In foreign European countries, agriculture is characterized by a high level of development, technical equipment and efficiency, and occupies a prominent place in world agriculture; 12-15% of grain, about 20% of meat and 30% of milk are produced here. The growth rate of agricultural production is faster than population growth. Since the end of the 20th century. There is a chronic overproduction of food grains, butter, sugar and many other products.

In a crisis of overproduction, the EU agricultural policy (Green Europe plans) is of great importance for the industry. EU bodies strictly control the agricultural market and product prices, protect local production from imports of cheaper goods and stimulate the export of surplus products; The quota system is aimed at reducing the scale of production of grain, milk, sugar, and wine.

Natural and socio-economic factors predetermined the livestock profile of agriculture; crop production largely serves the needs of livestock farming. In some countries, such as Denmark, the Netherlands and others, fodder crops occupy more area than food crops.

The most important grain crops in the region are wheat, barley, and corn. Grain yields are on average 2 times higher than in the USA (more than 50 c/ha). About 1/3 of the grain harvest comes from France, Europe's only significant grain exporter. Europe is a major producer of potatoes (Germany, Poland, the Netherlands), sugar beets (France, Federal Republic of Germany, Poland, Italy), olives (Spain, Italy).
Livestock farming has a dairy and meat bias. Europe produces twice as much milk as the United States, but in terms of total meat production, both regions are approximately equal, with Western Europe differing from the United States in the greater role of pig farming and the lesser importance of poultry farming. Characterized by very high livestock productivity: the average milk yield per cow in the EU is 4.2 thousand liters of milk per year.

Agricultural production has expanded in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, which is one of the most important areas of specialization for the countries of this region. At the same time, in terms of the level of development and especially in terms of labor productivity in agriculture, the CEE countries lag significantly behind Western European countries. At the same time, a number of countries in the region, such as the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, and the countries of the Balkan Peninsula, have a fairly high level of agriculture. In general, CEE agriculture provides food for the population.

In the pan-European division of labor, CEE countries specialize in the production of grain, potatoes, sugar beets, sunflowers, vegetables, fruits and meat and dairy products.

The largest producer of grains (wheat and rye) in CEE and the third largest producer in foreign Europe, after Germany and France, is Poland. In the southern group of countries, primarily Romania, Hungary and Serbia, a lot of corn is grown along with wheat.

The production of industrial crops is growing. Poland harvests almost as much potatoes as all the countries of Western Europe combined. A lot of sunflowers are grown in Serbia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria. In the Baltics and Poland, flax and sugar beets have long been cultivated.

The southern countries of Central and Eastern Europe are large producers of vegetables, fruits, and grapes, and a significant part of these products is exported.

Livestock farming has also developed in Central and Eastern Europe, and is well supplied with food resources thanks to the growth of forage crops. The share of livestock farming in total agricultural production is about 50% in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, and Bulgaria. Cattle and pigs are raised. In the southern group of countries, the general level of livestock husbandry is lower, and pastoralism and sheep breeding are common.

AGRICULTURE: THREE MAIN TYPES.

For the main types of agricultural products, most countries fully meet their needs and are interested in selling them on foreign markets. The main type of agricultural enterprise is a large, highly mechanized farm. But in Southern Europe, landlordism and small-scale land use by peasant tenants still predominate.

The main branches of agriculture in foreign Europe are crop production and livestock farming, which are widespread everywhere, combining with each other. Under the influence of natural and historical conditions, three main types of agriculture have developed in the region:

1) Northern European, 2) Central European and 3) Southern European.

For Northern European type, widespread in Scandinavia, Finland, as well as in Great Britain, is characterized by the predominance of intensive dairy farming, and in the plant growing that serves it - fodder crops and gray bread.

Central European type It is distinguished by the predominance of dairy and dairy-meat livestock farming, as well as pig and poultry farming. Livestock farming has reached a very high level in Denmark, where it has long become a branch of international specialization. This country is one of the world's largest producers and exporters of butter, milk, cheese, pork, and eggs. It is often called the "dairy farm" of Europe.

Crop production not only satisfies the basic food needs of the population, but also “works” for livestock farming. A significant and sometimes the predominant part of arable land is occupied by fodder crops.

