Ireland is a single concept, although there is an independent Republic of Ireland (Eire) and Northern Ireland, which is part of the UK. The Republic of Ireland is a parliamentary democracy headed by a president. Northern Ireland has had its own assembly with legislative power since 1998. The official language of the Republic of Ireland is Gaelic followed by English. Northern Ireland- official English only. Despite the lack of unity, the Irish of both territories consider themselves a single nation.

island of saints

The first population came to Ireland around 10-8 thousand years BC. Of course, these were tribes from Great Britain. In the IV century BC. a new wave of population came either from Great Britain or from the Continent, of which there are many monuments, megalithic pottery decorative products, which are now and then found in villages throughout Ireland. The first Celts landed in Ireland in the Iron Age, that is, around the 5th century BC, and gradually settled the whole country. From them remains to this day the Gaelic language and the division of the island into four provinces, Munster in the southwest, Connaught in the west, Ulster in the north and Leinster in the east, which are nothing more than a division of large Celtic tribes. Since that era, Ireland has retained traces of major political and religious centers such as Tara.

At that time, active trade began to develop with Britain, already romanized. Armed Romance tribes never came to Ireland. Saint Patrick, the most beloved saint in Ireland, celebrated by Irish people all over the world, was a former slave, but became a missionary, and it was he who brought Christianity to Ireland in the same 5th century. This is a legend, which, of course, has some truth. At this time, many monasteries were formed in Ireland, which became centers of knowledge, science and arts. Then a golden age began for Ireland, the culture of this country illuminated other countries of Europe. Irish monks such as St. Brendan or St. Columbus, founded abbeys on the continent (in Lani, Luxey in France, for example).

At that time, Ireland was divided into numerous warring tribes and remained politically fragmented. The Vikings took advantage of this and landed on the island at the end of the 8th century. It was they who once founded the cities of Dublin, Cork, Limerick. At the beginning of the 9th century, King Brian Borah unified Ireland and won a historic victory over the Vikings in April 1014. He is the most revered king in the country. In 1166, the Viking king from Leicester, calling on the help of the English king Henry II, again conquered the country. However, the British quickly seized control of the territory, and Henry II himself landed on the island in 1171. Divided into estates, Ireland was annexed to the possessions of the English crown. English settlers settle on the island and found the cities of Drodhela, Dundalk, Sligo. Indigenous resistance was sporadic until 1258, when the Irish kings recognized one of the kings, Brian O'Neill, as High King of Ireland. and traditions are still alive in Ireland In 1541, Ireland was granted the status of a kingdom by King Henry III in order to strengthen the power of the English crown on the island.

To church like a pub

As for religion, the native Irish remained attached to Catholicism, while the British tried to impose Protestant reform on Ireland. Thus, the religious conflict that has become a bloody problem in Great Britain dates back to XVI century. During the English bourgeois revolution, after a republic was established in England, Oliver Cromwell landed on the island to establish his influence here too. The Catholics were thrown back to the west of Shannon, all the lands of the north were in the hands of the Protestants. In Ireland, laws were passed against Catholics - a ban on the education of children, the carrying of weapons, possession, inheritance, agricultural work, trade, free professions, and the lack of the right to vote. Only a century later, in 1778-1792, most of these laws were repealed. There remained a law forbidding Catholics to sit in Parliament.

In the second half of the 19th century, a wave of nationalism rose in Ireland. Only on the eve of the First World War, England granted Ireland the status of autonomy within the United Kingdom, which had been requested for thirty years by the liberals of Ireland. Despite this concession, nationalist protests continue. The radical nationalist party "Sinn Fein" won the elections in 1918 in all of Ireland, except for Ulster. This was followed by two years of ruthless fighting, and only in 1921 the Anglo-Irish agreement gave 26 counties of the south the status of dominion. In 1949, the Republic of Ireland was proclaimed, leaving the Commonwealth. Gaelic was declared the official language. The Republic of Ireland has been part of the European Community since 1973.

