts of UK 7.1.1 Fast facts 7.1.2. Geography 7.1.3 People and culture 7.1.4 Nature 7.1.5 Other facts 7.1.6 Facts about UK 7.1.7 Famous people of UK 7.1.8 Languages of UK 7.2 Various tourist destinations of UK 7.3 Summary 7.4 Key words 7.5 Learning activity 7.6 Unit end Questions 7.7 References 7.0 LEARNING OBJECTIVE After studying this unit, the students will be able to  State the basic facts of UK  Outline the general information's of UK  List the famous people from UK  Explore the famous top-rated tourist destination of UK 122 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

Figure: 7.1 Political Map of United Kingdom 7.1 GENERAL AND BASIC FACTS OF UK The United Kingdom, also called the U.K., consists of a group of islands off the northwest coast of Europe. 7.1.1 Fast facts  OFFICIAL NAME: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland  FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Constitutional monarchy with parliamentary government  CAPITAL: London  POPULATION: 65,105,246  OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: English  MONEY: Pound sterling  AREA: 93,635 square miles (242,514 square kilometers)  MAJOR RIVERS: Thames, Severn, Tyne 123 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

7.1.2 GEOGRAPHY  The United Kingdom, also called the U.K., consists of a group of islands off the northwest coast of Europe. It is a unique country made up of four nations: England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. England, Wales, and Scotland also make up Great Britain.  Much of the north and west of the U.K. is covered in high ground, knife-edged mountain ridges separated by deep valleys. This terrain was shaped in the last Ice Age, when thick glaciers covered the land.  In the south of England, the countryside is mostly rolling hills.  In northwest England and the Scottish Highlands are dozens of lakes, called lochs. These were left behind when the Ice Age glaciers melted. They tend to be long and narrow, and some are very deep. Legends say that a giant monster called Nessie lives in Loch Ness in Scotland.  Great Britain's rugged mountains, like the Scottish Highlands, offer habitat that is relatively untouched by humans.  The United Kingdom is a country in northwestern Europe.  The UK consists of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.  The UK is located mainly on two large islands in the Atlantic Ocean: the islands of Great Britain and Ireland  No location in the UK is further away from the sea than 125 km/ 77 miles!  The only land border to a non-UK country is in Northern Ireland the border with Ireland. Figure: 7.2 – UK and Ireland  The United Kingdom is slightly smaller than the state of Oregon/USA and slightly bigger than Ghana. 124 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

 The UK lies on the prime meridian which marks the Greenwich meridian time zone (GMT).  The landscape is dominated by rolling plains and rugged hillsides.  The UK has 13 British Overseas Territories, among them are Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean, Gibraltar on the Iberian Peninsula and Saint Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean.  The United Kingdom was part of the European Union from 1973 until 'Brexit' was finalized on 31 December 2020 when the transition period (from 31 January 2020) ended with new arrangements between the EU and the UK. Read more about the European Union here. 7.1.3 People and culture  The British are the creation of waves of invaders and migrants, including Celts, Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, and Normans. In the 1950s and 1960s, people from former colonies in the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia came to the United Kingdom to work.  Sports and literature are among the United Kingdom's cultural claims to fame. Soccer, rugby, cricket, boxing, and golf were all invented in Britain. And the U.K. has produced many great writers, including William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, and Robert Burns. J.K. Rowling, the writer of the Harry Potter books, is British. 7.1.4 Nature  About 5,000 years ago, the center of the United Kingdom was covered with thick forests. Thousands of years ago, these woodlands were cleared by ancient farmers, and today only about 10 percent of the land is forest.  The United Kingdom's complex geology gives rise to a wide variety of landscapes and a range of habitats for its animal and plant life. But it is a very crowded country, and there are not many truly wild places left. The most successful wildlife species are those that can live alongside people.  Great Britain's rugged mountains, like the Scottish Highlands, offer habitat that is relatively untouched by humans. The country's 7,700 miles (12,429 kilometers) of shoreline, ranging from tall cliffs to beaches to marshes, also provide homes for wildlife such as seabirds and seals. 125 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