For South European type characterized by a significant predominance of crop farming, while livestock farming plays a secondary role. Although the main place in crops is occupied by grain crops, the international specialization of Southern Europe is determined primarily by the production of fruits, citrus fruits, grapes, olives, almonds, nuts, tobacco, and essential oil crops. The Mediterranean coast is the main “garden of Europe”.

The entire Mediterranean coast of Spain and especially the region of Valencia is usually called "huerta", i.e. "garden". Various fruits and vegetables are grown here, but most of all oranges, the harvest of which lasts from December to March. Spain ranks first in the world in orange exports. There are more than 90 million olive trees in Greece. This tree became a kind of national symbol for the Greeks. Since the times of Ancient Hellas, the olive branch has been a sign of peace.

In many cases, the specialization of agriculture takes on a narrower profile. Thus, France, the Netherlands and Switzerland are famous for the production of cheese, the Netherlands for flowers, Germany and the Czech Republic for growing barley and hops and brewing. And in terms of production and consumption of grape wines, France, Spain, Italy, and Portugal stand out not only in Europe, but throughout the world.

Fishing has long been an international specialty in Norway, Denmark and especially Iceland.

Tasks and tests on the topic "Agriculture: three main types."

• Types of settlements - Population of the Earth 7th grade
• India - Eurasia 7th grade

  Lessons: 4 Assignments: 9 Tests: 1

• USA - North America 7th grade

  Lessons: 6 Assignments: 9 Tests: 1

• Economic activities of the world's population - Population of the Earth 7th grade

  Lessons: 3 Assignments: 8 Tests: 1

• African States - Africa Grade 7

  Lessons: 3 Assignments: 9 Tests: 1

Leading ideas: show the diversity of cultural worlds, models of economic and political development, interconnection and interdependence of countries around the world; and also be convinced of the need for a deep understanding of the laws of social development and the processes that occur in the world.

Basic concepts: Western European (North American) type of transport system, port-industrial complex, "development axis", metropolitan region, industrial belt, "false urbanization", latifundia, ship stations, megalopolis, "technopolis", "growth pole", "growth corridors"; colonial type of industrial structure, monoculture, apartheid, subregion.

Skills and abilities: be able to assess the influence of EGP and GGP, the history of settlement and development, characteristics of the population and labor resources of the region, country on the sectoral and territorial structure of the economy, the level of economic development, the role in the MGRT of the region, country; identify problems and predict prospects for the development of a region or country; highlight specific, defining features of individual countries and explain them; find similarities and differences in the population and economy of individual countries and explain them, draw up and analyze maps and cartograms.

Agriculture in Western Europe is traditionally characterized by a small number of workers and very high intensity. The prerequisites for significant development of agriculture are a mild and humid climate, huge capital investments, and the presence of effective demand for agricultural products outside the region.

The average size of farms in the region is 40-50 hectares. In most countries, farmers receive government support. Thus, in the UK, the share of government subsidies in the cost of agricultural products is more than a quarter and is one of the largest in the world.

The industry is very well organized. Unproductive lands are withdrawn from agricultural land use and used for construction or afforestation, the area of ​​arable land is reduced (with a constant increase in productivity), a lot of land is allocated for numerous parks, estates, and hedges. Since agriculture does not fully meet its own needs (in Austria - by ¾, in Great Britain and Germany - by 2/3, in Switzerland - by half), the countries of the region import butter, meat, cane sugar, feed grain, tropical products (tea and coffee), fish.

Animal husbandry. It is the leading branch of agriculture, accounting for 70% of all agricultural products. Natural conditions contribute to the development of livestock farming. Due to climatic conditions, long grazing periods are possible - from late March to early December. The humid and mild climate throughout much of the region promotes remarkable grass growth. Meadows and pastures - the main base of livestock farming - occupy up to 60% of agricultural land. The main specialization of livestock farming is the production of milk, dairy products, and meat.

The following zones and territories of livestock breeding specialization have formed in the region:

Dairy cattle breeding (mountainous regions where alpine meadows are located: Switzerland, Germany, Austria) and beef cattle breeding (Great Britain and Ireland). There are about 58 million head of cattle in the region;

Pig farming: Great Britain, Germany, the Netherlands. There are 67 million pigs in the region;

Sheep farming: Great Britain (there are numerous sheep in Western Europe), the Alpine and Pyrenees territories, Ireland, Germany. The total number of sheep reaches 54 million;

Poultry farming: France (mainly large modern farms), Belgium, the Netherlands, where the egg production of chickens (260 eggs per laying hen per year) is the highest in the world.

