UNIT 4: EUROPE

Chapter 13 – Natural Environments of Europe Section 1 – Physical Features (pgs 291-294)

Landforms Europe stretches East to West: North to South: Artic Ocean Mediterranean Sea East to West: Atlantic Ocean  Ural Mountains

Major Islands Great Britain, Ireland & Iceland

Major Peninsulas Scandinavian Iberian, Italian Balkan

4 Major Landform Regions Northwest Highlands Northern European Plain Central Uplands Alpine Mountain System

Northwest Highlands rugged hills, low mountains To the NORTH Ireland, England, Scotland, Scandinavia, NW France, part of Iberian Peninsula Glaciers & fjords carved landscapes during last ice age

Northern European Plain To the SOUTH Coastal plain with lots of rivers stretching from France to Ural Mountains = river towns & port cities like Paris & Berlin Many rivers, short distances, smooth terrain = travel, trade, & migration Densely or Sparsely Populated?

Central Uplands Hills & small plateaus, fertile valleys Stretches from France NE to S Germany Eroded region = rounded hills & mountains Known for coal & industry

Alpine Mountain System Includes the Swiss Alps Stretches from France’s Mediterranean coast to the Balkan Peninsula Many peaks higher than 14,000 feet Large snowfields and glaciers Also includes Carpathian Mountains in E. Europe & Pyrenees Mountains in France & Spain Tectonic process created this region and continues to cause earthquakes and volcanoes today

Europe’s Major Landform Regions Objective: Describe Europe’s major landform regions. Europe’s Major Landform Regions Northwest Highlands hills & low mountains, created by glaciers, many lakes, thin soils Northern European Plain Broad coastal plain, many rivers Central Uplands Hills & small plateaus, old & eroded, coal fields, fertile valleys Alpine Mountain System High mountains, glaciers, tectonic activity (earthquakes)

Water in Europe Europe is a peninsula of peninsulas (p.295) North Sea-important for trade & fishing (Baltic Sea freezes in winter) North Atlantic Ocean-Explorers, Fishers, Merchants Natural harbors along coast are located near navigable (deep enough & wide enough for shipping) rivers=good for trade by sea

Water in Europe-Thames River pronounced: [timz] England

Water in Europe-Seine River pronounced: [la sɛn] France

Water in Europe-Rhine River Rises in the Swiss Alps, NW through Germany, enters the North Sea

Water in Europe-Danube River Begins in the uplands of S Germany, E through 9 countries in Central & Eastern Europe, empties into the Black Sea The Danube River is 1,771 miles long and the second longest river in Europe after the Volga.

Major Challenge: POLLUTION entering ocean from rivers Water in Europe Major Challenge: POLLUTION entering ocean from rivers

Objective: Identify the major rivers and bodies of water found in Europe.

Chapter 13 – Natural Environments of Europe Section 2 – Climates and Biomes (pgs 296-298)

Europe: 3 Major Climates Marine West Coast Humid Continental Mediterranean

Marine West Coast Climate throughout N & W Europe Atlantic storms bring clouds & rain Snow & frost in winter Mild temperatures Cloudy, drizzly days are common

Humid Continental Climate 4 distinct seasons Severe winters Summer droughts hurt Hungary & Romania

Mediterranean Climate Separated from other 2 climates by high mountains like the Alps Most rain occurs during mild winter Long, dry, sunny summers in S Europe

4 Minor Climates Subartic (Norway, Sweden, Finland) Tundra (Iceland & N Scandinavia) Humid Subtropical (S, SE of Alps) Semiarid (parts of Spain blocked from ocean by mountains)

Major Climates Minor Climates Climates of Europe Marine West Coast Mild temperatures, clouds & fog Subartic Found in Northern Norway Sweden & Finland Humid Continental Distinct seasons, cold winters, mild to cool summers Tundra Northernmost Denmark, Norway & Sweden (Scandinavia) & Iceland Mediterranean Mild & rainy winters, long summers Humid Subtropical South & southeast of the Alps Semiarid In Spain where mountains block the rainfall