The United Kingdom includes four countries. First let's start with explaining the distinctions between United Kingdom, Great Britain and Britain.  UK: United Kingdom is a country belonging to the European continent that includes four separate countries on the British Isles: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.  Great Britain is the name for three nations on the main isle: England, Scotland and Wales  Britain is used only for including the mainland countries England and Wales 7.1.5 Other Facts  Population: about 67 million people live in the United Kingdom (2021)  Capital: London with 9 million inhabitants  Name: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland  Government: Parliamentary Monarchy, Democracy  Language: English  Religion: mainly Christians 60%  Currency: 1 British Pound (GBP) = 100 penny  National Anthem: 'God Save the Queen'  National Holiday: none, however, the Queen's official birthday is a celebrated public holiday on the second Saturday in June.  National Symbol: Lion (national animal), Union Jack (national flag) and the national colors: blue, white and red  History: In 1707, the first political union of the Kingdom of England which then included Wales and Scotland was formed. In 1922 Northern Ireland joined this Union. From 1835 until 1925 the city of London was the largest city in the world. In 1927 the UK was officially proclaimed. From 1973 - 2020, the UK was part of the European Union. 7.1.6 Facts about the UK  The largest country of the UK is England. The smallest country is Northern Ireland.  The UK has the third longest coastline in Europe with 12,430 km/ 7,723 miles - after Norway and Denmark (Greenland)  The United Kingdom's highest mountain is Ben Nevis in Scotland with 1,345 m/4,412 ft. 126 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

 The largest lake in the UK is Lough Neigh in Northern Ireland.  Loch Ness is the largest fresh water lake (by volume) in the UK.  The longest river in the UK is the River Severn with 354 km/ 220 miles.  London Heathrow is the biggest airport on the European continent.  There is only one land border to Ireland.  Bishop Rock off the Sicily Isles in southern England is the smallest of the UK islands.  Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch is the town with the longest name in the world, but fortunately the town is known also as Llanfairpwllgwyngyllor simply Llanfair PG.  The UK was the first to use postage stamps: In 1840 the first stamps show a portrait of Queen Victoria. The first postage stamp called 'Penny Black' as it was worth one penny and was black.  And last but not least: The UK is one of only five countries that do not have a written constitution but follows a common law system. 7.1.7 Famous People Figure: 7.3 - Queen Elizabeth II  Queen Elizabeth II (born 21 April 1926) is the longest reigning monarch in the world. She reigns in the UK for 60 years + on the throne. Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne after her father King George VI died in 1952. Queen Elizabeth II is the longest reigning royal in the world and still head of state of 16 Commonwealth countries. 127 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

Figure: 7.4 - William Shakespeare  William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616): nicknamed 'The Bard', Shakespeare is the world's biggest playwright. His works 'Romeo and Juliet', 'Macbeth' and 'Hamlet' are known by people from all over the world. Shakespeare's Globe theatre in London is a great place to experience a play or learn about his famous plays.  J.K. Rowling: author of 'Harry Potter' book series who became the first author who earn one billion US dollar in her career as a writer in 2014. The seven fantasy novels talk about the adventures of the young wizard Harry Potter and his friends. 7.1.8 Language in the UK  The main language spoken in the UK is British English. Scots, Welsh and Irish are also spoken. There are also four Celtic languages spoken: Scottish Gaelic, Irish Gaelic, Welch and Cornish.  In Wales, Welsh names are given on road signs together with English names which makes traveling much easier for many.  The ancient languages Scottish Gaelic, Irish Gaelic, Welsh and Breton are still spoken in England but only by groups of people.  Did you know that French was actually the official language in the UK for about three hundred years, from 1066 - 1362! The Breton language is nowadays mostly spoken by the people in Brittany in north western France. 7.2 VARIOUS TOURIST DESTINATIONS OF UK  One of the most popular travel destinations in the world, England offers almost endless possibilities for vacationers seeking fun things to do and top attractions to visit. Part of the beautiful British Isles, this small but influential country bursts with fascinating history, 128 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

