Physical Geography of Northwestern Europe

Northern European Plain -fertile soil and abundant rivers drew farmers to the area

Northern European Plain -fertile soil and abundant rivers drew farmers to the area -loess deposits make the southern edge especially fertile

Northern European Plain -fertile soil and abundant rivers drew farmers to the area -loess deposits make the southern edge especially fertile -warm winds from the North Atlantic Current blow through the plain and keep climate of Northwestern Europe mild

the Alps -a high and jagged mountain range created by the folding of the Earth’s crust and shaped by glaciation

the Alps -a high and jagged mountain range created by the folding of the Earth’s crust and shaped by glaciation -runs from southern France through Switzerland and Austria to the Balkan Peninsula

the British Isles -two largest islands are Great Britain & Ireland, thousands of smaller islands

Alps provide major water sources -long, narrow, deep lakes that provided a good place to settle because they contain water power for industry and water routes for transportation

Alps provide major water sources -Rhine River, Rhone River, and Danube River begin in or around the Alps

about 25% of the Netherlands lies below sea level -big storms in the North Sea can cause big problems

about 25% of the Netherlands lies below sea level -big storms in the North Sea can cause big problems -the North Sea Flood of 1953 caused 1,836 deaths

using dikes as protection, the Dutch have reclaimed land from the ocean called polders

rivers provide links between inland areas and the sea -Rhine River - connects many industrial cities to the port of Rotterdam

rivers provide links between inland areas and the sea -Rhine River - connects many industrial cities to the port of Rotterdam -Thames River allows ships to reach the port of London in England

rivers provide links between inland areas and the sea -Rhine River - connects many industrial cities to the port of Rotterdam -Thames River allows ships to reach the port of London in England -Seine River connects Paris to the English Channel