Plant growing. This industry is highly productive, which is explained not only by favorable climatic conditions, but also by proper equipment, rational selection of crops, efficient use of fertilizers, etc.

The production of the most important grain crops - wheat and corn - is growing rapidly. Their largest producer is traditionally France, which is among the top ten world leaders in grain exports. In the northern regions, rye crops are significant. In all countries where brewing has historically developed (Germany, Belgium, Great Britain, Ireland), a lot of arable land is devoted to barley, which is used to make beer malt, and in Great Britain - to make whiskey. In France, the lower reaches and delta of the Rhone are one of the few areas in Europe where climatic conditions allow the cultivation of rice.

In the vast majority of countries in the region, potatoes are an important food crop, and the Netherlands is a significant producer of its seeds.

Sugar beet predominates among industrial crops. France is the largest producer and exporter of sugar in the region; Belgium is a significant sugar producer. Sugar beets are grown in Germany and in small quantities in other countries. In Germany, hops, used for brewing, became the “national” crop; there are also large hop plantations in Belgium, France and Austria. Historically, flax growing areas developed in the northeast and north of France. Significant tobacco crops are in the central regions of France, the southern regions of Belgium and Germany, and the eastern regions of Austria.

Oilseeds occupy an important place, among which sunflower dominates, especially in France, the south of which is also famous for the cultivation of olives, from which valuable oil is produced. Part of the corn and rapeseed harvest is also used for oil production.

In the south of France, in the historical regions of Provence and Languedoc, there are large plantations of essential oil crops (sage, rose, rosemary, lavender, etc.), which led to the creation here of a network of research institutes and companies in the perfumery and cosmetics industry.

In the diet of the peoples of Western Europe, a prominent place is traditionally given to vegetables and fruits. Therefore, agricultural enterprises in the countries of the region grow different varieties of cabbage (including Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, etc.), onions, carrots, cucumbers, spinach, and herbs. In the southern regions, especially in France, many areas are devoted to tomatoes.

In Western Europe, depending on climatic conditions for fruit plantings, several “belts” of gardening are distinguished: northern regions (Alsace, Normandy and Brittany in France, Luxembourg) are known for their apple orchards and apple wine (cider); central territories (Lorraine in France, middle reaches Rhine in Germany) - cherry orchards; in areas adjacent to the Mediterranean, heat-loving crops (peaches, apricots, almonds, cherries) are more common.

In greenhouses in the Netherlands and Belgium, many berries are grown, especially strawberries. Vegetable and floriculture in the Benelux countries is year-round. In terms of greenhouse size (the total glassed area exceeds 8.8 thousand hectares), the Netherlands ranks first in the world.

Floriculture has long been an independent branch of agriculture in Great Britain, Belgium and, especially, the Netherlands, the history of which spans 400 years. Here they not only grow flowers (tulips, roses, carnations, daffodils, chrysanthemums, etc.), but also produce a large number of seeds and flower bulbs. Almost 60% of cut flowers and 50% of indoor flowers sold in the world were grown in Holland. The world's largest flower auction is located in the city of Aalsmeer, the Netherlands.

Viticulture plays an important role. France is the traditional leader in grape harvest (6.8 million tons - 3rd place in the world after Italy and the USA) and wine production (5.3 million tons - 1st place in the world). Almost every agricultural enterprise grows grapes for its own needs. Also, viticultural areas have developed in the valleys of the Moselle River in Germany and Luxembourg, the Upper Rhine in Germany and in the warm valleys of Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Austria.

In recent decades, many farms in Western European countries have been switching to the production of environmentally friendly products - mainly without the use of chemical agricultural products or in a minimal amount. Despite the significantly higher cost of such products, the demand for them is constantly growing.

Natural prerequisites for the development of agriculture:

the position of most of Foreign Europe (except for the Arctic archipelago of Spitsbergen) in the temperate and subtropical zones,

positive temperature conditions and high moisture availability throughout the year (with the exception of the Mediterranean region, where sustainable agriculture requires artificial irrigation),

the presence of natural meadows and pastures favorable for growing many types of agricultural crops (cereals, industrial, subtropical, etc.) and the development of livestock farming.