exciting cities, and rich cultural traditions. Historic sites are at every turn, from prehistoric megaliths and ancient Roman sites to centuries-old castles and town centers dating back to the middle Ages.  England is also extremely easy to get around, with its most popular tourist destinations well connected by trains and buses. Alternatively, you can drive between points of interest on a well-planned system of motorways. Whether you choose to tour the country by car or public transport, you're guaranteed an unforgettable experience. To help you get the most out of your travel itinerary, be sure to use our list of the best places to visit in England. 1. Stonehenge Figure:7.5 – Stonehenge  Stonehenge, 10 miles north of the historic city of Salisbury on Salisbury Plain, is Europe's best-known prehistoric monument. It's so popular that visitors need to purchase a timed ticket in advance to guarantee entry. Exhibitions at the excellent Stonehenge visitor center set the stage for a visit, explaining through audio-visual experiences and more than 250 ancient objects how the megaliths were erected between 3000 and 1500 BC, and sharing information about life during this time.  After walking around the various viewing points adjacent to these enormous stones, visit the authentic replicas of Neolithic Houses to see the tools and implements of everyday Neolithic life as volunteers demonstrate skills from 4,500 years ago. Although you can't go 129 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

inside the circle to wander among the stones during normal opening hours, you can reserve special early morning or late evening access into the circle through English Heritage, which manages the site. 2. Tower of London Figure: 7.6 - Tower of London  Prison, palace, treasure vault, observatory, and menagerie: the Tower of London has done it all and it's one of the top attractions in London. Widely considered the most important building in England, there's enough to see and do at this World Heritage Site to keep visitors busy for hours.  The centerpiece of this Thames-side fortress is the White Tower. Built in 1078 by William the Conqueror, it's home to amazing exhibits, such as Line of Kings, the world's oldest visitor attraction, established in 1652 with a remarkable display of royal armor.  Other highlights include the impressive Crown Jewels exhibition, classic Yeoman Warder Tours, the Royal Mint, and exhibits and displays regarding prisoners and executions. All told, the Tower of London covers some 18 acres, so there's a great deal of exploring to do.  If you're traveling with children, be sure to check for special events for kids, including \"Knights School\" and other immersive programs that provide a fun insight into the castle's history. 3. The Roman Baths and Georgian City of Bath 130 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

Figure: 7.7 - The Roman bath and Georgian city of Bath  If you only have time to visit one smaller city in England, you couldn't do much better than Bath. This remarkably beautiful city in Somerset boasts more fantastic tourist attractions than you could hope to visit in a day.  While most famous for the magnificent 2,000-year-old Roman Baths built around the city's rejuvenating hot springs, it's equally well known for its honey-colored Georgian Townhouses, such as those located on Royal Crescent.  Some 500 of the city's buildings are considered of historical or architectural importance, a fact that has resulted in the entire city being granted World Heritage status. Bath makes an ideal location from which to explore some of England's most stunning countryside, including the Avon Valley, the Mendip Hills, and countless other fantastic Somerset landmarks. 4. The British Museum Figure: 7.8 - The British Museum  With collections of antiquities that are among the world's finest, the British Museum holds more than 13 million artifacts from Assyria, Babylonia, Egypt, Greece, the Roman Empire, China, and Europe. The most famous ancient artifacts are the Elgin Marbles from the Parthenon in Athens, as well as the famous Rosetta Stone. 131 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

 But there are many other outstanding pieces on show here that help make this one of the best places to visit in London. The Ancient Egyptian collection is the largest outside of Cairo, and the hoard of Roman silver dating from the fourth century known as the Mildenhall Treasure, unearthed in Suffolk in 1942, is nothing short of spectacular.  If you've got time, be sure to look into joining a guided tour (private after-hour tours are fun), or participate in a workshop or lecture. Dining and shopping are also available on-site. 5. York Minster and Historic Yorkshire Figure: 7.9 - York Minster and Historic Yorkshire The magnificent York Minster is second in importance in the Church of England only to the cathedral at Canterbury. It stands in the center of historic York, surrounded by half-timbered homes and shops, medieval guildhalls, and churches.  In turn, York's romantic streets are surrounded by three miles of magnificent town walls that you can walk atop for spectacular views over the city and its surroundings. While here, visit the National Railway Museum, one of England's most visited tourist attractions.  York is also a good base from which to explore northeast England, in particular the rugged beauty of the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors. Elsewhere in this corner of the country, you'll find some of England's most beautiful historic towns and cities, including Durham - famous for its castle and cathedral - and Beverley, which also boasts an attractive minster. 6. Chester Zoo 132 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