The inhabitants of the Republic of Ireland are considered among the most zealous Catholics. However, they were also affected by de-Christinization, like most of Europe. The Irish are less likely to go to Mass, and mixed marriages between Catholics and Protestants are increasingly common. Interestingly, 22% of Irish people think it's important to go to church, but 35% think it's just as important to go to a pub at least once a week. Actually, here you can plunge into the life of a real Irishman - you can listen to music, play billiards, read a newspaper, talk about politics, watch a rugby match...

The birthplace of real whiskey?

As for the language, the Irish speak Gaelic, but not all and not too well. However, tourists will notice that the inscriptions in Ireland are found in two languages. However, everyone speaks English and you will not be spoken to in Gali. You don't hear the Parliament, the Prime Minister, the government, the police being called in English in Ireland. This is a kind of self-determination. But since for many centuries the elite, and then the simple strata of the population, gradually got used to and accepted English language, today Ireland cannot refuse it. In 1922, when Ireland won its independence, almost no one spoke Gaelic, but it was declared official language, his education became compulsory in schools. The learning process was difficult because the alphabet was not similar to English. Only in 1960 was the Latin alphabet adopted. There are different dialects of Gaelic in different parts of Ireland. Irish ministers speak English, including the minister of culture, who nonetheless promotes the development of the national language through the establishment of many programs and projects.

The Scots make "whisky" and the Irish make "whiskey". For an ordinary person, there is no difference. In fact, Scotch whiskey differs from Irish whiskey in the distillation number. Connoisseurs and connoisseurs say that Irish whiskey is softer, more subtle and pleasant. For them, there is also no doubt that the birthplace of whiskey is Ireland. Every Irishman will tell you so. According to legend, the invention of whiskey dates back to the time of the Druids, who used to prepare a magical drink, the so-called "water of life", which alleviated the heartache of the Irish hero Kushleinn. Other legends say that in the 5th century, St. Patrick brought a certain device from the Holy Land, with the help of which it was possible to obtain an extremely pure drink by heating certain liquids. Thus the method of distillation was born. Saint Patrick gave the alleged distillation apparatus to the monks, who prepared barley beer from the purest water and barley. They began to use the machine and got whiskey. Over the centuries, small distillers became very popular in Ireland, with every farm having its own distillation apparatus. Only in the 18th century Irish whiskey received official recognition, then John Jameson in Dublin created the first distillation production in the country. Today, lovers of this drink, in particular the most famous whiskey James Jameson, make a pilgrimage to two places in Ireland - the Bowstreet quarter in Dublin, where the Jameson distillery is located, which has become a whiskey museum, and Middleton in County Cork, where visitors can see one of the oldest distilleries, which became the world's only "conservatory" of whiskey.

You can travel around Ireland all year round, but it is better to avoid the influx of tourists, come here in spring or autumn. The air temperature fluctuates between 14°C and 16°C, which, however, does not prevent you from fully enjoying the magnificent landscapes, ancient estates and abbeys. In addition, at this time there are many cultural events. For example, from June to the end of September in Monkstown, in County Dublin, evenings of traditional Irish music are held every evening. From October 27 to 30, the great masters of Irish and world jazz gather in Cork, official concerts are held in the halls and improvised on the streets of the city.

Megaliths and landscapes

In July, the Galway Arts Festival lasts for two weeks, there are film screenings, theatrical performances, music and dance concerts, and literary evenings. From May to the end of July in Wicklow, one of the most beautiful corners of Ireland, a garden festival opens - whole gardens of roses, magnificent fountains, surrounded by fantastic flower beds. For nature lovers, Mount Usher Gardens offers to see a real Eden with a thousand species of plants planted along the banks of a small river with suspension bridges. The National Garden Center in Kilkwad presents 20 types of gardens from the simplest to the most sophisticated.

