Physical Geography of Europe SSWG6a. Describe the location of major physical features and their impact on Europe. SSWG6b. Describe the major climates of Europe and how they have affected Europe SSWG6c. Analyze the importance of Europe’s coastal location, climatic characteristics, and river systems regarding population, economic development and world influence.

A Peninsula of Peninsulas Europe is part of the large landmass Eurasia Scandinavian – Norway and Sweden Jutland – Denmark Iberian – Spain and Portugal Balkan – Greece Italian – Italy

Mountains/Highlands Major features: Alps, Pyrenees, Balkan, Caucus, Ural Ural Mountains form the border between Asia & Europe Alps & Pyrenees are world renown for skiing & other winter sports Europe’s mountains act as a wall blocking people, goods, ideas and affect climate

Mountains Alps Ural

Mountains Mt. Elbrus in the Caucus Mts. Balkan Mts.

Plateaus Major Feature: Central Siberian Plateau Takes up good part of central Russia Rocky in some places, green in others People here are primarily herders

Plateaus Central Siberian Plateau Native family

Rivers Several networks of rivers flow through Europe transporting goods and ideas Seine River, Rhine River, Rhone River, Danube River, Volga River, Ob River Danube River is the longest and connects eastern & western Europe—begins in the Black Forest of Germany Canals connected the Volga to the Baltic Sea Many of the rivers on the interior are large enough for ships to travel Helped connect all of Europe to the world

Rivers Danube River Seine River

Seas North Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Baltic Sea, Caspian Sea, Black Sea, Aral Sea, Mediterranean waters are vital to the economies of 20 European countries, supporting tourism and other industries The human population has increased & Black Sea is suffering. Urban & industrial development has poured increasing amounts of waste into the Black Sea & rivers around it. Aral Sea is shrinking at an alarming rate

Seas Mediterranean Sea Black Sea Pollution

Additional Water Features Major Features: Strait of Gibraltar, English Channel, Lake Baikal Strait is close enough to see to the other side to Africa. English Channel separates the UK and the rest of mainland Europe Lake Baikal is the deepest lake in the world

Additional Water Features Strait of Gibraltar English Channel

Plains Major Feature: North European Plain Greatest uninterrupted expanses of plain on the Earth’s surface From France through Russia Narrow in the west, broader in the east Lowest elevation on any continent The plain is relatively flat and has produced vast quantities of food over the centuries The flatness has also allowed armies and groups of invaders to use it as a route into Europe

Plains GEP wind power Wheat harvest in Ukraine

Climate Much of Europe is further north than the US Europe has a milder climate than expected because of the North Atlantic Drift A current of warm water from the tropics, flows near Europe’s west coast Winds pick up the warmth from the current and carry it over Europe.