January 7, 2014 Agenda Physical Geography – Europe Mesopotamia and the Fertile Crescent Widely regarded as the “cradle of civilization,” Agenda Physical Geography – Europe Mesopotamia is Greek for “land between two rivers.” Sumerians (3500 to 2300 B.C.), the developers of writing Babylon (1792-1595 B.C.), led by Hammurabi, who developed the eye-for-an-eye legal code Assyria (883-612 B.C.), the masters of warfare and the first people to effectively use chariots. The culture of Mesopotamia spread to Palestine, Greece and Rome and became components of our culture today. Sumerians (3500 to 2300 B.C.), go from hunter-gatherer society to agricultural (farming)

Warm-Up What type of landforms might isolate cultures from each other?

Europe Physical Geography Map

Current Europe Political Map

Current Physical and Political Map of Europe - Layers of Information

Mountains Alps Apennine Balkan Pyrenees Serve as a barrier Isolate cultures

Peninsulas Peninsula – a piece of land nearly surrounded on all sides by water Northern Scandinavian Jutland Southern Iberian Italian Balkan How would being surrounded/near water affect way of life?

Oceans and Seas North Sea Bay of Biscay Mediterranean Sea Adriatic Sea Baltic Sea Norwegian Sea Black Sea Aegean Sea English Channel

Rivers Benefits transport goods between interior and coastal cities Aided movement of ideas

Danube Touches 9 countries Connects to central Europe to Russia and Middle East

Rhine River Connects Central Europe to England

Northern European Plain One of World’s most Fertile Regions Flatness, provided an easy entrance for invaders throughout History.

Unique Features Fjords Polders Canals Steep valley’s carved by Glaciers and then filled with seawater Polders Land in the Netherlands that is drained and dried Canals City of Venice made up of Islands Boat is primary source of travel

FJORDS

How do you create a Polder?

Zuider Zee The Dutch built a dike across its entrance. It gradually became a freshwater lake. Allowed Dutch to reclaim once flooded land.

Zuiderzee - Video (7 min.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6v4yjEmrqRg

Resources Coal and Iron Oil Land Large supply Peat – partially decayed plant matter used in Ireland burned as an energy source Oil Found in the North Sea Land 33% Suitable for Agriculture World average is 11%

Major Factors that influence climate in Europe Ocean Currents North Atlantic Drift Warm water current that moderates the temperature Winds Mistral – cold wind from North Sirocco – Warm wind from Africa Mountains Block winds and moisture Prevailing westerlies (wind) blow West to East

Key Terms + Main Ideas Review Physical Geography is responsible for: Isolating cultures Varied Climates Humans have had to adapt by: Becoming excellent sailors Living in unique areas Venice - Canals Netherlands – Polders