Objective: Analyze how ocean currents affect Europe’s climates North Atlantic Drift The North Atlantic Drift (which is an ocean current) warms the air above it. The current is then carried over Europe by winds. This creates moderate temperatures and precipitation in northern Europe. warm, moist air creates mild temperatures & rain in NW Europe = good for farmers and sea movement (no ice in water) An ocean current - The relatively warm waters of the North Atlantic Drift are responsible for moderating the climate of western Europe, so that winters are less cold than would otherwise be expected at its latitude. Without the warm North Atlantic Drift, the UK and other places in Europe would be as cold as Canada, at the same latitude. For example, without this steady stream of warmth the British Isles winters are estimated to be more than 5 °C cooler, bringing the average December temperature in London to about 2°C.

Plants & Animals: 4 Major Biomes Objective: Identify the biomes found in Europe. Plants & Animals: 4 Major Biomes Temperate Forest Mediterranean Scrub Forest Boreal Forest Tundra Covers most of Europe ash, beech, maple, oak trees badgers, deer, many birds southern Europe small trees, shrubs, drought-resistant plants wild boars, wild sheep northern & central Europe spruce, fir, pine trees far northern Europe treeless frozen ground most of the year migratory birds, reindeer, foxes

Temperate Forest (most of Europe has this) Mediterranean Scrub Forest Boreal Forest Tundra

Human activities harming plants & animals: Hunting leads to animal extinction Logging depletes forests and harms animal habitats Pollution harms waterways and animals drinking water

Chapter 13 – Natural Environments of Europe Section 3 – Natural Resources (pgs 299-301)

Natural Resources in Europe Forests Soils Fisheries Minerals Energy

Natural Resources-Forests Problems: Clearing & overgrazing Air pollution & acid rain Solutions: Reforestation & Forest Protection Programs for Sweden & Finland

Natural Resources-Soils More than half of Europe’s land area is used for farming Some soils developed from loess (fine-grained windblown soil that is very fertile) River valleys are major farming centers Efficient methods & modern technology help Europe have crop yields among the highest in the world (Chemical fertilizers, crop rotation, machines to plant & harvest)

Natural Resources-Fishing Throughout history, an important part of Europe’s economy = fishing Warm North Atlantic Drift mixes with cold polar waters (Iceland, Norway, Spain, Denmark) Problems=Overfishing & coastal pollution

Objective: Locate Europe’s forest, soil, and fishery resources. Fisheries Sweden & Finland Loess in Northern European Plain & Alluvial soil in Southern Europe North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans and North Sea Loess - geologic term that refers to deposits of silt that have been laid down by wind action. Alluvial soil - a fine-grained fertile soil deposited by water flowing over flood plains or in river beds

Natural Resources-Minerals To meet industry & energy needs, Europe heavily imports minerals Lack oil, iron, & other metals (oil & gas come from Asia, Russia, Africa) BUT, they have large deposits of coal (Germany-one of world’s largest, Britain, Poland) Iron ore, uranium, lead, zinc, marble

The yellowish translucent amber is often made into jewelry. The world’s largest deposits of amber are found along the shores of the Baltic Sea. Some date back to 60 million years ago. Preserved bodies of ancient insects have been found inside some deposits. The yellowish translucent amber is often made into jewelry.

Natural Resources-Energy Europe’s main oil & natural gas lie beneath North Sea (especially helps Norway & Britain) Hydroelectricity is produced in Norway, Sweden, & Switzerland. France has ocean tidal power & solar power Iceland has geothermal energy Nuclear power (France, Belgium, Bulgaria, & Sweden)

Objective: Identify the energy and mineral resources of Europe.

Europe’s Main Energy Resources ENERGY SOURCE LOCATION Coal Germany, Britain, Poland Oil & Natural Gas North Sea region Hydroelectric Power Norway, Sweden, Switzerland Ocean Tidal Power & Solar Power France Nuclear Power France, Belgium, Bulgaria, Sweden