20 A Core European Region – The Paris Basin Political factors
EU support The larger and more commercial farms of this region benefitted greatly from the Guidance Section of the Common Agricultural Policy, which provided grants for farm improvements through investment in machinery and buildings. This has led to increased farm output and higher profits.
EU membership gives farmers access to the European Single Market of 500 million people.
Energy
There is a small amount of fossil fuel production in France; the presence of shale oil deposits allows for the possibility of extraction by fracking. However, opposition from environmentalists may make extraction impossible.
In reality, France relies on nuclear power for the production of over 75% of its electricity, 10% of which is produced in the Paris Basin.
Île-de-France is becoming a leader in the production of geothermal energy – approximately 80% of the country’s supply is produced in the region.
EXAM LINK (OL) Agriculture in a European Region (40 marks)
Answer each of the following questions with reference to a European region that you have studied.
(i) Name two examples of agricultural activity practised in this region.
(ii) Discuss how any two of the following factors influence the development of agriculture in this region.
Climate Relief and soils Markets 2018, Q6B EXAM LINK (HL) Agriculture in Europe (30 marks)
Account for the development of agriculture in a European region that you have studied, with reference to any two of the following factors. Relief Markets
Climate 2012, Q4B CHECK YOUR LEARNING
1. Outline three physical factors which have influenced the development of agriculture in the Paris Basin region.
2. List four different types of agricultural activity pursued in the Paris Basin region. 3. Outline three socio-economic factors influencing agricultural development in the Paris Basin region. Describe the impact any one of them has had on agriculture.
Marking Scheme: Factor 1 = 8 SRPs × 2 marks Factor 2 = 7 SRPs × 2 marks
Marking Scheme: (i) Two examples named × 2 marks each (ii) Factor 1 = 6 SRPs × 3 marks Factor 2 = 6 SRPs × 3 marks Allow a named region for one SRP
