Natural Environments of Europe

Physical Features Borders – Atlantic Ocean to the Ural Mountains, from the Arctic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea Four major landforms – Northwest Highlands, Northern European Plain, Central Uplands, Alpine Mountain System (Alps)

Northwest Highlands – rugged hills, low mountains. Includes Ireland, England, Scotland, Scandinavia (Norway, Finland, Sweden) Northern European Plain – many rivers, Paris, Berlin developed here Central Uplands – hills and small plateaus, many coal fields Alps- young mountain range in southern Europe. Steep, rocky mountains

Swiss Alps

Water Europe is nearly surrounded by water. Peninsula of peninsulas Many rivers allow for easy trade Rhine and Danube are most important rivers

Rhine River

Polders Dutch (people in the Netherlands) have increased their land by building dikes (walls) in the ocean, and pumping water out. The land is called a polder.

Climates Europe has 3 major climates Marine west coast (British Isles, Spain to Poland)– northern and western Europe. Mostly cloudy, drizzly, and foggy. Humid continental (Scandinavia)– 4 seasons, cold snowy winter, mild to cool summer. Mediterranean (Southern Europe)– little rainfall, long, dry, sunny summers

Mediterranean

North Atlantic Current The North Atlantic Current is a warm-water current that brings mild temperatures to most of Europe.

Natural Resources Most of Europe’s land is used for farming. Loess – fine-grained, wind-blown soil that is very fertile Europe produces many crops such as grapes, olives, potatoes, and wheat Efficient methods and modern technology lead to high output

Fishing is a large part of the European economy Coastal waters are excellent fishing grounds. Overfishing and pollution do threaten the future of the fishing industry in the Mediterranean and North Atlantic

English Fishing Village

Energy and Minerals Europe has large deposits of coal, but must import other energy sources (oil & natural gas) Germany’s Ruhr coal field is one of the world’s largest. Hydroelectricity is produced in the mountains of Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Northern and Western Europe

The British Isles 2 Countries – Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom of Great Britain The UK includes 4 political regions – England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland England has been ruled by many peoples. Scottish, Welsh, Irish, Anglos, Saxons, Vikings, Normans (French) – Each left their mark. This is called sequent occupance

British Isles

The British Empire In the 1600’s and 1700’s, British explorers founded colonies around the world. By the 1800’s, more than 1/4 th of the world was ruled by the British Empire Most of these places (Ireland, United States) have won their independence.

Ireland Ireland – won independence in 1921 Potato Famine – crop failure – about 1 million Irish died, and many were forced to migrate

Famine Memorial

Culture Ireland and Great Britain share many cultural features. Soccer, rugby, and cricket are popular English is the main language Life is centered around local eateries

Government Ireland and Britain are democracies, but organized differently. Ireland is a republic (President is the head of the government) Britain is a constitutional monarchy – king or queen is the head of the government, but parliament is led by a prime minister and serves as the lawmaking branch

Religion Ireland – Roman Catholic United Kingdom – Protestant Northern Ireland (part of the UK) is Protestant Long fighting between Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland (The Troubles)

The Troubles

Dublin – Capital and biggest city in Ireland London – Largest city in the British Isles, world financial and cultural center. Capital of the UK.