Unit+4+&+5--+Europe+&+Russia

**Overview:** In this lesson, you will research and learn about the culture, physical geography, and history of selected countries in Europe. Acting as "tour operators," small groups of you will create an imaginary tour group itinerary that highlights interesting and important destinations as well as characteristics of their selected countries.
 * //__ Mission Geography __//****__ : Europe __**

**Connections to the Curriculum:** Geography, history (world), social studies

**Connections to the National Geography Standards:** Standard 5: "That people create regions to interpret Earth's complexity"

**Time:** Monday and Tuesday

**Materials Required:** Computer

**Objectives:** Students will… · research cultural, geographic, and historical information about selected countries; · create an imaginary travel plan to visit those countries; · create a tour guide brochure to highlight areas of their imaginary trip; and · identify each of the countries of Europe

**Geographic Skills:** · Acquiring Geographic Information · Organizing Geographic Information · Analyzing Geographic Information

**__Procedure__** **Background:** You will be "tour operators" for the next two classes. You will be divided into groups and will have to develop a three-week tour of one region in Europe. You will have to make sure that your tour follows particular rules, and to do so, you must first learn about the geography, culture, and history of each country in their assigned region.

**Development:** You will be divided into groups of three. Each group will be responsible for one of the following regions to study:
 * Western Europe
 * Eastern Europe
 * Northern Europe

You will become "tour operators" and need to develop a three-week tour itinerary (or plan) for your customers. Your ultimate product will be a brochure that describes the tour in detail, and you will share it with the class.

Use the GeoExplorer to learn basic information about several countries in your assigned region in Europe. As you work, take notes about each country you would like to have represented in your tour.

After you have finished the review of your region, explore the following websites to learn more about the countries your are researching:

Lonely Planet Destination Guide Country Watch

Compare and contrast several of the countries. Consider the following:
 * What do these countries have in common?
 * How are they different?
 * How influential is the physical geography in producing regional differences? (For example, does a range of mountains separate two countries that are very different? Does a water body separate two countries that are very different? Do countries only separated by a political border differ less than those which are separated by a geographic feature?)

Plan your tour by filling out the details on your [|Tour Operator Planning Guide] (PDF, Adobe Acrobat Reader required). There are rules for your tour, which are listed below:
 * You must visit at least three countries.
 * You must use a variety of transportation methods (plane, bus, car, train, etc.).
 * You must visit cultural landmarks, geographic landmarks, and historical landmarks during the trip.
 * Your three countries must have unique characteristics and represent the diversity of that region.

**Closing:** Develop a brochure of your three-week tour with a complete itinerary using the Print Press. Choose either "Brochure" or "Booklet" and to use the [|Tour Operator Planning Sheet] (PDF, Adobe Acrobat Reader required) as a guide. Print out your final brochures when you are finished.

**Assessment:** Present your tour brochures in small groups, explaining how your tour will provide customers with an accurate representation of the wealth and breadth of the region's diversity. Understanding will be demonstrated in the following:
 * diversity in country selections;
 * accurate selection of historical, cultural, and geographic landmarks; and
 * ability to convey how each of the countries is different from the other countries on their tour.

**Extension:** Complete the [|GeoSpy] country identification game for Europe. If time allows, play until you have a perfect score.

**Related Links:** [|CIA World Factbook] [|Country Watch] [|Lonely Planet Destination Guide] [|National Geographic Adventure Magazine: 33 Awesome Ways to Travel the Planet] [|National Geographic: GeoSpy] [|National Geographic: Xpeditions Atlas]