To name a few perfect unique places in Ireland, which you should definitely visit - Croagh Patrick, ten kilometers from Westport. This is the sacred mountain of Ireland. According to legend, Saint Patrick spent 40 days and 40 nights praying on its gray stones without food or water. He allegedly died there, but his soul still hovers in those parts to this day. Tribute to him is offered by barefoot wanderers from different parts of the country on the last Sunday of July. According to legend, in Glendapough, 50 km south of Dublin, called the Valley of the Lakes, St. Kevin founded one of the first Christian churches in Ireland in 570. The cathedral with a tower and a large 3.5-meter cross testifies to the piety in which many generations of this town were brought up. Despite the influence of time, the conquests of the Vikings, the destruction did not affect this unique monument. The city itself retains the atmosphere of epic times, especially in autumn, when the yellowed trees are reflected in the two surrounding lakes.

Rock of Cashel is located 160 km southwest of Dublin, which offers a breathtaking view - villages, hills, green fields. In the 5th century, the Irish kings chose this place for their coronation. In the XIII century, a cathedral was built here, from which only ruins and a round tower 30 meters high remained. This corner is shrouded in legends. The most famous one says that in 450 here Saint Patrick unsuccessfully stuck a cross right in the foot of the young Irish king. He thought it was a rite of passage and silently endured the pain. Other interesting place- Inishmore Island. Landing on it, you will discover wild landscapes and ancient Christian settlements. In the western part of the island you will find a small chapel from the 9th-12th centuries, preserved in its original state. If you walk around the island at night, you will be surprised by the statues of the Immaculate Virgin on the rocks, illuminated by the brilliance of many candles.

Excursions around the cities of Ireland are interesting, but we advise you to get away from the noise and civilization and take non-traditional, but very exciting walks - on foot, along the rivers on a boat or on a horse. Then you will feel that you are in an open-air archaeological and historical museum. To the north of Dublin in Knowth you can see the tombs of the Mesolithic era (3200 BC) - burial mounds, the entrance to which, thanks to archaeological excavations, has been open to visitors for two years.

8 km from Limerick in Low Gur you will find archaeological sites, dolmens, stone circles shrouded in mist, here small houses around the lake, a quiet but mysterious atmosphere. Also, 8 km from Dublin Wicklow way, the landscapes are very wild and untouched - winding rivers that arose during the ice age, granite mountains. North of Ulster, you can take a walk in Giant's Causeway, i.e. along the Giants' Road. Basalt columns in the form of polygons (there are 37,000 of them, each about 10 meters high), once emerging from the sea, make the landscape look like a moon The columns are so close to each other that they seem to be glued together and they stand so evenly and precisely that one might think that they were built by a man. abandoned by its owners in the 17th century.The road of the giants leads to the port of Spaniacoh, this bay overlooking the ocean seems extreme point earth. This place is famous for the fact that long before the Titanic, in 1588, the Spanish ship Girona crashed here with 1300 people on board. They were wealthy seniors traveling with their families. Their treasures still lie on the seabed, only a part has been discovered and exhibited in museums in Belfast and Ulster. Most of it was swallowed up by the abyss forever.

Lovers of fishing in Ireland are also waiting for great places. It is best to charter a boat and sail the Shannon River, the longest and widest in all of the UK (350 km long). This is how you discover central Ireland. There are more than one eel to be caught in Lough Neagh. Shannon has linked the north, south, east and west of the island since ancient times. The coastal landscape is diverse - lakes, forests, ancient castles, temples and monasteries. You will sail through the entire history of the island - Birr Castle with its gardens immersed in magnolias, apple trees and cherries, Clonfert with its cathedral founded in the VI century by St. Brendan, a true masterpiece of Romanesque art, the ruins of the church in Kilconnel, the Athlone, changed hands countless times by the English and Irish, the cathedral at Clonmacnoise, one of the largest ancient monastic settlements in Ireland, founded in the 6th century. The quiet backwaters along the banks of the Shannon River are home to rare bird species.

South America is the fourth largest continent on Earth. Its length from north to south is more than 7000 km, from west to east - about 5000, and total area reaches 17.8 km². Most of the mainland is in the Southern Hemisphere. The total number of inhabitants is more than 385 million people: according to this indicator, South America ranks fourth among the continents. But if we discard the dry facts, one thing can be said: this is a whole world, unknown, bright, alluring and frightening at the same time. Each country of this continent deserves the closest study, the most curious tourists and the most enthusiastic reviews.

