European Geography and Economic Facts Compendium
Southern EU Nations
Countries and Governance
- Spain (Constitutional Monarchy)
- Portugal
- Italy (Republic)
- Greece (Republic)
- Malta (Republic)
- Southern Cyprus
Smallest States
- Vatican: Papal State
- San Marino: Republic
- Andorra: Principality (Co-princes: Spanish Bishop + French President)
- Malta: Republic
Climate and Agriculture
- Climate: Subtropical Mediterranean
- Crops:
- Vine
- Rice (Italy – largest EU producer)
- Olives (Spain – olive oil)
- Cork (Portugal)
Focus on Spain
- Languages: Spanish, Catalan, Basque
- Religion: Roman Catholic
- Car Industry: SEAT
Focus on Italy
- Religion: Roman Catholic
- Cars: Ferrari, Fiat
- Port: Genoa
- Industrial Cities: Milan, Turin, Genoa
- Economy: North – Industry; South – Agriculture
- Volcanoes: Etna, Vesuvius, Stromboli (active)
Focus on Greece
- Language: Greek (Hellenic)
- Religion: Greek Orthodoxy
- Crops: Olives
- Largest Islands: Crete, Rhodes
- Economy: Small businesses
South-Eastern EU (Balkans)
- Slovenia (Independence 1991)
- Croatia:
- Ports: Rijeka, Split, Dubrovnik (Adriatic Sea)
- National Parks: Paklenica, Plitvice
- Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H): Republika Srpska + Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina + Brčko District (neutral)
- Serbia (Independence 2006):
- Vojvodina: Slovak minority
- North Macedonia: Lake Ohrid (main tourist attraction)
- Kosovo (Independence 2008):
- Recognised by: GB, Germany, France
- Not recognised by: SK, Spain, Serbia, Russia, Belarus
- Albania: Least developed (weak infrastructure); highest natural increase in former Yugoslavia; tourism undeveloped.
Eastern Balkan Nations
- Romania:
- Main Port: Constanța
- Largest Hydroelectric Plant: Iron Gate on the Danube
- Main tourist region: Transylvania
- Bulgaria:
- Food industry city: Plovdiv
- Crop for perfume: Rose
Mainly Muslim countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Eastern EU (E EU)
- Belarus: Heavy industry, salt mining, beekeeping, one-party/authoritarian state.
- Moldova: Underdeveloped; vine production, grape export.
- Ukraine: Iron ore (Kryvyi Rih); most industrialised area – Donbas; fertile soils (wheat, barley).
Central EU Nations
- Poland:
- Roman Catholic
- Upper Silesia – conurbation; coal
- Ports: Gdańsk, Gdynia
- Airport: Warsaw
- Czechia:
- Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia; mostly atheist
- Spa: Karlovy Vary
- Industry: Škoda cars in Mladá Boleslav
- Hungary:
- Roman Catholic
- Wheat, maize; vine – Tokaj
- Switzerland:
- 26 cantons
- Languages: German, French, Italian, Romansh
- Lakes: Geneva, Constance
- Mountainous – Alps
- Strong banking system; machinery & pharma industry.
- Austria: Machinery, steel; iron ore – Eisenerz.
- Liechtenstein: Principality; very high GDP per capita; precision engineering; low taxes.
- Germany:
- 16 federal states
- Industrial region – Ruhr; coal
- Car Industry: VW, BMW, Mercedes
- Airport: Frankfurt
Geographical and Political Notes
Islands
- Italian Islands: Sicily, Sardinia
- Spanish Islands: Balearic, Canary
Principalities and Divisions
- EU Principalities: Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco
- Division of Cyprus: Greek South, Turkish North
- Division of Belgium: Flanders (Dutch), Wallonia (French), Brussels
Basque Country
North Spain, autonomous region, own language.
Non-EU and Currency Status
- European Countries Not in EU: Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Serbia.
- Countries Using Euro: Most EU states (not Poland, Hungary, Czechia, Romania, Bulgaria).