Centers of Ancient Civilizations Mountain Ranges

Greece The Alps, Pyrenees, The Apennine

Rome

Peninsulas Rivers

Scandinavian Peninsula Thames

Iberian Peninsula Po

Greek Peninsula Rhone

Italian Peninsula Trent

Major Climate Regions Major Ecosystems

Marin West Coast Chaparral

Mediterranean Mixed Forest

Semiarid Temperate Grassland

Humid Subtropical Coniferous Forest

Humid - Continental Sub Arctic Mid-latitude deciduous forest

Deciduous
 How language spread

There are few signs of identity more distinctively for a human being than is/her
language. Throughout history, people around the world have spoken a wide variety of
them. Still more, a great amount comes from Western Europe. In order to be acquainted
with how Western European languages, like Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese and
especially English, have become spoken at the present time, it is important to take into
account the invaders streams and settlements that inhabited these regions in the past.
One of the most influential empires in Europe was the Roman, which reached its height
about A.D. 120 and fell apart in the fifth century A.D. As they were mainly warriors,
roman soldiers spread all over the world bringing with them their official language:
Latin. Centuries of roman rules and customs also had influence in others inhabitants of
Western Europe. Those groups had their own languages, such as Celtic, Iberian and
Germanic. However, as the time went by, these settlements started to mix their own
language with Latin, and by the Middle Ages, most people were speaking vernacular
languages. As a result of these mixtures, modern languages such as Spanish, French,
Romanian and Italian were developed. With regards specifically to modern English, it is
important to take into consideration that even in Roman times, due to the Angles, Saxon
and Jutes invasions, most people in northern Europe spoke Germanic languages. In
1066, Norman conquerors leaded by William of Normandy crossed the English Channel
in order to invade England. With them, they brought their Latin-based French language.
Although for a time nobles, law court officials, and scholar spoke Norman French; most
ordinary English people still continued speaking Anglo-Saxon. Gradually and over time,
Norman French and Anglo-Saxon languages mixed, resulting in the English language
we speak today. At the beginning of 1500s, Western European nation began a process
which consisted of building colonial Empires around the world. Nations like Spain,
France, Portugal and England settled in different areas and brought with them their
national cultures and languages. That is the reason why in ex Spanish colonies, such as
Argentina, Mexico and central and South America, Spanish is the official language,
Roman Catholicism is the majority religion, and customs and traditions are similar to
Spain. The same example can be applied to English, French and Portuguese colonies. In
conclusion, throughout history is possible to trace the development and the way in
which people spread the language around the world; consequently, by studying the
language we are able to understand those cultural differences and peculiarities that make
us unique.
 The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a sovereign state,
consisted in a group of island, located on the west coast of Europe. This country has a
total area of 243,610 sq km, and it is formed by England, Scotland, Wales and
Northern Ireland. In regards to her geographical limits, The United Kingdom is
surrounded by the North Sea in the north- east, the Atlantic Ocean in the north- west ,
the Republic of Ireland in the south-east , and the English Channel in the south. On the
subject of her landscape, the UK can be classified into three different areas. The fist one
is called highlands, and they are bands of hills running from the north to the west. The
most common economical activity there is mining, especially for the extraction of coal,
lead and copper. The second area is called Midlands, which are formations lower hills in
the north-east of the country. In those places diverse economical activities are
developed, like textile industry, chemical industry, and sheep and cattle rearing. The
third area is the wealthiest and it is denominated Lowlands, this region is located in the
south and east of the country. In this area, the most important economical activity is
agriculture and their main productions are the growing of beets, wheat and barley. In
relation to the climate, although it varies with the season, The United Kingdom has a
mild climate with plentiful rainfall all year round. Summers are normally warmest in
the south-east of England, and coolest in the north of the UK. Also, heavy snowfalls are
frequently in winter. Regarding to the form of government, The United Kingdom is a
constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system. That means the king is a
ceremonial head of the state and a directly-elected minister is the head of the
government who has the faculty to exercise power. Finally, if the cultural aspect is taken
into account, it is possible to find different ethnics, numerous types of religions, and an
important past of war and invasions. In conclusion, the United Kingdom is not only an
interesting place for her geographical characteristics, but also a magnificent region with
a vast history behind her.