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How to get there

Airfare to countries South America differs significantly on ordinary days and during sales periods. If a regular ticket can cost 1700-2000 USD on average, then sale and promotional tickets can be bought with a discount of up to 50%. The most profitable for Russians is to buy a ticket to Venezuela (the cheapest one can be bought for 500-810 USD on the days of maximum discounts). Or fly to the relatively massive countries of the Caribbean, such as Cuba and the Dominican Republic, from where you can already move to the mainland by domestic airlines.

If you have time and money, you can arrange an unforgettable ocean trip: a boat trip to Buenos Aires will cost 1500-2000 EUR. Such a voyage will take much more time than a flight, because most often it is not just sailing across the Atlantic Ocean, but a full-fledged cruise calling at the ports of Europe and Central America.

Transport in South America

Inside the continent, air travel is quite expensive, but cruise travel by sea is widespread (the cost depends on the class of the liner). Railways are used primarily for freight transportation - very little passenger trains, but the bus service is very common. Traveling by bus, of course, is less comfortable, but very economical (prices vary depending on the country and destinations - tourist or domestic). In addition, car rentals are very cheap here.

Weather

The climate is different in different parts of South America. In the north - the equatorial zone with the highest temperatures in January, in the south - the frosty polar zone. This is where you can meet New Year in bikini under scorching sun, and then go to a more familiar climate zone for ski resort in the Andean highlands. In the south of the mainland, plump king penguins roam with might and main - Antarctica is close!

Hotels

If you find yourself in South America for the first time and are accustomed to the international class of service, choose large hotel chains (preferably international ones). Rooms in them cost from 50-90 USD per day. Students and exotic lovers often settle in small hotels or private apartments - the cost can start from 15-20 USD per day. The appearance and amenities of housing will depend on the country, proximity to popular resorts and personal luck. Prices on the page are for October 2018.

Iguazu Falls

South American countries

Venezuela- a state in the north of South America, washed by the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The capital is the city of Caracas. Here there are conditions for a beach holiday - the luxurious beaches of the Caribbean coast, a luxurious secluded vacation on Margarita Island, and for active: national park Avila near Caracas, the Amazonian jungle, the highest waterfall on the planet - Angel, the world's longest cable car with a length of 12.6 km and the country's highest mountain peak - Pico Bolívar (4981 m).

Guyana- state on northeast coast South America. The capital is Georgetown. Almost 90% of the country is occupied by wet jungles. It is precisely because of the unfavorable conditions for tourism in the traditional sense that Guyana is visited primarily by ecotourists. They have chosen the waterfalls of the Guiana Highlands, the Pacaraima mountains, National parks Kaieteur and Ivokrama, where visitors learn the wisdom of rafting, as well as hiking and horseback riding through the Rupununi savannas.

Guiana(or French Guiana) - the largest overseas region of France, located in the northeast of South America. A French visa is required to enter Guiana. The administrative center is the city of Cayenne. 96% of the country's territory is occupied by tropical forests - this region is one of the most forested and environmentally friendly in the world. Tourist centers and settlements of local residents are concentrated in the coastal strip, central regions practically deserted.

Colombia- a state in the north-west of South America, named after the great traveler. The capital is Bogotá. Russians are allowed visa-free entry to the territory of Colombia for up to 90 days. This country is famous for its historical heritage, many museums and an amazing fusion of European culture, brought by the Spanish conquistadors in the 15th century, and Indian culture, which is still carefully preserved in some parts of the country. Colombia has amazing nature: national parks, the peaks of the Sierra Nevada, the Amazon River basin, palm valleys and coffee plantations.