The main drawback in the complex of favorable conditions is the relative limited resources of agricultural lands.

The region fully covers its needs for agricultural products through its own production, and for certain types (grain, meat, milk and dairy products, sugar, eggs) it exceeds domestic needs and occupies a prominent place in the world in their exports.

Foreign Europe as a whole is characterized by a livestock-raising profile of agriculture and a meat bias. Its main industry is cattle breeding, mainly dairy and dairy-meat.

Depending on the natural and historical conditions in the region, three main types of agriculture have developed:

• 1. Northern European type typical for countries such as Norway, Finland, Great Britain, Sweden. This type is characterized by the predominance of intensive dairy farming, and in crop production - the production of fodder crops.
• 2. Central European type It is distinguished by the predominance of dairy and dairy-meat animal husbandry, as well as pig and poultry farming. Denmark, called the “dairy farm of Europe,” is one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of butter, milk, and eggs. Crop production of this type not only serves livestock production, but also meets the food needs of the population. The main grain crops are wheat, barley, corn, rye. Approximately 1/3 of the grain harvest comes from France, the only major exporter in the region.

Among other types of agricultural products, the production of potatoes (France, Germany, Great Britain, Poland) and sugar beets (France, Germany, Poland) play a significant role.

3. The Southern European type (Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, new Balkan countries) is distinguished by a significant predominance of crop production over mountain pasture husbandry. The main place in the crops is occupied by grain crops, but the industry of international specialization is the production of fruits, grapes, olives, almonds, tobacco, and essential oil crops. Italy is the world leader in olive harvesting, grape harvesting and wine production, Spain is the leader in the export of oranges, and Bulgaria is the leader in the production and export of rose oil.

General characteristics of European agriculture

Note 1

Agriculture in most European countries is characterized by a high level of intensification. In recent years, the “second green revolution” has taken place here, which, in addition to mechanization and chemicalization of production, involves the widespread introduction of electronics, biotechnology, automation and computerization. This has led to the fact that European countries act on the world market as exporters of agricultural products.

The agroclimatic conditions of Europe in most territories are favorable for the development of agriculture. The structure of the industry depends on the level of economic development. In developed countries, livestock farming leads, in more backward countries (post-socialist) – crop farming.

After World War II, changes occurred in the system of land use and tenure. Small-scale universal peasant farms have been replaced by large, highly productive specialized farms that are part of the agribusiness system.

Livestock

Cattle are raised everywhere. In northern Europe it has dairy specialization, in the center - meat and dairy. Sheep farming is widespread in the mountainous regions of southern Europe. In France, Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Ukraine, pig farming is a traditional industry. Poultry farming has become widespread. Hungary is the leader in per capita chicken production.

Crop production

The specialization of crop production is significantly influenced by agroclimatic conditions. In the Scandinavian countries and Iceland, crops of barley, oats, and rye predominate. The “wheat belt” stretches from France to Russia. In addition, corn and sunflowers are grown in the southern part of this area, and potatoes and sugar beets are grown in the northern part.

Southern European countries specialize in horticulture and viticulture. Citrus fruits, olives, and essential oil crops are grown here. Bulgaria has long been famous for its production of rose oil. It’s not for nothing that the Mediterranean coast is called the garden of Europe.

But not only agricultural crops are grown in Europe. The Netherlands has long earned the reputation of being the “flower capital of the world.” It’s not for nothing that they are also called the land of tulips.

Zonal specialization of agriculture

Under the influence of natural and historical conditions, three main types of agriculture emerged in Europe:

• Northern European,
• Central European
• Southern European.

Several latitudinal zones of zonal production specialization have formed.

Northern European type distributed throughout Great Britain and Scandinavia. Dairy cattle are bred here and fodder crops are grown. Fishing is developed on the coast.

Central European countries(France, Germany, Switzerland) raise cattle for meat and meat and dairy production, develop pig farming, sheep farming and poultry farming. Crop farming provides the population with food, and livestock farming provides feed (cereals and fodder crops).

Southern European type typical for countries along the Mediterranean Sea. The main branch of specialization is crop production. They grow grains, grapes, olives, citrus fruits and essential oil crops. Livestock farming includes goats, sheep, pigs and poultry.

Note 2

In places where the urban population is concentrated, suburban agriculture is developing (dairy farming, poultry farming, pig farming, indoor crop production).