Europe is named after the heroine ancient greek mythology Europe, a Phoenician princess kidnapped by Zeus and taken to the island of Crete. The origin of this name itself, as the French linguist P. Chantrain concludes, is unknown. The most popular etymological hypotheses in modern literature were proposed in antiquity (along with many others), but are controversial: One etymology interprets it from the Greek roots evri- and ops- as “wide-eyed.” According to the lexicographer Hesychius, the name Europia means "land of sunset, or dark", which was defined by later linguists as "sunset".

The name Europe for a part of the world is absent in the oldest Greek literature(in the Homeric hymn to Apollo of Pythia, only Northern Greece is named Europe) and was first recorded in the “Description of the Earth” by Hecataeus of Miletus (late 6th century BC), the first book of which is dedicated to Europe.

The ancient Greeks initially considered Europe a separate continent, separated from Asia by the Aegean and Black Seas, and from Africa - Mediterranean Sea. Convinced that Europe was only a small part of the huge continent, which is now called Eurasia, ancient authors began to draw the eastern border of Europe along the Don River (such ideas are already found in Polybius and Strabo). This tradition prevailed for almost two millennia. In particular, according to Mercator, the border of Europe runs along the Don, and from its source - strictly north to the White Sea.
In the 15th century, when Muslims were driven out of almost all of Spain and the Byzantines from Asia (by the Turks), Europe briefly became almost synonymous with Christendom, but today most Christians live outside its territory. In the 19th century, almost all of the world's industry was located in Europe; today, most of the products are produced outside its borders. In 1720, V.N. Tatishchev proposed drawing the eastern border of Europe along the ridge of the Ural Mountains, and further along the Yaik River (modern Ural) up to the mouth flowing into the Caspian Sea. Gradually, the new border became generally accepted, first in Russia, and then beyond its borders. Currently, the border of Europe is drawn: in the north - along the Arctic Ocean; in the west - along the Atlantic Ocean; in the south - along the Mediterranean, Aegean, Marmara, Black Seas; in the east - along the eastern foot of the Ural Mountains, the Mugodzharam Mountains, along the Yaik River (modern Ural) to the Caspian Sea, from there along the Kuma and Manych rivers to the mouth of the Don (or along Caucasus ridge to the Black Sea). Europe also includes nearby islands and archipelagos.

Countries of Europe

Eastern Europe:
Belarus, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Slovakia

Northern Europe:
, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia,

Here is a map of countries in Russian and a table with sovereign states, as well as dependent territories. They include completely independent states and territories dependent on various European countries. In total, there are 50 in the European part of the world sovereign states and 9 dependent territories.

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According to the generally accepted geographical definition, the border between and Europe runs along the Ural Mountains, the Ural River and the Caspian Sea in the east, the Greater Caucasus mountain system and the Black Sea with its outlets, the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles in the south. Based on this division, the transcontinental states of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkey have territories in both Europe and Asia.

The island of Cyprus in Western Asia is close to Anatolia (or Asia Minor) and lies on the Anatolian Plate, but is often considered part of Europe and is a current member European Union(EU). Armenia is also entirely in Western Asia, but is a member of some European organizations.

Although providing a clearer separation between and Europe, some traditionally European islands, such as Malta, Sicily, Pantelleria and the Pelagian Islands, are located on the African Continental Plate. The island of Iceland is part of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which crosses the Eurasian and North American plates.

Greenland has socio-political ties to Europe and is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, but is geographically closer to. Sometimes Israel is also seen as part of the geopolitical processes of Europe.

Other territories are part European countries, but are geographically located on other continents, such as the French overseas departments, the Spanish cities of Ceuta and Melilla on the African coast, and the Dutch Caribbean territories of Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius.

There are 50 internationally recognized sovereign states with territory located within the general definition of Europe and/or members in international European organizations, of which 44 have their capitals within Europe. All but the Vatican are members of the United Nations (UN), and all but Belarus, Kazakhstan and the Vatican are members of the Council of Europe. 28 of these countries have been members of the EU since 2013, meaning they are highly integrated with each other and partially share their sovereignty with EU institutions.

Political map of Europe with country names in Russian

To enlarge the map, click on it.

Political map of Europe with names of states/Wikipedia

Table of European countries with capitals

The European region, due to the impressive area of ​​its territory, provides for the division of states into several groups based on geography.

The countries of Western Europe are traditionally popular with tourists from all over the world, due to the abundance of cultural, natural and historical attractions.

The group of countries belonging to Western Europe is traditionally considered one of the most highly developed and prosperous, since the standard of living and income of citizens here is at a consistently high level.

At the same time, the region is characterized by demographic problems associated with low birth rate and insufficient natural growth.