Figure: 7.10 – Zebra in Chester Zoo, England.  Located in Upton, just over a mile north of Chester city center, Chester Zoo is England's most visited attraction outside of London and is one of the best places to visit in England for families.  The more than 11,000 animals living in this 125-acre site represent about 400 different species. But the zoo's appeal reaches beyond just animal lovers, with prizewinning landscaped gardens also available for visitors to enjoy. You can tour these extensive grounds on the zoo's monorail system to reach highlights that include Chimpanzee Island, a penguin pool, and Europe's largest tropical house. There's plenty of other fun things to do at Chester Zoo, too, so expect to easily spend a day enjoying this top-rated tourist attraction.  While in Chester, take time to walk its old city walls, the best preserved of their kind in Britain. You should also spend time exploring Chester's other distinctive feature: its galleried walkways. Known as the \"Chester' Rows,\" these impressive medieval architectural gems run the full length of stone and half-timbered buildings dating from the 14th century, and make for a unique and picturesque setting. Chester Cathedral is also worth exploring if you can squeeze it into your travel itinerary. 7. Lake District National Park 133 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

Figure: 7.11 - Lake District National park  Covering some 900 square miles, Lake District National Park is a must-visit destination for travelers to England. With 12 of the country's largest lakes and more than 2,000 miles of rights of way waiting to be explored, there's little wonder the region continues to inspire, with its magnificent views and scenery straight out of a painting.  Other things to do include visiting the park's many fells, including Scafell Pike (3,210 feet), the highest mountain in England. Be sure to also spend time exploring some of the lovely little towns and villages dotted throughout the region, such as Grasmere. Better still, hop aboard a tour boat excursion across Lake Windermere and Ullswater, and you'll be rewarded with some of the best scenery anywhere in the country. 8. Canterbury Cathedral 134 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

Figure: 7.12 - Cathedral  Located in the heart of the historic city that bears its name, Canterbury Cathedral (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) is home to the Archbishop of Canterbury and is the cradle of English Christianity. It all started when St. Augustine converted the pagan Anglo Saxons here in 597 when he became the first bishop. Excellent guided tours of the cathedral are available, and for a truly memorable experience, consider booking an overnight stay in the grounds at Canterbury Cathedral Lodge.  But there's much more to this beautiful medieval city than just its cathedral. Canterbury is also a popular cultural and entertainment destination with great shopping, galleries, and cafés, as well as attractions such as those focused on Chaucer's medieval England and the city's Roman past.  Some of the other best places to visit in Canterbury include the Old City, the ruins of St. Augustine's Abbey, and medieval Beanery House. Address: 11 The Precincts, Canterbury 9. Eden Project Figure: 7.13 Eden project  The Incredible Eden Project is a collection of unique Artificial Biomes containing an amazing collection of plants from around the world. Located in a reclaimed quarry in Cornwall, this spectacular botanical garden complex consists of huge domes that look rather like massive igloo-shaped greenhouses. Each of these impressive (and futuristic-looking) buildings houses thousands of different plant species in tropical and Mediterranean environments. 135 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

 As well as these stunning displays of plant life, the Eden Project hosts numerous arts and music events year-round. If you're able to extend your visit, consider booking a stay at the on-site hostel, or enjoy a meal in one of its restaurants. Adventure activities such as ziplining and giant swings are also available. 10. The Cotswold’s Figure: 7.14 - Cotswold  The Cotswold’s cover some 787 square miles and encompass parts of some of England's prettiest counties: Gloucestershire, Oxford shire, Wiltshire, Somerset, Worcestershire, and Warwickshire. And all of it begs to be explored. Designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty due to its rare limestone grassland habitats and old-growth beech woodlands, the beauty of the Cotswold’s has much to do with its quaint villages and towns, such as Castle Coombe, Chipping Norton, and Tetbury.  Like so much of England, the Cotswold’s is perfect to discover on foot. One of the best routes is along the Cotswold Way, a 102-mile footpath with spectacular views of the Severn Valley and the Vale of Eve sham. This route runs the length of the Cotswold’s, and can be picked up pretty much anywhere you visit. 11. The National Gallery 136 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