Paraguay called the heart of America, because this country has no access to the sea. Its population has retained its identity: the Indian dialect of Guarani is here state language on par with Spanish. The capital is Asuncion. "Guiana" is translated from Guaran as " great river”- refers to the Rio Paraguay (the third longest and deepest river of the continent), dividing the country into the arid Gran Chaco plain and the humid regions of the interfluve of the Rio Paraguay and Rio Alta Parana. The country was chosen by ecotourists and connoisseurs of superbly preserved architectural monuments period of the Jesuit state.

Peru- state on west coast South America. The capital is Lima. Lovers of antiquities know Peru as the place of the Inca settlement - the Inca state of Tahuantinsuyu was the largest empire of pre-Columbian America and still remains a mystery to ethnographers and archaeologists. Here is the famous Machu Picchu, which has become one of the new wonders of the world, and landscapes with mysterious Nazca lines, the origin of which scientists still cannot explain. In total, there are more than 180 museums in Peru and many archaeological parks lost in the Andes valleys.

For Russian tourists visa-free entry to Peru for up to 90 days.

Suriname- a state in the northeast of South America. The capital is Paramaribo. People come here in search of ecotourism unusual places: Tropical forests, Atabru waterfalls, Cau, Wanotobo, Galibi reserve, Sipaliwini region, which occupies most of the territory, Trio, Acurio and Wayana Indian reservations.

Uruguay- a state in the southeast of South America. The capital is Montevideo. If you want to relax on the beach, come to Uruguay between January and April. Connoisseurs of colonial architecture will surely enjoy the sights of Cologna and Montevideo. Every year, a month and a half before Easter, two days before Lent, Catholics in Uruguay host a colorful carnival.

Visa-free entry to Uruguay is open for Russian tourists for up to 90 days.

Chile- a state in the southwest of South America, occupying a long strip from the coast Pacific Ocean to the Andean highlands. The capital is Santiago. In Chile, balneological tourism is widespread (33 sanatorium bases with water and mud treatment), beach holidays (the areas of Arica, Iquique, Valparaiso), as well as trips to the national parks of La Campana, Torres del Paine, to Lake San Rafael, to places Altiplano and San Pedro and, of course, the famous Easter Island. For lovers skiing- 15 resorts with slopes from the most extreme to the easiest.

Ecuador located in the northwest of the mainland and got its name from the Spanish "equator". The capital is Quito. Particularly noteworthy are the Galapagos Islands, famous not only for their fauna, but also for their fantastic beaches, Oriente National Park and a trip to the Amazon, the El Kayas region with 200 lakes and lagoons, a monument of ancient culture Ingapirca and museums of the colonial and pre-colonial eras in Quito.

For Russian tourists introduced visa-free regime visiting Ecuador for up to 90 days.

In addition, South America includes the disputed island territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, as well as the Falkland (Malvinas) Islands, which are still disputed by Great Britain and Argentina. Tourists arrive on the islands as part of cruise tours. The most common activities are mountain climbing, hiking and rafting in kayaks and kayaks. The Falkland (Malvinas) Islands are places almost forgotten by tourists. In terms of climate, their territory is close to Iceland: it is cold, strong winds, and not only seagulls, but also plump king penguins scurry along the coast.

Nature of South America

After the breakup of the Gondwana mainland at the end of the Cretaceous into Africa, Australia, Antarctica and South America, the latter remained a separate continent. Connecting the current North and South America, the Isthmus of Panama appeared about three million years ago, significantly affecting the flora and fauna of the continent.

The variety of landscapes and climatic zones strikes the tourist's imagination. Andes, the world's longest mountain range, is also called the "ridge" of South America, stretching almost its entire length for 9 thousand km. Most high peaks- Aconcagua (6960 m) in Argentina and Ojos del Salado (6908 m) are covered with snow all year round. The movement of the earth's crust in this region, which continues to this day, causes earthquakes and eruptions of active volcanoes.

The famous Amazon flows here, the second largest river on the planet, always full-flowing thanks to its numerous tributaries. On its shores, the endless Amazonian jungle rises, so dense that some of their areas remain unexplored to this day.

The Amazonian jungle is called the "lungs of the planet."

