1. Europe: Physical and human geography
SS6G7 Locate selected features of Europe.
SS6G8 Explain environmental issues in Europe.
SS6G9 Explain the impact of location, climate, natural resources and population distribution on Europe
SS6G10 Describe selected cultural characteristics of Europe.
Europe: Physical and human geography

2. ELEMENTS
Locate on a world and regional political-physical map: the Danube River, Rhine River, English Channel, Mediterranean Sea, European Plain, the Alps, Pyrenees, Ural Mountains, and Iberian Peninsula.
Locate on a world and regional political-physical map the countries of France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Spain, Ukraine, and United Kingdom.
Explain the causes and effects of acid rain in Germany.
Explain the causes and effects of air pollution in the United Kingdom.
Explain the causes and effects of the nuclear disaster in Chernobyl, Ukraine.
Compare how the location, climate and natural resources of Germany, the United Kingdom, and Russia impact trade and affect where people live.
Describe the diversity of languages spoken within Europe.
Identify the major religions in Europe: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

3. ENDURING UNDERSTANDINGS
Culture: The student will understand that the culture of a society is the product of the religion, beliefs, customs, traditions, and government of that society.
Human Environment Interaction: The student will understand that humans, their society, and the environment affect each other.
Location: The student will understand that location affects a society’s economy, culture, and development.

4. THE PHYSICAL FEATURES OF EUROPE
Europe lies between the continents of Asia to the east and Africa to the south
Europe contains many key physical features:
Rivers
Danube River
Rhine River
Major water bodies
Mediterranean Sea
English Channel
Mountains
Alps
Pyrenees
Ural
Other landforms
Iberian Peninsula
European Plain
THE PHYSICAL FEATURES OF EUROPE

5. KEY COUNTRIES OF EUROPE
France
Germany
Italy
Russia
Spain
Ukraine
United Kingdom
Other countries include: Finland, Sweden, Portugal, Switzerland, Poland, Belgium, and the Netherlands

6. MAP OF EUROPE

7. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN EUROPE
Acid Rain
Rain mixed with pollutants becomes acid rain
Germany faced acid rain problems in the early 1900s due to coal burning and it is caused by factories and chemicals along with continued coal burning today.
Acid rain destroys forests, it pollutes rivers and lakes, kills fish and eats away materials for buildings
Laws have been put in place to prevent coal burning and to reduce factory chemicals

8. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN EUROPE
Air pollution
Caused mainly from emissions from vehicles and from ozone
Smog is the worst kind of air pollution, which causes death
This problem occurs often in the United Kingdom
Chernobyl
A nuclear reactor exploded at the Chernobyl plant in the Ukraine in 1986
Toxic radiation stayed in the air and destroyed land and animals
135,000 people were evacuated and 30 killed
The area of Chernobyl today is one of the most polluted areas on the planet

9. LOCATION, CLIMATE AND NATURAL RESOURCES, POPULATION DISTRIBUTION OF UNITED KINGDOM
Made up of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Located on a small island
Climate
Has warm ocean water thanks to the Gulf Stream current
Moist climate and has heavy rainfall
Natural Resources
Coal, Oil, Natural Gas
Population Distribution
Most people live in the urban cities
Many work in service industries like banking, insurance and tourism
Some work in steel, iron and electronics

10. LOCATION, CLIMATE AND NATURAL RESOURCES, POPULATION DISTRIBUTION OF RUSSIA
Stretches into two continents (Europe and Asia)
Largest country in the world
Climate
Has a very cold climate
Little to no rainfall
Not good for growing crops
Natural Resources
Coal, Oil, Natural gas, lumber
Resources are hard to distribute because of the climate
Population Distribution
Most people live in the western part of the European Plain
Many people work in mining, manufacturing and fishing

11. LOCATION, CLIMATE AND NATURAL RESOURCES, POPULATION DISTRIBUTION OF GERMANY
Located in central Europe
Climate
Has a moderate climate with warm summers and cool winters
Great weather for agriculture
Natural Resources
Coal, iron ore
Population Distribution
One of the largest populations in Europe
Many people live in cities and towns
Most work in steel, manufacturing, automobile production and building materials

12. LANGUAGES IN EUROPE Germanic
The most commonly used language in the world
Examples are German and English
Used in countries like England, Germany, Austria, Romania and Switzerland
Romance
Language that is based on the ancient Romans
Examples are French and Italian
Used in countries like France, Italy, and Belgium
Slavic
One of the oldest languages in Europe
Uses a Cyrillic alphabet
Examples are Russian
Used in Eastern European countries like Russia, Ukraine and Belarus

13. There are three major religious groups in Europe
RELIGIONS OF EUROPE
There are three major religious groups in Europe
All three religions are based around monotheism
Means that there is only one God

14. JUDAISM
Began about 1800 years ago
Beliefs are routed in Abraham and Moses as prophets and all Jews are awaiting the Messiah, named Yahweh
The sacred book is called the Torah
The Old Testament in the Bible
Some of the sacred places are the Jerusalem temple, Hebron, Palestine and the burial place of Abraham
Many Jews in Europe live in France, the UK, Russia and Eastern Europe

15. ISLAM Started by the prophet Muhammad in the 7th Century
Beliefs based on Abraham and Moses as the original prophets and that Muhammad is the last prophet
Allah is the messiah and one true God
The teachings are based in the Quran (Koran)
The sacred places include Mecca and Medina and Jerusalem
Fastest growing religion in Europe
Many live in France, Germany, the UK and Eastern Europe

16. CHRISTIANITY Beliefs based on Abraham and Moses as prophets
Began with the birth of Christ in the 1st century
Beliefs based on Abraham and Moses as prophets
The messiah is Jesus, the son of God
The teachings are based in the Bible
Sacred places include the Holy Land in Israel
Most popular religion in Europe
Catholics live in France, Spain and Italy, while Protestants live in Germany and the UK