Physical Features

European Geographical Facts Europe is the world’s 6th largest continent, making up 6.5% of the earth’s total land area. Europe is the 3rd most populous continent, with a population of around 739 million. Europe is a large peninsula made up of peninsulas “a peninsula of peninsulas” No more than 300 miles away from and ocean or sea European countries have to take this into account with business, trade, and pleasure

Northern Peninsulas Scandinavian Peninsula- Norway and Sweden Surrounded by the Norwegian Sea, North Sea, and Baltic Sea The Ice Age really took a toll on this land leaving it very rough, rocky soil that is hard to farm In Norway: Glaciers carved out fjords (steep U-shaped valleys that connect to the sea)

Southern Peninsulas Southern part of Europe contains three major peninsulas Iberian Peninsula: the home of Spain and Portugal. The Pyrenees Mountains block this peninsula from rest of Europe Italian Peninsula: The home of Italy. Has 4,700 miles of coastline! Balkan Peninsula: Home of Greece, Albania, Macedonia, etc.. Bordered by the Mediterranean Sea, Adriatic Sea, and the Aegean Sea

Islands Larger Islands: Located in the North Atlantic Great Britain, Ireland, Iceland, and Greenland Smaller Islands: Located in the Mediterranean Sea Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, and Crete

Crete Corsica Sicily

Mountain Ranges The mountains of Europe act as walls to divide many people in Europe- Keeps them from trading, spreading ideas, etc… Also affects climates! The Alps-Most famous mountain chain in Europe Cut off Italy from rest of Europe Great for Tourism! The Pyrenees Cut off Spain and Portugal

Alpine System The Alpine System consists of the Alps, the Pyrenees, the Apennines, the Dinaric Alps, the Balkan Mountains and the Carpathian Mountains. Mont Blanc, of the Alps, is Western Europe’s highest point at 15,782 feet above sea level. The Caucasus region also has several active volcanoes, including Mt. Etna and Mt. Vesuvius of Italy.

Mont Blanc

Mt. Etna and Mt. Vesuvius

Linking Europe by Rivers Europe is a network of rivers that allow people and goods to come together Major Rivers Rhine River- Flows 820 miles from the interior of Europe to the North Sea Danube River- Flows 1,771 miles and covers 9 countries from the west to east Links Europeans to the Black Sea

The European Bounty Northern European Plain Also known as the Great European Plain, this is the most densely populated area of Europe. This is Europe’s most productive agriculture region and one of the most fertile regions in the world Due to its flat land, it has allowed many armies to march into Europe

Europe’s Resources Has abundant supply of two natural resources Energy Coal and Iron (needed for an industrialized economy)… hmmmm that is interesting! Think about where the Industrial Revolution began!! Energy Oil and Natural Gas can be found in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands around the North Sea. Agriculture 33% of the land is suitable for agriculture World average is 11%

Climate Marine West Coast exists in much of Europe Warm summers and cool winters Created by the nearby ocean and dominant winds The North Atlantic Drift is a warm water current that is an extension of the Gulf Stream. This warm current brings a milder climate to Western Europe and plenty of precipitation, which aids the Northern European Plain region in regard to agriculture.

Harsher Conditions Inland The farther away from the Atlantic Ocean the climate becomes humid continental Really cold, snowy winters and warm to hot summers Sweden, Finland, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary

Sunny Mediterranean Mild Climate which allows for people to live and vacation around the Mediterranean Sea Spreads from southern Spain to Italy and Greece Summers are hot and dry with clear skies and winters are moderate and wet. Mountains help to create this climate. The cold air does not go over the Alps

Land of the Midnight Sun Far northern Scandinavia, along the Arctic Circle, lies a band of Tundra climate Has permafrost, no trees can grow Experience sharp variations in the amount of sunlight Winter has days when the sun never rises and Summer has days when the sun never sets