Figure: 7.15 - The National Gallery  Displaying one of the most comprehensive collections of paintings in the world, the National Gallery is London's second-most visited museum. The collections, which present an almost complete cross-section of European painting from 1260 until 1920, are especially strong in the Dutch Masters and the Italian Schools of the 15th and 16th centuries. In the Italian galleries, look for works by Fra Angelico, Giotto, Bellini, Botticelli, Correggio, Titian, Tintoretto, and Veronese, and especially for Leonardo da Vinci's Madonna and Child with St. Anne and John the Baptist, Raphael's The Crucifixion, and The Entombment by Michelangelo.  In the German and Dutch galleries are works by Durer, van Dyck, Frans Hals, Vermeer, and Rembrandt. Among artists from the 18th century through 1920, standout works are by Hogarth, Reynolds, Sargent, Gainsborough, Constable, and Turner. French works include those by Ingres, Delacroix, Daumier, Monet (including The Water-Lily Pond), Manet, Degas, Renoir, and Cezanne.  With no-cost admission, a visit to the National Gallery is one of the top things to do in London for free. Guided tours and lunchtime lectures are also available for free and are highly recommended. 12. Warwick castle 137 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

Figure: 7.16 - Warwick castle  If you're looking for a truly memorable English excursion for the whole family - and one that offers a fascinating insight into life in medieval times - you couldn't do much better than visit Warwick Castle. Located in the beautiful city of Warwick on the River Avon, this impressive fortress has dominated the landscape and history of the region for more than 900 years. Today, it serves as a backdrop to medieval-themed events and reenactments, from jousting festivals to fairs and concerts.  Warwick is also great base from which to explore the Cotswold’s, as well as nearby towns such as Stratford-upon-Avon, famous as the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Bigger city destinations, including Liverpool, hometown of The Beatles, as well as Birmingham and Coventry, are an easy drive away. 13. Tate Modern Figure:7.17 - Tate Modern 138 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

 When the Tate Modern opened its new 10-storey extension in June 2016, adding 60 percent more gallery space, visitor numbers jumped by almost one-fourth, making it one of England's most visited attractions. Now regarded as among the world's best - and certainly one of the largest -museums of modern and contemporary art, the Tate Modern shows a wide range of artistic expression, including paintings, works on paper, sculpture, films, performances, installations, and other forms of artistic expression.  Among the well-known artists represented here are Picasso, Rothko, Dali, Matisse, and Modigliani. Be sure to go to the viewing level for 360-degree views of the London skyline and the River Thames far below.  Other galleries under the Tate umbrella that you should consider visiting in England include Tate Britain (also in London), Tate Liverpool, and Tate St. Ives in Cornwall. 14. Royal Museums Greenwich Figure: 7.18 - Royal Museums Greenwich  Downstream from Tower Bridge, Greenwich is the London base of the Royal Navy and holds England's largest expanses of preserved historic architecture and parks. And although lovers of things maritime will certainly gravitate to Greenwich, there's a lot more there than just ships and boats here.  The highlight for most visitors is the Catty Sark, the last surviving of the 19th-century clippers from the lucrative tea trade between Britain and China. Built in 1869, the Cutty Sark was one of the finest and fastest ships of its day, and you can board it to explore the clipper, from its figure head to the sailors' quarters below decks. For a special treat, book an afternoon tea overlooking the ship. 139 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

