World Cultures

Name:___________________________
Unit I Europe Block:_______
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. Was not
controlled by any other nations.

2. Which 20th century events had the greatest influence on this country? Choose two events and
explain their impact. World War II because that helped make the European Community. In 1990 the
European Union was formed and made a single trading bloc and enhanced economic power.

3. Identify the following:
Topic Details
Well known cities, regions, or landforms Amsterdam is the capital
Relative size (size in relationship to another
place)
Two times the size of New Jersey
Description of natural environment Its a small flat country.
Population size 16.6 million People.
Degree of diversity (1=homogenous; 10=very
diverse) with explanation
6 because they have a bunch of people
with different religions.
Languages/Alphabets The speak Dutch.

4. How does folklore influence the peoples worldview or actions? Explain your answer using specific
details. They are very reserved people and not that social.

5. What religion(s) is practiced in this country, and how does it impact the people? 31% of people are
Roman Catholic, 40% are non-religious and there are small populations of Muslims, Hindus and Jews.

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. They are about the same with being modern
industrialized and have many things in common with things that happen with religion.

7. What tips on interpersonal behavior might you give to an American who is about to travel to this
country? Provide at least three.
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.
they live kind of like use with modern things but like old fashioned homes and knickknacks.

9. Is family important in this country? Why or why not? Use specific details in your response. The
Dutch have great value in their family life. They live in mostly nuclear families. Tend to care a lot to their
family.




10. Does this country have distinctive traditional clothing? Explain your answer citing specific details.
They wear mostly modern clothing that westerns wear. But have some clothing of their own


11. How has globalization impacted food and diet in this country? Explain your answer using specific
facts. Use a lot of butter and mostly no sauces. Have breakfast lunch and dinner. Breakfast and lunch is a
cold meal and dinner is around 6pm.


12. How might your educational experience in this country differ from the schooling you receive in the
U.S.? School last from 5 to 16 and you take a test around the age of 12 to see what type of school you go
to like a pre-university or a vocational school.


13. What cultural influences or accomplishments is this country best known for? List and describe at
least three. They are really known for their painting threw out the 17
th
century. Home to two great
philosophers. And last they take music influences from Africa and the Middle East.


14. Summarize the overall economy of this country in 2-3 sentences. It was good in after World War II
and then slowed in 1973 because of rising oil world oil prices. Its a small agriculture with 3% but still
important part of the nations economy. A lot of family business and foreign workers get low paying no-
skill jobs. And have bad unemployment changes.

15. How do people of this country spend their leisure time? List at least five activities. Would you
want to live there? Soccer, Fishing, Boating, sailing and camping. So they like to spend a lot of time
outdoors


16. List (in order of significance) what you feel are the three biggest problems that this country needs
to resolve. The people take advantage of the Generous Dutch program by saying they are sick disable
and they might not be. Around one fourth of the population was living on welfare so they need fix the
low unemployment. Overcrowding in the cities is a big problem.


17. Are all people treated equally in this country? Why or why not? Explain your answer using specific
evidence. Womens rights where bad but over the past 50 years that changed and they are all
treated equally. But foreigners are usually getting the lowered paid jobs.