Physical Features of Europe SS6G8: The student will locate selected physical features of Europe

What are some uses of physical maps? To show the physical features like various landforms and water bodies present on the earth’s surface. Different colors, lines, tints, shading and spot elevations are used to show the elevation and to separate lowlands from the mountains in physical maps.

RIVERS(Flows through Germany) RHINE Runs north from Switzerland through France, Germany, and the Netherlands and then empties into the North Sea. Many historic castles line its shores. DANUBE Europe’s second longest river. International waterway (for trade) Runs from Germany, through Eastern Europe, to the Black Sea.

Danube and Rhine Rivers

What are the advantages of living near these rivers? What are the disadvantages of living near these rivers?

European Plain Largest non-mountainous landform in Europe. Stretches from the Pyrenees Mountains and Atlantic Ocean to the Ural Mountains. Most of Europe’s best farmland is in the European Plain. Home to many of Europe’s largest cities. Many of Europe’s river run through the European Plain.

What are the advantages of living near the European Plain? What are the disadvantages of living near the European Plain?

Mountains ALPS Stretch southeast from eastern France, through Switzerland, into Austria. PYRENEES Form a natural boundary between western France and Spain. URALS In Russia Serve as a natural boundary between western Russia in Europe and eastern Russia in Asia.

What are the advantages of living near these mountains? What are the disadvantages of living near these mountains?

Peninsulas-A body of land surrounded on three sides by water. IBERIAN Lies west of France. Spain, Portugal, Andorra, and the British territory of Gibraltar lie on the Iberian Peninsula. SCANDINAVIAN Extends from Northern Europe. The nations of Norway, Sweden, and parts of Finland lie on the Scandinavian Peninsula.

What are the advantages of living on peninsulas? What are the disadvantages of living on peninsulas?

Channel ENGLISH Narrow strip of the Atlantic Ocean that separates Great Britain from northern France. Offers the shortest water route from England to mainland Europe.

English Channel map/satellite

What are the advantages of living near the English Channel? What are the disadvantages of living near the English Channel?

Sea MEDITERRANEAN The coasts of 3 continents line the Mediterranean Sea (Europe, Africa, and Asia). Important for trade and travel. Connected to the Atlantic Ocean Popular for tourists due to mild climate.

Mediterranean Sea

What are the advantages of living near the Mediterranean Sea? What are the disadvantages of living near the Mediterranean Sea?

Ticket Out the Door If I were building a town, I would build it on or near this physical feature and why?