 At the Discover Greenwich Visitor Centre, exhibits showcase more than 500 years of maritime history. In Queen's House, the National Maritime Museum is the largest of its kind in the world, featuring the Royal Navy from Tudor times to the Napoleonic Wars.  Greenwich Park, dating from the 15th century and the oldest of London's eight Royal Parks, is filled with beautiful gardens and walking paths, and here you'll find the Old Royal Observatory and the Prime Meridian Line, marked by a steel rod in the floor of the Meridian Building. This is the zero meridian of longitude, dividing the world into eastern and western halves; you can stand with one foot in each hemisphere. If you're hungry, add a great English breakfast from Heap's Sausage Cafe to your list of things to do in Greenwich. 7.3 SUMMARY  UK does not have its own official written constitution  But it follows a common law, like 4 other countries, which does the same  UK is smaller than one of the states in USA but has control all over the world  UK's sun is referred to as UK's sun never sets’  Because in one or the other place, where UK colonized, the sun will be up.  UK has very old and unique things collected from all over the world.  All these things are showcased in a museum 7.4 KEYWORDS  Monarchy- A monarchy is a form of government in which a person, the monarch, is head of state for life or until abdication.  Lochs - Loch is the Irish, Scottish Gaelic and Scots word for a lake or for a sea inlet  Marshes - A marsh is a wetland that is dominated by herbaceous rather than woody plant species. Marshes can often be found at the edges of lakes and streams, where they form a transition between the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. 7.6 LEARNING ACTIVITY 1. Learn why doesn't UK uses a constitution and what does it rather ___________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 140 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

2. Find out how was UK capable of conquering most of the countries in the world ___________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 7.8 UNIT END QUESTIONS A. Descriptive Questions Short Questions 1. What all countries comes under UK? 2. How many overseas territories does UK have and what are they? 3. Write about the famous people of UK? 4. Write an essay about the Eden project? 5. Why is the Chester zoo of UK being famous? Long Questions 141 1. Explain any 5 tourist destinations in UK. 2. Elaborate about the geography of UK 3. List the basic facts about United Kingdom B. Multiple choice questions 1. The largest country of the UK is a. England b. Ireland c. Britain d. whales 2. The smallest country is a. Northern Ireland b. England c. whales d. Scotland CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

3. Queen Elizabeth II is the longest reigning royal in the world and still head of state of how many Commonwealth countries? a. 15 b. 16 c. 25 d.30 4. The UK has how many British Overseas Territories? a. 5 b.13 c. 18 d.20 5. National animal of UK a. lion b. tiger c. giraffe d. zebra Answers 1-a, 2-a, 3-b, 4-b, 5-a 7.7 REFERENCES Reference books:  Specific Country Guide Books of Lonely Planet Publication.  DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Europe  A.K Bhatia – International Tourism Management  International Geography for Travel and Tourism by John P. Wrades 142 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

UNIT 8 GENERAL AND BASIC FACTS OF FRANCE Structure 8.0 Learning objective 8.1 Basic facts of France 8.1.1 Geography of France 8.1.2. Superlatives of France 8.1.3 French people 8.2 Various tourist destinations of France 8.3 Summary 8.4 Keywords 8.5 Learning activity 8.6 Unit end Questions 8.7 References 8.0 LEARNING OBJECTIVE After studying this unit, the students will be able to  Elaborate the basic facts about France  List the general information's of France  Explore the exotic locations of France  Explore the famous Eiffel tower. 8.1 GENERAL AND BASIC FACTS OF FRANCE  Population: 68 million people live in the country (2021)  Capital: Paris, with 11 million inhabitants  Name: République Française (French Republic)  Motto: 'Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité' (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity)  Government: Democracy  Language: French  Religion: mainly Christians 65%, Muslims 8%  Currency: 1 Euro = 100 cents, until 2002 French Franc 143 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

 History: In 700 - 500 BC the Celtic Gauls arrive in France. In 58 - 50 BC Roman Emperor Julius Caesar defeats the Gauls and France becomes part of the Roman Empire until 476 AD. French was ruled by kings for many centuries until the storming of the Bastille during the French Revolution in 1789. Then Napoleon becomes Emperor of the French Republic until he is sent to exile.  Flag: blue, white and red. The French refer to the flag as 'Tricolore' (French for 'three colours')  Anthem: La Marseillaise 8.1.1 France Geography France is the largest country in Western Europe. The capital city of France is Paris. On the map you can see France and the French island Corsica in the Mediterranean Sea. 144 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