In contrast to the Amazonian rainforests on the mainland is one of the driest places on the planet, the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. In Argentina and Uruguay, the pampas are hot and dusty.

There are vast lakes in South America, and high waterfalls, and rocky islands. From the north, the mainland is washed by warm waters caribbean, while its southernmost point - the island of Tierra del Fuego - is subject to frequent storms of the cold Atlantic Ocean.

Western Europe- a region that includes in its composition in the main state of the Germans and the Celts. One of the most developed economic regions of the planet. The beginning of the formation Western Europe considered the collapse of the Roman Empire, dividing it into Eastern and Western.

List of Western European countries: Austria, Belgium, Andorra, Great Britain, Ireland, Germany, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Switzerland and France. The last noticeable changes in the map of Western Europe took place around the 11th century; it is not for nothing that this part is considered the "old world". The states of Western Europe are divided into four groups (large, medium, small and dwarf states).

About 296 million people live in Western Europe. And of these, approximately 20 million foreign workers, Western Europe is a kind of immigration hotbed of the world. The population of Western Europe belongs to the Indo-European language family, Romance and Germanic group.

The most big country in Western Europe - France, its area is 549.2 thousand km2, while it is also the richest and oldest country in this part of Europe.

Western Europe is a region that ranks first in terms of small-scale economic and industrial production, export of goods, reserves of gold and currency, development international tourism. A distinctive feature of Western Europe is considered high level development of integration processes. The development of Western Europe as a region is determined by the contribution of all countries in the region, but mainly the most developed - France, Germany, and Great Britain.

The cultural heritage of Western Europe, it is the world's treasure trove of extraordinarily beautiful and famous works of art. In the history of Western Culture, one can trace many cultural events that have remained in the memory of the whole world, as well as thousands of names of famous artists, musicians, sculptors associated with the countries of Western Europe.

To the most the most beautiful cities Western Europe include: Paris, Amsterdam, London. Every year they attract millions of curious tourists. Tourist incomes of Western countries fill a large niche in the country's budget.

Western countries are the most developed region of our planet. We associate this world with rich and beautiful states, prosperous capitalism.

History of Western Europe

There are different opinions regarding the theory of the origin of European civilization. According to one theory, it was founded by the ancient Greeks. However, within the framework of another concept, its emergence is attributed to the 15th-16th centuries, the times of the so-called "great geographical discoveries", the birth of capitalism and the reformation.

Western European civilization has gone through many stages of development, suffered a change in moral principles and aspirations. Today it is one of the most developed regions of our planet.

"Classics of the genre"

The "classic" list of Western countries includes 4 groups of states: large, medium, small and dwarf. Nearly 300 million people live in this area. 20 million of them are immigrants who came to work.

Most of these states are now part of the European Union. It ranks first in small-scale economic and industrial production. A high level of economic development makes Western countries financially secure.

In addition, Western Europe is famous for its rich culture. Many talented writers, artists and musicians, whose names are known throughout the world, were born here.

What distinguishes the Western countries of the world?

Western Europe is distinguished by the following factors:

1. Language. Almost all inhabitants of Western Europe use the Romance and Germanic language groups. The most common among them is English. It is native to 400 million people. At the same time, the group of non-Germanic languages ​​(Czech, Slovak, Hungarian) was once subjected to strong Germanization.

2. Latin alphabet. All the indigenous inhabitants of the Western countries of the world and their former colonies use the Latin alphabet, which arose in the 7th century BC. e.

3. The most common are Catholicism and Protestantism. A large percentage of atheists. Catholicism in the X century was finally formed as a separate branch of Orthodoxy. In the 16th century, when Catholics began to abuse their own religion, Protestantism was formed as a protest.

In the geographical concept, the countries of Western Europe include:

• France;
• Germany;
• Luxembourg;
• Great Britain;
• Belgium;
• Netherlands;
• Liechtenstein;
• Monaco;
• Ireland;
• Switzerland;
• Austria.

