The Physical Geography of Europe Chapter 11, Section 1: The Land
Important Vocabulary Glaciation: the process in which glaciers formed and spread. Loess: a fine, rich, wind-borne soil from glaciers. Dike: large banks of soil and stone to hold water. Polder: reclaimed land from the sea. Fjord: long, narrow steep-sided inlets.
Map of Europe
Mountains & Plains Mountain ranges: Ben Nevis (British Isles) and The Alps (Southern Europe) Broad plains with very fertile lands and rivers. Grains, fruits, vegetables, and livestock.
Seas, Peninsulas, and Islands Europe touches the: Atlantic Ocean, Baltic, North, Mediterranean, Irish, Aegean, and Black Seas. Europe is a large peninsula made-up of smaller ones. Various islands: Iceland, British Isles, Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, Crete, and Cyprus.
Water Systems Many of Europe’s rivers flow from mountains and highlands to the coasts. Rhine and Danube River. Natural waterways (canals) used for navigation, transportation, irrigation, and electricity.
Natural Resources Europe has a lot of coal, iron, oil, natural gas, hydroelectric, and nuclear power. Mineral resources: bauxite (aluminum), zinc, and manganese (iron).
The Physical Geography of Europe Chapter 11, Section 2: Climate and Vegetation
Important Vocabulary Permafrost: permanently frozen soil below the surface. Timberline: elevation above which trees cannot grow. Mistral: a strong north wind from the Alps. Sirocco: hot, dry winds from Northern Africa. Foehn: dry, winter winds. From mountains to valleys and plains. Avalanche: destructive masses of ice, snow, and rock sliding down mountainsides.
Influences on Climate Europe varies from cold, tundra to warm, fertile lands. Latitude, water, and winds influence the climate.
Climate Regions High-Latitude: bitter, cold winters and short, cool summers. Western Europe: mild winters, cool rainy summers. Southern Europe: hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. Eastern Europe: cold, snowy winters and hot summers. Southeastern and Southwestern Europe: dry, cold winters and hot summers.