Figure: 8.1 – France Political Map  France shares land borders with eight countries. The bordering countries of France are Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Andorra and Spain. The longest border is shared with Spain and the shortest with Monaco.  Continental France is slightly smaller than the state of Texas in the USA.  It takes a one-hour-flight from London/England to reach Paris via airplane and a flight from Paris to New York/USA takes about 5.5 hours.  France is known for its stunning landmarks and attractions such as the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, Sacre Coeur Cathedral or the Loire castles. France is a country also known for its 'haute couture' designers and fashion houses such as Dior, Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent, and the French car manufacturers Renault, Peugeot and Citroën. 8.1.2 Superlatives of France  The Loire is the longest river of France with about 1,006 km/ 625 miles. The river passes through the cities Orleans and Nantes.  The Pyrenées are the longest mountain range in France. The mountain range is located in the South of France and forms a natural border between Spain and France. The Pyrenées are 430 km/ 270 miles long. Figure: 8.2 - Pyrenees  The highest mountain in France is the Mont Blanc, that is 4,810 m/ 15,780 ft high and stands at the border between France and Italy. This is the second highest mountain in Europe after Mount Elbrus.  France is generally a flat country with coastal plains and rolling hills in the north and west and high mountains in the south and south eastern parts. 145 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

 Mainland France, also referred to as Metropolitan France, is divided into 27 regions and these into 101 departments. Of the 101 departments there are also 5 ROM ('régionsd’outremer' meaning overseas regions) that belong to France. The 5 overseas departments of France are:  French Guyana in South America  Guadeloupe, an island in the Caribbean  Martinique, an island in the Caribbean,  Mayotte, an island in the Indian Ocean in Africa  La Réunion, another Indian Ocean island in Africa  French is the official language in France and it is also the second major language in Europe.  French is one of the Romance languages. The Romance languages, which include Italian and Spanish, have their origins in the Latin language. Today, French is the second most studied language after English and spoken by more than 300 million people around the world as first or second language. Try these five useful expressions in French:  bonjour - good day  salute - hello  merci - thank you  je m'appelle... - my name is....  bon appétit! - enjoy your meal! 8.1.3 French People Most of the French people in Metropolitan France (on the European continent) live in cities and urban areas. The three largest cities are France are:  Paris: 11 million inhabitants  Lyon: 1.7 million inhabitants  Marseilles: 1.6 million inhabitants Lille, Toulouse and Bordeaux each have about 1 million inhabitants. 146 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

About 10% of the French people are unemployed and roughly 15% of the population live below the poverty line. Famous French People  French has made a lot of the world’s renowned inventions like the creation of the vaccinations and the pasteurization process by Louis Pasteur, the first hair dryer, the hot air balloon and many other useful things. Now, they are building the first prototype of nuclear fusion reactor in France, called ITER (International Thermo-nuclear Engine Reactor) with the collaboration of 35 other countries.  France is famous for the 'beaux-arts' (fine arts). The city was and is still home for many artists and great painters, artisans and sculptors. Gustave Eiffel (1832-1923), a French engineer who designed the famous Eiffel tower in Paris. The Eiffel tower is named after him. He also worked together with Auguste Bartholdi, designer of the Statue of Liberty in New York. Famous French painters are:  Claude Monet  Pierre-Auguste Renoir  Edgar Degas  Paul Cezanne  Among the most famous French composers are Maurice Ravel (composer of 'Bolero') and Georges Bizet (composer of the opera 'Carmen'). Children all around the world love French literature, like the famous “The Three Musketeers” by Alexandre Dumas and “The Little Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupery.  French political leader Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) was born on Corsica. He reformed the French laws. He declared himself Emperor of the French in 1804. Napoleon’s army was defeated by the British in the Battle of Waterloo (now in Belgium) in 1815. Napoleon was exiled to the island St. Helena in the South Atlantic where he died in 1821.  The current president of France is Emmanuel Macron who in 2017 became the youngest president in the history of France, with 39 years of age. 147 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

