Group 1 - What is Europe?

Although it is often mentioned in news coverage, 'Europe' may not be as easy to define as you might think. The main problem lies in the fact that it is part of a larger landmass, known as Eurasia. Where Europe ends and Asia starts is often a source of some controversy. But, in general, Europe is the part of Eurasia that ends:

• in the east at the Ural Mountains
• in the south at the Mediterranean Sea
• in the west at the Atlantic Ocean

Use a blank map of Europe, (such as is available from Map of Europe - from Wikipedia.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:BlankMap-Europe.png) Carry out research into the countries that comprise Europe, then identify on the blank map as many of the (nearly 50) countries as you can.

Group 2 - What is the European Union?

The European Union, or 'EU', is a collection of European countries which have chosen to form an economic and political 'bloc' or grouping. There are many sources of information on the EU. Biz/ed has its own set of comprehensive notes, which can be accessed from the following location: European Union notes - from Biz/ed.(http://www.bized.co.uk/learn/economics/international/eu/notes/eu1.htm)

Use the blank map (URL given above). Carry out research into the countries that make up the EU, (known as the 'member states'). Then identify as many of the member states as you can.

Group 3 - What are the Schengen countries?

The Schengen Agreement is a treaty between 30 states allowing free movement of people between countries. Before the Agreement, people in western Europe had to show their passport or ID card at every border they crossed. Some had to get visas for every country in Europe that they planned to visit. This caused delays to visitors and businesses.

Now, people living within the Schengen area can pass freely between member countries, although some members still have customs controls at their borders. People from outside the area, who live in non-EU and non-EEA (European Economic Area) countries, need only get a single visa, (known as a 'Schengen Visa'), from the first Schengen country they will visit.

Use the blank map (URL given above). Carry out research from the following URL: Schengen Agreement notes - from Wikipedia.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schengen_Agreement) into the countries that make up the Schengen area. Then identify as many of these as you can.

Task 2: Identifying the major gateways used in the ETM.

Air:

On your map, now with the main European countries identified, locate the following airports in the correct country:

London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Edinburgh, Dublin, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Paris Orly, Lyon, Brussels, Frankfurt, Berlin, Amsterdam, Geneva, Prague, Zurich, Oslo, Stockholm, Helsinki, Moscow, Warsaw, Kiev, Bucharest, Zagreb, Athens, Tallinn, Riga, Vilnius, Budapest, Rome, Madrid, Lisbon.

You should also find the 3-letter IATA code for each airport.

Rail:

There has been a great deal of reporting in the news of the opening of the new Eurostar terminal at St Pancras, London.

Image: Eurostar at St Pancras - Fast-track to Europe? Copyright: Wikipedia, Wikipedia

But there are several other termini used by this high-speed rail service: Ashford, Ebbsfleet, Paris Gare du Nord, Lille, Brussels and Calais.

Can you identify these on your map?

Sea:

Identify the major sea ports used by UK tourists travelling to continental Europe.

Image: Dover Ferryport - Sea Link to the Continent. Copyright: Wikipedia, Wikipedia

Coast:

Algarve

The southernmost region of Portugal famed for its climate, beaches and tourist economy. A very popular destination for UK visitors since the 1960s, the region has also attracted large numbers of tourists from Germany and the Netherlands. Many of these northern European visitors also own their own property in the region.

Image: Algarve Beach - A typical Algarvean coastal view. Copyright: Wikipedia, Wikipedia

Costa del Sol

A region in the south of Spain, transformed in the second half of the last century into a major tourist destination. It consists of resorts and tourist developments along the length of its coastline. This stretches from Malaga province to the east of the Cadiz area. Its main cities and towns include Torremolinos, Fuengirola, Marbella, Malaga and Nerja.

Image: Old High Rise Flats in Torremolinos town centre. Copyright: Wikipedia, Wikipedia

Rhodes

The largest of the Dodecanese Greek islands which lies 11 miles from the coastline of Turkey, Rhodes is a major tourist destination containing one of the Seven Wonders of the World (the Colossus of Rhodes) and a World Heritage site (the Old Town of the city of Rhodes).

Image: All Rhodes Lead to the Acropolis? Copyright: Wikipedia, Wikipedia

Winter Sports:

Chamonix

A very popular leisure destination in France, catering for winter sports as well as summer activities such as mountaineering and mountain biking. Chamonix shares Mont Blanc with the Italian town and destination, Courmayeur.

Image: Chamonix complete with para-glider. Copyright: Wikipedia, Wikipedia

The Dolomites

A section of the Alps, located in northern Italy, the Dolomites are a famous winter sports area for skiing, mountaineering and other activities.

Image: A View of the Dolomites mountain range. Copyright: Wikipedia, Wikipedia

Sierra Nevada

A mountain range in southern Spain, unusual in Europe for having high peaks suitable for winter sports, despite its proximity to the Mediterranean coastline and its warm temperatures which usually attract sun seekers.

Countryside:

Lake Garda

The largest lake in Italy which was formed at the end of the last Ice Age, Lake Garda is located in the north of the country. The lake is a popular tourist attraction with resorts along its length.

Image: Lake Garda seen from space. Copyright: Wikipedia, Wikipedia

The Black Forest

A wooded mountain range in south-western Germany, the Black Forest contains numerous long-distance footpaths, suitable for walking, mountain-biking and cross-country skiing.

The Lake District

The Lake District is located in north-west England and is a popular tourist destination for walking, mountaineering and water-based activities.

Image: A Typical Lakeland View. Copyright: Wikipedia, Wikipedia

Cities:

Barcelona

Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain. It is the capital of the region of Catalonia and is located on the Mediterranean coast. It is an important cultural and touristic centre.

Paris

Paris is the capital city of France. It is a world-renowned tourist destination and seen as one of the most romantic cities in Europe, Paris has many attractions for all types of visitor.

Prague

Prague is the capital city of the Czech Republic and is thought to be one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. It attracts a large number of visitors each year.

Dublin

Dublin is the capital city of the Republic of Ireland. It has one of the fastest growing populations of any capital city in Europe. Dublin is a famous literary, artistic and cultural centre.