That is, the states located in Central and Northern Europe are also referred to as Western. This list can also include Norway, Denmark, Greece, Finland, Portugal, Iceland, Cyprus, Malta. These countries are part of the European Union.

In addition, the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, South Korea and AUR, as mentioned above. Why is such an abundance of countries called Western Europe?

Western civilization is...

Western civilization is a combination of cultural, political and economic factors. It is characterized by constant development, the movement of a person forward. It is distinguished by democracy, market-oriented production, private property relations.

The West is characterized by prosperous states, rich culture, constantly developing infrastructure. Here they know firsthand what freedom, decent wages, and a high standard of living are.

Economy of leading Western countries

The most advanced civilization in the world in the field of economics. Western Europe, which includes 25 countries, occupies a special place in the world economy. It all started with the signing of the Treaty of Rome establishing the European Economic Community in 1957. This treaty marked an active economic development these countries.

All modern countries of Western Europe have the same type of economic system. Their total share in total GDP (this indicator indicates the average market value of the country's final goods and services) is 24%. And in the world population - 7%.

The main economic power falls on the share of four Western countries, a list of which we will consider below. They focus 70% gross product. These are large states in terms of area, with a large number of inhabitants.

Germany is the leader in the top four. The share of GDP per capita is $47,774. The German economy is the largest in Europe. It is the largest exporter of machinery, transport and household equipment, chemicals.

Great Britain is mainly engaged in the service sector (3/4 of the population) - banking and business services, insurance, etc. The share of industry is constantly decreasing. At the moment, it is represented by two industries - mining and manufacturing. Agriculture accounts for only 1% of GDP.

France (the name of the Western country means "land of the Franks") is next in the top four. The service sector, the oil and gas industry, and transport also dominate here.

Italy is also in the top four, but today the country is increasingly plunging into a crisis, and whether it will be able to maintain its position is unknown. Experts call it the weakest link in the Eurozone, due to its demographic and economic weight. If Italy defaults, it could bring down the entire global economic system.

Who else?

The rest of the countries belong to the group of small industrial ones. Their share of GDP is:

1. 20% - Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands.

2. 8% - Austria, Greece, Finland, Denmark, Norway.

3. 2% - Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Portugal, Cyprus, Republic of Malta.

Economy Western states develops unevenly. Europe has experienced 3 crises. Today, the countries of Western Europe are characterized by a crisis of old industries - ferrous metallurgy, coal and textile industries.

There is a great scientific and technical potential. States invest huge amounts of money (up to 2% of GDP) in the development of science. Less than the US (about 16%), but more than Japan.

To date, Europe is leading in the construction of nuclear power plants, the manufacture of medicines, in some types of mechanical engineering and communications technology.

The share of agriculture reaches 8%. At the same time, the number of people involved in it has sharply decreased in recent years, but the number of manufactured products has increased. Leading European countries agricultural producers are Germany, France and Great Britain.

The world's northernmost countries are not ice sheets stretching to the horizon. These are not deserted plains of snow on which polar bears frolic. They are as beautiful as the exotic countries of the south. They have their own beauty, sometimes harsh and cold, but just as attractive and colorful.

Nordic States of Europe

Northern Europe is the old Scandinavian mountains, these are coniferous forests, picturesquely stretched on the slopes of impregnable cliffs and fjords. It is a romantic nature with a harsh character, which has remained untouched by the invasion of human civilization.

Iceland is the most fantastic country on the globe with the most unique and amazing nature. Nowhere else in the world can you find such a cluster of geysers, volcanoes, glaciers, waterfalls, lava fields and cliffs. The volcanic plateau on which the territory of the country is located is “strewn” mountain peaks, the slopes of which abruptly break off the coast of the ocean.

Snow-white mists envelop Iceland in a veil, like the thinnest downy shawl. The Northern Lights paint the horizon with a riot of colors. Here is the largest geyser, which throws steam to a height of 60 meters every 10 minutes. And the waterfall of the Gods, located nearby, overthrows cascades of turquoise water.

