Physical Geography Of Europe LAND Europe is part of Eurasia (Europe & Asia) World’s largest landmass Ural Mountains divide Europe & Asia ¼ of Russia is in Europe

LAND Europe is home to 48 countries: many the size of a state in the USA Europe is a peninsula with many smaller peninsulas formed by bays and harbors RUSSIA The largest country in the world ¼ of Russia lies within Europe, with the reminder lying in Asia. The word peninsula comes from the Latin words for “almost”(paene) and “island” (insula).

Landforms - Peninsula Northern Europe Scandinavian Peninsula is home to Norway and Sweden. Along the jagged shoreline of this peninsula are beautiful fjords. A fjord is a long, narrow, deep inlet of the sea located between steep cliffs. Western Europe The Iberian Peninsula includes Portugal and Spain. The Iberian Peninsula is separated from the rest of the continent by a mountain range called the Pyrenees.

Landforms – Ural Mountains Divides Europe and Asia Also called the “Stone Belt” Divides Russia into two parts Extend 1,550 miles from the North to South One of the world’s oldest mountain ranges Covered with flat valleys with marshes, coniferous forests, deep ravines

4 Major Land Regions Northwestern Highlands: Far northern part of Europe (Norway & Sweden) Steep sloped mountains with thin soil Few people live here ( 25/sq. mi.) Successful timber industry (forests)

4 Major Land Regions North European Plain Covers over ½ of north central Europe Most productive farmland Today the largest cities are located in this region – ancient trading centers. Most of Europe’s population lives on this landform

4 Major Land Regions Central Uplands Area of mountains and plateaus, less rugged than the mountainous regions Rocky Land – not good for farming, mostly used for cattle and mineral resources This region played an important role in Europe’s Industrial Revolution as well as an Agrarian Revolution. Countries covered by the upland are France, Germany, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Belgium, and parts of Poland & Austria.

4 Major Land Regions Alpine Mountains Southern portion of Europe From Spain across to Eastern Europe Alps are the highest mountains in this system Many popular vacation places Mont Blanc is the highest peak (4807m) and Aletsch Glacier (23.6km) is the longest glacier

WATER Important Rivers Seine River –France Rhine, Elbe & Danube Rivers –Germany Seine River –France Po River –Italy Thames River –England Volga River- Russia Seine River –France Rhine & Danube Rivers – Germany Thames River –England Volga River -Russia

* Easier & quicker to travel over water than land * Rivers have served as transportation highways for centuries people and goods. * Easier & quicker to travel over water than land * Access to the Atlantic Ocean has been important for the shipping industry. * Great harbors enable trade between countries * Volga River – freezes solid for almost 3 months of the year * Few rivers in Russia are used for trade, transportation, or shipping.

Dateline –The Chunnel What are some advantages of the Chunnel? How might improvements in transportation affect economic development?

Gulf Stream

CLIMATE

4 Major Climate Regions 1. Northwestern Europe - Marine West Coast North Atlantic Current Even though they are far to the North, they have a mild climate. Current carries warm water from the Gulf of Mexico across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe Winds off warm waters carry moisture onto land, making it wet and keeping temperatures warm

4 Major Climate Regions 2. Mediterranean Climate Mediterranean Sea Hot and dry summers Mild and rainy winters

4 Major Climate Regions 3. Humid Continental - Central Europe Inland areas away from major bodies of water experience very cold winters & very hot summers 4. Northern Europe – Sub Arctic climate Short, cool summers and very long cold winters Warmest days maybe 40º F Much of Russia has extreme climates