The following states belong to such a geographical association:

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

These countries are mostly washed Atlantic Ocean however, minor areas in the northern part of the region border the Arctic Ocean

Each of these states boasts an abundance of attractions, which is why it is advisable to study them in more detail.

Austria

One of the most popular countries in Western Europe among tourists is Austria. It boasts an abundance of historical attractions, as well as an interesting entertainment program.

The most popular tourist cities are Vienna, Salzburg, Graz and Innsbruck. Austrian cities are trying to preserve their historical appearance: there are almost no new buildings in the city center.

The impregnable Hohensalzburg, located near the Alps, is one of the most ancient fortresses - it is more than 1,000 years old.

However, in addition to architectural sites, Austria also boasts an impressive list of ski resorts. They represent the optimal combination of price and quality, with diversity considered their main advantage.

There are over 1,000 places throughout the country that can be used for skiing. Among them there are both large sports complexes and relatively small villages, which allows each tourist to choose the right option.

Vienna is the capital of Austria and the most populous city in the country. One of Vienna's attractions is the opera hall (not only opera, but also ballet). Tickets to the Vienna Opera are not cheap at all - ranging from 14 to 500 euros. It all depends on the performance, its time, and also the place in the hall.

Salzburg is the birthplace of the great composer Mozart. There is his museum in this city. By the way, you can always bring the famous Mozart candies as a gift from Austria, which can be bought in any supermarket.

Sacher cake

Arriving in Austria, you can’t help but try the famous chocolate cake with orange soaking called “Sacher”. You can try this cake both in the hotel cafe of the same name in Vienna, and in any other Austrian cafe. You can also bring a piece of cake home with you - they are sold in tins in supermarkets.

Austrian apple strudel. It is prepared in almost any cafe and restaurant. Strudel is usually served with a scoop of ice cream.

The drink Radler is very popular. Radler is a weak alcoholic drink (6%), something like a mixture of beer and lemonade. Literally, the name of this drink translates as cyclist, and the Austrians themselves joke about it and say that when you drink Radler, you are still able to ride a bicycle.

And in winter, Austrians prefer to drink warm punch. This drink is made from wine, sugar and fruit (usually oranges).

Germany

Germany appears to be one of the largest countries in the region and boasts an abundance of interesting tourist attractions. As for attractions, Germany has more than 2,000 castles, cathedrals and other buildings that were founded in the Middle Ages.

Any German city, even the smallest one, will be interesting to visit even for the most fastidious tourist.

When planning to visit Germany, it is advisable to broaden your horizons by visiting not only its capital - Berlin, but also other big cities- Munich and Dresden, where tourists are welcome National parks, museums, natural attractions.

Oktoberfest in Germany

At the end of September and beginning of October, a festival called Oktoberfest takes place in Germany. Initially, this festival was only in Bavaria, but now all of Germany is not averse to celebrating it.

For two weeks, tents and tables are set up in cities so that people can get together, listen to music, drink German beer and eat smoked sausages. The Germans love to dress up in national costumes and organize a parade on the first Sunday after the start of the festival.

During Oktoberfest in Germany they sell the famous gingerbread with pictures and German bagels - pretzels.

German cuisine is dominated by a large number of meat and locals prefer to cook it in various types. Salads are very unique in Germany: if it is written that it is a potato salad, then it will simply be chopped potatoes with dressing without any other ingredients. Another dish is sauerkraut, which is not to the taste of all tourists.

Belgium

Another popular destination among travelers is Belgium, which is included in a package tour of Europe. The small size of this country is compensated by the abundance of attractions and their diversity.

Map of Belgium with landmarks

The most popular city where most tourists come is Brussels, but to get a complete picture of the culture and attractions of this state, it is advisable to visit:

• Bruges.
• Antwerp.
• Ghent.

Each of these cities has a unique atmosphere and unique style, which makes it one of the most popular tourist destinations. Active recreation is relatively poorly developed in Belgium, which is why travelers are advised to focus on sightseeing trips.

In the capital of Belgium, Brussels, tourists love to visit the famous beer museum. And next to the museum there is a store where you can buy different types of beer, including the strongest ones in terms of alcohol content.

Belgian waffles

One of the most popular dishes in Belgian cuisine is meatballs. Here they are stewed in tomato sauce, and fried in oil and served with cherry jam. The Belgians themselves prefer to combine meat balls with French fries.

Another dish worth trying are Belgian waffles with various toppings. Waffles are sold in any cafe or restaurant, as well as in street fast food. Waffles are served with ice cream and berry jam. As for national drinks, in Belgium it is Jenever, which is also sometimes called Dutch gin.

This drink comes in different flavors and is usually drunk neat. Belgium is not considered a major honey producer, but there are many specialized stores here. Delicious and high-quality honey in a beautiful jar will be an excellent gift.

France

The capital of France remains over time the most popular city for tourists. Eiffel Tower, Louvre, National Opera House, Triumphal Arch- the list can be continued endlessly. Due to the recent fire see Notre Dame in in its original form It won't work anymore. But the French government promises to restore the cathedral in the near future.

Among the interesting objects in France is the Normandy Bridge, which is the largest bridge in Europe

French cuisine will surprise every tourist with its exquisite combinations. Among the unusual things you can try are snails cooked in oil with herbs, as well as mussels with lemon juice and vinegar. Well, the bravest ones can try fried frog legs with onions.

The famous cheese fondue is melted cheese served with meat, baguette and potatoes. Also worth trying is Tartiflette - a kind of potato casserole with bacon, onions and cheese.

Netherlands

You definitely won’t be bored in the capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam. The city simply surprises with the number of attractions, and most importantly, their accessibility: tickets to museums are not that expensive and almost all are located in the central part of the city.

One of the most beautiful places to visit in Amsterdam in spring is the tulip garden. During their flowering period (April-May), the garden is transformed - more than 700 types of tulips bloom, and their colors are simply indescribable. Also, tulip bulbs will be an excellent gift from Holland for gardeners.

There are a lot of museums in Amsterdam, here are the most popular ones:

• Vangogh Museum, Rijksmuseum and Stedelijk Museum of Contemporary Art. All museums are located in the so-called golden triangle on Museum Square.
• National Shipping Museum. Next to the museum building there is a replica of the ship “Amsterdam”.
• Anne Frank Museum. This house museum is dedicated to a girl who lived in Amsterdam during the Nazi occupation. This girl kept a diary for two years, talking about her difficult life.
• Micropia or microbial zoo.

Tourists should also try street food in Holland. A very popular sandwich made from herring and onions. When buying such food on the embankment, you should be careful - the seagulls snatch the fish right out of your mouth. Waffles are another popular fast food in Holland. They differ from soft Belgian ones - 2 thin round waffles soaked in sweet syrup.

Also, don’t forget about Oliebollen butter balls. The dish is similar to fried Russian dumplings with pieces of fruit inside. Dutch dumplings are traditionally prepared for Christmas and New Year.

As a souvenir of your trip or as a gift to friends, you can bring Dutch clogs - wooden slippers with a national pattern. You can order your own design; craftsmen who make clogs are not so difficult to find. Some tourists bring licorice candies as gifts. But their taste is not for everyone.

Switzerland

Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in Europe. In this country, in addition to attractions, there are many quiet places in mountains untouched by civilization, such as the Jungfrau in the Alps, the Rhine Falls or Mount Pilatus, on which, according to legend, the body of Pontius Pilate was buried.

Zurich and Geneva attract tourists with a large number of attractions - castles, museums, cathedrals:

• Chillon Castle. It is built right on the shore of Lake Geneva.

In the northern part of Switzerland there is the Rhine Falls, which is rightfully considered the most large object of this kind, located in Europe

What is worth trying in Switzerland is cheese. One of the cheese dishes is Raclette, melted cheese served with potatoes. Another dish that tourists should try is Rösti.

This is a potato flatbread fried in oil, which vaguely resembles everyone’s favorite Ukrainian pancakes. And as a gift from a trip to Switzerland, you can bring very tasty chocolate.

Also, don’t forget about Swiss watches, knives and leather boots - though good quality It's not cheap.

Great Britain

Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London - all these sights are familiar to everyone from English textbooks. Besides these famous places, it is worth paying attention to others, no less exciting:

• Lake District National Park, which recently became protected by UNESCO.
• Jurassic coast. For lovers of history and archeology, this place is interesting for its large number of fossils.
• Mount St. Michael. The mountain is located on a small island, and a huge castle is built on the island.

England is a football country. Every fan of the British Premier League simply must go to a match during a tourist trip. Or it’s worth at least watching a match in a sports pub, like the locals do.

Everyone who comes to England should have breakfast like a real Englishman. An English breakfast consists of eggs, bacon, beans, sausages, fried tomatoes and mushrooms, and freshly made toast.

Workers originally had these breakfasts in the 19th century to ensure they had enough energy to get through the day.

Another dish you can try is pork pie. The British themselves prefer to eat this pie chilled in the summer. From fast food, you should try fish and chips - a traditional English street food.
The most popular drinks in England are tea, cider and whiskey.

It is also necessary to mention the famous British universities, which are not only the most prestigious in the world educational institutions, but also genuine architectural monuments.

Western Europe

Western Europe is a dynamic region of the world economy, characterized by the specifics of international economic relations. It unites 24 countries. By territory, Western European states can be divided into 4 groups:

· large states (France, Spain, Sweden, Germany, Finland, Norway, Italy, Great Britain);

· middle states (Iceland, Greece, Portugal, Ireland, Austria);

· small states (Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland);

· dwarf states (Andorra, Malta, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, San Marino, Monaco, Vatican).

total area Western Europe 3.9 million sq. km. Population exceeds 375 million people.

Western Europe as an integral region ranks first in the world economy in terms of industrial and agricultural production, exports of goods and services, gold and currency reserves, and development of international tourism. The face of Europe in the international division of labor (IDL) is determined by the development of industry (mechanical engineering, chemical and electrical industries). Western Europe is different high level development integration processes.

GDP per capita, USD USA, 2009

Austria 32849

Andorra 31715

Belgium 30500

UK 30905

Germany 27905

Gibraltar 40948

Denmark 31564

Ireland 34455

Iceland 32091

Spain 24859

Italy 26008

Liechtenstein

Luxembourg 57125

Malta 19502

Netherlands 31769

Norway 39756

Portugal 18880

San Marino 25303

Finland 30965

France 29020

Switzerland 36202

Sweden 30815

Austria

Austria area– 83,900 sq. km

Capital of Austria– Vienna

Main cities– Graz, Salzburg, Linz, Klagenfurt, Innsbruck

Currency unit – euro Population of Austria– 8.1 million people

Languages ​​of Austria- German Religion- Catholicism, Lutheranism

Austria GDP– $25,000 per capita

Sights of Austria :

Sights of Vienna
St. Stephen's Cathedral (Vienna)
Schönbrunn Castle - the pride of the beautiful Vienna
Legendary hotel Sacher 5* (Vienna)
Sights of Salzburg
The Alps: not just mountains

For a long time Austria is famous their ski resorts. Austria produces light white wines and about 11% red wine, most of which meet the highest requirements and are excellent table wines.

Andorra

Area of ​​Andorra– 468 sq. km

Capital of Andorra– Andorra la Vieja (Andorra)

Main cities– Escaldes, Encamp, Sant Julia de Lória, Massana

Currency unit– euro

Population of Andorra– 66.8 thousand people

Languages ​​of Andorra– Catalan (official), Spanish, French

Religion– Catholicism Andorra GDP– $19,000 per capita

Andorra is a country of supermarkets and tourists. Andorra is rich in mineral resources.

Belgium

Belgium Square– 30,528 sq. km

Capital of Belgium– Brussels

Main cities– Antwerp, Bruges, Ghent, Liege, Charleroi

Currency unit– Belgian franc

Population of Belgium– 10.2 million people

Languages ​​of Belgium– Flemish, French, German

Religion- Catholicism, Protestantism

Belgium GDP– $22,920 per capita

Belgium consists of two parts - northern Flanders, which speaks mainly Dutch, and southern Wallonia, which prefers French. one of the most significant manufacturers of metal products and textiles.

Vatican

Vatican Square– 0.44 sq. km

Capital of the Vatican– no, due to the specifics of the state

Main cities- no, similar Currency unit– euro

Population of Vatican City– 1 thousand people have official citizenship (total population is 2.5 thousand) Vatican languages– Latin, Italian

Religion– Catholicism

Sights of the Vatican :

Sights of Rome
St. Peter's Cathedral - Catholic shrine
Vatican Museums – Sistine Chapel

The Vatican as a state has existed not so long ago - since 1929. But this is official. And the residence of the Pope arose here historically. Most tourists arriving in the Vatican strive to go straight to the Sistine Chapel. Its ceiling is painted by the young Michelangelo.

Great Britain

UK area– 256,000 sq. km

The capital of Great Britain– London

Main cities– Glasgow, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Sheffield, Leeds, Bristol, Belfast, Cardiff

Currency unit- GBP

UK population– 60.4 million people

UK languages- English Religion– Anglicanism, Catholicism

UK GDP– $22,800 per capita

Engineering and transport, industrial goods and chemicals are the UK's main exports.By production wool fabrics Great Britain is among the world leaders.

Germany

Germany area– 357,000 sq. km

Capital of Germany– Berlin

Main cities– Hamburg, Frankfurt am Main, Munich, Cologne, Essen, Dortmund, Stuttgart, Dusseldorf, Dresden, Bremen, Duisburg, Leipzig, Hannover

Currency unit– euro

Population of Germany– 82 million people

Languages ​​of Germany- German Religion- Catholicism, Protestantism

Germany GDP– $25,500 per capita

Sightseeings of Germany :

Sights of Berlin
Grand Hotel The Regent 5* (Berlin)
Sights of Cologne
Sights of Munich
Nymphenburg is the largest in Bavaria
Hofbräuhaus - the most famous beer hall
Beer festival "Oktoberfest"
Sights of Dresden
Sights of Hamburg
Linderhof Castle – a Bavarian pearl
Neuschwanstein - shelter of the lonely swan
Zapovednaya Saxon Switzerland
Frauenkirche Church in Munich
The Alps: not just mountains

Germany is an industrialized country. The main industries are mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical, automobile and shipbuilding, and coal. By production milk ranks first within the EU.

Gibraltar

1. Square: 6.5 km²

2. Population 29 thousand 257 people (2007)

3. Main peoples: Gibraltarians (descendants of the Genoese, English, Spaniards, Maltese, Portuguese, etc.) - 81%, other British 9.3%, foreigners 7%

4. Official language : English (Spanish, Portuguese, Italian are also common)

5. Political system - parliamentary democracy, autonomous ownership of Great Britain

6. Head of State- British monarch

7. Head of the government- Prime Minister

Gibraltar is the only place in Europe where people live wild monkeys- magots. Sectoral structure of the economy by employment: service sector - 60%, industry - 40%. The territory has developed tourism industries, banking and finance, shipbuilding and ship repair industries.

Kingdom of Denmark

Denmark Square– 43,092 sq. km

Capital of Denmark– Copenhagen

Main cities– Aarhus, Odense, Aalborg, Esbjerg, Randers, Kolding

Currency unit– Danish krone

Population of Denmark– 5.3 million people

Languages ​​of Denmark– Danish, German

Religion- Lutheranism, Catholicism

Denmark GDP– $35,100 per capita

Sights of Denmark : Sights of Copenhagen
Hamlet's Castle: from past to present
Denmark for children – Tivoli and Legoland

Denmark is an industrial-agrarian country with a high level of development. The share of industry in national income is more than 40%. The country ranks first in the world in terms of foreign trade turnover per capita.

Main export goods: mechanical engineering products, meat and meat products, dairy products, fish, medicines, furniture.

Leading industries: metalworking, mechanical engineering (especially electrical and radio-electronic), food, chemical, pulp and paper, textile. In agriculture, the leading role belongs to meat and dairy farming. Denmark ranks 7th in the world in terms of pig population - 25 million, of which 87% is exported.

Ireland, or Irish Republic

Area of ​​Ireland– 70,300 sq. km

Capital of Ireland– Dublin

Main cities– Cork, Limerick, Tralee, Dun Lary, Waterford, Sligo, Galway

Currency unit– euro

Population of Ireland– 3.8 million people

Languages ​​of Ireland– Irish, English (both official)

Religion– Catholicism Ireland GDP– $21,000 per capita

Sights of Ireland : Mysterious Newgrange: Fairy Mound

Ireland is a small country, and the only country in the world whose population today is less than two hundred years ago. Only 4.2 million people. TO beginning of XXI century, the key sectors of the Irish economy are: pharmaceuticals, medical equipment production, information and multimedia technologies.

Iceland

Iceland area– 103,300 sq. km

Capital of Iceland– Reykjavik

Main cities of Iceland– Akureyri, Husavik, Keflavik, Sigljufjörður

Currency unit– Icelandic krona

Population– 278 thousand people

Languages ​​of Iceland– Icelandic (state)

Religion– Protestantism

Iceland GDP– $25,000 per capita

Sights of Iceland : Sights of Iceland
Blue Lagoon Resort and Spa (Iceland)

The main source of income was fishing and fish processing. V last years There is an intensive diversification of industry based on cheap renewable energy (mainly geothermal sources and hydropower). The Icelandic government has announced a large-scale program to build aluminum smelters.

Small European countries are a traditionally distinguished category, and if we talk about “privilege,” then it is more correct to designate this group of countries not by formal ones (size of territory, population), but by more significant characteristics - the nature of the economy and social indicators (see Table 9). Small countries include Austria in Central Europe; three Benelux countries; Scandinavian countries - Sweden, Denmark, Finland, as well as Ireland, whose economy looks weaker against the general background of the group, but is distinguished by the highest rates of economic growth in Western Europe.

In the past, some of them played a leading role in world politics (Austria during the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Netherlands, Sweden), some became “privileged” in the robbery of colonies (Belgian Congo, Dutch colonies in different parts of the world).

But now their role is different. The monopolies of these countries, smaller than in the G7 countries (highly specialized) occupied important places not occupied by the largest monopolies - they themselves became TNCs - in their own rather narrow sphere.

The Dutch Univeliver ranks first in the hierarchy of TNCs in the food industry of the world, Royal Dutch Shell (an Anglo-Dutch concern) is second among all oil giants, the Swedish Volvo is a manufacturer of cars of the highest class and reliability, a Swedish concern Tetra Laval is one of the top five in the pulp and paper industry.

Table 9
Key indicators of small European countries (EU members)

The small countries of Europe are united by high GDP per capita indicators. It is clear that at very different scales, even in the “small countries” category, the absolute values ​​of GDP are very different: from 14.0 billion dollars. In Luxembourg to 395.9 in the Netherlands. But in terms of GDP per capita, the gaps are small: from 20.5 thousand dollars. in Finland up to 41.2 - in Luxembourg. At the same time, it is significant that all small countries are included in the leading “elite” of the modern world according to this indicator, occupying places in the top twenty. This is a clear indicator of the large “weight” of small European countries.

Social well-being is measured, in particular, by such an indicator as wages. In terms of hourly wages in manufacturing, Belgium ranks fourth in the world, the Netherlands fifth, and Sweden sixth, ahead of the United States.

The financial strength of a country is determined by the stability of the currency, balance of payments, inflation rate and other indicators. If we reduce them to some kind of synthesizing value (creditworthiness, financial reliability), taking the absence of risk for investments as 100, then the Netherlands in this “rank list” takes fourth place with an indicator of 89, Austria - sixth - 86, etc. d.

We can say that the origins of the phenomenon of small countries are as follows. First, it is a clearly specialized economy with a high share of knowledge-intensive industries. In economics, the concept of “niche production” arose - not captured by TNCs of leading industrial countries. The search for such “niches” was prompted by the weakness of the resource base, as well as the presence of an exemplary education system that provides personnel who are able to master new things and work in the latest areas of production, with large funds allocated for R&D. It is no coincidence that many laboratories and research centers of TNCs of large states are created in small countries. Secondly, this is an export orientation. A narrow domestic market would not provide opportunities for clear specialization in the production of rare, high-quality, science-intensive products. The impetus for export orientation was given by the creation Common Market, the reduction of customs barriers in the EEC opened the Western European market two orders of magnitude larger than the domestic one.

At the same time, the key geopolitical position of some small countries also provided additional opportunities; Thus, the Netherlands, lying at the “entrance to Europe”, created a powerful hub of oil refineries “Texas-Europe”, providing semi-products to the chemical industry of Germany and Northern Europe.

The geopolitical position of the Benelux countries is extremely advantageous even now, because they are located in the center of the European megalopolis. This - main belt dynamic growth within the EU. In the 1990s. share of small European countries in the world industrial production amounted to approximately 10%, and in world exports about 20%. The share of exports in Belgium's GNP reaches 35-40%, the Netherlands - about 35%, etc.

Thirdly, reliable positions in the world market in their “niche” industries. Finland took first place in the world in launching icebreakers (up to 50% of all those produced in the 80-90s); in pulp and paper, Finland and Sweden each account for 10-15% of world exports, and sometimes these are unique products (one of the Swedish factories produces, for example, special ultra-thin paper for the European edition of the New York Times, which, with dozens of pages, can easily be put in a pocket). For insulin, Denmark, with its famous livestock farming, which provides raw materials for this, has captured up to 1/3 of the world market, and it now dominates the latest biotechnologies.

The positions of small countries in the latest high-tech industries are becoming increasingly important - robotics, production of medical electronic equipment, equipment for wind power plants, etc.

Of course, not everything comes down to “niche” production based on scientific research and highly skilled labor in small countries. Some sectors of their economy are also connected with the natural resource base, which has expanded in recent years. Thus, Sweden retained its position as a major exporter of high-quality iron ore (in iron content - 60-64% it is not inferior to new exporters from developing countries - Liberia, Venezuela), the Netherlands came out on top in gas exports in Western Europe.

And yet, both the structure of the industry and the composition of exports of almost all small countries are dominated by the manufacturing industry, and within it, new knowledge-intensive industries.

Fourthly, the positions of several small countries are related not only to industry, but also to the service sector, in particular, to banking. This is Luxembourg - a “tax oasis”, which has become even more attractive as one of the EU capitals. There are now more than 200 large banks in the dwarf state.

Luxembourg is a typical example of an international financial center of modern times. Although Luxembourg is many times smaller than London in terms of the volume of financial business, does not have a gold market, and the foreign exchange market and the market for short-term and medium-term loans are poorly developed, it is the world's largest market for long-term loans. This was facilitated by his favorable geographical position in close proximity to the headquarters of Western European concerns. It is considered the financial capital of the European Community. The European Investment Bank, the European Monetary Cooperation Fund, etc. are located here.

The rapid growth of Luxembourg's importance as a global financial center in the 60s. The cheapness of credit and financial transactions, the absence of taxes on dividends and interest received on securities and similar financial benefits also contributed.

The international stock market in Luxembourg is one of the largest in the world. Over 60% of all issued Eurobonds pass through its exchange.

Fifthly, transport, tourism and tourism business are of utmost importance for small countries.

Rotterdam, with its “Europort” - the gateway to maritime trade for Western and Central Europe - retains its role as a world leader in cargo turnover (more than 250 million tons) and container turnover. Airlines of the Scandinavian countries (“SAS”) and Belgium-Netherlands (“Sabena”, “KLM”) serve a number of European and international airlines.

Transport projects carried out in Denmark are unique: these are the longest “tunnel-bridges” across the straits in the world. Denmark (especially after completion of construction) is a large “bridge” from Central Europe to the Scandinavian countries.

The scale of tourism in quiet, economically and environmentally prosperous, and politically stable countries has been growing in recent years: Austria is visited by 18 million tourists and vacationers a year, the Netherlands - 5 million people. In Austria and Finland, the tourism business exceeds many important industries in terms of the number of people employed. Income from tourism in Austria exceeds 10-11 billion dollars. in year.

The Benelux countries were at the origins of the Common Market. Three EU countries - Austria, Sweden, Finland - adhere to a policy of non-alignment. Sweden's neutrality dates back to the Congress of Vienna in 1815, in Austria it is associated with the State Treaty of 1955, which restored its sovereignty after the Second World War, and in Finland “active neutrality” was proclaimed after the Second World War and is associated with the political “Paasikivi line” Kekkonen” - the then presidents of the country.

All these features of small countries reflect their modern positions in the world, but in no way speak of any problem-free, or even more so, complete well-being in economic and social sphere. The current situation of small countries was achieved through fierce competition, when entire industries that previously provided jobs to hundreds of thousands of people were destroyed. Thus, shipbuilding in the Scandinavian countries was practically “crushed” in the 70-80s. competition between Japan and South Korea. In 1994, Japan accounted for 45.6% of the tonnage of ships launched, South Korea - 21.8, and Germany was relegated to third place with a share of only 5.4%.

The difficulty of restructuring the energy sector, the crisis and the collapse of the coal and metallurgical industries of Europe affected the entire “rust belt” (northern France, Belgium and Luxembourg, Germany), turning the hotbeds of these industries into crisis areas. There was a painful “washing out” of old industries.

Small countries followed the Swiss path, which showed the profitability of combining their own and foreign labor resources, when “their” population was concentrated in the most complex industries, and “guest workers” occupied jobs with medium and low qualifications. This led to an increase in the non-indigenous population, racial clashes, and the emergence of interethnic problems.

If in general for small countries the unemployment rate can be considered low (3-3%), then in Belgium with its “coal and metallurgical heritage” of the past it is more than 12% (1997), and in Finland even 16-17%.

Ireland occupies a special place among the small EU countries - in the recent past one of the most backward countries in Western Europe. Now Ireland is the European leader in terms of economic growth (GDP growth in 1995 was 10%, and now it is about 7% per year), the standard of living of the Irish is practically no different from that in the UK.

The situation in the Irish economy in the 1990s. has improved significantly due to three main factors:

• foreign direct investment;
• skilled labor;
• social consensus in wage setting policies.

Foreign direct investment in the 1990s. were carried out mainly in the most progressive sectors of the national economy, in the high technology industry, the information sector and semiconductor production. In the first half of the 90s. the investment growth rate was 45%, and in total about 7 billion dollars were attracted, which is equal to 12% of the country's GDP. The main investor in the Irish economy was the United States, which largely contributed to the creation of a modern high-tech sector of the national economy. Based on American investments, the production of computers and processors for them, the production of semiconductors, office equipment, pharmaceutical products, electronics and electrical engineering was created in Ireland.

The influx of foreign investment into poor own capital The country has benefited from sound economic policies from the Irish government that encourage foreign investment. In particular, Ireland has preferential taxation for investors, special industrial zones have been created, the income tax of which is only 10%. In particular, in the area international airport Shannon, where one of these zones operates, about 300 have been created industrial enterprises, producing export products, and about 400 foreign banks engaged in offshore operations are registered in the international financial services center in Dublin.

The presence of a skilled workforce also contributes to Ireland's rapid development. Relatively small in population, Ireland ranks second in Europe in terms of the skill level of its human capital. Of particular value is the fact that the country’s school and university education almost completely meets the needs of business. In particular, engineers trained by Irish higher education are highly qualified and well adapted to rapidly changing modern conditions.

Social harmony in wage policy also played an important role. Unlike the socially secure French or Dutch, the Irish are ready to live in conditions of a small increase in wages, which guarantees a low level of inflation; there are practically no trade unions here demanding higher wages. All this gives good results: the country’s public finances are balanced, and in the period from 1993 to 1996. real income growth was 12%. Growing incomes of the population create strong demand in the domestic market for real estate, durable goods and tourism services, which serves as an additional factor in the country's economic growth.

Based on the three factors considered, Ireland has achieved good success in restructuring its economy. High technology industries have come to the fore, accounting for 62% of all Irish exports, including 29% of exports from information Technology. Labor productivity growth in high-tech industries is 10% per year. Due to the advancement of high-tech industries to the fore, the old traditional sectors of the country's national economy, such as agriculture and mining, are losing their former importance, which transfers agrarian-industrial Ireland to the category of advanced post-industrial states.

The country's favorable investment climate is ensured by political stability, a qualified workforce, an advantageous geographical location, English-speaking (there are no language barriers in relations with the main investors - the USA and the UK) and preferential tax conditions. The liberal market model of the country’s economy, which has many common features with the UK and the USA. All this creates unique conditions for the further economic development of Ireland, which also has great internal growth potential in the form of filling the country’s insufficiently sophisticated domestic market as real incomes of the population grow.

From EU countries to northern countries include Sweden, Denmark and Finland. The “Scandinavian model” means a set of common features of the economic, social and political development of the Nordic countries, as well as concepts and trends in social development. This model assumes a fairly significant role of the state in the economy, especially from the point of view of social protection of the population.

The features of the Scandinavian model include such non-economic factors as:

• active participation of Social Democrats and other left-wing parties in the government and legislative bodies authorities;
• high degree of “unionization” (the share of trade union members among workers in various industries in Scandinavian countries is 70-90%);
• high political and economic activity of women;
• the special ecological mentality of all Scandinavians;
• specific Scandinavian work culture and business ethics.

The main economic functions of the state in the Scandinavian economy are the development of a long-term strategy for economic development (development of priorities for the development of the national economy, investment policy, stimulation of R&D, foreign economic strategy) and legislative regulation of entrepreneurship.

The social orientation of the Scandinavian model is:

• the redistributive role of the state in the economy: the impact on the economy through the taxation mechanism, the operation of the principle of “income equalization” by transferring part of the income of entrepreneurs in favor of hired workers, social protection of the population;
• social activity in socio-economic processes: the principle of social partnership of workers, trade unions and entrepreneurs is embodied in practice;
• the economic policy of the authorities, aimed at primarily solving social problems, in particular reducing the number of unemployed;
• high work ethics and entrepreneurial culture, the highest moral and ethical standards of behavior for residents of Scandinavian countries.

The financial basis of Scandinavian social democracy is the state budget, which assumes a fairly high level of government spending, for the financing of which a high level of tax burden is established. In Sweden and Denmark taxes are 52-63%, in Finland - 33-36% of GDP.

The sectoral structure of the national economy of the Scandinavian countries is fully consistent with the modern structure of the economy in other highly developed countries (share Agriculture and mining industry in GDP ranges from 2 to 4%; manufacturing industry and construction - 25-30%; service sector - 65-75%). Thus, in the structure of GDP of all Scandinavian countries over the past decades there have been shifts similar to structural changes in the world economy, namely: an increase in the share of the service sector, a fall in the share of agriculture, and the growing importance of the latest knowledge-intensive industries.

In the national economies of the Scandinavian countries, the leading ones are two large complexes of industries: forest industry, including woodworking and pulp and paper production, and a metallurgical complex that combines metallurgy, metalworking and all branches of mechanical engineering, among which are automotive, shipbuilding, production of equipment for the entire complex of branches of the forestry and food industries, production of communications, electrical and electronic equipment. The food industry has reached a particularly high level of development in Denmark.

The labor resources of the Nordic countries are traditionally of high quality, i.e. high level of education and professional training. Accordingly, labor costs in Scandinavia are quite high.

One of the main factors contributing to the dynamic economic growth of the Scandinavian countries was the investment factor. The rate of accumulation in them is quite high - 25-30% in Finland, which shared with Japan the second and third places in this indicator among all developed countries of the world during the entire post-war period.

The Nordic countries have excellent transport infrastructure. All of them are sea powers. Railway communications are also well developed, including high-speed lines. There are many airports, and throughput Scandinavian air ports are constantly increasing.

In the service sector, many social services (health care, education) are provided almost entirely by the state. The production of goods and services in Northern Europe involves a large number of non-profit, non-profit organizations that create socially beneficial products. The areas of finance and tourism are traditionally developed. Sweden has the strongest monetary system.

Further prospects for the economic development of the Nordic countries are connected with the process of pan-European integration. The countries of the region that are not yet members of the EU (Norway and Iceland), along with certain advantages of their neutrality (the ability to dispose at their own discretion of significant income from the export of oil, gas, metals and fish), also suffer some losses. In particular, the EU is erecting anti-dumping barriers to the supply of relatively cheap Norwegian and Icelandic fish to EU countries. Denmark and Sweden are still taking a wait-and-see approach to the introduction of the euro. Traditional Scandinavian neutrality is still the main psychological obstacle to more active integration of the region into the EU, although according to most socio-economic indicators, the Nordic countries are ready to play leading roles in the process of building a common European home.