Finland

Dreamland Snow Queen, Santa Claus, reindeer soaring into the sky on Christmas night. This is the world of white nights and amazing northern lights. This blue Lakes with a mirror smooth surface and fast rivers carrying streams of water among intricately winding banks. Here, the forests are emerald green, and the air is clear and brilliant.

Finland is a country of 180 thousand lakes and forests covering 1/3 of the entire area.

Norway

Norway is the land of the midnight sun. A kingdom, a third of which is located beyond the Arctic Circle. From May to July, the sun shines in the sky, preventing the night twilight from taking over. This is a country of fairy tales and legends. Everything here is filled with magic. The huge Seine of the trolls, which are believed to live in these places, reaches a height of 850 meters, opening a stunning view from the top.

The territory of the country is a huge boulder of the Scandinavian Peninsula formed millions of years ago. She rises to Atlantic Ocean, reaching a height of 2452 meters.

This is one of the countries in the world in which women have the right to receive the priesthood. The country is ruled by the prime minister, who makes all decisions only in accordance with the will of the king.

Northernmost country in the new world - Canada

The main asset of the country is the lakes, of which there are up to 4 million. They occupy 8% of the entire territory. The rocky mountains rise up to 3,000 meters, and the plains, like roads, pave the way to the tundra and the Arctic coast.

Canada is Niagara Falls which is beautiful in all seasons. It is exotic with adventures, fishing and hunting. These are wild flowers that "hurry" to show beauty in this harsh climate. It's the never-setting sun in summer and eternal ice breathing frosty freshness.

Here in summer it can be up to +40, and in winter it can be up to minus 60. Dwarf trees are “intertwined” with moss, lichen and wild flowers of amazing beauty. The symbol of Canada grows here - the sugar maple, the leaf of which adorns the flag of the country.

It was here that the canoe and kayak, matches, kerosene and lightning for clothes were born. Here you can admire the monument weighing 7 tons, which was installed to the ax. The people idolize beavers, which, along with the maple leaf, are a symbol of the country.

Group sex is officially allowed here, but it is forbidden to watch a striptease while drinking alcohol while watching. Drivers of transport do not give change for the fare. Therefore, it is better for economical passengers to stock up on a trifle in advance. Those who wish to write to Santa Claus should know his code - H0H 0H0.

But the championship, as always, belongs to Russia. For foreigners, it is associated with bears, a hat with earflaps and endless expanses of snow.

The northernmost state in the world - Russia

The North of Russia can be safely compared to a huge museum, which is spread over thousands of kilometers under the open sky. Architecture and unique architectural monuments are surrounded by amazing nature. Silvery snow shimmers under the rays of the sun. The harsh nature gives in summer the delicate beauty of flowers and the riot of green plains. The Northern Lights, sparkling in the night sky, fascinates with its beauty. The North of Russia is a world of contrasts, a world of light and warmth, cold and peace.

Age-old taiga trees hide their secrets, protecting nature from human interference. For all the time of its existence, no one has managed to go through all its corners and paths. Only from a bird's eye view you can understand how huge and majestic it is.

The Mountain of the Dead in the northern Urals keeps the mysteries of horror that grips people who have fallen on its territory. Here people die for unknown reasons and planes crash while flying over its top. This anomalous zone who is trying to protect something that a person should not know.

Molebsky triangle pulls like a magnet for tourists. Here you can see huge black figures appearing out of nowhere. Luminous balls and incomprehensible figures that demonstrate some unprecedented power to curious onlookers. Here is another world, another time that flows according to its own laws. You can come here and talk with yourself to understand your desires and cleanse your soul.

Rastess is a strange village where gold miners once lived. It has been empty for decades. Until now, it remains a mystery where all the people disappeared. Things remained intact, even bowls of food on the tables. It seems that a wave of time has carried home, taking the hard workers into a world where gold lies at the feet and does not have to be mined by the sweat of one's brow.

Russia is not a country of cold and polar bears. This is a huge mystery, the soul of which is trying to unravel not only the scientists of the world, but all of humanity. .
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