World Cultures

Name: Anthony Tammaro

Unit I Europe
Block: 1
Exploring a European Country Research Activity
Instructions: Using the Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life (found through the library
database Gale Virtual Reference Library; username and password is colonials), research a European
nation of interest to you and complete the items below thoughtfully and completely. Be prepared to share
what youve learned with your peers.
1. To what extent was this country ruled by others? Use evidence to support your answer.
In 1066 Normans invaded England from France. It was also ruled by kings and queens for
a very long time.
2. Which 20 century events had the greatest influence on this country? Choose two events and
explain their impact.
In 1952 George VI dies. Elizabeth becomes queen, This is a major event because the leader
of england was passed on and new leadership took place. Another major event is when
unemployment reaches its peak at 14.1%
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3.

Identify the following:

Topic

Details

Well known cities, regions, or

landforms

London is the capital and a well known vacation destination.

Relative size (size in relationship

to another place)

94,060 square miles

Description of natural environment

Located between the North Atlantic ocean & the North sea. In 1993
10% of the UK was forested, 46% used for pastures and 25%
cultivated for agriculture. Temperatures range from below 12 F to
as high as 95 F.
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Population size

There are 64,100,000 total living in the UK. The population density
is 661.9/sq mi.

Degree of diversity
(1=homogenous; 10=very diverse)
with explanation

Ethnic diversity varies throughout the UK but overall its around a

4. In 2008 86% said they were white, another 12.9% were
ethnically mixed. Thats not a very high percentage.

Languages/Alphabets

95% speak english

4. How does folklore influence the peoples worldview or actions? Explain your answer using specific
details.
Folklore helps to transmit a cultures morals and values. British influence can be seen in
many parts of the world including language, culture, and legal systems.
5.

What religion(s) is practiced in this country, and how does it impact the people?
Forms of christianity have taken over most parts of the UK. Religion helps to develop
morals and values that people use in their daily life.

6. Are rites of passage in this country similar to or different from rites of passage in the U.S.? Explain
your answer using specific pieces of evidence.
Many of the rites of passage in the UK are very similar to the U.S. Young people have to
progress through schooling. Other rites of passage include a first job, being promoted,
getting married, having children, and retiring in your sixties.

7. What tips on interpersonal behavior might you give to an American who is about to travel to this
country? Provide at least three.
The currency is pounds, rather than euros. Instead of driving on the right side of the road
the left side is used in the UK. Drinking is very big in the UK, pubs fill the streets and its
almost a national pastime.
8. Is the standard of living in this country better, worse, or about the same as that of the U.S.? Justify
your answer with at least three pieces of evidence.
The standards of living are relatively close. The U.S. has a slight advantage including
slightly cheaper produce(food), and higher GDP per capita. This is mainly because in the
U.S. people work longer hours. The cost is living is slightly lower than the U.S. but
housing is more expensive.

9.

Is family important in this country? Why or why not? Use specific details in your response.
The two most common values in the UK were caring(49%) and family(46%). Families in the
UK are very reliant on each other and develop good relationships. This is why family was
one of the top two values.

10. Does this country have distinctive traditional clothing? Explain your answer citing specific details.
5.3% of the UKs consumer money spent is on clothing. A well known piece of clothing is
the kilt. Its worn by men and is similar to a skirt. A traditional clothing isnt as distinct in
the UK anymore. The UK has many clothing brands that provide modern day clothing
similar to the U.S.
11. How has globalization impacted food and diet in this country? Explain your answer using specific
facts.
Similar to many other countries of the world the UK has many western fast food chains
including McDonald's. This increases the need for farmers which helps the economy.
12. How might your educational experience in this country differ from the schooling you receive in the
U.S.?
Each country has its own education system. Education is only mandatory from ages 5-16.
Colleges are available for further education after graduation.
13. What cultural influences or accomplishments is this country best known for? List and describe at
least three.
UK is also referred to as a cultural superpower. It has been influenced by Great Britain and
can be seen in its language and legal systems.
14. Summarize the overall economy of this country in 2-3 sentences.
The UK today is the 6 largest economy in the world and the 3 largest in Europe. The
economy is very reliant on tourism for a big part of the UKs profit. Manufacturing only
accounts for 16.7% of the UKs output.
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15. How do people of this country spend their leisure time? List at least five activities. Would you want
to live there?
Many spend their time going to pubs, its almost a national pastime. A second pastime is
going to national monuments(Big ben). A third leisure time can include strolling the streets
of london. Fourth, Major sports, including association football, tennis, rugby union, rugby
league, golf, boxing, rowing and cricket. Movies and music are other options for leisure
time. The UK is very similar to the U.S. with activities that you are able to do.

16. List (in order of significance) what you feel are the three biggest problems that this country needs to
resolve.
This country like many other super countries needs to find better ways to produce energy.
Fracking is becoming a problem like many other nations using this harmful method to
produce energy. Another problem in the UK is a broken society. This is similar to the
United States which includes things like: drug abuse, violent crime, teenage delinquency,
family breakdown, welfare dependency, poor urban environments, educational failure,
poverty, the loss of traditional values, teenage pregnancy, dysfunctional families, binge
drinking, and children who kill. A third problem involves mental health. Around a quarter of
the population will be affected by some kind of mental health issue within the next year.
This leads to many negatives even suicide.
17. Are all people treated equally in this country? Why or why not? Explain your answer using specific
evidence.
People are treated equally similarly to america. There seems to be equality between races
but some become too sensitive. Clarissa Tan explains a story that a beach bar singer was
arrested for belting out the pop song Kung Fu Fighting because someone had
complained it was racial aggravation.
Sources:
Winter, Katy. "Family Values Still Rule: A New Survey of the Nation's Behaviour Paints a Positive Picture
of Life in Modern Britain ." Mail Online. Associated Newspapers, 27 Mar. 2013. Web. 22 Feb. 2015.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2299954/Family-values-rule-A-new-survey-nations-behaviourpaints-positive-picture-life-modern-Britain.html
"United Kingdom." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2015.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom