The British Isles and Nordic Nations

London became one of the greatest commercial and shipping centers in the world mainly because

• it is the city that lies closest to the mainland of Europe.

• ships could sail directly into its port.

• of its location on the Atlantic Ocean

• of the lasting influence of the Roman Empire over European markets.

In contrast to the southern Uplands and the Highlands, the central Lowlands of Scotland

• has more lochs.

• is a less industrialized region

• supports a higher percentage of the population.

• is a region where the population is more likely to maintain ancient traditions.

Although politically united with England since 1707, Scotland has retained all of the following except its own

• system of laws.

• parliamentary system.

• religion.

• system of education.

Most of the Nordic region has a mild marine west coast climate because

• winds blowing over the North Sea bring abundant rain to the region.

• the warm currents of the North Atlantic Drift moderate the weather and keep the coast free of ice.

• the region lies in the northern latitudes and reaches into the Arctic Circle and the polar zones.

• mountains running through Norway prevent the warm, moist ocean winds from reaching the area.

One sixth of Ireland is covered by

• bogs.

• peat.

• glens.

• forests.

Which of the following is not a major economic activity in the Nordic nations?

• farming

• coal mining

• fishing

• oil and natural gas production

The Nordic nations share all of the following except

• a common landform pattern.

• a northern location.

• related languages.

• a common religion.

Compared with the land in the Highlands, the Lowlands region of England is

• covered by more fertile farmland.

• richer in coal reserves.

• the center of business and industry.

• much rockier and more difficult for farming or manufacturing

London’s relative location improved in the 1500s when

• the Industrial Revolution arrived on the island.

• trade across the Atlantic decreased.

• improvements in ships and navigation devices increased trade in the Atlantic.

• the center of trade shifted from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea.

Scotland’s lakes and rugged highlands were created by

• the movement of glaciers.

• volcanic activity.

• tectonic shifts.

• weather and erosion.