8.2 VARIOUS TOURIST DESTINATIONS OF FRANCE  From the boulevards of Paris to the fashionable seaside resorts of the Côte d'Azur, France offers some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. Fairy-tale castles, glorious cathedrals, and picture-perfect villages delight romantics. At the same time, the country's contemporary monuments and rapid train transit jolt visitors from the storybook surroundings into the ambience of the 21st century.  Begin with the Eiffel Tower, the modern emblem of France. Then discover famous masterpieces of art at the Louvre Museum. Spend a day pretending to be royalty at the elegant Palace of Versailles. Save time for leisurely gourmet meals - traditional French gastronomy has been inscribed on the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.  Each region has its own distinctive cuisine and culture. The coastal region of Brittany offers the old-world charm of quaint fishing villages and ancient seaports, while the French Alps reveals the region's hearty cuisine of cheese fondue and charcuterie served in cozy chalets near ski slopes. Indulge in it all and savor the country's irresistible charm with our list of the top attractions in France. 1. Eiffel Tower Figure: 8.3 - Eiffel Tower  The symbol of Paris, the Eiffel Tower is a feat of ingenuity as much as it is a famous landmark. This structure of 8,000 metallic parts was designed by Gustave Eiffel as a 148 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

temporary exhibit for the World Fair of 1889. Originally loathed by critics, the 320-meter- high tower is now a beloved and irreplaceable fixture of the Paris skyline.  The Eiffel Tower's gracefulness has earned it the nickname of \"Iron Lady.\" Visitors are impressed by the tower's delicate airiness despite its monumental size and the breathtaking panoramas at each of the three levels.  Tourists can dine with a view at the first level or indulge at the Michelin-starred Lemuel’s Verne restaurant on the second level. At the exhilarating height of 276 meters, the top level offers a sweeping outlook over the city of Paris and beyond. Vistas extend as far as 70 kilometers on a clear day. 2. Louvre Museum Figure: 8.4 Louvre Museum  In a stately palace that was once a royal residence, the Louvre ranks among the top European collections of fine arts. Many of Western Civilization's most famous works are found here, including the Mona Lisa by Leonardo DaVinci, the Wedding Feast at Cana by Veronese, and the 1st-century-BC Venus de Milo sculpture.  The collection owes its wealth to the contributions of various kings who lived in the Louvre. Other pieces were added as a result of France's treaties with the Vatican and the Republic of Venice, and from the spoils of Napoléon I.  The Louvre has an astounding collection of 35,000 artworks, including countless masterpieces. It's impossible to see it all in a day or even in a week. Take a private guided tour or focus on a shortlist of key artworks for the most rewarding experience. 3. Palace of Versailles 149 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

Figure: 8.5 Palace of Versailles  More than just a royal residence, Versailles was designed to show off the glory of the French monarchy. \"Sun King\" Louis XIV transformed his father's small hunting lodge into an opulent palace with a sumptuous Baroque interior. The palace became Louis XIV's symbol of absolute power and set the standard for princely courts in Europe.  Architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart created the elegant Baroque facade and lavish interior of the Château de Versailles, which is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The most emblematic space in the castle is the Hall of Mirrors, where courtiers waited for an audience with His Majesty. This dazzling hall sparkles with sunlight that enters through the windows and is reflected off massive ornamental mirrors.  Versailles is equally renowned for Les Jardins, formal French gardens featuring decorative pools, perfectly trimmed shrubbery, and magnificent fountains. The gardens were created in the 17th century by renowned landscape designer André Le Nôtre and are surrounded by 800 hectares of lush parkland.  Beyond the formal gardens is the Domaine de Trianon, which includes Le Grand Trianon palace; Le Petit Trianon château; and Le Hameau de la Reine, Marie-Antoinette's fabricated pastoral village featuring quaint rustic buildings set around a lake.  Marie-Antoinette's hamlet originally had a working dairy and farm. This idyllic spot was designed as a place for Marie-Antoinette to escape court life and spend time with her children. Marie-Antoinette also came here for walks and to visit with friends. The hamlet is one of the best places to visit at the Château de Versailles to get a glimpse of the private world of Marie-Antoinette. 150 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)